Restoring an Antique 140 Year Old Dresser

[@lindap9079]

I love the way you think outside of the box. Using a table to provide the top of the dresser. GENIOUS!!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Linda

[@dorrietoth4753]

Thank you for saving this beautiful piece. Thank you for the lovely music. Thank you for not chattering.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you for watching Dorrie!

[@user-nk6if2pi3x]

Nice choice of music. It added an emotional element that made the process all the more compelling.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! I did try to achieve that so it makes me happy you said that

[@carolinedubose5136]

So wonderful that you saved this piece!! I have a thing for Eastlake style chairs!! Your choice of music during the majority of this video was wonderful!! Your husband did a spectacular job creating a new top!! I really liked the new routed edges on the top! You two knocked it out of the park with this dresser!! Thank you Cory for sharing this dresser's second chance at a beautiful life with us!!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much Caroline. He sure did a wonderful job. I'd never guess that it wasn't original

[@charlotted6247]

That is a remarkable find. I realize it had problems but to be so old and see what they can potentially sell for is amazing. That's incredible how you transformed it. I haven't seen you ever afraid to tackle any piece.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Charlotte that means a lot to me

[@angelanapier4248]

That piece is absolutely stunning, there’s nothing like a beautiful antique piece of furniture and those joints in the drawers are everything.

[@jacoballemand1242]

Ol0

[@jackieburnett6881]

What a wonderful find. If only these old treasures could talk!! It is absolutely gorgeous! Excellent job. Also your hubby is so sweet to help you and he does excellent work also!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Jackie, he sure is. And I always think that too, about these old pieces

[@rzpotts4]

What a beautiful job you both did. May your family treasure this remarkable historical piece.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Rhonda

[@dazedconfused5019]

My friend (1977) and neighbor had this dresser with a routed white marble top, several coats of assorted colors of paints, hangers for draw pulls and he left it outside around his pool. He said his grandmother had given it to him and he didn’t want it, I could have it. I swapped a frig, I had in the garage, for the dresser. Got an offer of $300 to buy it. Paid $300 to have it stripped, finished, and told do not touch the marble. I would later see the exact dresser in Better Homes & Garden, and I screamed. There are some differences from yours; no design on the front and I have dovetail joints. I think it’s the same maker and I have learned something about it, Eastlake c1883. Thank you and what a beautiful restoration. I googled Eastlake and found your dresser on "1846 Homestead Renovation" and read a little more about it. Now I have 2nd thoughts if mine is an Eastlake.

[@DesertDIY]

That is such an awesome story.

[@mwestaway211]

Beautiful restoration. I have an almost identical dresser. The drawer pulls on mine have been replaced at some point with depression era glass pulls. I think I will start looking for Eastlake style pulls like yours. I got the dresser from a second hand furniture store that was selling off pieces from a movie set. When I saw the Knapp joints on a $65 dresser, I nearly fainted.

[@CopperCactusDIY]

Omg the music when you were both sanding - perfection! 😆 What a beautiful save Cory! This dresser will easily last another 140 years!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! Haha I'm so glad you liked the music, we worked hard picking the right songs for each part of the video!

[@katiemoyer8679]

What an inspiring rescue for this fine piece. Well done👌🎉

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Katie!

[@jamesdugan3079]

Beautiful is right. I love how your husband helps and always does a great job. The music in this video was delightful.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! He's a keeper

[@wkjeom]

Absolutely amazing and gorgeous piece.

[@sandrabrown272]

I also have a piece that has drawers with what I called, pin and cove joinery. When I saw it on the drawers I was so excited! Your piece was fantastic. Love your channel.

[@DesertDIY]

Yes I have heard it called that before but forgot it! Thank you Sandra

[@charlenegoskowicz8220]

You gave the old girl back her former beauty! This is one of my favorite videos now.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Charlene! I'm so glad you enjoyed it

[@gsddanemom7493]

You always make everything look effortless. This is gonna be so beautiful

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much!

[@hanaaa6394]

I love restoration of antique dressers. Great job and I know that your children will love it.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Hana!

