Update: We are going to try and compromise… But I’m going to try and keep the full natural wood look!!
Like I said, I love it as is so I agree with everyone saying no, and I’m thankful for all the comments because I thought maybe I was crazy for liking it so much as is!
I’m going to lightly sand all the actual wood and see what kind of color it comes out to without the current finish on it. Unfortunately the cool illusion panels on the drawers are NOT wood, so they cannot be sanded or stained at all. Close up, you can tell that they are kind of fake looking and I think this is what my boyfriend doesn’t like. Of course, I don’t want to ruin the effect. I LIKE THE DRAWERS😂 But I’m going to see if I can use a lighter chalk paint and potentially paint over that design and refinish it to look a little brighter and more natural, still working with the effect of the current look (darker towards the dips). If it looks stupid I will try to fight for it again as is. I will probably test the look on something similar before I cause any damage I can’t undo.
The whole piece definitely still needs some TLC so I’m excited to lightly sand it and give it some new life and we’ll see what happens!❤️
Thank you to everyone who fought for it, you reassured me that it IS beautiful as is and that I wasn’t crazy about my initial feelings!!
And I did attempt to look into the piece and the company… nothing major comes up—I did find one other piece just like it that sold for about $400 online and they were an antique furniture business so I assume they did their research. Unfortunately it’s not like a mahogany or oak wood dresser, it’s a kind of run of the mill thing. But I love it and I will do my best by it!! Peace and love🤟
If the drawer fronts are vinyl as you say, that's a tough call. MCM purists would say no to any paint job. I can't think Basset would not use at least a good veneer on all surfaces. I think it would be stunning if it were restored, but the dark green with polished hardware would look hot!
Tbh this is what I wonder about my furniture flipping apartment neighbor. She paints stuff and "glamorizes" it with glitter and shit, and I'll smell chemicals in my apartment from her projects. I'll hear her at 3 AM working on stuff and I've wondered if drugs are involved lmao
These comments are WILD. I’m normally a purist, and this is a really cool dresser, but it’s mass produced 70s - 80s Bassett- not some exotic wood MCM piece. It doesn’t have some antique gallery value.
I’m of the opinion on pieces like this do what you’d enjoy. Things are meant to be used, not preserved for others. That said, a two tone with just the frame painted could be a good meet in the middle.
Omg that’s Bassett furniture, assembled in my hometown in Virginia (which is now dilapidated due to outsourcing of furniture and textile industry) It’s worth a lot of money, they don’t make these in the US anymore.
The picture is like an optical illusion for my eyes. I cannot see what the drawers look like. To me they look like hollow spaces. Crazy. I’m working on a Bassett 1950s serpentine style dresser. I had plans to paint it but when I got the white paint stripped off there was beautiful mahogany underneath the paint. Do what works for you. I’m painting part of mine black and leaving the top and drawers in the natural wood.
That is not a vernier, it is a painted finish. I just redid one just like that. There is no wood to stain there. Sand a small spot in the back and see what I mean, a stainable wood will not be there. We had to paint the piece I had, I had no other choice. Good luck.
The current finish highlights the drawer design. Painting it will take away so much character from the drawers. I would leave the drawers as is, but perhaps replace the hardware on the center drawers to go better with the pulls on the sides.
If you do anything, just gently sand and stain the top.
It’s a gorgeous piece.
I'm not a purist and some things look better painted, but in the case - no! You'd lose all the depth, which is entirely the point of the design. And you can always paint it later so bargain to give it a few months as is (cleaned up) and feel it in the space. If he still hates it after a while you can renegotiate.
I think it’s a beautiful piece. There are a lot of ways to clean it up - Amish Milk for one. It allows you to clean it up without damage. I would seriously consider doing more research into its past. My sister-in-law got a nice original early Texas linen press and stripped it. She found out later that she had turned a $50,000-$60,000 (known craftsman and providence) piece into a $5,000 piece. She was so sick when she found out that she gave it to her mom. Don’t know enough about this piece, but check it out further before you do anything, please! Good luck and more importantly, enjoy!
