Is it possible to be in love with a piece of antique furniture? One that is covered in so much detail and carvings, that has a pale natural raw finish and that speaks in perfect antique European style? This antique sideboard is one of those pieces.
With all those little dings and dents, the old wear- and all those old beetle holes- this little chunky carved sideboard is beyond beautiful. You might remember where we started with this (and the other pieces) You can find out all about the beetle issues we discovered HERE today for a Favorites post this week, I am showing just how this piece turned out.
Antique Sideboard Before
Remember where we started? It all began with a listing on Facebook marketplace for an antique Italian armoire and mirror. The price was incredible- FREE. We didn’t know why it was free at the time-but my husband and sons drove across the wine country to pick the pieces up. And while there- the seller asked if they wanted another piece that went with the set also- this antique sideboard. It was in rough shape- it is hard to tell because the finish looked okay at first glance. But it was rough. Here is the BEFORE. I should note also that the finish on all of these pieces was not original and had already been redone – we soon discovered why.
There was a lot of old wear to the wood on this cutie- which I absolutely didn’t mind. I love that old crusty patina – call me crazy. BUT if you have been following the story of these pieces- you know that they had a whole lot of beetle holes. As in A WHOLE LOT OF BEETLE HOLES. They had already done a lot of damage and we were hoping to be able to salvage these pieces. In order to treat the wood- you have to strip the finish off. Then we treated, cleaned and cleaned (and cleaned) some more and thought we were all wrapped up- when I saw a beetle pop out while I was looking at a drawer bottom. Not a cute beetle. Not something you want to see pop out of a hole in furniture. It was like they were living in a hotel and weren’t ready to leave just yet. So, we treated the pieces all over again with a stronger (and more expensive) insecticide made for beetles, cleaned them again several more times with ammonia and fingers crossed- the beetles will be gone for good now.
See the BEFORE post HERE and the In Between POST HERE
I was okay with having to strip the wood- it has already been refinished and I wanted that raw wood look anyway but I have to say- this project makes me question doing another like it again haha. BUT- even so, can I just say that I am IN LOVE with how these pieces have turned out? BEYOND.
Antique Sideboard Raw Wood Beauty
Seriously- the sore arms and shoulders were so worth the work to get this to look like this.
I am OBSESSED.
The Details
The carvings and details absolutely shine with the natural wood on this antique sideboard.
They are just so.incredibly.pretty. I love seeing the grain of the wood and the beetle holes and tracks don’t bother me- I feel like they add character rather than take away.
The drawer fronts are still the same dinged up wood- we did not sand or fix them.
I love the natural old feeling they bring instantly. It is like a piece that has been around for hundreds of years and shows the lives it has lived in that beautiful imperfect wood.
Outside the Box
There are two drawers and two shelves below to store all kinds of things. Traditionally this would be in a dining room- it is a sideboard or buffet.
But you know me- I don’t think anything should be boxed into being just one thing. I knew it could be a beautiful nightstand and it is currently in the guest cottage looking pretty next to the bed.
Obsessions
As I mentioned- I am Obsessed with how this antique sideboard turned out. And I am even more obsessed with how the big 2 part cupboard and huge mirror are coming together. ( SO EXCITED!) We are wrapping up the re-do on those pieces and will be sharing the reveal of them both very soon.
As well as answering all the questions and sharing the steps for redoing these pieces. So let me know any questions you might have and I will try to answer them.
What do you think of how this piece turned out? You will be seeing a lot more of it once it gets a proper styling. You can also see the other two posts about these pieces so far: See the BEFORE post HERE and the In Between POST HERE
Happy Monday all.
Beautiful! The dark look didn’t look bad…but now it looks so European!
It looks wonderful. Great reScuE.
Wow Thats increDible! I am Also obsessed snd pretty sure i drooled a bit… very hard work and you have created a magnIficent masterpiece way to go😊
Looks great!
Do you sandblast to refinish? How/what do you use?
Yes I would love to know this as well. Detailed! Instructions would be so awesome. Haha!
Yes, please share how you finished it. Thank you!
That is one of the most beautiful pieces of FURNITURE EVER! I agree IT. IS. STUNNING! Cant wait to see the other pieces.
It looks fabulous. Certainly worth all the work.
It looks spectacular! Wow!
Beautiful!! I love the raw wood look. Never thought about leaving the wood raw. Will deff try this on my next piece. Would you please tell me where you got that beautiful headboard with the blue on it ?? Thanks. Betty
Hi Betty! It is the Sophia bed from Eloquence. https://eloquence.com
Love love love it! Just BEAUTIFUL. The raw wood is just fantastic.
It looks amazing! How wonderful to have these special pieces in your home.
You poured your heart and soul into this piece and your result is a spectacular piece. Thank you for the inspiration.
Diney on Camano Island
It is truly beautiful! And I adore the natural wood finish. You are inspirational!
It is ABSOLUTELY beautiful! It is somewhat similar to a table I have beeN working on. I also left the wood unfinished. Could you tell me if you applied any oil on top of the wood? I know you worked your fingers to the bone but it is worth it! Easy for me to say but it is just GORGEOUS!