[@bearden3d714]

Beautiful piece. The hardware was amazing. Great job.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you

[@diysbydar]

Wow, hard work. I luv the music on your vid, so relaxing. That piece is simply out of this world! Luv luv luv it.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much Dar. It had allllllll the potential in the world!!!

[@marthajones7265]

Fabulous! Gorgeous! Lovely! Remarkable! Wonderful work!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Martha

[@lindawarden-burglund9603]

Stunning piece! What a reward for all your hard work!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Linda. It really is such a prize!

[@salemgraves1692]

It looks amazing!!! Definitely has beautiful old world charm and details. I agree, it has alot of life left now thanks to you. Kudos 👏

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much

[@ginahernandez3219]

Such a beautiful piece of furniture. You did an awesome on restoring it. Thanks for sharing, Cory ❤

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Gina

[@ginahernandez3219]

@@DesertDIY you’re so welcome 😉

[@shellydehart8217]

What a beauty she is. I’m thrilled that you didn’t paint it. This East Lake dresser is hand made with beautiful details. How fortunate you were to have the wood to make the top. Your husband did a fine job in routing it with detail also. I had one just like this n it had the mirror to it. Mine even had the wood around the key hole. Wish I still had it but I sold it. I still regret doing it. You did a awesome job in giving her another 140 years. ♥️😊👍👍👍👍

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much Shelly! Keep an eye out on marketplace I bet you can find another one

[@lauriedutton4900]

Lovely work. Glad you saved it.

[@ChristaDoc]

The restoration is amazing-but I'm also in love with the background music of this video! Love the Irish flair!

[@BethGibson-yl6ox]

attempting to refinish one very similar. you've helped me decide to sand vs restore a finish. thx

[@melaniebelter1541]

Super excited for this restoration!

[@DesertDIY]

Me too!!!!

[@NanaGigi2025]

Absolutely phenomenal job. Gorgeous piece of furniture.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much Georgie!

[@maryowens9179]

Turned out beautiful. Great save.i love it. You and your husband did a wonderful job. Thank you for sharing this with us

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much Mary

[@donnaaranda7175]

So glad you restored it to it's original former glory. Those drawer pulls are beautiful and those joints are magnificent

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Donna. It's amazing what they could make that long ago

[@hephzibah1966]

Girl that will last a lifetime. I was skeptical about the hardware it wouldn’t look good enough on the newly restored parts. Then I thought as you prepared it I didn’t think it would be grand enough for that amazing wood pieces ,but God is good in all things. ❤

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Caroline. You can't beat solid brass hardware. The thickness of each plate was impressive. Those would cost a fortune to buy today

[@hephzibah1966]

Yes He is through all things big or small. We put too much on ourselves and not falling into that love at every opportunity in our life. It is with such loving lGrace that awaits us daily. The hope we have in him. Whew it’s goi g to be really great after judgement part. I can do it I’ve taken a beating and it wasn’t for just anything I shall survive. Bless you so much Korey. HE sees your work and when it hits yours hands HE lets you perform. YHWH bless you and keep in all things. You are loved and he has blessed you with much but much will be required.

[@fiberotter]

A round of applause for your beautiful restoration!!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you!

[@crystalswaty7243]

One of my favorite pieces that you have done, extremely beautiful

[@debbiemotley5384]

This turned out so awesome. It is just a beauty and well well made. So glad you saw it’s potential.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Debbie

[@kimberlymathews9341]

I love that scalloped “dovetailing”. Beautiful job restoring a beautiful piece. ❤

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Kimberly. It is such a unique and beautiful piece

[@theheritagehousesc]

Beautiful work! Well done. I love the simple elegance of Eastlake furniture! I have a side table that I adore!

[@glendapalms1686]

an antique:restore back from ashes to beauty...well done

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Glenda

[@pamelafox7677]

Gorgeous, interesting dresser. I love those joints too, it looks very California. I’m glad you’re keeping it.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much Pamela. California does have a lot of history and beautiful red wood. I lived in mckinleyville as a kid

[@annatjiekruger77]

That is the most beautiful handles I have ever seen. Just love them!

[@DesertDIY]

I felt the same way!

