How to make this antique piece functional?

Hi Sarah, I believe the name of your antique is a "chifforobe" or "chifferobe". Several different spellings are common and the piece would have been used when there were no closets in most homes. I hope others can supply you with ideas of how to best make use of the beauty! Free-standing custom built shelving would be grea to store dining room materials, books, extra accessories, etc.

It is a chifferobe and I think it's a smart move to try and leave as is, as much as possible. The tiger wood is so lovely.

As for shelving, you might be able to add something in front of the mirror but make sure it is anchored well, perhaps with clips.

You might consider removing the door and put shelves in there. You could store the door between the piece and the wall and put it back on later.

Hi Sarah, the above are correct, it is a chifferobe. You could definitely find a small, era similar shelf to place on the drawer that would be in front of the mirror. It would look beautiful to display glass and china wear in front of the mirror. What a gorgeous piece!

What about building a shelving unit with the back behind the mirror and thin brackets coming on either side holding glass shelving

Not sure if there is an adequate space above the drawer for you to pull out the drawer and place it under the mirror, then take beautiful glassware, crystal antique items and put them in the newly placed drawer, maybe with a velvet liner. Then put some period accessories-like a frilly bonnet in the drawer space.

You are fortunate to have this beautiful piece, brings back pleasant memories of my grandmother and the spare bedroom filled with interesting reading material. I would sit for hours and read medical books.

Hello. I would suggest considering making a custom shelving unit broad-based at the bottom for structural integrity to make into a - temporary display situation in front of your mirror.

Yes don't paint, lovely quarter-sawn oak aka tiger oak

https://www.pinterest.com/diyhomedecorate/armoire-makeover-ideas/

Hello,

Utility Furniture? Maybe stack small glass toped tables in the space as shelves?

Best wishes.

If you want to use it as a display, you could cut out the inside panel of the door and replace it with glass. Then, remove the bar inside and add shelves, possibly even glass shelves.

As far as anything in front of the glass, I am afraid anything you just set there freestanding will look exactly like you just set something in front of a mirror. Is there solid wood behind the mirror? If not, you could replace that with glass and display photos there...

It’s actually an antique Gentleman’s Wardrobe. I have one as well that’s been passed down on my mother’s side. Mine is a little different than yours in that I have a walnut two over two dresser with a small cabinet on one side and a mirror on the other. I took mine apart (it was just screwed together) and I’m using each piece separately. I didn’t care for the look of all three attached because it looked as if someone just stacked furniture on top of each other.

I'm not sure you need to change it to make it functional! You could hang up some special event clothes in it, use the drawer for storage and just make this your room mirror! I think it's a great piece!!

Gorgeous treasure, don’t change it

I would not change it at all .. it is simply beautiful .. I would try to push away from the corner so it is beautifuly showcased