I would take it in a heartbeat and then find a place for it.
I believe it could be used in many rooms from LR.DR.BR. or hall.

I think that the buffet would be wonderful in your foyer! Think of all of that wonderful storage space! Hang your pretty mirror above it -- and add two tall buffet lamps.

Do take it -- and then offer them some payment (check your local antique shops and Craigs List for some ideas ......)

IF they won't take payment -- then perhaps offer them a nice dinner and a movie out? Or perhaps a paint job for a room in their new place? Or a bit of landscaping?

JUST some thoughts and ideas -- if appropriate -- hope this helps!

Jan

I would definitely grab it...And most definitely put it in the hall, as long as it doesn't interfere with opening the door. It is so beautiful, and better yet, you will always treasure the fact that it belonged to your grandparents. I have one in my entry hall, that I purchased at a tag sale. It belonged to the women's grandmother. I've put a mirror over it and a table lamp and some other decorative pieces on it. Which I change seasonally. It gets lots of compliments.
As far as them not taking any money for it..Why not give them a gift card to purchase something they could use...Even A Gas Gift Card...anyone can use that.
Lots of luck with your piece. Jane

Oh, it's gorgeous! And special, as it's theirs. I'd take it in a heartbeat. Teacats and slinkey have made great suggestions. I'd say it'd go on my CL for anywhere between $150 and $300, if it helps you to have a dollar figure.

Alright then. I'm going to take it. I'm worried about it being too close to the door entrance. Wonder how bad it would look to have it a little off center if it were in the way?

I think they'd really like the gift card idea, dinner, or any of those ideas actually. I'll definitely be doing something for them. They've done so much for everyone over the years they deserve it.

It's going to be very interesting getting it out of that basement. Steps are very narrow and steep. I need to find some man power. DH needs to be carefule with how he lifts since his surgery to his peck/arm muscle. My poor Dad's back is shot... hmmm..

I think it would still look just fine not centered perfectly on your foyer wall. Gotta do what "works", as far as having enough room to enter/exit through the door. It is a lovely piece, and how special to have something that came from your grandparents! Enjoy!

New question - should i refinish it or leave alone. I'll also mention i've never refinished anything before so the thought is quite scary! As you can see two of the handle pieces are missing. We looked through all the drawers in hopes to find them but no such luck. If I can't find the same ones I'll have to replace them. Something else i've never done.

I love the patina of the old wood, so unless there are some extremely bad spots in the finish, I wouldn't worry with refinishing it. I'm sure someone can suggest something to use to sort of rebuff the original finish and make it really gleam again. As for the hardware, I'd imagine you can find a similar style. Vandykes might have something that would work.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vandykes

In fact, this looks similar to your original pulls ...

Here is a link that might be useful: Link

oh thanks jen! vandykes was the first place i was going to look!

the side drawer pulls are different than the others. this one is almost like the middle ones. I think the flower part isn't solid though...

Here is a link that might be useful: Bail & Rosette Pull Brass 4 1/2

As far as refinishing it...I would just clean it up first. You don't want to jepordize the value of the piece by stripping it down. A good cleaning using Murphy Oil will loosen and clean the dirt off. Or you can use 3 Parts mineral spirits to 1 part boiled linseed oil. This is also a good cleaner. You can then follow it up with a dark paste wax that you hand buff. See what you have. Sometimes old pieces look best with just a wax finish for a natural patina. Who knows..maybe after you clean it with Murphy's Oil..it might just need some Old English.
Also as far as the drawer pulls. There are pleanty of Replacement Hardware sites online. Here's one for starters.
houseofantiquehardware.com

shesharee: I'm glad to read you decided to take it. It's actually quite similar to a piece I bought last year for my dining room by Drexel. Here is mine:
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Here is how I've decorated it to give you some ideas:
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I've seen similar pieces for sale for around $300-$500 depending on condition, but, of course, the real value in this case is the sentimental value. It'd be very easy at a later date to put in a room with a formal dining set, but is versatile enough to use almost anywhere and the added storge is great. I'd advise not to refinish. I've seen Rub-n-Buff highly recommended here and plan to do my dining set when I get around to recovering the chairs. That and a good clean with mineral spirits. I spoke with a furniture guy who recommended using a razor blade to cut off the top section of the bristles of a toothbrush and then use that to clean up all the corners/carving.

shesharee: Just noticed your question about the handles. I'd look for something vintage 1950's hardware on eBay to replace it. If you are serious about that route, let me know and I'll do some searches for you.

