Fitting a Welsh dresser into an Altrincham home

Matching timber, colour and wear are good signs, as are consistent mouldings and fixing marks where the rack meets the base. A married dresser is not necessarily a bad buy, and they are common, but it affects value. Ask Sara directly what she knows about how a particular dresser was put together.

Warm floors and dry air can make oak shrink, which may open joints or loosen panels. Standing the dresser away from the warmest zone, avoiding big temperature swings and keeping room humidity reasonable all help. Ask Sara about the dresser's current condition so you know what you are starting from.

A rack loaded with plates is heavy at the top, and fixing it to the wall is a common precaution, especially in a busy kitchen. Some racks have old fixing holes or a rail at the back. Ask Sara whether a particular rack has these, and what sort of fixing would suit that piece.

Stand plates upright in the rack against the rail, and add a small grip pad at the foot if needed. Avoid heavy platters on narrow shelves, and do not wedge plates tightly. Wipe dust from the shelf edges, where old plates tend to leave marks over time.

It collects dust and scuffs from feet and bags, but it is simple to wipe with a dry cloth. Put felt under heavy pots so they do not scratch the boards. A low shelf like this suits things you use daily rather than treasures.

Ask Sara for the height of the base on its own as well as the overall height, because the rack may need to travel separately. Ask also whether the backboards and handles are original, and whether rack and base began life together. These details show how the dresser has lived.

A new unit is made for a fitted, uniform look. A Welsh dresser is freestanding, brings age and warmth to an open family space, and can go with you when you move. Think about how much you will really use the shelves and cupboards.

Have the width of the wall, the ceiling height where it will stand and the narrowest point on the route in. Then ask for the overall height, base height, width and depth, and compare them with yours. Writing both sets of figures side by side avoids surprises.

Wipe grease and splashes quickly with a slightly damp cloth, then dry. Avoid steam directly beneath the rack, and keep cooking oils off the timber. A thin coat of wax once or twice a year protects the surface, and it is worth checking drawer interiors for crumbs occasionally.

Choose a long, solid wall away from the cooker and not directly beside a radiator, where the rack can stand clear of sockets and light switches. Check the wall can take a fixing for the rack, and that the drawers and doors can open without hitting a worktop or table.