Bachelor's chest
+10
Any ideas to transform a bachelor's chest I like the wood but need a change. Thank you! :))
All is good except the top has moisture damage in a couple areas.
All is good except the top has moisture damage in a couple areas.
13 answers
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Stain it ebony or dark cherry, but leave the drawers as is. The drawers have so much character in the beautiful wood graining!
Jackie
on May 25, 2015
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Stain it ebony or dark cherry, but leave the drawers as is. The drawers have so much character in the beautiful wood graining!
Jackie
on May 25, 2015
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Hi 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 Eilika
Eilika Ameln
on May 25, 2015
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I 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.
Danielle
on May 25, 2015
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1. 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.
807288
on May 25, 2015
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In 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!
Karyn Roesler
on May 25, 2015
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Please do not stain or paint! Find out how to clean it up. That is a rare and beautiful piece.
J markham
on May 25, 2015
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Maybe 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.
Darla
on May 25, 2015
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Even 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.
Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot
on May 25, 2015
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Get yourself some Daddy vans wax and give it a good cleaning and buffing. It will look new.
Poppies Paint Powder
on May 25, 2015
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Thanks 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!
ChrisApril Sargent
on May 26, 2015
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Perhaps 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.
Eugenia Read
on May 27, 2015
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Chris, 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 dresser
Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot
on May 29, 2015
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