I can make one suggestion for wood filler (putty?) -- if a gouge is deep, fill it partially first, let dry, and then fill again. Make sure you press the filler firmly into all the crevices.

Whoops! I've deleted the pics by mistake. Haven't got photobucket completely figured out yet. I'll get them up as soon as I can.

Keeping my fingers crossed - I think the pics are back!

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Do you really want to paint it?
You could sand the top to take care of the scratches and finish the top with a matching stain. That done, you could go over the remaining with Restore A Finish.

I would replace the knobs. Just cuz I like cool knobs :)

I wouldn't paint it, either. The warm color of the wood will look good in the room. I like the current knobs, too. I notice on the nightstands that they are wooden as well.

I love the dresser! I wouldn't paint it, or change the knobs. If you could stain the scratches, would they be less noticeable?

I would paint it a distressed black, perhaps with the green from the nightstands as the peek-through colour.

Keep the knobs.

I'd paint it the red color in the bedskirt. You've got so much blue/green going on. I would definitely paint it, you're not going to get those gouges to stain evenly.

Fill with putty, but do a light job, don't try to pack it in. Let dry, sand, then do another layer. Repeat a few times till you've got them done. First sand the top really, really well (use an electric sander) to try to sand out as much of the scratches as you can first.

I'd go with clear glass knobs, or milk glass if you can find them. Your room has such a country look, that milk glass would be awesome on the red finish. Top it with a jadeite vase, a pretty mirror, and you're set!

Oh yeah, change the knobs on the end tables to keep them tied together with the dresser.

Pesky I was all set to say just about the same thing. Paint the top red and put clear glass knobs lol. Now that you say milk glass, I like that better!!! GMTA

Thanks to all for your advice. I also have a wooden rocker in the room, so perhaps it would be best not to paint the dresser. I do think the whole dresser will have to be refinished though, not just the top -- matching the stain might be difficult due to the age of the dresser.

Can anyone tell me more about Restore A Finish?

Thanks!

I would get some cool postcards and other paper artwork in your chicken theme, lay it all over the top (but no glue) and cover with a piece of glass. Take off the knobs, paint the rims black to pick up on the lamps, and leave the centers in the wood color. Or change them out to a black iron in some cool design (more country, I think).

Red pillow for the rocker would be better, perhaps - maybe a needlepoint with a chicken, or just some patterned red fabric.

Add some books or a plant to the lower part of the right nightstand to hide the cords.

Les -

What a cool idea! And a lot less work for me -- bonus! I have left over fabric from the bedskirt. I could make a pillow for the rocker out of it, or do you think that would be too matchy? The fabric is more muted (less red) than it looks, and has a small blue/green stripe that ties into the walls.

I was going for a cottage look in the basement and guest room -- but I'm getting the idea from all the responses that I ended up with country instead. Decorating is NOT my gift!

I agree that the red fabric would be great for pillow on rocker, rather than the current shiny fabric. Would look pulled together, and not matchy-matchy.

Have you got enough of the same red fabric to put on dresser top, and then cover with sheet of glass? Then the pretty wood tones of dresser could remain. I don't like too many painted colors on furniture in same room...just my personal O.

Looking forward to more pix when you're done.

Antiques Roadshow Appraiser: Well Happytobehome, if you hadn't painted that Civil War chest it would be worth $300,000.

That is my fear of painting something your parents inherited from your grandparents. Paint it and the patina is lost forever. I'd have the top fixed, add a glass piece to protect it and maybe change out the knobs but paint it, never! Ask my husband about the Civil War brass belt buckle that he thought needed to be polished....

If you want to make it like new just saw it with a palm sander and #150 sandpaper follow by #300. Then you can paint it or even better; clearcoat it and show off the wood.

I'd get a vintage or antique doily/table scarf and call it a day.