I just purchased the following item on craigslist. Do I keep it in its current condition or do I refinish it? Or paint it? I'm torn. It's a little too shabby for me but the seller said he had talked to antique experts and they told him not to refinish it! It's 10 feet long and 7 feet high. It's really just the top of the bottom piece that is in rough shape. These are his pics off cl so they aren't really good ones.

Okay, hit me!

The question is, what is it worth unpainted?

There is a long uninterrupted wall area along one side of the downstairs hall opposite the staircase. This blank wall is between the door into the dining room and the door into the kitchen. This span measures a little under 17 feet. I need something with storage and that also can be decorative. I thought this could fit the bill.

It would replace this 5 piece wall unit:

bestyears: Yes I agree!

I think it would be an enormous project to strip and refinish on your own. Painting would be much easier!

Seriously, its size counteracts anything in the style that might be a little too new or too repro. On that scale it is fabulous! I would paint that thing in a red hot minute. Love the gray/green idea to echo your trim. While that color is of fairly common in Colonial palettes it is also often seen in French homes and color schemes. I could see that color of grayish green in a chalk paint finished with a rubbed wax, and then judicious Old gold rub and buff on the detailing of the drawers and doors and edges here and there.... Not painted on but rubbed on as though it had rubbed off over time.

Cannot wait to see this in place! Glad it is replacing the wall unit!

Helene

Given it's size, it really needs to look great. It looks sad now, but I think you can paint it and make it a showstopper. I'm not a green person, but that and white or cream do seem to be the colors people paint more furniture. The white or cream would make me think of the popular bedroom furniture of that time, so I'd definitely go with a color. In my dining room, it would likely be a pale gold, but I could see it being a silver grey, a charcoal grey, a deep burgundy or other rich color, but it depends on the room, your colors and the china you plan to display. You get more options with paint colors than you do wood tones. Given the size and amount of open shelving, I would definitely consider painting the back wall a different color and really accent both the piece and your china.

And if you decide it doesn't work, let me know. ;-)

Me too.
Happy painting! ;-)

But if a clean up doesn't work, I wouldn't hesitate to paint it. The contrast between wood (probably in the DR table and chairs) and a painted piece can add warmth and interest too while creating a wonderful showcase for china and crystal. If it doesn't clean up well and the distressed look doesn't fit the rest of the room, it will just look old and tired and easily bring down the whole room. From the one photo of the piece that is being replaced, I wouldn't venture a guess, but the OP should make it right for her and her home and not feel any guilt over the choice.

The seller said he thought it was walnut, but I don't agree with that. If anything it's one of those cheaper fakes they used in the 50s-70s range. The top that is so worn doesn't seem to have a noticeable grain in it. Those pull out boards are in great shape and show the original color.

It doesn't really look beat up, either. It looks like it's had too much sun and wasn't done with a UV resistant finish. I have some dining chairs from the 1940s that had a similar effect on the half of the set that stayed by the window.

Once you get it home and get photos of the hardware and joints you can probably get a much better idea on date.

Fun project...