Thanks, Grandma

The Trophy Husband and I moved out to Fairview in 2000, and lived there for about 7 years before acquiring the Dream House. My neighbor, John Offerle (a bearded and bespectacled hippie type) would sometimes wander across the street to watch me do Martha Stewart imitations. I think he got a kick out of seeing me try, at least try, what girls aren’t supposed to do… But, then again, I am fearless in the area of home improvement. Nothing scares me, not even this.

John was always banging around in his garage. I’ll say. As it turns out, my super low-key former neighbor is a renowned antiques restoration guy, I mean the guy. The go-to for the best of the best. Through John, I met Loyd Paxton, and, well, the rest is history. Decorators, designers, and dealers all over Dallas know John as The American Craftsman.

I was so amazed at his skills, I began dragging my furniture piece by piece into his little restoration haven.

John moseyed over to the Dream House just this morning and picked up about 10 different pieces I inherited from my grandmother last year. Veneer lifting? Broken legs? Surface damage? Drawers won’t budge? Not anymore…John Offerle is on the job.

As a devotee of Antiques Roadshow, I’ve learned when you repair, and when you restore, and exactly what that means to the value. I don’t have anything extraordinary, just precious family history. John can be contacted at 972-467-7705.