if you cover it with a layer of shellac, you can paint it and it's easily stripped if you change your mind.

I say paint it up, if you don't like it. I'm not sure it will ever really grow on you. If it were a gorgeous empire chest with great grain I'd definitely say don't paint it. But this is such a simple shape... painting makes sense.

pamh
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

Although I love a good DIY project, I'm always hesitant to paint something that old, especially if it's in decent condition. Once you've painted it, you can't go back to the original finish. With pieces that are over 50 years old, my general rule is that I'm only allowed to sand and re-stain it, but no paint. I have an amazing secretary from my grandfather that is a little heavy and dark for my taste, but I've come to appreciate it over the last few years. I think the original wood finish is much more timeless than the white paint, and in 5 or 10 years, you'll be really happy that you didn't paint it.

I would not paint it. Think it is pretty as is. Painting antiques makes me sad.

I personally wouldn't paint it, especially since it looks like it's in very good condition.

But why don't you get it appraised to find out how much it's worth. Then you'll be making an educated decision about what to do with the chest.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I destroyed the value and integrity of a piece because of something I intentionally did to it. By the way, I think it might be more than 100 years old.

I have a dresser from the 1800s that was handed down to me. It was painted when i got it but decided to strip it and restain it. With all of its ~150 years of imperfections I wouldn't have it any other way.

If it's as old as that, I would consider getting it appraised before you paint it. It might just be old (and pretty), but you might have a different outlook if painting it is going to decrease its value significantly.

That being said, I am a big believer in things being enjoyed. I love the finish as is, but if you would be happier with it painted, why not?

This might not make much sense but I'd be hesitant to paint it because it's a family heirloom. I have my grandmother's antique wood furniture, too. I've been tempted to paint it over the years but am always glad I didn't later. OTOH, I have painted old stuff that I got for cheap at yard sales, etc.

It's an antique and from the picture it looks to be in decent shape. I wouldn't paint it, but then again that opinion comes from having a stepfather who is an antiques dealer.

I am not in the "wood shall never be painted" camp, but in this case I think it would be a mistake to paint it (and the sample "after" photo does nothing for me--just get any old dresser off Craigslist and paint it if that's what you want).

It is lovely as is and, and as it is a family piece, it is very likely you'll regret painting it one day. Despite what pamh says, it is NOT easy to get the original look back once it is gone--stripping is a big job no matter what's underneath.

If the dresser has value as an antique, you will also lose that value once you remove the original patina. If it is sentimental value only, then I would live with it as is for awhile. Once I was sure I really wanted a lighter look, I would strip it and give it a lighter stain or finish it with a light Danish oil and beeswax.

DO. NOT. PAINT. It's a gorgeous dresser and for how old it is, it looks to be in amazing condition. It has so much character! Just look at how the stain darkens around the edges. I second (third?) the idea of having it appraised by an antiques dealer.

I agree with all above who say to check into its objective value. Painting it will make it worthless as an antique. Make sure you don't care about that before you paint.

The bright side is that by painting it, you can coordinate it with ikea

You know, I'm usually all over painting wood furniture, but the "before and after" stuff that pops up on this site is usually in poor condition.

This dresser is beautiful, and might actually be worth something. I'll echo the suggestions to have it appraised before making a decision. I personally wouldn't paint it - I'd either sell it or give it to another family member for safekeeping.

I just painted a table that we got from DH's grandparents. I made the decision specifically because I sanded down the wood with stain in hand, but it was too stained and damaged to save. If the piece is in good condition I wouldn't paint it. I would use it in your decor and *definitely* change up whatever's on top of that thing. I feel your desire to lighten it up, since very dark wood isn't really my style, either, but I wouldn't do it.

I'm always in the "paint it!" camp, but with this one, it is just perfect the way it is! I would not paint.

I say paint it and turn it into something you'll love!

If you do decide to paint it, check out this furniture paint developed by Annie Sloan.
"Chalk Paint" http://www.anniesloan.com/

I guess my line in the sand would be, is it mass-produced, factory made furniture? Just because it is 100 years old doesn't mean it isn't.

If it is a handmade piece I wouldn't paint it, and do your best to keep the original finish, if you are interested in maintaining value.

