I spotted this empire style solid oak buffet on CL listed for $75! I was so excited I couldn't email fast enough. The gentleman called me the next morning to tell me I was the first to email him so I could come look at it. Yea!! It was about an hour away, but well worth it. He had found it in the dumpster when he moved into the house and had to glue the doors back together. The curly things in front of the mirror were also missing the ends. I took it to a furniture repair shop and was told it was from around 1910 to 1920 and it would be around $185 to repair the curly things. I had to re-do the glue job on the doors and fill with wood filler - that's all on the inside of the door and won't show once I'm done with it. My husband thinks he can fix the curly parts, I think I am going to stain the top and door and drawer fronts, then paint the rest. I even found a key that fits the drawers and doors at my favorite antique store. I know I am diminishing the value of the piece by not leaving it alone, but since it's for me and will be with me until I pass it down to one of my kids that's ok! I can't wait until it's done and sitting in my dining room. :)
Just love this old chunky furniture :)
Replaced the original wooden knobs with the crystal ones below (I love to add a little sparkle)
Pretty sure I'm going to line the drawers and bottom of the cabinet with this paper:
Linking to:
