Rebuilding credenza, 1979

[blickcd]

This is the large side credenza in the living room of a 31' 1979. Sort of an L-shape with a long tambour door that winds around the L, and the dining table folds down into the forward portion.

The tambour door on mine is falling apart. Replacement tambour in a walnut finish that will match the existing doesn't seem to be available, at least that I can find. Replacement stuff in other colors is pretty expensive.

In lieu of replacing the door with something expensive that doesn't match, I have considered rebuilding the credenza. The plan is to re-use the existing top and fold down table. I'd just replace the cabinet base at the L end with something framed up with stiles and rails in a traditional cabinet front, and some thin plywood doors. The plan is to use as light weight a woods as possible and just give it a deep walnut stain to match the rest of the unit. I'm confident that I can get good results but it is going to be a lot of work.

Considering my options, I'm looking for two things: A source of cheap walnut tambour. Note that I can't just repair the backing on my tambour as a number of splines have broken. Also looking for any photos or descriptions of rebuilt credenzas for even more ideas.

Thanks,
Christopher

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by blickcd

This is the large side credenza in the living room of a 31' 1979. Sort of an L-shape with a long tambour door that winds around the L, and the dining table folds down into the forward portion.

The tambour door on mine is falling apart. Replacement tambour in a walnut finish that will match the existing doesn't seem to be available, at least that I can find. Replacement stuff in other colors is pretty expensive.

In lieu of replacing the door with something expensive that doesn't match, I have considered rebuilding the credenza. The plan is to re-use the existing top and fold down table. I'd just replace the cabinet base at the L end with something framed up with stiles and rails in a traditional cabinet front, and some thin plywood doors. The plan is to use as light weight a woods as possible and just give it a deep walnut stain to match the rest of the unit. I'm confident that I can get good results but it is going to be a lot of work.

Considering my options, I'm looking for two things: A source of cheap walnut tambour. Note that I can't just repair the backing on my tambour as a number of splines have broken. Also looking for any photos or descriptions of rebuilt credenzas for even more ideas.

Thanks,
Christopher

Can't help you out on the rebuild (haven't gotten that far yet) But try calling a vintage friendly Airstream Dealer, some of them may still be able to source the tambour.

Aaron