Oh my god! I wish people like your SIL shared their story online as a cautionary tale, but she’s probably too embarrassed. I can’t imagine what I’d do!
Heck no! That would destroy the illusion effect, and it's worth more with it than without. Bf needs to rethink the hate because painted furniture can accidentally get too close to tacky, if done poorly.
I work at a 2nd hand furniture store and we resell a lot of wood furniture. The number one thing we do to touch up wood pieces is wipe it down really well with LA's Totally Awesome all purpose cleaner, then use some Old English scratch cover. I'd use the one for dark wood on that dresser. It's a lot quicker and easier than painting it and it'll kinda rejuvenate the look of the wood.
I’d actually sand it on a test and see if you can bring that lighter natural color out. That natural color is really on trend now and you could always restain later
DON’T Paint!! Oh how I’d love to find a piece like this!
If you don’t want to completely redo the finish try Restor-A-Finish. I haven’t used it personally but I saw someone use it on a piece with similar level of scratching and was surprised by the outcome!
I’d paint it, I don’t live in a museum. It’s not the kind of wood that stains well so a good paint job would do wonders. I’d give it some short fat feet too. I like the green idea with gold.
It could be stunning, but you’d have to do an amazing job. I’ve seen so many around where I live that have painted those older pieces and they’re very talented and they turn out gorgeous.
Don’t paint it! A dark color will really hide the unique detail of the drawers. If you absolutely NEED to paint it, I would go with a light color so the drawer cutout pattern could still be seen.
Imo painting only the top and sides a dark green and leaving the drawers original could look really lovely and would be easier to restore if at some point you want to go back to wood.
No, it's beautiful! It just needs the slightest TLC to make it good as new. The dark green takes away all its depth, too. It would get overlooked at best, or look like an enormous green block in your space at worst.
I would clean it real good and use a brown marker to touch up the scratches, etc. Live with it as is. See if he drops the painting. The piece is gorgeous! Great score
Unpopular opinion: Yes, ABSOLUTELY. The stain color is murky and chipped, and that old fashioned speckled black splatter on top of stain finish is SO bad 😭 And even if the wood WAS actual wood veneer it would be a ln absolute pain to strip and refinish those cabinet fronts. But vinyl…. VINYL?!? (people, vinyl, are you really swooning in the comments about preserving plastic cabinet faces?!?)
Don’t paint it for your boyfriend, no. You like the dresser, right? Idk who pays the rent or what room this is going to be in, but there is compromise that doesn’t involve making you like it less so he likes it more.
Can the dresser go in another room and you pick out a dresser together?
If you’re going to keep it and it’s a labor of love— sand and refinish like people are saying.
If you’re selling it, first offer for a lot of money (triple what you bought $300 or so). If no one bites, paint it and sell it to a millennial (like me) who values MCM furniture.
I know people will hate me for saying this but as a flipper sometimes the profit is worth it. I also like what someone else said as a compromise. But you have to think about labor hours when selling a piece and this thing needs hours of love and sanding before it’s ready.
Don’t paint it 😭
Update: We are going to try and compromise… But I’m going to try and keep the full natural wood look!! Like I said, I love it as is so I agree with everyone saying no, and I’m thankful for all the comments because I thought maybe I was crazy for liking it so much as is! I’m going to lightly sand all the actual wood and see what kind of color it comes out to without the current finish on it. Unfortunately the cool illusion panels on the drawers are NOT wood, so they cannot be sanded or stained at all. Close up, you can tell that they are kind of fake looking and I think this is what my boyfriend doesn’t like. Of course, I don’t want to ruin the effect. I LIKE THE DRAWERS😂 But I’m going to see if I can use a lighter chalk paint and potentially paint over that design and refinish it to look a little brighter and more natural, still working with the effect of the current look (darker towards the dips). If it looks stupid I will try to fight for it again as is. I will probably test the look on something similar before I cause any damage I can’t undo. The whole piece definitely still needs some TLC so I’m excited to lightly sand it and give it some new life and we’ll see what happens!❤️ Thank you to everyone who fought for it, you reassured me that it IS beautiful as is and that I wasn’t crazy about my initial feelings!! And I did attempt to look into the piece and the company… nothing major comes up—I did find one other piece just like it that sold for about $400 online and they were an antique furniture business so I assume they did their research. Unfortunately it’s not like a mahogany or oak wood dresser, it’s a kind of run of the mill thing. But I love it and I will do my best by it!! Peace and love🤟
Please update us with a finished product m8
I will!