Don't paint!!! Looks so pretty. Brighten up with nice modern accessories. Put a modern chair next to it. Make it work!

Sell it to someone who will love it...

You might want to find out if it has any significant monetary value before you decide one way or another. If you find out it's worth about $200 in its current condition, that's one thing. Discovering that it's worth $5000 is a whole 'nother thing.

Ditto mattster. AT is all about only keeping things you love. If you feel bad about painting it, give/sell it to someone who appreciates it for what it is. Or paint it and keep it for yourself to love. But all this stress and guilt about different expressions of taste and valuing antiques is silly.

I hate being repetitive, but this kind of seems like a vote style post. I vote DONT PAINT. I follow the rule if wood is older than 60y/o it shouldn't be painted unless it's in really bad shape.

To lighten it up - I think you've got the right idea of keeping it against a white wall. Try accessorizing with light and airy pieces too - glass lamp, mirror above it, white linnen table runner...

It is a lovely piece as is. I see similar pieces in magazines all the time in modern rooms. Maybe change out the hardware to something more fun a la Anthropologie? The empire style pulls are dated (don't lose them!).

If you plan to keep it, getting it appraised is a moot point. It doesn't matter how much it's worth monetarily if the sentimental value is going to override that. I'd paint it; make it something you love and love to look at.

If you paint it, it'll look like something you bought off Craigslist for $20, not an heirloom. If you don't like it, sell it to someone who will appreciate the patina.

Almost all my furnitures are painted...i just love the painted look but in this case, no, don't paint it! I think it's a nice handsome piece and i don't know why this piece wouldn't fit into your decor..i think it can work in every style! It gives you that nice neutral feeling to a room.

Do what you want to do. Do not listen to the Antiques Road Show cronies. Not everyone has George Washington’s campaign dresser. Until that show came a long, we just had furniture, not investments. If painting keeps it out of the trash dump, then paint it.

As for eveyone suggesting to have it appraised, the value is only good if you have buy who will pay that price. My Mom downsized her home and many of her antiques were sold for a few hundred dollars and that was after listing them for almost a year.

If it were a dresser that was in bad shape, or not an heirloom, I'm all for painting. But this dresser is in beautiful condition. I'd either keep it in the attic and covered until your style changes, or give it to another family member who loves it. But don't paint it.

It depends on if you have other ways to remember great-grandmother. It's nice to work an old piece in good condition, into a modern vignette of cool tones or neutrals - just one possibility. I'm getting some romantic, warm fuzzy from the nice ambering in the drawers. So much intimate history.

The hardware and finish makes it look like I have a matching cedar chest to your dresser! If you wind up getting it appraised, let us know how much it's worth...now I'm curious :)

co-sign many of the comments. Get it appraised. go from there.

I am in the camp of paint it. There is no point in living with something you don't love- and just because it has been painted wont take away the fact you still got it from your great-grandmother.

It wont lessen the sentimental attachment IMO.

As other's said, it's quite difficult to 'go back' after you take the paint plunge, you'll never recover the original patina. Personally I'd put it in a guest bedroom (if you have it) or just store it in a safe place if you can until you think you'll like it as it is.

Then again VintageHoney makes a very good point: painting it won't change the sentimental qualities :)

In the meantime why not change up to hardware? It would look fantastic with a gunmetal grey or silver paint! Go for a matte finish, it'll look great.

AAH - NO PAINT! That dresser is gorgeous and I suspect you will eventually grow into the style.

That second painted dresser, on the other hand, looks cheap... like something anyone could get from the Restoration Hardware catalog.

Colonial Revival furnishings with patina are increasing in value and it would be a shame to paint it. The grain is beautiful and looks like it might be mahogany. Since it's a family heirloom and not fully to your liking, perhaps you could trade the bureau to another family member in exchange for another item. For more information on Colonial Revival furniture, please check out the book written by the late antique expert Emyl Jenkins.

Robin, as you say, your tastes may well expand as you get older. You may come to appreciate that your house will be much more interesting when pieces don't all conform to a particular style. This is beautiful as is. Maybe you could move it out of your bedroom to another space where you need storage. Then you'll have room for a garage sale dresser painted white.

