apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Why not just use some Howard's Restor-a-Finish to clean them up and use them As-Is?

I bought a great old credenza from the late 50's for a song and a dance at a garage sale. It was in normal condition for it's age but reeked of cigarette smoke.

I had plans on restoring it, but aside from doing everything in my power to get rid of the cigarette stench, I've learned to love my credenza for what it is.

Sure it's far from perfect but I love it and somehow I think that if I had restored it like I wanted to when I bought it, it would have lost some of it's charm.

My advice: Give it a good, thorough cleaning and enjoy them as-is.

I've got to go against the other two posters and say "paint them" for one simple reason: I doubt they're real wood, or at least a veneer worth showing off.

If I were you, I'd give them a good cleaning and spray paint them a daring red or orange--be sure to use a base coat first. Then, I'd apply a complementary wall paper to the drawer fronts.

Of course, you can do the above with a more muted pallet, but why not have some fun?

How about painting them a high-gloss white?

You've already got a lot of brown and taupe in that room. Maybe paint the cabinets Chinese red? Or Hermes orange?

I have an idea...give them to me! hee!

I would have to say paint them as well. I think if you keep them as is with the desk and the wall color, it's going to be a very flat room. I like the Chinese red Idea to make them pop. And...which Goodwill did you go to. I'm in LA and the ones I go to never have anything this good.

High gloss paint in a bright color. Robin's egg blue or orange or something fun like that.

paint the cases white, paint the legs black leave the drawers in wood they will look like a million bucks

definitely paint them...love the high gloss white idea or a fun contrast color to brighten up the room (if you like that sort of thing). just make sure to sand at least enough to break the current finish, clean and primer! Kilz works great on real wood or veneer.

cyberpunk - to get rid of the cig smell, do some or all of the following, repeatedly:

Stuff any drawers with newspaper. Change it out whenever you think of it.

Set a small dish of vinegar in the drawer or underneath the credenza for several days. Alternate with a small dish of baking soda.

Vanessa - are these real wood or particle board? If they're particle, definitely paint... I like the idea of a funky color.

modernguy: I live in Orange County, CA and I try to look for good finds and happened to be lucky with these two. I kept checking them out and finally after a day of thinking about it... I had to have them.

I believe their real wood, but I'm leaning towards going with a funk color something like this...

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-07/40603024.jpg

Thanks for all of your great suggestions!! I'm hoping to post a follow up shortly.