Here is a link to some vintage hardware on eBay. May be worthwhile to just swap it all out instead of trying to find a match. Just make sure the measurement between the screws is the same. Try to choose something that matches the period/style: 1950's.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vintage hardware on eBay

sheesharee, I have what I think is exactly the same buffet, from my mother. I assumed it was purchased at the same time as the set of Duncan Phyfe late 40's early 50's dining room set with the sheild back chairs. All in storage now, but I intend to use most of it when the remodel is finished. I'm just going to clean it well and use some old english for dark wood to help color in any tiny scratches.

But also, in case it helps you find a way to use it temporarily, when my parents built this house, my mother used it as a dresser/vanity for 30 years! I just realized one day as a kid that it was odd that her jewelry drawer was lined with felt.

Our current home came with a stunning built-in sideboard. I was at a loss as to what to do with my sideboard...until I placed it in the front hall. It looks great. But BE WARNED unless you are extremely disciplined...it WILL end up as a mail/stuff collector. Which is why I'm not going to post a picture of mine!

Glad you decided to take it.

val - they are similar. I knew I saw someone's post on here with one. I also have a white pitcher and bowl like that. I haven't been able to find where I packed it since we moved in. . . I'm thinking I may have left that box at my parents.
It probably would be easier to just swap them all out. Thanks for doing the ebay search. Would you change out the side drawer pulls to match too?

betty - I love Duncan Phyfe stuff. Make sure you post pics when your remodel is finished!

mjsee - as far as clutter collection... I could see it happening. I have that problem with the hutch in my DR. DH is the culprit. Odds and ends tend to end up there. Drives me nuts. Overall (knock on wood) we haven't done so bad with it. :)

did some measuring and took pictures last night. the width of the blanket is the widest point on the buffet.

Foyer

centered. looks like it going to interfere with the door.
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here it is pushed down. what about wall artwork/mirror. i'm assuming you would still center is above the buffet/hutch? I don't think I've ever seen anyone's table in their foyer all off center.
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(still don't know what i'm arranging on the little CL table)

LR
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Kitchen
there this space off to the side of the kitchen but i think it's too big not to mention my kitchen cabinets are oak and need to stay that way.
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i can't really use it in my DR (also the area DH and I eat) the hutch i have in here was my other grandmas.
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I know there's been suggestions about using it in a bedroom f need be but then I would need to find other furniture that matched. We currently are still using the bedroom set I used growing up. Eventually we were going to get something nice. I also always said I didn't like the TV armoires. Didn't like the doors. There's a huge unit sitting in my LR. :)

I really don't want to sit this in the basement.

What does everything think now that there's more of a visual?

In all honesty -- the only way to tell -- is to move the pretty chest in place -- and simply see where it work best for you at this time. Lots of folks have moved items like this one around -- as their rooms evolve .....

I still think that it will look wonderful in the foyer -- just center the mirror above it -- and add the two all thin lamps. The other smaller table may have to move to another place in the house .......

Remember -- the key to an interesting room is that the finishes do NOT have to match exactly -- they simply have to "play well" together. Other elements like accessories and artwork, even an area rug can help to tie the room together.

teacats - you're right. i'll have to get it up there. maybe once all the drawers are out it won't be too heavy??

I want to put a salon in my basement. (yes, i'm licensed) DH and I are in the process of planning and researching. In the next couple of years kids will probably come into the picture. I want to stay at home with them while they're little and still be able to bring in some income.
What if, I used the stand as my hair station? Put a big mirror above it.... I was going to do a black and white room but I may end up changing it now.

Until then I have a funny feeling it's going to end up in the LR.

My vote is for the entryway. While symmetry is often most pleasing on the eye, it is not always possible (and if overdone can be downright boring). You can make up for a lack of symmetry with a sense of balance. The most important thing is that it flow in the room and is anchored by other elements in the room. Perhaps you can center it relative to the wall closet opposite? Which gives it is sense of purpose so that these two areas become your organization/storage for indoor/outdoor items, mail, etc. One of the side shelves could even be a purse/briefcase (or later diaperbag) repository. I recommend the mirror and lamps similar to mine. The mirror serves not only as decor, but function so you can make a last minute check on appearance before heading out the door. Didn't you have a mantle clock? If so, that'd work well in the center, probably better than my pitcher given the proposed location. If you put decor on the top you will be less inclined to clutter it up--esp. if you designate one of the drawers for "clutter". It works with the spindle table in the room, but in this case I would not put a mirror above the spindle table, instead some artwork would look nice there, or perhaps a chair where someone could sit and put on their shoes. Perhaps even revist the idea of angling the spindle table so that everything is not linear.

My take is a bit different than teacats in that I prefer not only woods to match or be very similar within a room, but the style as well. Your style seems similar to mine in that you have a mix of transitional and antique going on. Do you have a family room also? If not, then it would be a good thing to have a few bare spots in the LR to keep the future baby's playthings.

