No, I myself wouldn't paint it and I hope your hesitation to do so is a sign that you won't either. The reason is the condition and the detailing, it's beautiful and really represents an era that is long gone. The piece as it is is really lovely.

If it were me, I'd spend some time cleaning it up with a lemon oil. If it didn't have so much detail, I'd even suggest maybe stripping and restaining it, but the detailing makes that option really difficult.

I hope CliffandJoann sees this and can offer some good advise, she and her husband are amazing when it comes to working with wood.

Although I have nothing against painting wood pieces, I personally don't think paint would/could improve it, doing so would make something beautiful and elegant...less so. I do agree with the lemon oil suggestion.

I paint everything too. But this one I would not touch. Save the paint for something that already has a damaged surface.

It's hard to say how old it is. There is a label in the drawer from a company in England prior to 1915, but they also sold used furniture. The finish is in excellent condition as if it had belonged to one family for generations. Okay.... so maybe I won't paint it, but I wish the rest of it had the nice, worn light and dark patina that the top has. The dark stain doesn't allow the carving to stand out as much as I would like. Thanks!

It would be a shame to paint it. It looks to be in great condition,

no visable signs of any damage such as water damage or nasty

scratches or gauges anywhere.

I agree with lukkirish, clean it up with

lemon oil or murphy's oil soap. Use a soft toothbrush to get into the

carved wood that's full of dust.

Please post a pic after your restoration.

I'd paint the wall a "wild" color instead.

I went over the top with murphy's oil and it removed a lot of dirt. I'll take your advice and use the toothbrush. Thanks for weighing in.

Painter here begging you not to paint this fabulous furniture. :)

What about adding different knobs? Keeping the original, of course, and not making bigger holes or anything, but finding some in the exact size needed. It could give you a little change, without damaging the piece. And maybe play around with colorful accessories/lamps/runner/etc on top.

ETA: I've had good luck with Restor A Finish on my Jacobean sideboard.

I like the idea of changing out the knobs, but see no way to do it. One of the knobs turns a hand-made wooden piece and has a hand-cut screw that is so old and worn, it wouldn't be possible to get a screw driver in it. The others are held on by very old bolts. I'm not sure I could turn them, but I might give it a try.

It's beautiful. Sorry, but I wouldn't paint that. I'm not against painting wood, but think some pieces look very wrong painted and believe this would be one of them. If it's not sentimental I say consider selling it to someone who will really appreciate it and I'd use the money from this piece to purchase something else.

I'm all for updating and repurposing furniture, but I'll cast another vote not to paint this particular piece.

Don't paint this one. I have 2 old sideboards. One is paint worthy because it's not a very well made piece. The other is higher quality walnut and I would never paint it.

Another vote for no paint and I paint everything. I do agree with you about carvings not being visible but other design elements are so nice it more that makes for it.

What bossy says :). I would paint the cat white if I could, but not that piece!

If it's worth it to you and you can afford to do so, you may want to consider having it professionally cleaned or refinished. I know refinishing kills value a la Antiques Roadshow, but it could make the piece look more like your vision.

My cousin inherited my grandmother's very heavy, very brown dining room set and had it cleaned and refinished. When I saw it, I could not believe it was the same furniture. What in my childhood memory was always a big lumpy almost black hulking sideboard turned into an exquisite birds-eye maple statement piece. Gorgeous thing.

I wouldn't hesitate to paint it. It can always be stripped. The one thing I wouldn't do is change the knobs which would look very cheap and wrong to me.

That isn't a piece that I would paint white. Would likely go with a gray-green which would look good with the lamps.

The carving will be far more pronounced if the piece is painted.

running, that is so tempting! But since the finish is in such good condition, I guess my best option is the lemon oil or Murphy's. If there is any other sort of "deep" cleaning, I don't know what it would be.

For deep cleaning, my friend, who has done antique appraising and refinishing, swears by Go-Jo, the cheap hand cleaner you can get at any automotive shop, and a soft cloth. I believe she follows up with mineral oil after thoroughly wiping off the Go-Jo. She's out of town right now so I'll have to ask her about the mineral oil. Lemon oil would also work I'd think.

Yes, I'd like to know what she says. Thanks.

Please don't paint it. I can't wait to see it all cleaned up.