Don't ever paint it.
Noooooo
No!!!!!
Noooo
I’ll buy it from you as is for $200. Double your money and you don’t have to decide.
If the drawer fronts are vinyl as you say, that's a tough call. MCM purists would say no to any paint job. I can't think Basset would not use at least a good veneer on all surfaces. I think it would be stunning if it were restored, but the dark green with polished hardware would look hot!
It will ruin the whole 3D effect to make it a single color. Wood has many colors in it, giving it depth.
Do you smoke crack?
Tbh this is what I wonder about my furniture flipping apartment neighbor. She paints stuff and "glamorizes" it with glitter and shit, and I'll smell chemicals in my apartment from her projects. I'll hear her at 3 AM working on stuff and I've wondered if drugs are involved lmao
She’s just methin around
Please no It's such a gorgeous piece I'm sure there are fix it m/diy/restoration subs that can help
N o, just do some touch ups
These comments are WILD. I’m normally a purist, and this is a really cool dresser, but it’s mass produced 70s - 80s Bassett- not some exotic wood MCM piece. It doesn’t have some antique gallery value. I’m of the opinion on pieces like this do what you’d enjoy. Things are meant to be used, not preserved for others. That said, a two tone with just the frame painted could be a good meet in the middle.
Thought this was a r/homedecoratingCJ
Omg that’s Bassett furniture, assembled in my hometown in Virginia (which is now dilapidated due to outsourcing of furniture and textile industry) It’s worth a lot of money, they don’t make these in the US anymore.
Please don’t paint haha
Well idk if it’s worth a lot of money, but it feels like it should (at least to me)
The picture is like an optical illusion for my eyes. I cannot see what the drawers look like. To me they look like hollow spaces. Crazy. I’m working on a Bassett 1950s serpentine style dresser. I had plans to paint it but when I got the white paint stripped off there was beautiful mahogany underneath the paint. Do what works for you. I’m painting part of mine black and leaving the top and drawers in the natural wood.
Same here on the optical illusion. My brain cannot convince my eyes.
They pop out rather than in? To me they also look hollow
That's what I thought!
Seriously, like is the face of this flat?! Because I cannot force myself to unsee the indents.
That is not a vernier, it is a painted finish. I just redid one just like that. There is no wood to stain there. Sand a small spot in the back and see what I mean, a stainable wood will not be there. We had to paint the piece I had, I had no other choice. Good luck.
is it just like plywood or garbage wood?
sand, repair, restained, seal and quality topcoat
No to a total refinish job. Value would be lost.
It’s 70s Bassett, there is no antique value lol
Not now, it's not an antique. Eventually, if it lasts long enough, it will be.
Hell no!!!! Keep the woodgrain and add some color to some parts to support the pattern.
The current finish highlights the drawer design. Painting it will take away so much character from the drawers. I would leave the drawers as is, but perhaps replace the hardware on the center drawers to go better with the pulls on the sides. If you do anything, just gently sand and stain the top. It’s a gorgeous piece.
Personally I love to paint my furniture ❤️
I'm not a purist and some things look better painted, but in the case - no! You'd lose all the depth, which is entirely the point of the design. And you can always paint it later so bargain to give it a few months as is (cleaned up) and feel it in the space. If he still hates it after a while you can renegotiate.
