Bachelor's chest
All is good except the top has moisture damage in a couple areas.
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Jackie on May 25, 2015Stain it ebony or dark cherry, but leave the drawers as is. The drawers have so much character in the beautiful wood graining!Helpful Reply
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Jackie on May 25, 2015Stain it ebony or dark cherry, but leave the drawers as is. The drawers have so much character in the beautiful wood graining!Helpful Reply
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Eilika Ameln on May 25, 2015Hi from Germany. I am a prof. dealer and restorer of antikes since 30years. Your bachelor's chest seems to be really antik . So you should be carefull not to ruin it. For the top build a frame big enough to slide over the edges close it with a board you may finnish any paint / colour desired. The corpus you may treat with thin chalkpaint (cheap wallpaint in Germany) mixed with water, test it, so the wood still shows. If posssible detach the keyholes handles and knobs in advance. Keep them for reuse and find others made from glas or ceramic Make shure not to use acrylic paint. The chalkpaint is easy to remove with steelwool. The front wood is called bird's eye maple hope this was helpfull cu EilikaHelpful Reply
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Danielle on May 25, 2015I get that it's looking a little tired, but you're right that the birdseye maple is fabulous. I would go for new hardware first, and just see what that small change will do. If it's not enough then maybe do a light paint wash on the frame while leaving the drawer faces as is.Helpful Reply
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807288 on May 25, 20151. Make sure it isn't a valuable piece and that you aren't lowering its value. Updated hardware and a painted flower (if you have the ability only!) or else a decal on the top right door would be very nice, I think.Helpful Reply
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Karyn Roesler on May 25, 2015In my humble opinion, Birdseye maple should never be painted over, enhance that wood grain, it's beautiful. Get a professional opinion on how to work with the grain, it's beautiful!Helpful Reply
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J markham on May 25, 2015Please do not stain or paint! Find out how to clean it up. That is a rare and beautiful piece.Helpful Reply
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Darla on May 25, 2015Maybe you should sell it to someone else and get a new chest you like better! It would be a big mistake to paint over or stain over birdseye maple.Helpful Reply
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Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot on May 25, 2015Even though I paint furniture, I do respect nice wood. This birdseye maple is fab. Although I do not think this is a rare or valuable piece, it is one of the better made ones (cheaper ones were made with plain oak or mahogany. Birdseye is more expensive). How about just freshening up the finish (maybe tung oil) and changing out the tired hardware? Those brass handles will really shine up with BarKeepers friend polish/powder (Lowes). Maybe some crystal knobs for the uppers.Helpful Reply
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Poppies Paint Powder on May 25, 2015Get yourself some Daddy vans wax and give it a good cleaning and buffing. It will look new.Helpful Reply
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ChrisApril Sargent on May 26, 2015Thanks everyone! I hate to paint over beautiful wood also! I have tried to sell it, trade it, nobody loves it like I did! Just need a few ideas! :)) Appreciate all feedback!Helpful Reply
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Eugenia Read on May 27, 2015Perhaps an antique dealer would have more knowledge about how to fix the top. If changes are not done correctly, it will devalue the piece. Also, as you may know, if you try to sell to an antique dealer they tend to low ball you, so be sure to ask a few dealers before making a decision.Helpful Reply
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Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot on May 29, 2015Chris, I can relate to wanting to unload it. How about a two tone paint job? That way you can still keep those beautiful drawers and update it. For sure polish the hardware and then try a graphite or charcoal chalk paint or milk paint on the outer frame and top. See photos for an idea of what it will look like. Or go to Pinterest and search birdseye maple dresser or two tone antique dresserHelpful Reply
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