Knowing When to Stop

I’m repairing and refinishing an old turn of the century oak farmhouse table—normally I don’t do much refinishing but this is for a friend and it’s a cool old hearty table—the problem I have with refinishing is I have trouble knowing when to stop—knowing when the piece is as restored as it ought to be—knowing its aesthetic limitations—there is a point in restoration when the age and natural wear of a piece is balanced with its reconstruction—The charm and warmth of this piece is in its dents and cracks—in the fact that it has been well used and led a difficult but functional life—

When it was brought to me I cleaned and reglued the tenons, removed the pieces of wood slapped on to hold it intact, and then I stripped off the old mottled finish—today I started the reassembly process—just to make sure it would go back together—save for a couple of minor glitches it looks like it’s going to work—its top is sagging a bit but I can straighten that out--

I think for once I stopped at the right moment so this piece retains the wisdom of its hard life—and will be able to bring that aged wisdom into another dining room--