Furniture Legs
When it comes to furniture I’m a leg(or feet) gal. This chest of drawers is in pretty rough shape but look at the legs! When it comes to furniture legs those are one of a kind. There’s a shop in Clarksville that carries mostly used furniture. I don’t stop in very often because I get most of my pieces at the Nashville Flea Market or at My Favorite Junk Shop. The furniture shop is in the same shopping area as one of my booths so I stopped in the other day. That’s where I found this piece. It was facing toward me at the end of a long aisle of furniture. I spotted the legs and that was it. I looked the chest over and after seeing the disastrous shape it was in I left without it. It was $40….but still…all the work required to redo it. Well, as you probably figured out I went back.
The chest is solid wood and even with the drawers removed it is darn heavy.
Now that you’ve had a look at the whole thing do you see the problems and the possibilities? The finish is ruined and you guys know I don’t refinish furniture. Too much work for this lazy girl.
I’m really confused about where the chest was made and the age of it. The paper on the back has all kinds of info but I couldn’t find any of it on the internet no matter what I typed into Google search. I did find out that Munchen is Munich. Also you can’t see it here but there is a tiny stamped date that says Nov. 1951. The chest doesn’t look like any of the images of German furniture that came up in my search. I also thought the piece was older than that but maybe not. I’m hoping maybe some of you can help me out.
A previous owner glued laminate to the top.
The finish on the side is a mess too.
The drawer fronts are slightly rounded.
Solid wood dust boards in between drawers.
The frame and drawers are solid. What am I going to do for the makeover. I really have no idea right now. What would you guys do?
Cora says
May 1, 2016 at 8:34 amAnnie Sloan scandnavian pink or emperors silk chalk.Paint the whole piece, except the wood facade wood stain that add funky hardware Some work you’ve got a nice old solid piece. Or seeing you enjoy color save some paint do a decoupage the sides.Maybe Paisley?
Carolyn Bowman says
April 30, 2016 at 7:22 amI am currently working on my own labor of love; an old beat up wicker cabinet. I love the lines of your chest of drawers. Personally, I would give it a good cleaning with Naptha and 0000 steel wool and and then determine if you should strip it with an eco friendly stripper or just sand it. Depending on where or how you are going to use this beautiful lady, I would go with a fun, bold color like leafy green, poppy red, or turquoise; they look great with any style. I use satin finishes on most of my projects, but this piece would look great with chalk paint. Find some pretty glass or colorful ceramic knobs, and she will be just stunning!
Rose L. says
April 28, 2016 at 8:52 pmI hire someone to redo anything I want! Maybe a couple drawers could be removed and create a shelf for quilts? Seen that done
Kelly says
April 28, 2016 at 12:58 pmHoney! I would just clean that sucker up and give it a good clean with Howard’s Wax and Feed. That jewel will be GORGEOUS!!!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
April 28, 2016 at 11:13 amI never thought about it but I’m thinking I’m a leg and feet girl too!! 😉
I’m not sure what I would do with this piece either. I have a similar finished little half moon table and I have no idea what to do yet. I considered giving it a milk paint chippy finish since it has that nicely aged look already!
xo
Nancy
Patty says
April 27, 2016 at 12:20 pmLove this piece! I’m glad you went back to release it from bondage! I always appreciate that previous owners left on the tag with maker information. Good to know! I am loving the look of a natural wood top with painted bottom, but I’ve seen others which painted only the base and left drawer fronts and top unpainted. I saw a lovely shade of green on a chest this morning and this would look lovely like that. Great find! Good luck!
Amy says
April 27, 2016 at 10:20 amI would do ombre drawers.
Simon Alvarez says
April 27, 2016 at 9:31 amDon’t paint it please!! Strip it down with stripper, whipe the remaining stripper with steel wool. don’t sand it. Then after clean it with a mixture of olive oil and vinegar. You will love how the end result of such beautiful wood. I paint furniture too. But when I see beautiful mahogany my heart just can’t do it!!
Dena Gomez says
April 27, 2016 at 11:25 amSimon, I agree with you! Those trees just worked too hard and too long to give us such beauty. I’d clean it up the best I could, sand out the rough spots, remove the laminate top, if possible. Then, I’d wax the BLEEP out of it with a good paste wax and sit back and enjoy the lovely imperfections, knowing you have an exceptionally well made piece of furniture that will last until who knows?
Kathy, I have a wonderful German friend who lives in Munich. I’m going to forward this article to her to see if she can shed any light on its history. We met thru an EBay deal and have been friends for years now. It’s a small world! And, she’s fluent in English, which makes phone calls possible. Lol
Kathy Owen says
April 27, 2016 at 12:31 pmThat would be great Dena!
Dena Gomez says
April 27, 2016 at 1:51 pmKathy, here is the reply from my friend in Munich…..
Good Morning dear Dena,
I look at this furniture and this come from my hometown Munich. Also it is made in Germany and a good wood, Mahagony. It’s from a company the name is Gottwein & Schwab in the middle of Germany. But I don’t found something about the company in the net. So I think the company isn’t exist now. It’s a old furniture and the furniture needs an acid bath and new paint. I think it was a commode for lingerie in a sleeping room.
Not sure what a commode is….to Germans, anyway. Lol. Hope this helps a little.
Dena
Kathy Owen says
April 27, 2016 at 4:17 pmWow, Thank you and your friend Dena! The company was listed on the back but I couldn’t find a thing about it either. On the back it says Chiffonier but I looked it up and commode can be used also. I’m glad to get the low down on the chest. Thank your friend for me please.
Barbara says
April 27, 2016 at 8:38 amIf you can’t find anything out definite about the piece (age, where made, etc.) I’d sand that thing like only YOU can do and paint it out. I love the rounded drawers and scalloped bottom. Along with those splatted legs, it’s a beauty. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Mimi says
April 27, 2016 at 7:56 amI am not sure I would know where to start!
I am also a “leg (or feet) gal”. I could not have passed this piece up. I also love the rounded front of the drawers. Looking forwarded to seeing your transformation of this “shapely”
chest.
Heidi says
April 27, 2016 at 7:44 amI would use an electric sander to smooth out the finish all over. It has a masculine feel to the design, so I can see it in a grey tone paint color with glass knobs. Or, do antique white and distress it to make it have a lighter, more versatile feel. With this piece the possibilities are endless!