I need some ideas for this unique piece.
by
Jac308459
+44
I found this dresser online for 5 dollars. It's in pretty good shape over all. I'm just not sure how to refinish it... I would really enjoy any ideas or input anyone may have. The design on the front is actually engrave in to the wood. I like the design except the name which I find odd. I wonder if can be filled in will wood filler..
44 answers
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Were it me, I would take the time to get some matching stain and give this a lot of care, leaving it natural...then varnish really good!
Jeanette S
on Apr 27, 2014
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Do not touch it. Wipe the dust off and use some olive oil. Or small amount of Old English.....Why would anyone want to cover this beautiful obvious historic piece. Looking at the large pic again.....use olive oil. I think that will cover those scratches without changing the patina....what a find!
Jan T
on Apr 27, 2014
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Yes you can use wood filler to put in the grooves of the "name". Make sure you use a flat edge to scrape all the extra filling off so you have a smooth finish. I, personally, would paint it using the "chalk" type paint or mms milk paint. But that's my preference. You will find many painted pieces on this site! just look in the DIY section. Good luck and don't forget to post pictures when you are done!!
Mary
on Apr 27, 2014
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Also, make sure you use a stainable/paintable wood filler. The labels will say if it's stainable/paintable.
Mary
on Apr 27, 2014
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I dunno...I think the name adds to the character and supplies a little mystery.
KathrynElizabeth Etier
on Apr 27, 2014
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Awesome find, it is very cool as is so don't lose the awesomeness, just clean up a bit with some gentle refinishing. I really like the designs and words....
Redeemwood
on Apr 27, 2014
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I think you have a real dilemma here which is why I tend to avoid pieces like this even if they are only $5 ( or in the UK £3)! On the one hand this is not a valuable chest, it probably dates from the 1920/30's and would have been a cheap, utilitarian item of furniture. It is also in terrible condition, I have been 'refinishing' furniture for over 15 years, I started out restoring but now do more painting (market forces dictate what you do if you're running a business), and I really don't think olive oil will fix this. The real value lies in the customising that I suspect Derek James (or his parents) did to the chest! If you are keeping this for yourself and bought it because you liked the detailing, which is indeed unique, there are products available that will help with the appearance of the scratches and scuffs. It is never going to be pristine unless you sand and re-stain it which means you lose Derek's handiwork. If you were planning on painting it (which is the only option once you start using filler etc) then maybe it would be easier to look for something else and sell this on, although it is probably not worth much more than the $5 you paid for it unfortunately, unless you put in a lot of work and find the right customer. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
GR
on Apr 27, 2014
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If you want to change it and don't have a design in mine look through some catalogues to find examples that you like. Pottery barn/Pier 1 things like that. Personally I like it the way it is. I may remove the name but I like the designs.
Jobo
on Apr 27, 2014
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You could remove that top drawer and make it a shelf. Then, since the previous owner or maker already added color to the piece you could paint and play up the pretty etched details. There are pieces on Hometalk that have that done and painting them really accentuated the wood work. You could also sand down the top and stain it and paint the rest. But it looks like that top drawer is not only personalized, but the name has a big ole scratch across it.
Michele Eures
on Apr 27, 2014
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Thank you
Jac308459
on Apr 27, 2014
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I think you found a treasure. I can't add any more advice.
AmericanWoman
on Apr 27, 2014
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I call myself the mad painter but in your case, I love the piece and the carvings, and name. You don't usually walk into a home and see something like this. "expect the unexpected". I love the red, the carvings,and everything about it... Only you will own this. Anyone can have a wood bureau, but yours is very special. I'd clean it with oil, never soap and water, and same with the inside drawers. Please show after you oil and buff. Also i use these size pieces in my living room, foyer and den. I like the wood, drawers and the usefulness of them. Not mdf or particle board, real wood vintage pieces. Try to resist the urge to eliminate the uniqueness of this piece. good luck.
Lynn Zawojski
on Apr 27, 2014
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Oh PLEASE dont paint this !!!!!!!
Martha Sims
on Apr 27, 2014
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I usually paint old finds but this one is BEAUTIFUL! I love the colors! I agree with the application of oil to cover the scratches,etc. I love the idea of leaving the name and not filling it in. I like the mystery of who this was. What were some treasures he might have kept in the drawers? I tend to let my imagination take off!
