I love to find timber furniture and restore it to its original beauty. I find so many vintage pieces with thick, dark varnish covering the beautiful timber and where possible I like to rectify this
This large timber chest of drawers had definitely seen better days! it was covered in dents, scratches and stains from many years of use!
Firstly I cleaned the entire piece. This involved vacuuming and washing all the surfaces with Sugar Soap and water. I like to start with a clean surface as it helps prevent any grease from being pushed into the timber when sanding.
I then started to remove the varnish. I used an orbital sander with 80 grit sandpaper followed by 120 grit and 240 grit. For the detailed areas I sanded by hand. Finishing with the 240G, creates such a smooth finish.
This was a lengthy process but so worth all the effort. The timber looked beautiful underneath! Once I had removed all of the varnish, I gave it a good clean with using the vacuum and a damp cloth
Prior to sealing, I created a paint wash using 1 part paint to 6 parts water. I used a combination of white, sage and cream to create a tan coloured wash which would cover any imperfections in the timber and tone down any yellow and orange tones. I applied using a paint brush in small areas and wiped back with a rag in the direction of the grain
I wanted to add some new hardware that would compliment the drawers so I opted for some larger black handles.
I also added some drawer liners using some self adhesive vinyl.
I sealed the entire piece using two coats of polyurethane. I applied an extra coat to the top for extra durability. This protects the timber and adds a subtle shine to the surface. One thing I love about vintage pieces, is that some marks and dents will still be visible, I feel the imperfections add character to each piece
Finally, I applied furniture wax to the sides of the drawers which nourishes the timber, adds a beautiful fragrance and aids in the ease of opening and closing the drawers.
These beautiful drawers have many years left in them and will take pride of place in my daughters bedroom.
