Ideas for renovation of old press

looksee · 28-05-2021 12:51pm #1

I have an old cupboard/press that I like, but would like to finish it a bit. It appears to be constructed mainly from half inch planks of maybe scots pine. It is completely unfinished though there may be some evidence of a small amount of varnish on the top. There is no worm and it is essentially in good condition.

I don't want to fill in the cracks and paint it, and I am not looking for the shabby chic white painted look. I am thinking maybe of some sort of coloured varnish - not imitation wood colour. I don't mind, in fact might prefer, some sort of decoration on it, maybe a geometric pattern. I might put a panel of fabric or something else in the doors. I might just give it a coat of clear matt varnish.

On the one hand it has an interesting patina of rubbed smooth plain wood, on the other its a bit overly plain and unfinished.

Any thoughts on what you might do with it would be appreciated!

wildwillow · 28-05-2021 12:56pm

I would do the absolute minimum It's a beautiful piece.

Wood needs nourishing so french polish or use a water based polish to bring out the grain.

pawdee · 28-05-2021 12:59pm

I'd just give it a coat of Tung oil or beeswax and put some nice vintage Bakelite knobs on it instead of the white ones. It's lovely even as it is!

looksee · 28-05-2021 1:09pm

Thank you for your replies. I'm kinda thinking you are right and I should be doing the minimum to it.

Wyldwood · 29-05-2021 8:33pm

Please don't do anything drastic to it, it's a beautiful piece of furniture. Maybe try some Danish Oil or the like on a hidden part to see how it would look, otherwise leave it be.

LenWoods · 29-05-2021 9:31pm

looksee wrote: »

Thank you for your replies. I'm kinda thinking you are right and I should be doing the minimum to it.

Measure the top and visit your local independent glazing company to order a toughened glass round edge top for it,
Being toughened; it won't crack with a hot cup or teapot sat on it and the glass will complement the wood nicely,

I've had glass tops done for my desk, kitchen table and coffee table, can cut bread on it without worry too.

Some chrome knobs might compliment the wood better than those white ones too.
Link: https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/p/eneryda-knob-chrome-plated-80347511/

looksee · 29-05-2021 11:19pm

I think if I search around there are some old round knobs that came off something else in the house, might do nicely. I agree the white ones don't quite do the job.

Agreed about the toughened glass, I have a piece on a table, but this will be going back into my bedroom when some work has been finished in there, I think it will have some sort of mat or runner on top.

29-05-2021 11:21pm

When I read the title, I was expecting something needing a lot of work. As the other posters suggested, I would do very little. It's beautiful.

tabby aspreme · 30-05-2021 10:40am

A few coats of beeswax would finish it nicely, oil will darken it over time. Take a look at the Restoration Materials Bury Website for a good selection of knobs, in wood, brass, and porcelain

31-05-2021 11:10am

tabby aspreme wrote: »

A few coats of beeswax would finish it nicely, oil will darken it over time. Take a look at the Restoration Materials Bury Website for a good selection of knobs, in wood, brass, and porcelain

Good suggestion

looksee · 31-05-2021 10:46pm

I have invested in a tin of beeswax polish. (ouch!) I will put up another pic when its done

01-06-2021 9:35am

looksee wrote: »

I have invested in a tin of beeswax polish. (ouch!) I will put up another pic when its done

Great. I'll see how you go before going at my old press.

Ideas for renovation of old press

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