Should I paint this antique secretary, or refinish it?

Question

This was my grandmothers pride and joy while she was alive. I love it also, but the finish has gotten old and scaly. I'm thinking about painting and antiquing it , but not sure if it would 1) look good, 2) what color would be best, 3) if it would decrease the value or integrity of the piece? 
 Any thoughts or ideas would be very appreciated.

Annpaige Harris · Answer

My husband fusses at me about painting beautiful wood, so I would weigh the value of the piece, and then decide. I can totally see this in a cream color crackle finish.

Vonzella Crawley · Answer

I THINK YOU SHOULD DO WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART I WOULD THINK IF MY GRANDMOTHER AND HOW SHE MAY FEEL I THINK WHATEVER YOU DECIDE SHE WOULD BE PROUD TO KNOW YOU CARED AND THE CREAM COLOR CRACKLE SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA GOOD LUCK KEEP US POSTED

Barbara · Answer

I would ask an antique dealer if you plan on ever selling it. Myself I prefer the rough look or maybe refinish it.

Carole · Answer

Isn't the value of the piece to you the fact that it belonged to your grandmother? Not the $$ value of it? After all you would never sell it would you? If you want to paint it and think you would love it more painted then go for it. My feeling is your grandmother would be happier knowing that it belonged in your house and you loved it rather than you kept it just for sentimental value and that it did not fit in. Make it your own and do with it what you will would be my advice. Unless you are thinking of selling it in which case get it valued and do just that.

Marty Avent · Answer

I inherited my fathers writing desk and had it for years in the hall looking shabby because the veneer was coming off. I took the plunge painted the outside white and distressed it and polished the inside red leather writing top with shoe polish. it now takes pride of place in my reading nook and I love it even more. Go for it Barb!!!

Barbara · Answer

My apologies, I did not read everything so I didn't know it was your grandmother's...I agree with the rest...do what is in your heart. I will leave this conversation.

Kari Nichelson · Answer

I like it the way it is,but there are products to help preserve the old finish.But it is your piece of furniture now and you have to make the choice.I have some pieces that my Mom antiqued back in the 60s and 70s that she wishes she had left alone.Every thing goes in cycles and what's popular now may not be later.

Annpaige Harris · Answer

No...I haven't used the chalk....and you should imagine how you think it would be the prettiest, and go with it!!

Shari · Answer

Oh man, I always cringe when somebody has an old piece of furniture and asks, 'Should I paint this?' because the wood purists on this site get terribly upset and berate anyone who even thinks about painting a 'valuable antique.' Shows like the Antique Roadshow give the impression that every old piece of furniture is an 'antique' and if anyone has an old piece of furniture they are automatically sitting on a goldmine. However, in reality, those *real* priceless antiques are incredibly far and few between. We all probably have a better chance of winning the lottery than actually inheriting or finding a TRULY valuable antique. 
 Although very beautiful, your grandmother's secretary most likely has far more sentimental value than actual monetary value. Nevertheless, if you have any questions about what it's worth, I would urge you to have it appraised before you do anything to it because even refinishing could devalue the piece if it was valuable. Even though I'm not a furniture/antique expert and you didn't mention how old the piece is, I'm going to guess it's probably a mass produced piece (not hand-crafted) so it probably has not appreciated in value very much. I'm also going to go out on a limb and say that from what I can see, it doesn't look to be much more than 45 years old, which would probably fall into the *vintage* category, not antique. 
 Here is my thinking on painting old pieces of furniture: 
 1. Wood is not sacred. 
 2. Painting wood furniture is not a sin. 
 3. Painting does not devalue furniture that has very little value to begin with. 
 4. Paint stripper and sandpaper work really well for removing paint from wood if one should change their mind and decide they no longer want it painted. 
 5. Our homes should be our sanctuary and we should only have things around us we really love. 
 I would urge you to do whatever works for you and your home. If you want to paint it, go ahead and paint it!

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

I love the warmth and grain of wood. There is a recipe for eco furniture cleaner/conditioner which uses 3 parts veg oil and 1 part white vinegar. Have used it on some pieces where the finish has worn, etc. with great success. It is really weird but the blems such as worn off/chipped varnish almost disappear and the finish seems to even out. I'd do a treatment first.

Leigh Rowan · Answer

@Barb Dieterle Try putting contact paper in the back of the upper section that compliments your taste. It will lighten the piece up. If you have older children that are going to inherit this piece, then ask them. If the piece isn't losing the veneer, I wouldn't touch it, my grandmother painted/antiqued several pieces that I have had to strip. Everything is a trend, what is new.... really isn't. It's been done before. If you do decide to paint it, talk to a woodworking professional to make sure you prep the service so if it is striped it won't damage the piece. Veneers are hard to strip because it will loosen the glues and you might just sentence this piece to be painted for ever if that is the case.

