Help with possible redo/upcycle of dresser?
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Can anyone tell me anything about this dresser & drawer pulls? From what I have found out so far, I think it is considered primitive, it has square nails, tongue & groove boards for the back, & I think the drawers pulls are cast iron & hand punched. I was thinking of removing the drawer pulls & painting the base of the cabinet in a white wash finish & the drawers in a beachy blue, then possibly using rope for handles. Thoughts?
Front of dresser
Front & side of dresser
Back of dresser
Close up of drawer pull
Close up of drawer pull off of dresser
28 answers
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It may be worth more than you think in it's present condition to an antique collector. Is there a shop in your area that would give you an estimate?
Linda Wilcox
on Aug 09, 2015
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I agree with Linda. Don't do anything until you can get it looked at!
Mimi
on Aug 09, 2015
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I wouldn't do anything to it either. It's great as it is.
Barbara Dearborn Evans
on Aug 09, 2015
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It's gorgeous! If you find that it is very valuable, you might consider cleaning the wood up and then protecting it with Tung oil or clear wax...
Allison King-Jordan (Zentivity Designs)
on Aug 09, 2015
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I Agee with the other respondents, however if you do want to restore it to a more modern flair, I wouldn't do so with painting, you can refinish that piece in a nice time period stain and update just enough with some new hardware. But first I would get it looked at by someone with knowledge of antique furnishings "good luck!"
Gabe
on Aug 09, 2015
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Beautiful piece, I try not to care if a piece is painted or not (since it's not mine) but this piece would make me sad to see it painted. It looks to be in beautiful condition as it is! If you do paint it & replace the pulls, don't toss the pulls they are gorgeous!
Katrina Warren
on Aug 09, 2015
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I would NOT paint that .I always think of the history... where has it been, who did it belong to. I may not have those answers, but it leaves me with a beautiful piece of furniture.
Gail Martin
on Aug 09, 2015
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If you want to paint it then paint it as it is your piece. If you want to use rope for handles you can take off the hardware and sell them on ebay or some other site. But before I would do any of those things I would have someone who is knowledgeable in the field look at it first.
Sherry Fram
on Aug 09, 2015
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Beautiful dresser. Agree with the others, would not paint it. And if you can have someone Look at it to determine value. But is a bit of history. If you have to update, pre-conditioner For wood, water or oil depending on stain or dye if you decide to use that. Maybe, make the top a different darker stain or dye. Or if you want to paint (I don't think I Would.) If you do want to Paint a portion of it, maybe, marbleizing the top-(I have old pieces with Marble placed on top) but you can do that by painting it - ivory base with swirls of butter pecan or Instead a dark green marble color on top. Would be good to know type of wood so you can choose better if you stain it. Good luck! Please post a picture of the finished piece. And I would use the hardware, it's so unusual.
Rpj2030880
on Aug 09, 2015
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Beautiful dresser. Agree with the others, would not paint it. And if you can have someone Look at it to determine value. But is a bit of history. If you have to update, pre-conditioner For wood, water or oil depending on stain or dye if you decide to use that. Maybe, make the top a different darker stain or dye. Or if you want to paint (I don't think I Would.) If you do want to Paint a portion of it, maybe, marbleizing the top-(I have old pieces with Marble placed on top) but you can do that by painting it - ivory base with swirls of butter pecan or Instead a dark green marble color on top. Would be good to know type of wood so you can choose better if you stain it. Good luck! Please post a picture of the finished piece. And I would use the hardware, it's so unusual.
Rpj2030880
on Aug 09, 2015
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Beautiful dresser. Agree with the others, would not paint it. And if you can have someone Look at it to determine value. But is a bit of history. If you have to update, pre-conditioner For wood, water or oil depending on stain or dye if you decide to use that. Maybe, make the top a different darker stain or dye. Or if you want to paint (I don't think I Would.) If you do want to Paint a portion of it, maybe, marbleizing the top-(I have old pieces with Marble placed on top) but you can do that by painting it - ivory base with swirls of butter pecan or Instead a dark green marble color on top. Would be good to know type of wood so you can choose better if you stain it. Good luck! Please post a picture of the finished piece. And I would use the hardware, it's so unusual.
