I have a gorgeous favorite find Monday today! A beautiful chest of drawers that I picked up over the weekend. It is absolutely full of vintage detail and charm. 
On first look, the piece is in excellent shape. However, upon closer inspection, one can see how the veneer has come off in places, there are scratches and other minor damage.
What may look amazing at first glance can actually be in bad shape when seen up close.
It does seem to be the rage to paint all furniture. I can see how this can be irritating to many who appreciate the beauty of wood. However, I repair and paint vintage pieces to bring them back to life. To make them desirable for the modern home to be used and loved. To save them from being discarded in the back of a garage or worse, in the dumpster outside the back of a thrift store (yes, I have found pieces there!) Recycle, reuse, repurpose.
To paint or not to paint? That, my friends, is the question! In this case, it is yes 🙂
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I’ve actually had a piece of furniture in horrible condition that was saved from its rotting destiny in the back room of a “needing to be condemned” home and there is always a few that beg you not to pain it. This dresser would be beautiful painted.
I agree with you. This past year, I have gotten two pieces at estate sales that I did not paint because they were in pristine condition. This piece you show today definitely needs paint. It looks very similar to the bedroom “suite” that I had in my room as a child, Depression era veneered furniture that was considered of no value even then. Mine had belonged to my Grandma who lived with us, and so my father painted all of it white using a vacuum cleaner in reverse as a sprayer. It instantly made it look so much prettier! That was a long time ago, and every time I see some of this stuff, I always want to yell “Paint it!!” You do great work.
OMG I would love to see the vacuum as a spray gun! That is a riot. Yes, it is veneer and parts are missing and need to be filled in. I don’t think even a top notch furniture restorer could take that on. I agree on not painting some furniture. I have a beautiful, huge chest of drawers in my living room that I would never touch. I’m looking forward to working on this one and showing the “after” and see what others think then.
this would be so spectacular painted, especially with all that detail. To be enjoyed for many many years to come instead of stuck somewhere in a dark dingy place.
I actually like it “as is”. The wood on the front is beautiful!
It is pretty, Diane, I agree. The problem is that it is veneer and parts are missing. I need to fill those with wood filler and sand them back so it would not look good unpainted. I think after I paint it, the details are going to really pop and the missing veneer will be filled in and unnoticeable. We’ll see!
I love the dresser! I agree I think some pieces need to be painted to have new life.
I can’t wait to see what you do with this piece. I love everything you paint!
Thanks, CoCo! I am trying those pumpkin spice bars from your blog this week 🙂
I love wood and I love painted furniture. Can’t wait to get in my new house where I can get started painting again. I too have some furniture I would never paint, but I almost wish sometimes I didn’t have so much good furniture! I don’t want to part with it and I don’t want to paint it, but it leaves less room for those painted jewels! I may have to just start painting stuff and worry later whether I have a place to use it! Thanks for sharing and being an inspiration. I’ve never worried much if I was “in style”, but it is so nice and refreshing to see so many painting so much pretty old furniture.
This will be stunning painted…especially with your special magical techniques!
Somehow I just knew you would decide to paint it. Can’t wait to see it when it’s done.
I can’t wait for the “After” pictures. I know it’s going to look gorgeous! 😉
I don’t know…even in this state, it looks pretty good. Maybe fine steel wool and a tinted wood conditioner to refreshen the wood and camouflage the missing veneer a bit? This is a tough one. Maybe even do a two-tone. Keep the drawers wood and paint the rest? You’ll make it look great either way.
I am so behind reading blog posts the past couple weeks….Trying to get caught up, now!
There are times that I feel bad painting everything, but that is what we do 🙂 And in this case, I think paint is the way to go!
Thanks, Jamie! It will be getting its makeover next week and I can’t wait to get started 🙂