Another picture of the side of the top.

And the front,

Supposedly all drawers open well.

More pictures with the drawers open. It's being used as a dresser, but I think is supposed to be a buffet.

I am a novice at this, for sure. I've painted furniture before though so I can definitely do that. Thank you for your suggestion, I think that's a great idea.

Assuming this style would fit your decor -- You might look at General Finishes' Milk Paint (actually not a true milk paint, but an acrylic that "looks like" milk paint.) You can fix the top veneer with some Bondo. Clean all over with Dawn & water, then mineral spirits, then scuff sand to rough up the finish first. Select new pulls if the style suits you better. If you want, you can follow up with their Glaze Effects for another look.

The black stain is likely interaction of water, iron and the wood's tannins. After stripping you can bleach this out with oxalic acid. But you still have the problem of the chipped veneer.

No, it is not worth the time and expense to refinish for use in a dining room.

Could it be done? Yes, by an experienced restorer.

What you could do is to fill the chipped area and install a laminate on the top. That would be the least expensive and easiest for a DIYer to do. The major tools necessary are a sander(to rough the top), a small diameter paint roller(to apply the contact adhesive) and a trim router(or full sized router) with a piloted straight bit and a chamfer bit.

This piece has a nice shape. As it is a veneered furniture piece you could fill the damage , sand the whole thing, prime it and paint it. It would look very handsome done in black with new hardware. If you want to use it in the dining room you can then have a piece of glass cut to fit the top to protect it.

LOVELY piece, and a very useful size.

Here's what I would do:

1- Nothing, and use a trendy throw across the top to hide the stain, or put a vase over it. Make up a fable about how the corner got damaged when my aunt (the one who lived in Hollywood) had a party and _famous person__ dropped a bottle of booze on it.

2 - Bleach out the black stain with oxalic acid. Carefully fill the damaged corner with a veneer patch, Blend the patching with some faux painting or careful stain blending and topcoat the entire top.

3 - Fill the damaged bit with a good wood filler and paint the whole thing.

Thanks for all the advice! I ended up buying it, and have that spot covered up until I can get around to repairing it. I bookmarked all your suggestions so I'll come back when I'm ready. It looks really nice in person and is very sturdy, so I think it was a good find.

If you can use a single edge razor blade and a ruler, you can repair that veneer. Strip the top first. Get some peel and stick quartersawn white oak veneer at a woodworking supply store (or online). Clean up the damaged part so it's at least cut straight, cut veneer to match, stick it on. There are tutorials online, maybe even video at youtube. Bleach that black stain and refinish the whole thing.

if you are dead set on this diy fixer upper. there is one option to the repair of the top tat i have not heard and that is edgbanding. Lowes and home depot sell a preglued oak veneer edgeband that is 3/4"+ wide and comes in a roll. It requires an iron to melt the adhesive. it may be possible for you to repair the veneer this way. should you desire wider veneer you can purchase wider versions online. In that event the brand I would suggest that you look for would be fastcap. There are other brands I just don't have their names at the ready, for they are numerous and obscure. patience , positivity and tenacity are required to complete this project. If that does not describe your temperment than walk away.

Actually,tox did suggest veneering,difference is that edge band has wrong grain orientation.

i have to disagree with you klem with the proper resources you can find the proper veneer cuts. Even among the very roll you will find differing grains. but not here to argue. Just offer some potential solutions not more problems!!