Don't paint it. If you want to make it look modern, put some modern accessories on top. *Maybe* change the hardware (but keep the old for the next owners). It's too bad you can't make this fit with your decor. I can't imagine what decor this would not fit in unless it was a minimalist modern house. If it doesn't look right in the bedroom, put it somewhere else. But leave the original finish. It's stunning.

Do not paint it. If no one else in your family wants the family heirloom, sell it to a family who will cherish something handed down by a great grandmother.

Get it appraised and then go from there.

Please don't paint it!

I say don't paint it. I think the white will date it in an unfortunate way, and you'll be deeply unhappy down the road.

Ok, so this will always be an on-going argument. There are some things that should be painted over and some things that should not. This lovely dresser should not, from the photo alone I can see it has a gorgeous patina. Yes, your tastes will change as you become older and you may regret painting this piece and become less valuable either for sentimental or material reasons. Take it from some one who has made this mistake, now twenty years later I regret it greatly. There must be some way you can fit it in your home or put it away in storage for now.

NOOOOOOOO!!!

Please don't paint it. It looks to be in good shape with all it's hardware and is just lovely. There are hundreds of not worth much pieces out there to paint!

Please dont paint it

We've done some nice repaint jobs on old wood furniture that was not in good shape, but agree with those who've suggested not painting. This seems like it is in very good condition as is. If it doesn't work in your bedroom, would it possibly work in some other area of your place - maybe living room or dining room as storage?

I wouldn't paint it, either.

How about a white or modern-patterned table runner across the top and down the sides - might this might change it up enough to make you happy?

If it's a family heirloom and you don't like it, why don't you give it to someone else in your family who does like it as is? Even if you paint it, you'll probably never be as happy with it as if you just got what your really wanted, and you could make someone else in your family very happy to receive such a treasure! Why don't you start asking around, and then give it away as a Christmas gift? This would be the best gift EVER to someone who really wants it. IE: this would look AMAZING in my own house - I have book cases that match it exactly, and I would be really sad to see a family heirloom whitewashed over so you dislike it less!

I don't think the white dresser looks "modern" at all. It looks suburban and generic. Three generations of your family dusted and polished that dresser so you could have something nicer than Pottery Barn. So why make it look like PB?

Please.don't.paint.this!

I have a desk that my parents bought as an antique when I was a child, and that I now have in my home. It's never quite suited its surroundings. I hate the dark wood. But I was afraid for years to paint it -- mostly because people on websites like this had panic attacks and fainting spells anytime anybody so much as considered painting an HEIRLOOM and destroying the PATINA. So I called a reputable antique store and appraiser and told her that I had a desk, the finish wasn't awesome but it wasn't damaged or in poor condition, but I hate it, so I wanted to get it appraised and then see my options even though I hate it.

Her advice? This professional in the antique field, who makes her living buying, selling, appraising, and generally appreciating antiques? "We'd be happy to appraise it for you. But if you hate it, and would like it better painted or refinished, then paint it or refinish it."

I like the lines. I don't want to sell it. It's a sturdy desk, and I don't feel like finding another one. And I certainly don't want it taking up space somewhere else in the house until I "grow" into liking the way it looks. Which may never happen. So I plan to refinish it.

If you like the lines, and don't want to sell it, and don't want it taking up space while you get used to it or whatever, then paint it.

Don't paint it!!! It can be fixed up with furniture polish and touch up. Its a lovely piece and should be able to fit in somewhere.

It is OK to paint it. Just Fine. But, if you're wavering, I'd say wait and live with it. You might find that with some great styling, you can make it look young and fresh and modern. In fact, the contrast of an older, darker piece, with clean white modern accessories would be gorgeous. Cheers.

The proposed after looks like something you could pick up at Target (nothing wrong with that, I shop at Target!), while the before looks like a beautiful piece of furniture.

I don't understand the love of white paint on everything. Makes everything uniform and generic looking to me.

Please don't paint it ... it is in such beautiful shape. I understand your dilemna. Although it is an antique, it's lines are so clean, simple, fresh and beautiful that it would work with any style ... including modern. Perhaps you can find a way to incorporate it. There are so many examples here at AT of how sprinkling contrasting furnishings or accessories throughout a home adds character. I've seen homes that have a light base (white, beige, pale, nude linens, furniture, baseboards, etc.) that are accessorized with deep-hued items like mahogany or cherry furnishings.