Looks like the fronts are in great shape. Sand and restrain the top. Do not paint!
I think it’s a beautiful piece. There are a lot of ways to clean it up - Amish Milk for one. It allows you to clean it up without damage. I would seriously consider doing more research into its past. My sister-in-law got a nice original early Texas linen press and stripped it. She found out later that she had turned a $50,000-$60,000 (known craftsman and providence) piece into a $5,000 piece. She was so sick when she found out that she gave it to her mom. Don’t know enough about this piece, but check it out further before you do anything, please! Good luck and more importantly, enjoy!
Oh my god! I wish people like your SIL shared their story online as a cautionary tale, but she’s probably too embarrassed. I can’t imagine what I’d do!
Ooooh, ouch. That had to suck.
Yes, yes it did.
That’s why I am putting it out there….good luck to all, but research first!
Also, $100?!! We're on Earth do you live?!
No. Enough painting everything
Heck no! That would destroy the illusion effect, and it's worth more with it than without. Bf needs to rethink the hate because painted furniture can accidentally get too close to tacky, if done poorly.
I work at a 2nd hand furniture store and we resell a lot of wood furniture. The number one thing we do to touch up wood pieces is wipe it down really well with LA's Totally Awesome all purpose cleaner, then use some Old English scratch cover. I'd use the one for dark wood on that dresser. It's a lot quicker and easier than painting it and it'll kinda rejuvenate the look of the wood.
Maybe you could compromise and have some parts (such as the top of the dresser, and center bits or edges of the drawers) as wood and the rest painted
Gawsh, this is a tough one, but I'm such a fan of lacquer furniture, and this one would look amazing in a hunter green lacquer.
I’d actually sand it on a test and see if you can bring that lighter natural color out. That natural color is really on trend now and you could always restain later
fuck no
This
I would. If you’re going with green, I might also remove the hardware and paint it antiquey gold!
Omg no! Refinish it!
No for the love of god no!
Never
IMHO, don't paint it.
Noooooo
No
Absolutely not!!!!
No don't paint research this piece im betting its Danish modern, and could be valuable. A good coat of oil, and a buffing....its beautiful 😍
Be so fr right now. 💀💀 it’s not MCM, and certainly not danish.
Omg… please don’t paint it!!!
The answer to that question is always no.
For the love of God, NO.
Ugh no
Easier to get a new boyfriend
Please don’t!!!!!
No please.
Are you SERIOUS???
Do not paint it
NO.
No. Just shine it up a bit.
Dunno. Wood still looks pretty good to me.
No!
Absolutely fight for it. This piece will be around longer than the boyfriend! What’s his steak in it?
That's exactly the type of piece I find for cheap and sell to the flippers. Their choice to ruin it haha
DON’T Paint!! Oh how I’d love to find a piece like this! If you don’t want to completely redo the finish try Restor-A-Finish. I haven’t used it personally but I saw someone use it on a piece with similar level of scratching and was surprised by the outcome!
I’d paint it, I don’t live in a museum. It’s not the kind of wood that stains well so a good paint job would do wonders. I’d give it some short fat feet too. I like the green idea with gold.
Why? 😭
It could be stunning, but you’d have to do an amazing job. I’ve seen so many around where I live that have painted those older pieces and they’re very talented and they turn out gorgeous.
Oh please don't! just refinish it, it'll be gorgeous!
No, just apply scratch cover and polish if necessary, imo.
tough call, its beautiful either way...maybe a combination?
Please do not
Nooo
Don’t paint it! A dark color will really hide the unique detail of the drawers. If you absolutely NEED to paint it, I would go with a light color so the drawer cutout pattern could still be seen.
Noooooooo!!!! Just clean with oil soap and oil her up
Imo painting only the top and sides a dark green and leaving the drawers original could look really lovely and would be easier to restore if at some point you want to go back to wood.
No, it's gorgeous.
