About this restoration

This antique chest of drawers came through our Fort Collins shop for a full refinish. The piece has strong original character: two small upper drawers over three graduated full-width drawers, elegant bracket feet, a shaped apron, and original Hepplewhite-style brass oval bail pulls that were cleaned and brought back into the overall presentation.

What we restored

The most important part of this project was preserving the detail work through the refinish. Each drawer face is framed with delicate light-wood stringing inlay, with small diamond inlay accents centered on the drawers. The goal was to clean up the wood, restore the finish from bare wood up, and honor the piece’s original character without covering or flattening those details.

What we did

• Completed a full refinish from bare wood up to restore the chest’s natural tone, clarity, and depth.
• Protected and preserved the stringing inlay around each drawer face during the refinishing process.
• Maintained the diamond inlay accents so the fine decorative details remain visible and intentional.
• Color-matched the finish to honor the antique character of the piece rather than forcing it into a modern look.
• Cleaned and refreshed the original Hepplewhite-style brass oval bail pulls so the hardware works with the restored wood.
• Balanced sheen and finish quality across the drawer fronts, case, shaped apron, and bracket feet.

Care tips

• Dust gently with a soft microfiber cloth; avoid abrasive pads and harsh chemical cleaners.
• Use care around the drawer inlay and brass pulls when cleaning or moving items nearby.
• Do not place wet objects, plants, or drinks directly on the chest surface.
• Keep the piece away from heat vents, high humidity, and prolonged direct sunlight.
• Open drawers gently and avoid forcing original hardware or joinery.
• If the finish begins to dull or the inlay edges show wear, book maintenance early.