Birds Eye Maple Dresser

By Lane McNab on September 19, 2012

I was lucky enough to have a friend give me a beautiful dresser recently that someone she knew was getting rid of. It’s an antique birdseye maple with beautiful lines and claw feet but as usual, the finish had seen better days.

The top was in the worst condition but the sides were also stained and peeling. The drawers however, looked pretty good–except for an interesting choice for pulls and some damage they had caused:

After refinishing the top and repairing the finish on the drawers, I painted the frame in ASCP graphite and replaced the lion pulls with some antiqued brass button knobs. I just couldn’t paint over the maple on those drawers! Here is the after:

I’ll be listing this one for sale on my shop page as well. I love the masculine feel of the maple and graphite with the soft lines on the top and drawers.

I hope it finds a special home!

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before and after, birds eye maple, dresser

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17 Responses to Birds Eye Maple Dresser

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door September 20, 2012 at 7:02 am #

Lane that piece is amazing!! That finish is just beautiful!!

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- Lane McNab September 21, 2012 at 4:34 pm #
  
  Thanks ELizabeth!
  
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Kim September 21, 2012 at 5:35 am #

That is stunning.

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- Lane McNab September 21, 2012 at 4:34 pm #
  
  Thanks Kim!
  
  Reply
aimee {sixteen fourteen} September 22, 2012 at 5:07 am #

WOW…I am so glad you kept the maple, and the ASCP Graphite looks gorgeous! I’ve been wanting to try it so I love seeing it in “real life.” I pinned the image of the styled dresser too, it all just came together so well. Thanks for the inspiration!

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Lisa September 22, 2012 at 1:53 pm #

Wow, Lane, this piece is really gorgeous! I Love that you brought the birds eye maple back to life instead of painting over it. You worked your magic!

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Coastal Femme September 22, 2012 at 5:00 pm #

This piece is gorgeous and I like that you kept the top in the birds eye maple.

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shirley@housepitalitydesigns September 23, 2012 at 12:18 pm #

The dresser is magnificent…I so love Bird’s Eye Maple…such a gorgeous finish/design…so glad that you were able to rescue it back to it’s beauty….Anyone would love to have that piece in their home!

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Beth September 28, 2012 at 3:28 pm #

Absolutely beautiful. Love the contrast and that you kept the drawers natural. I had the same type dresser but chose to keep the top and mirror natural. The rest was not salvageable. Nice job.

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Kelli September 28, 2012 at 3:51 pm #

I love this! It’s so beautiful! I’ve got to try graphite!

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Maryann @ Interior Salvage September 29, 2012 at 3:57 am #

What a gorgeous dresser! The bird’s eye maple is stunning with the graphite paint. The branches are wonderful too!

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Pauline September 30, 2012 at 1:22 pm #

I wish the dresser I was refinishing right now was birds eye maple!
I love how yours turned out – you did a great job!

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Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage October 1, 2012 at 4:49 pm #

I adore birds eye maple! Glad you were able to save the front finish – it’s gorgeous!
Kelly

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WEST FURNITURE REVIVAL January 14, 2013 at 3:25 pm #

LOVE YOUR DRESSER AND I WOULD LOVE TO FEATURE IT IF THAT WOULD BE OK PLEASE LET ME KNOW

THANKS
LAUREN

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- Lane McNab January 15, 2013 at 2:46 pm #
  
  Hi Lauren. Thanks so much! That would be great. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you. That dresser is currently being offered for sale at a shop here in the East Bay in Oakland called Walrus. I can give you more details if you like.
  
  Talk soon,
  
  -Lane
  
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Laurel Stephens January 22, 2013 at 9:23 am #

If that old tree could talk, I know it would thank you. What a stunning save!

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- Lane McNab January 23, 2013 at 6:41 am #
  
  Thanks Laurel–and thanks for stopping by!
  
  Reply