What should I do with antique chest of drawers?
by
Suzan Amos
+34
This is belonged to my husbands grandparents. Somewhere along the way it was painted, poorly. The veneer on top is peeling and top piece has been wedged up. I'm sure that part can be repaired and set back in place. Any ideas?
Antique family chest of drawers. Need advice
24 answers
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I think a really good sanding (start with a higher grit, then work down) and some chalk paint might be a good match. You could "shabby" it up after the chalk paint so some of the original wood shows through too
Stephanie (Sandpaper & Glue)
on Feb 06, 2014
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If it is very sentimental and you have the budget, get it refinished. We have a similar piece that went through a house fire and the pros really know how to do it. If it not that sentimental, then I would peel off the veneer on the top piece and paint that. I would check under the top through the top drawer to see if that piece will come off so you can reattach it properly. I would start with some Howard's Feed and Wax which is a great product that will at least make this piece look good until you decide what to do. This is a beautiful piece and I love keeping antiques as they should be. A professional refinisher can tell you if it can be "saved" and if not, then paint it. Good luck in your decision.
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Feb 06, 2014
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Thanks ladies. Is shabby and distressed the same? I'm not crazy about distressed stuff. I have done a little chalk paint and I do want to figure out how to bring out the details.
Suzan Amos
on Feb 06, 2014
- See 5 previous
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To add more visual interest without distressing or "shabbifying," sand the dresser well, choose your paint color, paint, and then outline or paint the details with a shade or two darker.
KathrynElizabeth Etier
on Feb 08, 2014
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This is a "nice" old piece, not a "fine" antique. With that in mind, I would not spend big bucks to have it refinished. Had it been a fine antique, refinishing would have destroyed its value. Sand it, paint it and do a little "antiquing" to show the detail. Those are not the original pulls, so check around and get rid of these "French Proventil" ones...
Jim L
on Feb 08, 2014
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Since you do not want to distress. I would recommend painting in a chalk paint of any brand and using a dark wax or an antigue glaze on the areas that are raised or grooved. The dark product with bring out the beautiful accents.
117135
on Feb 08, 2014
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@Jim, I have always known this was never an expensive piece due to the veneers. And I wondered if those handles were original or not. I will see what I can find more suitable. @ Dede, that sounds like smething I can definitely do, thank you.
Suzan Amos
on Feb 08, 2014
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Keep in mind that with these old pieces, the creams make it so elegant! Then use a dark wax on the paint. Check with the Anne Sloan store near you or go on line and watch some of the videos. Lots of folks are using her paint so you should be able to get lots of advice. If you plan to paint, wood putty can be used to repair the rough spots. You might have to do a little gluing and clamping, but it will be worth it!
Jeanette S
on Feb 08, 2014
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Repair and then use Annie Sloan chalk paint to make the piece a thing of Beauty!
Paula prislovsky
on Feb 08, 2014
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As far as the top, scrape all veneer off after soaking it under a wet towel for a few hours. You can than paint it, or flip it over and use the other side as the top. I have done this on a few pieces and it works out great.
Thrifty Treasures
on Feb 08, 2014
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Sand it down and paint it an accent color to fit into your decor. Change the hardware
Carolyn Heltsley
on Feb 08, 2014
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A lovely piece. I have no new ideas, just wanted to request that you post the end result. good luck
Opal
on Feb 08, 2014
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I have never even seen something that was "chalk painted", only pictures. But I think I would find a store that makes it and look at their waxes...they supposedly have samples of what each color with waxes looks like. And if you do not have a supplier close, you can do some investigating on line. The Anne Sloan company has videos too that can give you an idea of how to proceed. I am not going to do any of this right now so I have not looked at it too thoroughly. Also, clip some of the pieces you see that you like on Hometalk and start asking questions. I just know from what I have seen here on this post, I like the light colors (white, cream and light gray) that then use a wax. It is more to an elegant look!
Jeanette S
on Feb 09, 2014
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I would not refinish it 1)put it in a closet for extra storage - maybe for Christmas papers etc. 2) Use the mirror and drawer set somewhere else - in the hall way on top of another table? in another bathroom? 3) Put some different pulls on it, paint it and [with the mirror left off] put another top on it out of silestone? Granite? and use it elsewhere. Still is good storage no matter what you do. Hope this gives you some ideas
Cindy Moore
on Feb 09, 2014
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@Chalk paint in a beautiful pale aqua blue. Then cover it with a wax finish. The wax can be like Johnson's Paste wax. This gives the piece a satin finish that protects the paint . If you darken a little of the wax with a touch of darker paint, it will bring out the details and make the piece look richer. You might want to do a search here on Hometalk, for previous pictures of furniture makeovers.
Frankieh
on Feb 09, 2014
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A good latex paint after some prep work would give you a wonderful piece!
Cynthia H
on Feb 10, 2014
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Annie Sloan chalk paint is very expensive, you can make your own chalk paint. Add 2 TBS. of plaster of paris to 1 TBS of water, mix well to get out the lumps. Add mixture to 1 cup of paint and mix to combine, You can buy sample jars at Lowes, just pour the mix in the paint jar, put the lid back on and shake the jar. I like your idea of a pretty gray and maybe black pulls.
Patty
on Feb 10, 2014
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Check out Shabby Paints .. better than Annie Sloan and cheaper!!!
Sheila Gustafson
on Feb 10, 2014
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First I would determine the following, since you state 'antique'. Research easily for a idea of just how old it is, then what it is made of, and if the hardware is original. As well, think about how much you like the shape and the type wood of the piece. Add it up. Would it be worthy of restoration? Ending with a natural finish of tung oil and beeswax, or paint in any of numerous ways. If hardware is not original, and you want it to be,many restoration hardware stores online. An originally well made antique piece (?years) of nice solid wood can be a lasting family piece. Sometimes you get lucky and run into one free or almost criminally cheap.
Rishia O'Neill
on Feb 10, 2014
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I found a piece similar to this,i scraped the top veneer off used the router to put a nice clean edge, stripped the whole thing down,stained it with a light red mohagony stain and put a couple of coats of minwax water based poly,my wife said it was a piece of junk when I got it, but when I finished it she fell in love with it,it 7 years later it still sits in one of the bedrooms.
Cesar Ramirez
on Feb 11, 2014
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Would love see a picture!!
Suzan Amos
on Feb 11, 2014
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It is a beautiful piece and I would love to see how all that intricate design is going to pop, once painted. Good luck on that and come on back with some photos. I just read above where you are thinking of painting it in pale gray..add a little silver or pearl in with that and I think it will be Fabulous!
Deb Lewis
on Feb 11, 2014
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http://shabbypaints.com/shabby-paintsretailers/ Check this out I think you will really like it..
Sheila Gustafson
on Feb 12, 2014
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Americana Decor chalky finish is amazing - and everyone is right - a little goes a long way. The 8 oz jar sells at Home Depot for about $8. You will absolutely be able to finish that piece with one jar, if you want to do one color. Pick up some new knobs and pulls, and viola! You have a gorgeous piece!
MonicaCharles
on Jul 08, 2014
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