Antique Dresser with Mirror

Antique Dresser Before

Antique Dresser After New Stain

Throughout the years we have done a good variety of dressers, each one different, with its own personality. Some of the dressers were tall, others were long and low with plenty of drawers. 

This antique dresser had three spacious drawers and a great looking mirror, with wood that was in excellent condition featuring a unique scroll design. The mirror itself had some age marks, but I always feel that this element adds to the character of the piece. 

The top of the dresser had
two compartments which were likely used for a wallet or jewelry, such as watches, earrings and bracelets. This was another unique and handy feature of this great old beauty. The dresser needed refinishing, but the first strep of a refinishing job is making repairs, so that was our first priority.

Unfortunately, even though this dresser certainly had good bones, it still needed some TLC. The drawers were rubbing along the bottom and sides, therefore sprinkling wood chips on the clothing kept inside them, so they needed to be straightened and repaired. Usually when we have a project such as this, it gets taken apart so it can be repaired properly. 

Upon removing the drawers, we determined the reason for the rubbing was the drawer guides were considerably worn down to the point where the wood was rubbing off onto the clothing. In addition to this, the entire dresser was out of square which required removing the back and making reinforcements to square it up so the drawers would close easily. This did the trick because after this was done, the drawers closed nice and smooth. A little trick we've learned from another project; use furniture wax to rub alongside of the interior of the drawers and they glide like silk when opening and closing.

Once all the repairs were made, the dresser was completely stripped then stained with walnut stain and finished with two coats of semi-gloss polyurethane to protect it from sun and wear damage for many years to come. The outcome was fabulous.

Dresser Finished and Back Home