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11.21.2011

I Need Advice

MOM!!!  DO NOT READ THIS POST!!!  Its about something I am doing for you and I want it to be a surprise.  So, STOP READING AND DELETE THIS EMAIL!!!

 

Everyone else, please scroll down.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, Hi everyone!  Long time, no blog!  I have been a blogging slacker lately.  I’ve just been busy with real life lately!  Sometimes I really wonder if anyone even reads my blog.  I get very few comments, so it is hard to know.  So, if you are reading this and feel like giving me a little encouragement, I could sure use a comment.

 

Now, I need some advice.  Mostly I need advice from people who know a lot about furniture painting/refinishing.  I am going to ask some of the great furniture bloggers I know of to come and take a look at this and give me their advice.

 

I picked up this little dresser someone had put out for the trash.  It is obviously old as you can tell from the hardware and the solid wood…I think it is oak?? 

IMG_7289

 

I want to refinish/paint this for my mother for Christmas.  Now, my mom LOVES antiques, but she is less enthused about painted antiques.  BUT, she needs to broaden her horizons a little and this dresser is too messed up to NOT be painted. 

BUT, my mom adores burl wood.  And the drawer fronts of this are burl wood.  So, what I am thinking of doing is trying to leave some of this piece wood, while painting the rest of it.  I was considering doing some sort of reverse stencil on the drawers.  I am still not sure what I can get away with doing.  The finish is pretty messed up.

SO, I need help knowing how to go about this.

Here are my questions:

1. What is the best way to restore the natural wood finish to parts that aren’t damaged that I may want to leave wood, rather than painted?

(this is the top)

IMG_7299

2. What’s the best way to repair the parts that are totally damaged?

IMG_7285IMG_7286IMG_7287IMG_7288

3. Is there any resource I can use to try to replace this handle that is lost?  Because I love these antique handles and I know my mom does too.

IMG_7291IMG_7292

4. If this were your piece, what would you do with it?

(here is the side)

IMG_7297

(some close ups of the drawer faces)

IMG_7296

IMG_7291IMG_7292IMG_7294IMG_7295

5.  What am I going to do about this door????  It is thrashed.  I am not sure how to fix it.  They had it hot glued in!!

IMG_7293

6. I am thinking of ASCP for this in a blue color.  What do you think of that?  What blue do you love??  I want it to look old.

7. I almost forgot!  THIS THING STINKS!!!  What can I do about the smell?  I know there are primers to block it, but if I want to leave some of it wood is there some type of clear coat that will block the smell?

 

THANK YOU sooooo much for taking the time to give me your ideas and help me get going on this.  I know my mom will love it.

20 comments:

  1. Keep up your blogging. I know I read your blog and am terrible about commenting. I also know quit a few of my sisters read it and they don't comment either because we mention things you have done. I am sure that is the same with many other readers.

    Anyhow, I am not the furniture refinisher you are looking for but there is a great company called Lee Valley Tools that has incredible hardwear. I would be close to impossible to match the pulls exactly but you might be able to replace just the pull part on each one and keep the ordimental back (because they are beautiful). That way the pulls would all match. You would just have to measure and find the right length and paint them to make sure the color matches the back.

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  2. Holy cow...whatever you do with that piece will be AMAAAAZING!!! Be sure to post after pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's great to see you back! I LOVE seeing all your amazing transformations......that being said.......

    I have absolutely NO advice to give you about the dresser. Other than, I can't wait to see the after pictures! It will be a lot of work, but I'm sure it will be incredible and that your mom will love it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I Love Your Blog!!!
    I'm NO help in the wood department. I'm sure it will end up Amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I read your blog Emily! Just remember bloggers put in waaaay more than we get out of it and you should be proud of what you have accomplished with your blog in such a short time. You are so talented and I have enjoyed all of your projects and posts (and now I know how to properly cut an onion!). Keep up the good work you're doing...and only if it brings you joy to blog! If not, we will still recognize all your talents and will be appreciative for what you have shared! You're a crafty queen in my book.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I´m from Norway, and I love following your blog :)
    Sorry I can´t help with your questions, but i can´t wait to see how it turns out!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ok, here is what i would do to save yourself loads of stress but still preserve some of the wood. i would refinish the drawer fronts, and possibly the top, and paint the rest of it. to refinish them i would sand them down as much as possible- because it is oak any stripper you use might leave residue in the wood. i would use glue and wood fillers for the repairs, BUT the woodfiller will show in ares you are refinishing vs painting, so consider that. as for the door- i don't think it can be saved.... it looks so rough. i think i would remove it and paint the inside whatever color you choose, and add a nice rustic basket, and maybe a shelf if you are that handy. so.... there are my thoughts!
    as far as matching old hardware, iw ould try ebay, but if you are ok with getting replacement old looking hardware for all of it you could try van dykes or dlawlesshardware.com
    best of luck! please keep me posted!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am sorry that I don't have any advice to give about the woodwork but wanted to let you know that I follow your blog. A lot. I just never leave comments because I am from Europe, English is a foreign language to me and I struggle with the right spelling;-) Please keep going. I love your projects!! -Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've never refinished anything but Centsational Girl is a pro at that kind of thing. Here's a link to her furniture makeover tutorials:

