Unless you’re experienced it will not be an easy job. There’s a lot of detail on that and probably a lot of old wax and dirt. Clean it really well before using any chemicals, you need to test it for actual finish. FYI, it is from the 30s and what looks like carving was actually steam pressed pieces of wood. You may love it as cleaned and waxed.

Curious to see how it comes out. These old pieces with shallow carvings are tricky.

Have you considered products that are sold to "refinish" old wood furniture without stripping it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgPk1vcuA_I

Would NOT paint it.

@Beth H. : Thank you for all the photos - just wonderful!

Thanks, all. I meant to say shellac, not lacquer. I was thinking of leaving the shellac in the crevices and removing it on the smoother surfaces, . And I was planning to leave the top alone. This buffet is incredibly solid inside and out. Handmade dowels In the top and hand cut screws. Made in Sheffield, England.

Because I am using flash to take these photos, the buffet appears lighter than it is. If I don't paint it and apply an antique glaze, the carvings don't show up.

I wouldn’t paint it. Painting a piece like this would make it look cheaper to me

I love painted furniture, and used to do it as a hobby, but this is one I wouldn’t paint. The grain is wonderful on it, it’s just so beautifully made. I feel painting it would take all character and soul from it. This type of lovely furniture and the talent of making it is disappearing fast in our world, cherish the workmanship put into pieces like this.

I have a Jacobean piece myself, but not near as fine as yours. :) Mine is a 30’s era buffet, very common, but I’ll never paint over it.

What a beautiful piece. I wouldn't paint it either. It looks rich and authentic in its original state. The painted piece in the inspo piece doesn't have the same gravitas, so to speak. While I understand pictures aren't accurate representations of reality, I can't imagine the carvings disappear in real life. Subtle details on a piece are fine too.

You can use mineral spirits to clean wood before painting with latex paint.

You just shouldn't use it to WITH latex paint, such as thinning the paint.

I have decided not to paint it. Thank you, everyone, so much! I just needed confirmation. When I get it cleaned up, I'll post another pic. Cheers!

It looks like it is supposed to look and it looks wonderful. Please don't paint it and leave it as it is. That's a great piece!

No painting, I think you would regret it.

I recently painted an old cherry armoire with a lot of carvings, similar to what you have. I got sick of looking at the wood. It was super easy. I did not sand, strip or prime. I cleaned it (basically just dusted it) and used chalk paint in charcoal and painted the carvings silver. I took off the brass hardware and painted that silver as well. It was so easy and came out looking like a new piece of furniture. Don't be scared. Try the chalk paint.

We might recommend just cleaning it and not painting it. It looks like a great antique and might work great in a certain area of your home.

Complete Home Remodel: Dining Room · More Info

Read the thread, people!! 😄

I did read the thread but still wanted to put my 2 cents in. Because everyone was talking about how hard it was to paint, and it isn't!

Update: I ended up using Restore-A-Finish in walnut. They say if you are unsure which color to use, go one shade lighter. It came out very well. As I mentioned earlier, I had used Krud Kutter to clean and it removed the shellac unevenly down to the original wood. After using RAF, those places had just enough light stain to make it look highlighted. I wish I had "ruined" more of it!

I love Restor-A-Finish, use it often. Glad it turned out well!

ETA: I use Howard Feed-N-Wax afterwards.

I'd love to see a photo of the finished product--it's really a beautiful piece!

Yes, please post the finale!

Definitively clean it. This piece looks so good as is.

Clean it. It's back in style again.