Do you know those Honey-do items that languish on the to-do list? This one has been languishing for about 15 years. In part because there have been so many projects on the list and in part because I didn’t nag.
Years ago, I refinished this old chest of draws that Paul brought to our marriage and used it as a dining room sideboard. I stored cloth napkins, placements, table cloths, and candles, and such in it. Until the bottom two drawers fell apart. Fifteen years ago. The bottom drawer has been unusable. The middle opened only after a struggle.
Lately, I’ve had a bee in my bonnet over this and started perusing the local Facebook Marketplace listings.
I showed Hannah no fewer than two-dozen chests, dressers, and commodes before spotting this vintage oak chest of drawers listed in Blue Hill for a steal. It came with the home when the current owners purchased it, and they were making room to bring in their own furniture. So last weekend, Hannah and I made the trip. We managed to stuff this into the back of my Kia Soul.
A good cleaning and a couple of coats of antique oil finish, and I’ve put it into use. And in the process of cleaning out the old one, I found tablecloths I didn’t even know I had because they’d been stuck in there since 2005.
It now stores all of my dining linens. I’ve told Hannah never to let me purchase another set of off-white napkins regardless of how good the deal – I must have four sets tucked away.
I love the oak grain and the old patina. It’s a happy addition to my home.
The “new” one looks lovely. Is the old one totally beyond repair?
It can be repaired, but as Paul says, “it’s surgery.” I’m torn between finding a place to store it until he has time for it (It’s been a 15 year wait so far) or to break it down and create something else with the wood.
Love the oak sideboard! Really nice find. The old one is so sweet with those curved upper drawers. Could you possibly take out the lower drawers, cut out the inner partition and add a cute curtain to hide what you store in there? That’s what I would do. But you are more creative than I am and I’m interested to see what you would build with the wood! Jan in MA
That’s not something I would have ever considered! It would still be on the honey-do list to install a shelf/shelves!
I have one that my mother gave to me that is almost identical. The drawers are hard to open but I have it stuffed with table linens, quilts and the like. I love having it knowing it has been the family for a long time. Yours is beautiful and I know you will enjoy it for a long time. Good find!