Rpj2030880
on Aug 09, 2015
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Beautiful dresser. Agree with the others, would not paint it. And if you can have someone Look at it to determine value. But is a bit of history. If you have to update, pre-conditioner For wood, water or oil depending on stain or dye if you decide to use that. Maybe, make the top a different darker stain or dye. Or if you want to paint (I don't think I Would.) If you do want to Paint a portion of it, maybe, marbleizing the top-(I have old pieces with Marble placed on top) but you can do that by painting it - ivory base with swirls of butter pecan or Instead a dark green marble color on top. Would be good to know type of wood so you can choose better if you stain it. Good luck! Please post a picture of the finished piece. And I would use the hardware, it's so unusual.
Rpj2030880
on Aug 09, 2015
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this is beautiful just as it is. clean up the handles, and put them back on Find something that is not a beautiful antique to paint
Kathy Jerman
on Aug 09, 2015
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Square nails tell me it's very old. Please don't paint it. You might be able to find something about on this forum. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/antiques
Z
on Aug 09, 2015
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This is definitely an old piece. Try washing it down with soap made for wood, then going over it with tung oil. You'll probably be surprised how good it can look. As for the handles, clean them up and see how they look. If they still need something, spray on 2 coats of oil rubbed bronze, then do a finish spray coat of clear poly.
Charlotte Wood Eckel
on Aug 09, 2015
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Please don't paint it!! It is very old and should stay the way it is, unpainted. It will look beautiful if you just clean it with Murphy's Oil Soap, then oil it as Charlotte suggested. The handles are amazing. Such a sweet piece, very special.
Carol
on Aug 09, 2015
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This is a beautiful old piece, from the unique feet to the wonderful handles.Clean it and oil it and change the handles if you must, but painting,removing patina or drilling holes could really effect the value. Find an unfinished dresser to paint.
Mollee Kauzlarich
on Aug 09, 2015
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I love your whole idea, it sounds like something I want to do to an old dresser I have but not a beautiful one like this I would sell this one and find a well made but less original dresser and have a blast. Please share whatever you do.
Wendy Johnson
on Aug 10, 2015
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I agree with everyone. Please dont paint it. It is gorgeous just the way it us. It may be worth some cash to you, and it looks like a rare find. Money aside, jus t clean it. I wouldnt change any pulls either. You dont see those everyday.
Denise
on Aug 10, 2015
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Oh don't paint it. Leave it the way it is. It is beautiful. If you pit a dresser scarf, with some color it would look nice. I have my grandfather's dresser. It's 85 years old. My husband loves it and uses it every day.If you don't want to use it on a bedroom you can use it as a buffet for the dining room or use it for linens, bathroom, so many ways to repurpose it without painting. Good luck.
Leslie
on Aug 10, 2015
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That dresser is beautiful and those drawer pulls are to die for. Find it a new home with someone who loves it for what it is. I think painting has its place...but mostly on a piece of furniture that has no other options or brings out some decorative features. I realize oak is not as popular as it once was, but this is a beautiful solid piece that just needs a little tlc. I vote for no paint.
Kris bunch
on Aug 10, 2015
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Let me add another vote to the "DON'T PAINT" this beautiful dresser contingent. It is a gift to find such a lovely dresser in excellent condition. I have many pieces like this in my house and treasure each one. My taste now runs more to the Shabby Chic Cottage look that centers on painted furniture, but I will never paint any of mine. Paint the ugly, protect the beautiful.
Terri
on Aug 10, 2015
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Well you have really stirred up interest in this chest! It may have some value and if so, thats great....but in the end it is yours and believe it or not nobody dies when it's painted!
Love tiny spaces!
on Aug 10, 2015
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DO NOT destroy those handles! They are truly gems and if you don't put them back on this dresser, you can use them on another project. I think this dresser would be great if you clean and wax the natural wood top and frame, and just paint the drawers white or beige. Clean the handles and put them back on!
Bwarner50
on Aug 10, 2015
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I must say the same thing--I love to paint, but definitely not this time. Take pictures to an antique dealer (or look online to see what you can find out). I think you've got a rare find there.
Marie Alesi Caruana
on Aug 10, 2015
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I agree please don't paint this beautiful wood. I love painted things too but when a piece is not in good enough shape to restore.You wouldn't have to do much to make that piece shine again.
Cheryl Buckman
on Aug 10, 2015
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Don't touchie! Wipe it down with some wood polish & sell it like it is NO TOUCHIE
Eileen
on Aug 10, 2015
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Do not paint this wonderful chest; you would completely destroy its value as an antique. If you do not like it as is, then sell it and find something less valuable to paint.
Sally Coffey
on Aug 11, 2015
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