BRANDYWINE ANTIQUES

Mr. Boardwine is a kind and courteous man. He kept all his appointments and did what he said he would do. I would definitely recommend him and will use his services again if I need any work done.

I can refinish simple pieces myself, but I had some very complicated pieces that needed more skill than I have: a Joerns Bros. art deco bedroom set with a multitude of tiny veneer pieces, a dining table that I had managed to destroy the top of, and a few smaller projects. Gizmo and his helpers did wonderful work--these pieces are quite beautiful now--and they found new hardware (door pulls, etc.) that matched the original hardware exactly. I never spend much money for antiques, but I have lucked into some wonderful bargains and have inherited a few pieces. By the time I pay for refinishing, the furniture is much more expensive, of course. But because I paid little to begin with, the refinishing still ends up being a bargain. I could never afford these pieces if I bought them fully finished in any antiques shop (including Gizmo's). I have been delighted with Brandywine Antiques' refinishing work and am unlikely to use anyone else in the future. And the French doors I bought from Gizmo were a great bargain. They're heavy as all get-out because they're built of real hardwood, and there's no way you can buy that kind of quality at any price anymore, given that no one these days is letting the trees age to full growth before harvesting. On the personal-but-business side: Gizmo has a strong reputation for honesty, and I've found it to be justified. He is very personable and sweet natured and is easy to deal with. I don't have a lot of patience with arrogance or fakery or snobbery, so this matters some to me. You might think of him as a good country boy (a well-spoken one, however) who happens to know a heck of a lot about antiques.