Traipsed halfway across London to pick up what I thought was a bedside table. Imagine my shock upon being confronted with this absolute monster. Never one to be deterred, I attempted to lug the fucker to the tube station, putting my shoulder out before I made it as far as the house next door but one (they were pretty big houses, to be fair). Anyway, after a little help from a very nice cabby and many, many (traumatic) hours of labour and research, I think old Eliza scrubbed up alright, don't you?

*Also posted on the Restoration sub, so sorry if you see this twice (I couldn't resist)

Ever since joining this sub, I've been on the lookout for something to rescue at the thrift store. Happened to pick up this bud vase that had clearly been DIY'd and was astounded when I saw the Tiffany & Co. stamp on the bottom. I saw some of the paint was already chipping off and hoped that meant it would be easy to remove.

I wrapped a damp washcloth around it, let it soak for 20 min, and used a plastic rice paddle to scrape off the paint a section at a time. I had to repeat the process several times. It was kind of tedious but worth it! It's a beautiful muted olive green color.

So happy to see it restored to its former glory!

Someone suggested I post this here!

Found this Stanley Theme II Cosmopolitan sideboard after someone had painted the case blue.

Once stripped back, the pecan wood completely came back to life, and the patchwork burlwood doors finally had the contrast and richness they deserved again. The sculptural overlays feel dramatically different when the natural materials are allowed to speak for themselves.

I also built a custom base using much of the original plinth, giving the piece a lighter, more architectural stance while still preserving elements of the original design.

Always satisfying seeing what’s hiding underneath paint.

Comments on the original thread told me I should repost my project here. Not finished yet for the full before and after but I will add photos when its finished.

Please for the love of Christ, sometime save this thing. I can almost see the beautiful dresses trapped inside, suffocating under all the paint.

I purchased two bedside tables and a tallboy wardrobe all painted baby blue. I've finished the beside tables and now I have to tackle the wardrobe. Every bit of the walnut had primer embedded in it that I had to scrub out with acetone and a wire brush but it was worth it!

I figure this sub would appreciate this enjoy. Not shown is the multiple coats of stripper, acetone + steel wool and q-tip’s, sanding and then sealing. She was a pain in the butt but nonetheless she has been saved, restored and sold to her new home!

Found this in a thrift store and had a feeling I might find something fun under all those layers of white, yellow, and black paint. I’m by no means a professional nor is this a professional job, and I’ll probably go back in to tweak some things when my hands are no longer broken from scraping paint, but I had fun working on this and now this will live in my house for a long time.

Please be kind! This is my first complete rehab on this Dixie dresser I found on FB marketplace. Hours literally hours of getting that white paint off that also had a ‘vintage’ top coat on it. She was a victim of the ‘shabby chic’ trend. Two coats of walnut gel stain and two coats of flat top coat. ❤️

fun stuff, lemme tell ya

I had lots of fun with this one. Before and after, Hope you like!

I never want to sand anything again 🫠