Cheryl King · Answer

I know what an Antique dealer would probably tell you to bring it back to the original finish to get the most amount of money if you would ever want to sell it. But if you have no thought to ever sell it do with it whatever makes you happy. It will sell painted but probably just not as much in an antique shop. The piece is more antique than vintage. Hope this will help some.

Monique rios · Answer

I also like natural wood but I can see why you would want to lighten it. Why dont you use the cream you want but do it with an antiquing effect. Like the paint is warn off in spots it looks great and would lighten it up a bit.

Cyndi Shaffer · Answer

Oh no, it is a beautiful piece that I would want to stay as a memory of Grandmother. It will really decrease the value to paint it!

Susanne cumber · Answer

No paint please!

Pgl · Answer

Painting it will devalue the piece by 90%. There should be a makers stamp on it check under the drawers. This is a top of line piece you have definitely inherited a treasure. I would first use a standard cleaner [Muphy Old English ect ] are safe. Once cleaned you can decide. To lighten it up place treasured pieces in side use battery operated fairy lights to show off your pieces. Your taste will change over time but paint is permanent
and very costly to remove. I learned this the hard way.

Pam Mariner Good · Answer

I would definitely check out any markings that indicate where/by whom/when it was made as pgl suggested, and check with some antique dealers before touching the piece. I wouldn't want to rush into painting or refinishing--any change you make to the surface will affect the value of the furniture.

Rebecca Simons Stanevich · Answer

I have to agree with Shari.  In general, I love wood and see no reason to paint over something do naturally beautiful, BUT I have hated the mahogany dining room set I got from my grandmother since I got it.  I like light woods
 This is dark and heavy.  My China cabinet is very similar to your secretary.  I would probably gotten rid of it years ago, but every time I open the China cabinet, it still smells just like it did at my grandmother's house.  A friend found someone looking for a replacement set and asked if I was interested in selling mine.  I went to an antique dealer and he told me I might be able to get$550 for the entire set.Yikes! I couldn't get one piece of good quality furniture for that price!  So I decided to paint it.  Cleaning it up brought out some gorgeous Burke wood that had been downplayed by the old varnish.  Now, the paint highlights the beautiful wood, and I love it! Good luck with your decision.

Carol · Answer

I actually love this piece and would not paint it.  I would try to put some lighting in the top section and remove all the books and add a few treasured glass and China pieces along with a few pictures.  I think the books make this small desk look top heavy.  If it still doesn't look right, try moving it to the guest room or hallway or just across the room.  It is your piece of furniture, a and if it still doesn't work refinish it in a clear finish, or whitewash it.  I generally don't like painted furniture, but I have seen some amazing transformations on this site.  I do think it is probably turn of the centurary (1900-1920) but I would look for a manufacturers mark and get at least a verbal opinion as to its value.

Tobey McCool · Answer

Because it was your grandmothers I know you will most likely never sell it, so you should do what you want to the piece. If you think it is darky or dingy then a coat of chalkpaint would really add some life to the piece. And down the road chalk paint is easily removed should you decide to return it to the wood look. I have many pieces that I have painted and they look fabulous, and I have some pieces that the wood grain was so beautiful I had to leave it. and some I have painted parts of them and left some of the wood grain. It really is a personal preference, good luck with your decision.

Trudy · Answer

Please don't paint it; that fad will be gone soon! It is gorgeous! Lot's of good suggestions above. Try the Murphy's Oil Soap (use a toothbrush in the crevices) then go over it with Old English lemon oil suggestion. If there are chips that look light you can touch them up with a stain marker. If you want to love it more personalize it with your own knick-knacks above instead of crowding it with books. I agree that lights will help too. I use those battery operated LED fairy lights, that will make it sparkle.

Elaine Simpson · Answer

Don't paint it

Chris Sabol · Answer

I wouldn't paint it. It is beautiful as it is.

Deborah · Answer

Do not paint it! Leave it alone. I totally agree with  
  
Cyndi Shaffer.

Melinda Lockwood · Answer

Please do not pain this! Refinish.

Geri · Answer

I have this same exact piece. My son found it in a dumpster. I stripped it and put a lt oil finish on it. everyone loves it.

Roberta Taylor · Answer

Please don't paint it! Apart from the fact that it will lose monetary value, the paint will make it 'unnatural'. I think painted wood furniture looks fake, irreal. Don't paint, restore.

Tar997110 · Answer

Please re-finish it, painting it would be awful, get something like sandpaper, they make one now tbat looks rubber but you sand with it and it doesn't hurt your wood, then get you some finish a wipe it down good, didn't know if we could advertise on here or not but I have the perfect solution, just let me know and I will tell you the brand. Thats a beautiful piece!!!!

Kayo Frazier · Answer

I would find an antiques dealer willing to come to your home to check it out, then find out if it's the real deal or a reproduction. Once you find out for sure...Ask how much it will decrease in value if you paint it & go from there.

Betty Fannin · Answer

Please Please refinish it

Should I paint this antique secretary, or refinish it?

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