An antique cabinet for a Northwich home

Brine pumping for the salt industry caused serious subsidence in the town. Many buildings in the centre were built with timber frames so they could be lifted and levelled, or even moved, if the ground sank. The Lion Salt Works museum at Marston tells that story well and is worth a visit.

Find the low corner with a spirit level and raise it with thin hardwood packers under the foot, rather than trimming the cabinet itself. A level cabinet keeps its doors closing properly and puts less strain on its joints. For a tall cabinet, fixing it discreetly to the wall adds a useful margin of safety.

Look at whether the glass appears old or replaced, whether the doors close cleanly, and how the shelves are supported. Old glass often has slight ripples, which many people like. Ask Sara for close photographs of the glazing, hinges and shelf supports of the cabinet you are considering.

Start with an enquiry about the cabinet through lifefullcolour.uk or a call to Sara on 01286 400155. She can answer questions about the piece and about whether viewing is possible and how delivery would be quoted for it. The purchase itself completes on Creative Caernarfon.

Use a barely damp, lint-free cloth and dry straight away, keeping liquid away from the timber and the glazing bars where it can seep in. Avoid sprays aimed at the glass, as they run into joints. Old glass can be thin or slightly wavy, so press gently.

Put heavier items low and lighter ones higher, and spread weight evenly across each shelf rather than stacking one end. Old shelves can sag over time, so avoid dense books or heavy china on thin boards. If a shelf looks bowed, ask Sara what she can tell you about its supports.

Old glass can be thin, slightly wavy or marked with tiny bubbles, and the timber carries the wear of years of use. Both are part of the cabinet's character rather than faults. Check that the glass is not cracked, that the beading is secure and that the doors close squarely.

Depth matters, along with the space needed to swing the doors fully open and the height of each shelf inside. Measure where you will stand it, including any skirting board, and note the narrowest doorway on the way in. A cabinet that fits but cannot open is no use.

Measure the things you want to display, including the tallest, and compare them with the inside shelf heights. Find out whether the shelves are fixed or adjustable. A cabinet that looks right but cannot hold your objects is frustrating, so plan before you enquire.

Yes. Furniture in different timbers looks natural when the tones sit comfortably together, and a mixed room usually feels more lived in than a matching suite. Keep one or two woods dominant and let the cabinet be the piece that draws the eye.

Use a soft, dry cloth and move with the grain. Avoid feather dusters that can catch loose edges, and skip damp cloths on veneer. Check corners and edges now and then for lifting. If veneer has lifted, leave it alone rather than pressing it down, and have a furniture restorer look at it.