What to do with this handsome old chest of drawers?

Question

I want to somehow bring this handsome old chest of drawers back to the future & am at a loss. It's solid oak, with a rounded front, finger grooves for pulls below the large sized drawers, the mirror is not the best, so not necessary to use. I could strip it & refinish, but I'm looking for other ideas ~ pics would be greatly appreciated. :)

Linda · Answer

I would strip it and stain it a dark brown. It's a beautiful piece.

Diane Harrish · Answer

I personally have gotten into chalk painting myself, so very easy. The most cost effective is the homemade chalk paint. There are ton of ideas on this site as well as recipes.

Terry · Answer

I would also strip and stain but a Honey Amber. It's a very nice piece of furniture. Please do not paint.

Gretchen Mercer · Answer

This is beautiful and so versatile! I can easily see it in almost any room of the house...would be a great chest and mirror for an entryway; little accent area in the family/living room...upstairs hallway. I would follow the advice of those who suggest you not paint it. In a baby nursery, you could add a baby-changing pad and have the ideal baby dresser. Neat piece!

Nancy Williams · Answer

before you tackle the job, have you checked out to see the true value of this chest? If it has a name somewhere, go on the internet and check it out. You might want to just clean+polish it up..N.W.

CK · Answer

The 'value' is what it is to you and how you'll use it. Are you planning to sell it? If so, then do check to see its maker's mark (if it has one) and what it may be worth on the selling market. If you're planning to use it yourself, do what YOU want to make it 'you'. I've seen many of these dressers in our area. Most are pretty worn and beat up by the time they hit the market. I personally would paint it if it was for my own use. But if a client loved it with a wood tone, then I'd request it be refinished again to a wood tone (and it can be made darker or lighter too). You might try Old English Scratch Repair on it to see if it helps. http://www.oldenglishpolish.com/ Just because it may have a 'pedigree' doesn't mean you have to keep it 'as is'. ;-)

Barb Burnham · Answer

If you do not want to paint it use a wood refinishing ptoduct-one step called 'Restore'. Comes in variety of wood tones so you could  darken it if desired. Apply with 0000 steel wool and before it gets tacky dry wip wipe off with lint proof cloth. Do inside drawers too for consistency. It has an ingredient that loosens the existing finish and color and adds new color and stain at the same time. Do all my antiques that way and doesn't  change value like stripping does. You could remove the mirror and put use a new framed mirror above it that compliments piece.

Polly Andrews · Answer

I agree, check the value of the piece first. Refinishing usually takes the value down. I think if you must change it, the suggestion from Barb Burnham is right on. If you find there is no significant value to the piece, maybe a black matte finish with silver or gray chevrons on the drawers. WOW!!

Teresa Kellerman · Answer

I have a couple of suggestions for the piece if you want to personalize it. I tried to get a picture of an ombre painted chest of drawers but the site wouldn't allow me to copy the picture. Here is a link to the site though: http://dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/upcycled-dressers-painted-wallpapered.html You could choose one of your favorite colors to paint the bottom drawer and then add white to it to create a mid-tone for the middle drawer and then more white to the top drawer. Be sure to paint the sides of the dresser with your favorite of the three colors and I would paint the top the lightest tone. The dresser style reminds me of old luggage. You may want to paint each drawer to look like a distinct piece of luggage. You could add leather straps, or decoupage city stickers to each drawer as well. Here's a picture for an example.

Tracy Shudo · Answer

I really like the idea of making the chest look like the picture above of stacked suitcases. But I am in the same situation have 2 pieces form the very early 70's that still have label's in them. I am going to see if the have any value. if not calk painting is on it's way.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

I have this exact piece of furniture along with a high ceder chest. Was beautiful at one time. My daughter used the furniture which had very large drawers that fits plenty of clothes. There was a vanity with this set, large mirror with two end tables attached to the mirror. My mom cut the end tables off off the mirror, it was a beautiful set. But this furniture can possibly be veneer. The headboard that I had started to some off, tried glueing it back on, but still continued to peal in other places. Id have an antique dealer look at it first to see what you can do with it.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

Ill hold onto this email, my daughter can take the pictures. She has my camera. I love these drawers because they are deep in size. The piece you have, my top looks the same because my daughter, when little had a gold fish tank on it. When she got older and was playing sony playstation, i have discolor on the top drawer because she rested her feet on it. I just noticed I have a circular mirror on this piece. Ive taken it down tho, and have it stored in the closet. Ill get back to you

Shelly smith · Answer

You could give it to me cause I like it.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

Its my daughter birthday week-end. Going to make note to remind myself.

PattyV · Answer

I think it would make a stunning piece if you stained it an ebony color. I would then use some etching creme and do a border around the mirror to give it some dimension. Perhaps you might consider use a gloss sealer on the dresser but use a satin finish on the drawers to give the overpiece some dimension as well.

Maria Urban · Answer

Suggest painting with Annie Sloan Chalk paint in an Hombre look - which is just shades of a single color. With Annie Sloan you don't have to sand and prime. You could add knobs or just a large french stencil on the front. Here is a link to a picture. http://www.hayneedle.com/product/hammaryhiddentreasures4drawerombrechestwhite.cfm?redirect=false&source=pla&kwid=OccasionalTables%20Low&tid=HAMM493-1&adtype=pla&kw=&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=HAMM493-1&gclid=CjwKEAiAoo2mBRD20fvvlojj5jsSJABMSc7j3_4I5geKBLk783IP_10_1Gbf5dn5vtD4t-bKFH2myhoCYDnw_wcB

Mary Davie · Answer

looks like a Heywood-Wakefield - check that out before doing anything..they can bring a pretty penny.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

Sorry, I do not have an Iphone to take a pciture. My daughter goes to nursing school 5 dys a week. And also works week-ends 16 hrs shifts a night. By time she gets home, she is ready to drop off her feet. Still have a note on taking a picture of the furniture. Very sorry

Eric Turner · Answer

If you find it has no great value I think it would be beautiful painted mat black with gold leaf on the mirror base and the feet.

KAV · Answer

I've finally been able to get closer to the chest of drawers & have taken a picture of the marking on the back. If anyone can help identify, I'd sure appreciate it?

What to do with this handsome old chest of drawers?

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What to do with this handsome old chest of drawers?

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