🪞“A Mirror to the Past: Restoring a Victorian Oak Dresser”

Every piece I restore asks the same question: How long will this take me? Sometimes, I pick up a nearly restored item to refill my booth at Merchant Square—especially after a few larger pieces have sold. That’s exactly how I began with this Victorian Oak dresser. I saw a few quick fixes, figured it’d take a day, and planned to move it straight into the booth.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t go that way.

🧼 The First Step: Stripping Back Time

As always, I began with a deep clean using a professional degreaser to remove wax buildup and old spray-on finishes. Based on the scrollwork, serpentine drawer fronts, and the heavy beveled mirror, I estimate this dresser was built between 1890 and 1910. All AI platforms confirmed the same. That kind of age carries stories—and surprises.

🎨 Surface Scars and Hidden Paint

The top had black water rings and a mysterious red circle—likely old paint or nail polish embedded deep in the finish. Someone had tried to remove it but stopped once they realized they were stripping the protective layer. I was able to carefully lift the stains and restore the surface using tinted shellac, blending it with the original finish to preserve its historical integrity.

🧰 Drawer Drama

One drawer wasn’t gliding properly. With serpentine fronts and no modern tracks, that’s not unusual. I initially thought it just needed lubrication, but the dovetail joints were loose, causing the sides to bow outward. I disassembled the drawer, cleaned the joints, and re-glued them using hide glue—authentic to the period and reversible for future repairs.

The front-left drawer also had delaminated plywood. Rather than replace the bottom, I used a two-part epoxy wood filler to retain the original structure. It’s a cleaner fix and keeps the piece historically intact. (The top left drawer still sticks a bit due to the asymmetrical nature of the drawer fronts.)

🪞 The Mirror’s Weight and Woes

Mounting the mirror revealed more trouble. It weighed nearly 30 pounds and had suffered a poor past restoration. Screws were mismatched, swivels were worn, and the mirror leaned forward dangerously. I debated separating it from the dresser—but the ornate scrollwork was too beautiful to abandon.

Previous owners had tried two fixes:

• One pushed the dresser against a wall to brace the mirror.

• Another used nails and decorative chain to hold it back.

Neither felt right. I crafted a small oak brace, stained to match, that prevents backward movement but can be removed if desired. I also repositioned the mounting hardware and reinforced it with period-correct brass screws. (If you ever adjust these, support the mirror arms—they’re fragile.)

🪑 Shellac: A Timeless Finish

Shellac is durable and repairable, but sensitive to heat and moisture. Please use coasters or cloths—hot mugs and cold drinks will damage the finish. If it gets scratched, just sand lightly with 320+ grit and brush on a thin coat. That’s it—another 20 years of protection.

Don’t love the amber tone? Shellac can be tinted. Don’t love the gloss? A light pass with 2000+ grit sandpaper will tone it down to satin. Or better yet, hire a professional (like me) to do it affordably.

💬 Final Thoughts

My goal is always to repair, restore, and revitalize vintage furniture—keeping it historically accurate and affordable. With pieces like this, you’ll find quirks: drawers that stick, wood that swells. Especially those serpentine fronts—they’re gorgeous, but not exactly user-friendly.

I document my restorations step-by-step so you know what’s been done and how to care for your piece. If you have questions or need help with your own heirlooms, reach out to me at www.RevitalizedRevivals.com (check out the blog section for stories) or find me on Facebook and Instagram.

This dresser will soon be in my booth at Merchant Square in Chandler. Stop by and see it in person—it’s not just furniture. It’s a mirror to the past.