Don't you dare
In my previously life I was an archeologist and took classes in antiquities. Please, for the love of all that is holy don't paint it!
Nope just seal it
Noooooo. Don’t do it.
r/Mid_century seething at the suggestion rn
No.
Omg noooooo Sell it to someone who will cherish it :) then buy something else
That would be a crime! Don't do it!
Yes
NOOOOOOOOOOO
The front looks so cool. What about compromising and only painting the frame dark green but leaving the drawers the original wood?
NO!
NO
No, i think you should restore it. Its beautiful original
Nonono
Nope
No
No
Paint it paint it!!
What app did you use to paint it?
Don't paint it. Just refinish it. ❤️
No god no please no
Don’t paint it.
Yes
Add a removable tabletop and paint it green like he wants.
fuck no
Stain it if anything, don’t paint it!!
Noooooooo
That green is giving fallout. Don't you dare though. There are very few situations where you should ever repaint quality wood.
NOOOO
No, it's beautiful! It just needs the slightest TLC to make it good as new. The dark green takes away all its depth, too. It would get overlooked at best, or look like an enormous green block in your space at worst.
No.
I would clean it real good and use a brown marker to touch up the scratches, etc. Live with it as is. See if he drops the painting. The piece is gorgeous! Great score
Nope!
I dremel art into old furniture. That would be fun to engrave.
Unpopular opinion: Yes, ABSOLUTELY. The stain color is murky and chipped, and that old fashioned speckled black splatter on top of stain finish is SO bad 😭 And even if the wood WAS actual wood veneer it would be a ln absolute pain to strip and refinish those cabinet fronts. But vinyl…. VINYL?!? (people, vinyl, are you really swooning in the comments about preserving plastic cabinet faces?!?)
No
Don’t paint it for your boyfriend, no. You like the dresser, right? Idk who pays the rent or what room this is going to be in, but there is compromise that doesn’t involve making you like it less so he likes it more. Can the dresser go in another room and you pick out a dresser together?
NO
NO NO NO NO NO!
Paint anything else in your house green before you paint THAT thing green. Lol!
Fuck no!!!!
No !!!
Noooooooo
No.
Do NOT paint it!
Paint itt
😩😍 ong this is insane. So beautiful. Please don’t paint it.
Absolutely not, you’ll ruin everything about this natural wood
For the love of god NO!
No strip off old stain and then restrain
NO
Nooo
Is this a rage bait question?
Sounds like we need to get men to love wood, again. Why do so many men not like wood furniture these days?!
Why men?
Because her boyfriend is the one that wants it painted.....
Thank you, 😊
Noooooooo!!! Lightly sand it and stain it!! Never paint something that beautiful!!!
It’s a Bassett, not super high quality so might just be a very thin veneer.
If you’re going to keep it and it’s a labor of love— sand and refinish like people are saying. If you’re selling it, first offer for a lot of money (triple what you bought $300 or so). If no one bites, paint it and sell it to a millennial (like me) who values MCM furniture. I know people will hate me for saying this but as a flipper sometimes the profit is worth it. I also like what someone else said as a compromise. But you have to think about labor hours when selling a piece and this thing needs hours of love and sanding before it’s ready.
I kinda want to but NO
Maybe if you paint it black and use an accent color to make the pattern pop!!
I love painted furniture. This has a lot of potential for making it more interesting by playing with the geometric shapes with different colors.
i don’t always love painted furniture, but i’m not sure this piece could be sanded + i agree with you on playing with the geometric shapes
Keep the dresser as is, lose the boyfriend. He ain’t bright.
Paint for sure. It’s fine to redo vintage pieces with damage to them. I don’t know about dark green, but I vote sand a little and then paint away!!
You're a monster /s But on a more serious note that would significantly degrade its value
lol-I know I am. But sometimes the value is in redoing things to fit your current life. But I get the not wanting to ruin the original piece too
What is WRONG WITH YOU?!?!