The year is 1927. Our president is Calvin Coolidge. Charles Lindbergh is about to fly solo across the Atlantic. Work begins on Mount Rushmore. Women are getting their hair bobbed and beginning to wear … gasp! … trousers!
And while all of that was happening, inspector no. 218 was signing off on this dresser.
How do I know this? Well, there is a sticker on the bottom of one of the drawers of course!
Isn’t that kind of cool? And isn’t this dresser a beauty? Imagine it coming fresh off the factory floor all shiny and new. I bet it was part of a set. Back then you bought an entire suite of bedroom furniture, not just one dresser. I’m sure there was a mirrored bureau or vanity to go along with this, don’t you think? And a fabulous headboard.
But, I just got this piece and it is no longer fresh off the factory floor! There are a few spots where the veneer is lifting, a couple gouges here and there …
and I really have no idea what is going on with the top! Was there originally another level glued on top of this one? Was it just badly damaged by something sitting on top of it?
It’s a mystery to me. I’m not sure what would cause this sort of damage. The veneer is totally warped and loose, so I’m guessing water was involved in some manner.
Basically all of these flaws add up to the perfect candidate for a paint job.
Now I just have to pick a color. My original thought was Miss Mustard Seed’s Eulalie’s Sky, a lovely aqua blue. But then I also happen to have some of her Shutter Grey on hand as well. Wouldn’t that be pretty? With the raised oval and rectangle painted in Grain Sack. Obviously those two spots are also crying out for a stencil, and since I just ordered a new batch from Maison de Stencils the other day, I’m going to have to wait patiently for them to arrive. Meanwhile, I will do what I can to repair this lovely dresser so it’s ready for its makeover.
q is for quandie 
Water damage for sure–under a sheet of glass, I’d bet. Will the top stencil be “1927”? I love that you’ve created a back story for this guy!
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Great idea Annie! You’ve got me thinking … I believe I will have just the stencil when my new order arrives!
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Me too love the backstory. Look forward to the reveal of 1927!
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It’s fun to imagine all of the history behind this piece. It’s been around for 87 years!
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I bet water got under glass, as Annie suggested, probably from an over-watered plant. That’s my guess. I call these gentlemen dressers. It is a beautiful piece and you’ll make it outstanding.
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I think I’m going to help this gentlemen’s dresser get in touch with his more feminine side 😉 Stay tuned.
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You find the most fab pieces! Can’t wait to see it. When you have veneer very warped, do you ever have issues of the water based milk paint making it worse, even if you’ve tried to glue? I’ve had it bubble up or become loose after I’ve applied the paint. I have a piece I just decided to take the top veneer off as I’ve had that before and couldn’t get this one down flat like I would like. Now that’s a job…
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After writing this post, I did end up deciding to remove the veneer from the top. As per Murphy’s Law, about 80% of it came off extremely easily and the last 20% had to be coaxed off with much patience and the use of a heat gun! I got it all off though. But in answer to your question, I have not had a problem with milk paint making warped veneer worse, but it makes sense since milk paint is so watery. But if I have really badly warped veneer, I do usually try to remove it. I’ve got another spot on the side of this dresser that I glued though, so I’ll see how it goes.
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