Today we’d like to introduce you to Leif Abel.
Hi Leif, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started out with a couple tools to my name in a 10X12 ft mudroom in my home. I learned from the ground up talking with local woodworkers and studying as much as possible when it came to refinishing and restoring collectible furniture.
In 2017, I launched ReVision Furniture (revisionfurniture.com) buying, refinishing and selling vintage furniture online.
Early in my journey running this online retail business, I landed a commissioned restoration job on the side where I refinished 1,000 pieces in a warehouse in about three months time.
This was my crash course on developing systems to perform excellent refinishing in an efficient manner. I also learned how to give pieces a new life while still honoring their past and keeping certain elements of patina in tact.
The gentleman who hired me, would come in each week to inspect the work and was continually amazed at how everything looked like new.
At the end of the first year running ReVision Furniture, I fell in love specifically with Mid-Century Modern furniture design and the history of the modernist movement out of Germany and later Scandinavia.
Buying, restoring and selling pieces that speak to me personally has become my passion and my core business.
I now only work exclusively with designs I love from the Mid-Century Modern era. Primarily iconic and unique designs from Scandinavia, U.S.A and Brazil.
This past year, I began receiving hundreds of messages on my instagram of people asking me for restoration advice. So I started an online restoration educational program called ReVision Restoration (revisionrestoration.com).
This has been a fulfilling endeavor getting to help others who want to learn how to do what I do.
Currently, my days are filled helping customers which are mostly located in SoCal and NYC.
Also, helping restoration students and connecting with others who are passionate about furniture, restoration and design history within the space.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the biggest challenges were starting out with no outside funding for inventory, shop buildings, etc.
Having to build and grow slowly. But overtime, it’s been fun to see how things have blossomed into something cool. It taught me how to be very resourceful with very little.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently I have chosen to keep my retail business small, to have my heart fully invested into each piece and each customer I work with.
I specialize in the art of restoration and being extremely intentional throughout my process. From selecting finishes and materials, to even praying over the pieces and envisioning their future owners enjoying them. I practice embracing the entire experience with each piece that comes through my hands.
In business, I specialize in the art of making individuals feel heard, known and valued. That’s something that’s more important to me than anything. I want to be known for being an artist, that’s approachable and truly genuine with others.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
High Intentionality in Process / High Empathy with Clients
Pricing:
- $1,000
- $20,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://revisionfurniture.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revisionfurniture
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revisionfurniture
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leif-abel-88807453/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@revisionfurniture
- Yelp: https://g.co/kgs/93AxTn1
- Other: https://www.revisionrestoration.com/