    http://www.centsationalgirl.com/tutorials/furniture-makeovers/

    I think she shows how you could repair the edges, but I agree I think the door might be too far gone to fix. It could be fitted with some open shelves, maybe. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  10. this is what I would do.

    Buy old rulers and yardsticks and glue those onto the damaged top in a pleasing manner. (stain them in they aren't a nice patina) some short and some long and mix them up like a collage. I saw this on Nate Burkus show last night. it was gorgeous with a few layers of sealer. maybe you can view it on his website??

    I think the rest of the dresser is fine, except the door. you can also cover that with some of the rulers or even a mirror which is very popular right now.

    the rest of the dresser needs only to be coated with a layer of stain/varnish.

    find the knob pull on ebay and look for "antique knobs or pulls." find one that is close and use it. measure the distance between the pull and make sure it will fit!

    I think she would appreciate the integrity of the dresser much more if you DON'T PAINT IT! (I'm sorry, I'm "yelling" a little bit...:O)

    ReplyDelete
  11. http://www.ebay.com/itm/One-Antique-Brass-Drawer-Pull-Handle-/170731416322?pt=Architectural_Garden&hash=item27c062ab02#ht_530wt_167

    here is a link to one drawer pull...not near as pretty, but can work, if it is the same width.

    ReplyDelete
  12. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-reproduction-hardware-brass-drawer-pull-handle-/380261987464?pt=Architectural_Garden&hash=item5889617488#ht_500wt_971

    or this set, which has some adornment on them, also getting a set of four pulls! These are pretty, they can work if the same size!

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  13. I do enjoy your blog and I am sure others do to. I am horrible about commenting. Definately can see a shelf and two baskets in place of the door. Good luck.

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  14. Hey Emily,
    You are AMAZING! Especially with all those boys you get so much done. I really enjoy your blog! I LOVE the dresser, I have only drooled over cool people that make antique dressers look new. I wish I had answers, I have an antique dresser sitting on my back porch waiting for inspiration. Good luck, I am sure with some internet searching you will get some ideas to make it look awesome! It would be cute to have a basket in the place with the missing door. I wish you the best!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This may be coming a little late, but I agree with leaving the drawer fronts unpainted (beautiful quarter-sawn oak).
    As far as the odor; spray with Febreeze (on the inside only) and leave outside in the sun. It may take a couple applications. If the odor is not completely gone, a good drawer sachet (or two!) will work.
    Good Luck!
    PS Found you on 'Pinterest'.
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi--you can find wood veneers sold in rolls on the internet. I would look for a burled oak veneer. Apply according to directions or with contact cement. You can then find a stain at your local big box store to match (or come close to) the existing wood that's in good shape. For the door that was hot glued, go find a set of hidden-type hinges and a nice antique-looking knob. If it's really stinky, give it a good wipe down with lemon juice and vinegar, let sit for a few minutes, then dry. Repeat as necessary. It could be a really beautiful piece of furniture, but it'll take a bit of work!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi--you can find wood veneers sold in rolls on the internet. I would look for a burled oak veneer. Apply according to directions or with contact cement. You can then find a stain at your local big box store to match (or come close to) the existing wood that's in good shape. For the door that was hot glued, go find a set of hidden-type hinges and a nice antique-looking knob. If it's really stinky, give it a good wipe down with lemon juice and vinegar, let sit for a few minutes, then dry. Repeat as necessary. It could be a really beautiful piece of furniture, but it'll take a bit of work!

    ReplyDelete
  18. My mother has this dresser also! How cool is it to see on your site. If you want (though a long process) use the edges from pieces of glass and shave the old finish off the wood. It keeps the patina the aged look unlike the other products.

    ReplyDelete

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