Old methods endure: Hand-rubbed oils, paste wax, and shellac have kept floors and furniture beautiful for over a century, resisting peeling and cracking better than many modern products. Repair made ...

Q: We just stripped six layers of paint off the front door of our 1820s house. I think the door is made of chestnut. We don’t want to repaint it, and we don’t like polyurethane. What’s the best ...