@wet chi - har har!

I also like the delicate shading on the stain as it is & would worry about it being gone forever.

Honestly, I think that dresser looks gorgeous as-is, so I wouldn't paint it. But I actually prefer darker wood colors at home. I agree with what some of the other commmenters have said about its value as a family heirloom, etc, as well.

But...... it's your dresser, and your taste. If someone else in your family (or someone else you trust or care about) likes it as it, you might want to consider giving it to them. But if you're stuck with it and don't like it as is, it's up to you to make it fit in with your decor.

That said, I really don't get sometimes why so manyy people have issues with dark, rich colors. As long as your entire room isn't really dark, I love the contrast and coziness those colors bring to a room (and this is coming from someone who has very small rooms in her home, and has dealt with the dilemma of whether or not having the darker colors will make the room look smaller. So far, they haven't).

For every beautiful antique that gets ikeafied, God kills a kitten. =(

Do you have a family member who would appreciate the dresser's history as much, and style more, than you do? Maybe you could swap it for something more suited to your style (or for cash, which goes well with any decor).

Or (at the cost of destroying that much sought-after-by-some patina) you couls sand & refinish the dresser to a lighter & cleaner shade of the same woodtone. Maybe shiny new drawer pulls, too? (If so, hang onto the old ones.)

When we bought unfinished bookshelves, there were lots of stains for us to choose from at the store. One was white, pickled? pickling? What about that? A stain that is light maybe wouldn't make you worry about messing up the wood if you change your mind down the road or give the piece to someone else.

It is a beautiful piece, not sure if it is bow front or whether that's just the photo. Original hardware and finish will be the main things to add to it's value - don't change either. Sell it if it's not your thing but don't ruin it.

My take is a little different, while yes, it is old and beautiful the way it is, I can understand how frustrating it would be to have a piece such as this that just doesn't fit with your decor. I'm so sorry to everyone, but I would paint it. Unless I was looking to restore it and get some money out of it, I would change it to fit my home. But, this is just my opinion.

Do not paint.

I'm a fan of both wood and paint. Normally I reserve paint for a piece that's inexpensive or not really wood.

Don't paint this. Try it in another room, rearrange the top. This dresser is very pretty and has been in your family for so long, it would be a shame to see it turn into another boring painted dresser with anthropologie knobs.

what about getting it wrapped in vinyl. they are doing it a lot in the automotive sector right now. Then when the lease is up on the car they can peel it off and it will look factory again. might work for furniture too

I agree with the other commenters--don't paint. Despite what pamh claims, shellacking, painting, then someday stripping paint is time consuming, and, especially if you don't know what you're doing, really easy to completely screw up. Even if you do manage to shellac and paint without making the piece look utterly tacky, your children will not be happy with you when they try to restore it thirty years from now.

This looks to be in great shape; the wood seems to be good quality, perhaps mahogany or rosewood, which would have been popular and expensive woods 100+ years ago. You can't buy that kind of quality furniture today. Certainly not at Ikea.

The commenters who've suggested you may grow in to this piece are on to something. I have several family pieces that I would not have appreciated if they came my way when I was younger, but now I do.

If you're unsure then don't paint. One day your aesthetic may change and you may wish that you had kept as it as it was when your great-grandmother had it.

No paint! It is beautiful!

not a fan of painting nice wood furniture, esp w/ potential for real value. am wondering, however, if there is a way to clean it that does not strip it of its patina?

To all the people who say don't paint because of the value or are asking her to have it appraised first, you do realize that this is not a piece of Stickley furniture, right? I mean, it's an old dresser with sentimental value, not cash value.

Like someone else said, don't listen to the antiques roadshow people. Paint the dresser with some good quality oil-based or chalk paint and have a dresser you love that both fits with your current decor and maintains that sentimental value.

DAFUQ???? How could you even THINK of painting this drop-dead gorgeous piece?? ESP since it's a family heirloom, that would be so SO wrong! If you don't appreciate it as it is, please, do the humane thing and give it to a family member who will.

Do not paint - rub on Howard's Restor-a-Finish (no stripping - just rub). It will look amazing.

Please no! If it were banged up or something, I could see painting it, but it's gorgeous.