Toni E
on Apr 27, 2014
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A coat of varnish and it will be perfect.
James Hicks
on Apr 27, 2014
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What a treasure!! I'd use the Howards two step refinishing system. Step one, oils and replenished the wood, and step two; then waxes it and protects it with a bee's wax. I think you will be amazed at the finished product!! This is a keeper as it is....and I paint furniture for a living!!
White Oak Studio Designs
on Apr 28, 2014
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I agree with most everyone...too pretty to paint..just restore a bit, although I might want to cover that name.
Sherry Knott
on Apr 28, 2014
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I would use a layer of primer and then chalk paint it. You should be able to cover the name with wood filler first or remove top drawer and make a shelf with a basket or place for media. I would brighten up the look with a CeCe Caldwell blue.
Julie Anderson
on Apr 28, 2014
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I agree with the chalk paint. It makes me want to at least have 2 tone colors. I see the scallops and they remind me of waves. I envision a nautical theme in turquoise and navy. The medallion could be turned into a compass or a sand dollar. Definitely wood fill the name or you might even look to see what kinds of wood relief designs that you can find from Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, etc. to glue over or I would cover it with nautical knots. I find it interesting that the leafy designs are all the same direction except for the middle drawer. I would perhaps cover with a thin veneer that I had either painted light houses on it or mermaids, sea horses, etc. If you are thinking more of a woman's theme, those scallops could be vines, and you could paint leaves and flowers instead. If you aren't very artistic, I would hunt for stencils.
Wanda Stivison
on Apr 28, 2014
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DON'T paint this! Clean it and use a very light stain and then several coats of tung oil to protect it. The name on it is priceless.
Judith ewing pilgrim
on Apr 28, 2014
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I love it the way it is but if you wanted to change it, I all about simplicity. One neutral color of paint and change the knobs to something that you love. leave the decorations with the exception of the "Derek James", or leave it and come up with a story for who Derek James was. ;)
Michelle Nelson
on Apr 28, 2014
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Thanks so much
Jac308459
on Apr 28, 2014
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Okay, I'm normally the queen of painting, but this is one case where I would not. This piece is too unique, i.e. special, and shows a lot of history; you'll be losing that if you paint it & especially if you cover up the name. That's what makes it a true one-of-a-kind conversation piece. There are plenty of dressers you can paint. I'm in agreement about using natural oils or waxes for refurbishing this piece...polyurethanes and varnishes are not appropriate, imo. I see there's a big scratch across the top drawer. You could perhaps sand that out "artistically" along with other areas that look a little rough for wear. I mean it's clearly a naturally aged/distressed piece already so a spruce up shouldn't affect the value much. What a find!!!
Centrd
on Apr 28, 2014
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I agree that in this case I wouldn't paint it. But if you must do something like that, do something light (chalk paint or watered down light...something) and then stencil the front.
Susan S
on Apr 28, 2014
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Painting with ruin it.. Just clean, touch up the scratches with some stain, and apply an oil product to revive the colours.
Marion Nesbitt
on Apr 28, 2014
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Don't chalk paint it, I know it's the trendy rage, but save that for an ugly piece. Seriously! Primer over this? Just refinish slightly and enjoy!
Dorothy
on Apr 28, 2014
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I agree with NOT PAINTING or covering up it's charm. I'd give it a good wipe down with a damp cloth cleaning followed by a dark wax to enhance the wear and age, and clear wax to seal it and give it a new luster... LOVE all the natural history it already has!
Christi Gordon
on Apr 28, 2014
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You really scored with that piece! I agree with cleaning it up first and then place it in your home, live with it for a few weeks. If you are still unhappy with it then sand it down and repaint it and add some new knobs....Good Luck!
Shari Veater
on Apr 28, 2014
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There are quite a few famous guys named Derek James. From an anchorman on Fox News to a singer to a professional golfer in South Africa. Maybe you should contact them about this piece and sell it to the highest bidder! Maybe one of them had it as a child! You might make a lot of money! Ha. It's a beautiful piece and if it were mine, I would just freshen it up as others have suggested. Not paint it. There is too much character in it.
