Asked on Jul 16, 2014
I am wondering how to update this dresser?
+7
I was thinking of painting it black...any suggestions?
10 answers
-
I like staining the top a dark walnut, and painting the rest. Remove the pulls and either paint them, or just give them a good polishing!
Adrianne C
on Jul 17, 2014
-
it's your dresser but personally I see it as beautiful now. If it was mine I would just cover the scratches with Old English scratch cover, give the entire piece a coat, polish it up and it will be a fine looking almost antique. Personally, I would never paint such a fine piece
Cheryl
on Jul 17, 2014
-
You will probably get a number of people telling you not to paint at all! However if you do decide to go ahead I have seen a number of projects on Hometalk where as Adrianne suggested they stain the top and paint the drawers black that have looked stunning. Good luck with whatever you decide!
GR
on Jul 17, 2014
-
I just redid a piece similar to this. I painted the bottom and drawers white and left the top stained.
Katie Lloyd Mansfield
on Jul 17, 2014
-
I've seen projects like this before, and some of them have painted the top and the area around the drawers a light or dark colour, and then the drawers the opposite or some patterned paper and mod podge. :)
JessieBessie
on Jul 18, 2014
-
I have two almost exactly like this one. I've had them for probably 25 years. I refinished them right after I purchased them, and I still love them. I think they're classic just as they are. One thing about refinishing vs painting is that even though I've had them all these years, they don't look dated, IMO. They're solid wood so they'll last forever. But if you choose to paint (not a thing wrong with that), I like the ones that are done with a stain on top and paint on the rest. The color would depend on your decor, but I always think black looks sophisticated and also stands the test of time.
L.Briscoe
on Jul 19, 2014
-
Leave the hardware alone and do not paint it. It will lose it's value.
Jennifer Quinn-White
on Jul 19, 2014
-
I'm in the used furniture business, and sadly these circa 1940s chests aren't worth much these days, but they're so well made and have so much potential! I'd definitely paint if. But don't just paint it. PAINT IT! See the photo from Shades of Blue Interiors blog using Miss Mustard Seed's Artissimo blue paint. I am constantly saving photos of painted furniture for ideas, and this is one of the prettiest, richest pieces I've seen painted, and the profile of your piece would serve it well! This made me order the milk paint color, but I haven't found just the right piece for it yet. Keep your wood stained top, and paint the base. If you choose to paint, I'd love to see the finished product! Good luck.
Greer
on Jul 21, 2014
-
I don't know but I have one almost exactly like it. In fact, it is almost identical to this. The one that I have is right here .... by me.. it is made of cherry wood with cherry stain. The only history that I have of this is from the family. It never belonged to anyone but family. My mother in law's mother and daddy had it before them and now I have it. It is from the 1930's. She was born in 1930 and can't remember anything but this. To me it is more like a chest of drawers.. than a dresser. I have the dresser and mirror, and the bed with headboard and footboard. It is a sleigh bed. In fact, I was just talking to someone about this yesterday from a yard sale online. She and I were talking about the dresser and how much it was worth.. It is at least 75 years old.. I have no idea what it is worth tho.. If you ever find out.. let me know?? Thank you.. nancy milam-still
Nancy S
on Jul 21, 2014
-
This looks like mahagony. It may be a veneer piece but even if it is, the wood is stunning when its refinished properly. Try to save some of the wood if you can. These do tend to look great painted black with a slight gloss. I don't think chalk painting or shabby chic style does these pieces justice. IMHO, they look so much better with an elegant finish.
Porta Verde Studio
on Jul 21, 2014
Sign Up to Answer