OMG do not paint it.

Please try , at least for a while not painting it. Put it an entryway or against a wall with modern accessories or a big modern graphic painting above it. You may be surprised. Or, if your bathroom(s) are less modern, use it as a linen storage piece. Just live with it, move it around and see. Last ditch, sell it and find something that is not in such seemingly good shape and paint that. If you lived in Texas, I'd buy it.

Clean off any build-up of old polish - this often reveals more of the colour and grain - with a furniture cleanser sold for use on antique furniture. Then polish with beeswax furniture polish, not one containing silicone. I think you'll find you like the chest better. When the current fashion for painted furniture passes, you'll be glad you didn't paint.

People on AT usually say "it's your dresser, so paint it if you want. BUT YOU ASKED US, so.... for the love of all things holy what are you thinking DO! NOT!! PAINT!!!

No paint, please.
And I have teak pieces from the time the Brits ruled India.

If it were my family, you'd be chastised for considering paint! Monetary value isn't as important, but someone in your family will probably cherish it as is. Surely there's a family history buff?

Look, you are the one who needs to live with it. I think it's a good idea to get it appraised, but it's not my taste, and if it's not yours and you want to keep it for sentimental reasons, do whatever works for you. I am refinishing my grandmother's table because I will use it that way.

Too many replies to read them all, so forgive me if this has been said...

If the finish is in good condition, I'd get somebody in the antiques business to give you advice -- yes, it's too nice to paint, or no, it's common and not worth preserving. (You might have to pay for an actual appraisal, but that much advice should be free. They might even offer to buy it if scandalized enough by the question!)

OR, if you don't like the thing as is, ask around your family and give it, sell it, or trade it with another possible heir who likes it as is and get something for yourself not a problem to paint. (A Life Lesson: we are not obliged to retain the stuff other family members owned. We CAN pass it on!)

Paint it! Here's one that I did, and I LOVE it now. No dark wood for me.
http://flowerchild.com.au/blog/?p=1307

No-o-o-oooo! Don't paint it. It is possible to make it work in an eclectic decor. I agree with having it appraised. It's gorgeous and looks quite old.

The fact that each drawer appears to have a lock makes me think it was a valuable piece from the beginning. If the piece is carefully cleaned and polished, you may think more kindly about it.

I encourage you to have it appraised, and I encourage you to consider those in your family to whom the piece of furniture might pass to when you are gone. As regards this particular chest, you may be the placeholder for the one person who will love it dearly.

Think from your heart... is it of meaning? I'll give you $550 for it! See what I mean?

I'm a little late with this comment, but I was on vacation the week your question was posted. Hopefully, if you chose to paint procrastination got the best of you.

I just spent the last three years searching for the very mahogany bow-front chest you own. I am now the proud owner of two, one made by Baker and the other a Stickley piece. They are unusual chests which are/were designed to be both ornamental and practical, apparently difficult to fabricate, and for their size, very expensive. Their design is so precious, that two identical chests sit in the Oval Office of the White House.

Why did I buy two? Because of its front curvature, the bow-front chest design allows itself to be squeezed into tight or awkward spaces like foyers, hallways and alcoves where a square chest would make the space feel smaller or result in the user bumping into the chest's corners.

As has been noted by many responders, have your chest appraised. But more importantly, if the chest is showing damage or other blemishes that you would prefer concealed, take the chest to a furniture specialist and have it restored. Do not however paint your chest. And finally, if in the end you dislike the chest, let someone who appreciates the design own it.

I love that you kept the original pulls.

Don't, please don't paint it. From my eye it's beautiful as is. You may one day change your style and that piece will probably fit right in.
Thanks,

I would get it professionally refinished & re-stained. It really depends on your decor & how eclectic you are. I have a mid century modern home so I am not a lover of traditional. I would stain it a Wenger or Black. It would change the whole look. If you're attached to it because of family, do whatever you can to make your own taste. If you're not attached to it, give it to a family member who will be.

Sorry for typo. I meant "Wenge" Brown.

cover up that icky wood.

Why dont you colourwash it? Tone down the dark mahogany colour, so that it fits in with your current furnishings but you dont completely lose the age of the dresser. So I guess this is a foot in both camps post!