Donna R
on Apr 28, 2014
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If you just don't want the name visable (and I can totally understand that) you could simply cover that part with a pretty wooden attachment piece (drawing a blank on what they're called), stain it to match and wax the rest.
Sarah Jackson
on Apr 28, 2014
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Clean it, a very light sanding on problem areas where dark stained. Use a like stain to touch up scratches. Finish it off with polyurethane or shallac or varnish OR tung oil or a high quality wax (many coats). I am sure you will learn to love Derek James in the future. Just say he was a whaler and never returned to claim this beautiful chest. My other thought is to find someone, very talented, to repair/refinish it for you. Good Luck!
Carol
on Apr 28, 2014
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I wouldn't paint it--clean it up and enjoy! If it needs touching up, use a little light sanding, maybe get out the woodburning pencil for the carvings and put a light finish on it. Fun piece.
Karen rhinevault
on Apr 28, 2014
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Love this....do you have any little guys in the house??? See a western theme and James as a long lost cowboy. LOL Create your own history for this chest in kids room
Kay Love-Wood
on Apr 29, 2014
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Tung oil is easy to use...wipe it on and let it dry. The more coats you add the more protection you get. It is waterproof and doesn't change the color. I have a very old oak wash stand that I cleaned and put about five coats of tung oil on about 35 years ago and it's still beautiful. Sometimes the best thing to do to an old piece of furniture is cleaning and protecting it.
Judith ewing pilgrim
on Apr 29, 2014
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I think this piece is b***ugly with all that doodling. I WOULD totally paint it! Use some bondo to fill in the name and sand that down. Look on Pinterest for Annie Sloan Chalk paint or any trendy paint color of your choice (right now gray or white or teal, or red is hot). And change out the knobs, Leave it distressed or even use wax to richen it up. You will LOVE it.
Jennair
on Apr 29, 2014
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@jacq at the moment it is a signet waiting to be a swan,I would lightly sand it down,and then add oil to the wood,it seems like history is being covered over all the time,this is a personlised piece ,it would be a shame to cover it in paint
Sandra K Gibson
on Apr 30, 2014
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I agree with everyone else. DON'T PAINT IT. Just clean it up
Franceen o'toole
on May 23, 2014
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No what I do is rub it down and use chalk paint.
Louise
on May 23, 2014
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I just came across this & want to put in my two cents worth! I think someone bought a chest then decided to personalize it for their child. They are the ones who put the name and the carving & the painted things on the rest of the piece. I really would try to preserve it first (although if the original owner - Derek James - didn't care, why should you?) because you can always paint it! But it does have a certain charm.
Cherie
on Jun 18, 2014
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I would also entertain getting rid of the engraving altogether. It looks to be a novice job and fights with the piece somewhat. Now this is where the fun comes in! Removes those blah knobs, sand out and fill the engraving and deep scratches then go explore paint options while keeping in mind how this piece fits your decor. Checkout Pinterest, Google, Bing and Hometalk-to start. Type in painted furniture and you will get a myriad of options from simplistic to sublime. If against removing all the engraving, look at using a Dremmel tool-or the like-to take the engraving from drab to fab. If it fell into my hands I would pitch the engraving, stylishly paint the heck out of it and change the knobs for one of the many options out there-including vintage. Have fun investigating the options!
Meliss Etner
on Jun 18, 2014
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Just two more tips. Many of these images on the above mentioned sites are attached to blog sites that will have more painted furniture. So if you love what one blogger did, there will probably be more on their blog. I would also, as i've done before printed my fave photos, printed them and take them to the space I plan for the piece to go. It saves much, in the long run, on oops outcomes. Hope this helps!
Meliss Etner
on Jun 18, 2014
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looks like shaker doodles, and with the name, I'm thinking it is Shaker. refurbish and keep as is.. I'm a prolific user of chalk paint, however this appears to have more value as a bonafide shaker piece.. but i'm usually incorrect... :-)
Lynn Zawojski
on Aug 28, 2014
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It is hard to find a piece with character, which yours has. Pick out the parts you like the best and accent them - sand and stain the rest to accent. Make it your own.
Michelle Nevers-Grow
on Aug 28, 2014
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A product called Emperor's Silk' with the Chalk Paint would turn that dresser into a jewel! Check out 'Emperorsilk.com
Margaret Hibbard
on Jan 11, 2015
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