No, i dont believe she did. Go back in her postS, iTs in there
(Maybe a white waX??)
Hi there, this piece does not have any wax or oil on it yet.
Your sideboard is absolutely STUNNING!! All of your hard work bringing this piece to life is complete! Enjoy your beautiful sideboard!!
Yes it is possible to be in love with a sideboard. Just as it is possible to be in Love with a an ancient Italian Tea cup, a certain shade of blue green, 25 sq. Inches of inspired stiching or the turn of a childs nose. This is what makes us designers and poets, and mothers and Fathers. I love and share your passion for all things unique and beautiful…no matter how common or worn or simple.
KUDOS X MANY!!! ❤️
franki
OH MY GOSH! What a beautiful project. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT
truly stunning – wow!!!
Wow!! You’ve inspired me to have courage and not be afraid of some of my projects!! These are so beautiful!!!
What kind of wax did you end up using at the end?
Gorgeous
It’s beyond beautiful and love the raw wood! Could you please share the source of the floral Euro shams? Are they soft Surrounds in the color”spa”, but maybe looks different with your camera? Your soft romantic color choices are dreamy!
WOw…just wow! So worth all the heart and soul hou pUt into it! BEAUTIFUL!
WORTH ALL THE WORK. JUST BEAUTIFUL. DO YOU THINK IT IS FROM AN HISPANIC COUNTRY ORIGINALLY? mEXICO OR EVEN SPAIN?
The lady who we got it from said it was from northern Italy- her great grandparents brought it over with them when they came to the U.S. We actually found some paperwork inside the cupboard with the name of the town as well.
Courtney,
I would love to know if you used the wax. My husband, a handyman, just asked me about waxes and I’ve never used one. I just finished stripping an antiuqe pie safe, and was able to leave the tall top doors raw. I tested a clear satin finish recommended by another blogger, and I felt it changed the look too much. I’m not really worried about moisture or beetles, since we live in the bay area. We do have projects at our cabin where me might like the protection or antiquing look a wax can provide, so we’d like to hear if you tried it. (And maybe it’s an idea for future posts…how to care for raw wood in kitchen, baths, furniture? and comparing the different options for “clear” finishes.) I could look around elsewhere, but your posts are so beautiful!
Courtney, its a showstopper. looks so much better than in PREVIOUS dark stain.
It nOw has substance and makes you stop and look. GReat job!
Wow! Gorgeous!
Beautiful. Thanks you so much fOr sharing.
It looks ABSOLUTELY gorgeous! What did you end up using for wax, so that it would darken it?
Sorry, i meant to say so it would not darken it.
I can see why you are obsessed! It is just beautiful. Love it!
Beautiful! I absolutely love it. It was worth all of your hard work.
Courtney you lucky duck with a very savy eye. I am jealous. all your hard work paid off in spades. The carving is to die for and love the dovetails on the drawers. I’m thinking 18th Century what do you think?
Courtney,
This makes me wish I had taken an armoire free to a good home many years ago that had the beetle issue. Your piece turned out beautifully. Hard work but so worth it.
Karen
This piecE of FURNITURE is beautiful- your hard work paid off! I recentlY refinished an old ottomAn thaT was my Grandparents, but i found it almost imposSible to remove the old stain from the deep grooves where the wood was carVed. I would love it if yOu could share some tips on how to EFFECTIVELY remove stain from CREVASSES.
Marvelous, Wonderful i am thrilled !
Thank you for this Inspiration. From old- fashioned to Shabby Chic
It is Absolutely gorgeous! The carving on the Doors is stunning, a true Piece of art.
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE IT.
looks beautiful! I would still lie awake at night waiting for beetles to crawl on me.
Beautiful…. 🦋
Stunning piece of Art! Both before and now after. Thank you for not painting it. Love your eye.
Love the finish
Pat
Awesome
You Do not DISAPPOINT it is beaUtiful i was waIting for this reveal
This is absolutely beautiful!! So special! And looking at it I imagine the history sitting right there in your home. I know the other piece will be just as spectacular. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!!!
WHAT A SAVE!!! Never would I have thought it would look…well…just spectacular…it is PERFECTION!!! KUDOS!!! franki
Outstanding!!! I will never look at an old piece of furniture the same way. SOOOOO pretty.
LOVE THE LOOK OF HTE SIDEBOARD. hAPPY BEDROOM WITH SUCH A JEWEL TO DREAM OF AT NIGHT.
lovely. I, too, have a smallish sideboard as a nightstand because the bed is big & tall and the room is quite large, so a traditional nightstand would’ve looked too small and the wrong scale.
It looks beautiful!
So i’m wondering why i can’t find free pieces like this? It looks so fabulous! Good for you.
That is lovely! the details really do seem so much more highlighted to enjoy an old world look. thanks for sharing the story of this piece.
Oh my, I can’t wait for the how to’s on this piece. I absolutely love it.
Absolutely stunning!!!
I love it when new life is breathed into and old piece—without taking away the fabulous character and hopefully revealing more of the character. What a win with this beautiful sideboard! great vision!
You’ve created a work of art. It is beautiful & so much better than the old finish was. I love the raw wood!