Mid-Century Modern Makeover: Transforming a Meredew Chest of Drawers Tallboy
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_yvLGOmSjc[/embedyt]Hello furniture enthusiasts!
Welcome to Phoenix Furniture Studio, where I give love to old furniture and turn it into stunning pieces for your home. Today, I’m tackling a gorgeous mid-century Meredew tall boy chest of drawers. It’s got seven solid drawers, beautiful walnut veneer, and a story waiting to be told. Let’s get to work!
First things first: disassembly and prep. I carefully remove and label each drawer (trust me, you don’t want to mix them up later!). Out come the handles, and then the sanding begins. I start with 120-grit sandpaper, gradually moving up to 220 to smooth everything out. Remember, with veneer, less is more – you don’t want to “blow through” to the particle board beneath.
Now, for the fun part: revealing the wood grain! Once the old finish is gone, I clean everything with clean spirit to remove any lingering dust and get a sneak peek of how the finish will look. That walnut veneer is just begging to shine!
Time to add some contrast! I scuff sand the edges and apply black paint to the frame and the drawers, giving them a modern twist. The legs get the paint treatment too, creating a striking balance with the warm wood tones.
The magic touch: hard wax oil. We use Fiddes Hard Wax Oil in Satin for a stunning satin finish. Thin coats are key, applied in both circular and linear motions to ensure the oil penetrates the wood grain. Patience is rewarded with a gorgeous, natural-looking sheen.
Black and gold beauty. While I love the wood’s simplicity, I decided to add a touch of elegance with thin gold stripes along the top of each drawer. Masking tape makes this surprisingly easy (and the
Don’t forget the details! The original handles get a good scrub with Barkeeper’s Friend, while the drawer bottoms receive some TLC with Dixie Bell White Lightning and Restor-a-Finish in Cherry. This oil-based stain hides scratches and nourishes the wood, making them look almost new.
The grand reveal! I reattach the drawer bottoms and handles, and voila! The Meredew chest of drawres is reborn. This beauty sold within a week, proving once again that vintage with a modern touch is always a winner.
Bonus round: Meredew Furniture history! I stumbled upon a 1962 Meredew catalog, and guess what? Our dresser is practically its twin! Turns out, this piece was a £25 gem back in the day. Not bad for a piece that sells for much more now, right?
Tips:
- Take your time, especially with sanding and applying thin coats of finish.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with colour and accents.
- Preserve original hardware if possible for added character.
- Enjoy the process and satisfaction of giving vintage furniture a new lease on life!
If you have any questions or want to share your own furniture makeovers, please leave a comment below.
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See you on the next flip!
Brenda xx