Time Treasures Puts New Spin On Remodeling Old Furniture

Out With the Old, In With the Old: The O.R.G.A.S.M. Approach to Remodeling

By Courtney Lochner | December 8, 2011 at 7:55 am

Time Treasures Project Press Party

A Chicago refinishing boutique is changing the way people see and feel about their old furniture. With the economic struggles and the sluggish real estate market, Donna Kafel, owner of Time Treasures knew she had to cater to the changed market. Buying new is difficult right now, and as Kafel points out, not necessary. You may just have a masterpiece sitting in your basement. Such was the birth of Time Treasures’ project “O.R.G.A.S.M.– Organic Refurnishing Guarantees a Sanity Makeover™”.

If the name alone didn’t catch your attention, the Kafel family will. Stepping into Time Treasures is instant entertainment: Donna’s husband Jacek was a famous musician in 1960s Poland. Think Polish Ozzy Osbourne. Jacek prances about the place, occasionally playing guitar or building amplifiers for his famous-musician clientele, who too make appearances. Or you may get to mingle with their grandson Luke, a child model and actor.

But when it comes to the refinishing, Donna Kafel’s goal is a little like the concept of “Antiques Roadshow.” Customers send in their pictures or bring in pieces of furniture for Kafel to judge. Nine times out of 10 she can find a redeeming factor in the old piece and forgotten pieces from the basement are then transformed into showstoppers.

“We knew we had to provide a new way of looking at interior design for people during these economic times,” Kafel said. “This project succeeds in doing just that; it allows our customers to make over their homes with a quarter of the cost than if they were to start from scratch.”

One of the biggest differences in their technique is the use of French polish (shellac), a dying trade of organic polish that gives old furniture a new glow while ensuring durability. In addition, they use horsehair stuffing instead of synthetics. No chemical sprays or leftovers are involved.

Mahogany Jacobean Mohair

“Whether our clients want a retro-fabulous ‘70s recreation or a neoclassical piece, we can refurnish anything and transform it into a visual masterpiece,” said Anna Kafel Phillips, part owner and Donna and Jacek’s daughter. “We can create it all from classics to stand-alone pieces and conversation starters – the ultimate home makeover ingredients.”

So how did this boutique learn to master such an old trade? Maybe its because they grew up in an ancient place as Krawkow, Poland, where gorgeous antique pieces and Old World techniques were the norm. Luck and fate sealed the deal. They arrived to the United States on a work Visa sponsored by an antique store. But their eye for design told the Kafels that the magic wasn’t just in the old pieces but in the restoring of them, and transforming a ready-for-garbage piece and giving it a Cinderella-worthy makeover. Since 1999 they’ve been doing just that, and Chicago’s shoppers are thankful.

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