I can see it working well as a salon piece also, but would be concerned the finish would get damaged by all the hair care products, scissors, etc. unless you were to get a glass top made for it.

val - you make a good point about the closet door. That would probably also help ME feel like it wasn't all out of wack. If it ends up in the foyer I probably will end up turning the spindle table diagonal. I do have that clock. It's currently on the spindle table. You're also suggesting possible putting a chair in the corner instead of the spindle table? All it would take was for some chair to pop up on CL that I liked better than that table to end up there! Which actually I saw a small antique chair this week on there but the fabric was a mauve/pink. They only wanted $20 bucks for it and i was crying inside because I have no place for it. We only have the LR. I currently have the cats scratching posts and toys against that blank wall. I also will have no room for my big Christmas tree if I fill it up too much more.
Where did you get your lamps and mirror?

After I posted about the hair station i thought about all products and chemicals. I would def. need a glass top. This piece probably won't end up for that but I think i'll be having someone make my stuff out of WOOD. Seriously, all the salon furniture out there is contemporary and laminate/veneer crap.

Oh, the chair sounds nice there. It'd be a nice counterpoint to the wood to bring in some texture/fabric. My lamps I ordered online, I think through Bellacor and were very reasonable, though am thinking of swaping out the shades at some point for some red ones. I'm including a link below for some buffet lamps at Lamps Plus. They have many quality lamps. My mirror I bought on CL. The first one I got was too small and this size works much better. I would also suggest flanking the closet with a couple of pictures to either side or something else decorative as what is on the opposite wall will be reflected back in the mirror.

Another thing to consider with your home based salon, you will probably need to baby proof all the cabinets with your tools and supplies and not sure if you want to put the latches/locks on your grandma's buffet.

Can't wait to see it in the entry and, yes, it is a lot lighter with the drawers taken out. When my DH moves furniture around in the house, he puts it on an old blanket and then pulls the blanket and the furniture is dragged along without harm to either floor or base. Works very well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Buffet lamps at Lamps Plus

Val - thanks for the link. I'll wait until I actually get it to the house and in the foyer before i start trying to buy the lamps and stuff.

Here's that chair I was saying about. She posted it on Sunday. I emailed her this morning. I think shrewsbury is pretty far from me though.... but now you have me convinced i should put a chair there!
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check out this desk... i love it. Anything with claw feet! and of course she still has it. One of those things i was actually hoping she didn't so i wouldn't buy it! Said she'd sell it for $125. She used it in her salon. *sigh* i need to stay off CL.

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Thats a wonderful desk and chair -- very very feminine with those curvy lines! I'd find somewhere to put those items for sure! LOL!

Jan

Well the lady got back to me about the chair. Someone is coming to look at it tomorrow night and for $20 i'm sure it'll be gone. I told her to let me know if she doesn't take it.
The desk i'm still stuggling with. She's pretty far away as well. Think it's worth the $125? She said there's some white paint on it. Hard to see in the pics. I mentioned to DH about the desk last night. Only place i have for it would be the "future salon". He thinks i should just wait until closer to time to be buying stuff for it. He's probably right since i'm so fickle.
Not to mention we just had to have some car repairs done and little ol' me got a speeding ticket the other day....

oohhh! I do like that chair and for $20, it's probably gone. The desk is cute as well. Perhaps tell her you'd only take the desk if it comes with the chair as a set and you'd pay $150 for the pair? Maybe that will let her let you have a first chance to buy.....

Funny, I have been watching the harrisburg craig's list for a small desk and I didnt see that one. (it's not right for my space-- but it makes me wonder what else I missed.) It is great-- and could be used for so much. The chair isnt really my style and the pink seems a bit much for what I remember of your home but it is sweet.

I definitely think the chest will look nice in the foyer-- but the best approach is to try it in some of your spots. I definitely vote no on the kitchen.

Val - The chair and desk were two separate sellers. The chair is actually farther away. If the other lady takes it I guess it wasn't meant to be...

funky - i actually found that desk under the york CL. She's actually in york haven. I missed that one too! Did a search for desk and found it. I honestly don't have a place for it upstairs. As you can see from my pics above those spots i posted are about the only places for stuff. Was planning on using the desk for the future salon. I like it so much I want other people to see it thought!!

The desk lady said she still had it but i emailed her with a couple questions about dimensions etc. and didn't get anything back yet. I did question how far it was (later did a mapquest) she may think I'm not willing to drive that far.?

I should be getting the buffet two weeks from now. I still can't picture it fitting right in the foyer but i really hope it works out!