Every morning, this room catches my eye, and I smile. Maybe because it’s the most “finished” room in our ongoing old house renovation!
I’m especially happy these days because a years-old project is now complete. Well, mostly . . .
Back in January 2017, right after Renaissance Man and I began our big adventure with plans to build our Finally Farmhouse, we purchased century-old, five-panel doors out of this 1898 farmhouse in Concord/Cabarrus County, NC that was slated for demolition.
As I walked through the house, I noticed an old, neglected dresser with the prettiest chippy blue paint. It was missing the two bottom drawers, and the hardware was long gone; a nail in each drawer allowed it to be opened. It was a pitiful site.
I asked if I could buy it, too.
The eleventh-hour afterthought was piled on top of the doors in the pickup and trekked back to Tennessee. For years it sat in the barn waiting for the day it would be redeemed.
When our Finally Farmhouse dream ended, the old dresser moved into town and sat in storage—again—until one day months ago I pulled it out and scrubbed it down with Murphy’s Oil Soap and a nylon bristle brush.
And then it sat—again—until one day I sanded the top, removing years of paint splatters and rough edges, finally getting a glimpse of the beautiful old (now rare) Chestnut wood.
The top is a single, wide board.
I asked Renaissance Man to help me cut out the no-longer-needed (since the drawers are missing!) rail . . . and then dig through our stash of reclaimed wood to find a wide, thick plank we could use as a bottom shelf. Perfect!
For a long-ago-forgotten piece of furniture, this one’s pretty intriguing! I don’t recall ever seeing wooden locks like these.
The dresser was almost ready for the guest room, but it needed to be waxed. Months passed—again—as it sat waiting for the day it would be brought back into circulation.
Finally, the day arrived. The old dresser that had held the belongings of who knows how many people was about to be redeemed!
Rather than it being a dirty, old, broken piece of furniture destined for the burn pile, it was about to become a beloved addition to a 21st Century guest room in an early 1900s home.
Rather than erasing its history, I decided to embrace it—scars and all.
I’ve thought a lot about that lately. . . erasing history vs. learning from it.
There’s not a product on the market that will give you a crackle finish like this one. This is the real deal! Even if it’s not your style (it’s only occasionally mine), I suspect you can appreciate the history of this old piece. A skilled craftsman brought it to life, then Life took over. Drawers got opened and closed, perhaps even slammed a time or two. Treasures found their resting places. Some color-loving person decided to paint it.
Life happened in the presence of this old dresser.
If we could hear its entire story, our emotions would likely roller-coaster in the recounting of Life’s highs and lows, commitments and consequences, compassions and harms. I wonder what I would learn from it.
Top: A couple coats of Howard’s Citrus Shield Paste Wax (in walnut) helped to nourish the wood, darken the color, and protect the original finish.
Perhaps one day I’ll look for drawer hardware. Perhaps not. For now, a simple piece of leather does the trick.
I wonder who nailed what along the top . . .
I love having a place for this old wooden box and Romanian grain sack.
I look forward to the day when we can have guests again!
Stay safe, friends, and know I pray for you often. Whatever story you’re writing in the presence of your own furniture, I hope it’s a physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy one.
Wow, what a fabulous piece and redemption! I love your commentary right smack in the middle of the post:
“I’ve thought a lot about that lately. . . erasing history vs. learning from it.”
Where are we going, I don’t know. But I love saving history. Thanks for sharing.
I love your sharing of the restoration/renovation of the dresser to a nightstand — beautiful result.
“Erasing history vs learning from it” a powerful thought.
Keep sharing your thoughts and progress; reading your blog is a nice way to start the day!
Judith, thank you for stopping and leaving this comment. Here’s a laugh for you… When I cleaned that guest room today (after my husband finished sanding sheetrock in the guest bathroom), I noticed a little pile of wood shavings under the dresser. Apparently the thick board I added for the shelf still housed a powder post beetle. LOL Never a dull moment! All good now, though.
Thank you especially for your encouragement to keep sharing. I needed that. I’m honored to start the day with you on occasion!