[@cathyjackson5959]

Loving this!!! And the Irish music!! Tops!! I need a router!!! Had to pause-know watching again!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Cathy

[@leeannoneal4847]

You really did Justice to this piece. Beautiful work!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Lee Ann

[@irisbrouillard9728]

This really looks fantastic! What an artist you are! And I really enjoyed the music! Bonus❤

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Iris! I'm glad you liked the music

[@mistyb8434]

What a fabulous piece!❤

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you!

[@First_Rain]

Wow Cory, what a lovely restoration! I’m sure your kids will love this dresser now. Definitely going to be a family heirloom. 💖

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! Absolutely

[@lynettebrown1801]

Beautiful!! All the details are so pretty! What a gorgeous piece! Y’all did a great job refinishing it.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Lynette

[@lauristandley4359]

Wow! How beautiful! ❤

[@jrbaskind]

What a gem! That turned out really gorgeous!😊

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Joyce

[@MrsJax304]

Wow this is amazing. Y'all brought it back to life. I also enjoy your music choices. I never mind yours. Lol. Thank you for sharing

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much

[@beverleygorman3096]

What a beautiful restoration how well made was this chest of drawers still going strong after 140 years and now you have restored them they could still be used for another 140 years

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Beverley. Its truly amazing the quality of pieces from this time

[@designabeej]

Absolutely beautiful result 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! 😊

[@candlegirl1973]

Absolutely stunning!!!❤❤❤

[@conniek3354]

Wow what an amazing piece. You do such awesome work. Thanks for sharing.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Connie

[@bonniemanley9235]

i have that same dresser. mine does not have the same joints but are dove tail. Love it.

[@purplewombat1923]

How lovely to see this piece restored and appreciated :-D

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you!

[@heathermacleod7068]

Absolutely stunning piece!!! And you did a fabulous job on it!!!! 🤗🥰

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Heather

[@karenbutcher5921]

This is gorgeous!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Karen

[@michellemitchell7073]

Oh my goodness!. Never thought in a million years I would ever see a dresser like this. My cousin found one on the side of the road, picked it up. Kept it for a while. Gave it to me. I decided to redo it and had five layers of paint. Took me a month and a half to get that off. Did some bleaching restained it and it's absolutely gorgeous. It looks exactly like this. Wish there was a way I could show you a picture of it. So beautiful!

[@DesertDIY]

That is so awesome Michelle

[@michellemitchell7073]

@@DesertDIY Yes, on top of one of the drawers where you would put the key in on the metal it says the date of 1888. But it's interesting to see another one of the same dressers. ♥️

[@debraneria4242]

So beautiful my friend....I learned so much when I Refinished the one I just finished ...The Craftsmanship is Absolutely breath Taking ..you did an amazing job 🥰👍

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Debra. Something I really admire about the eastlake furniture is even when it is falling apart, the pieces can be glued and clamped back together and it is good as new!

[@debraneria4242]

@@DesertDIY I totally agree with you...🥰👍

[@amberlamoine1]

Stunning! Eastlake is one of my favorite styles and you did a beautiful job!

[@DesertDIY]

Me too! Thank you Amber

[@kimhough7753]

It’s beautiful Cory!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you kim!

[@jebsails2837]

And to think that 50 years ago I helped numerous families dispose of roomfuls of this furniture to the curb for disposal. In my area most of it was of a golden yellow finish, with that same drawer joinery. Thanks for saving. Narragansett Bay.

[@DesertDIY]

Wow!!!! I can't even imagine

[@cathiehudson6484]

Beautiful music! Amazing restoration!🇨🇦

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Cathie

[@elisabethbell630]

Beautiful work, Cory! Absolutely stunning!! You are an inspiration, my friend! 💖💞

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Elisabeth

[@JudyBittner]

Beautiful restoration

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you very much!

[@DebraWatson-c1t]

Oh my goodness it’s almost magic ❤️❤️

[@bezdek3505]

You're brilliant. Thank you for the journey.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you!

[@nicolegardner3341]

Awesome background music. Loved it!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Nicole

[@esoraleak]

I love the music in this video!

[@DesertDIY]

I'm so glad!

[@cleo1034]

What a great job! 🙂

[@ebytwinbabel]

I love that hardware!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! I was so lucky to have all the pieces

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

You two are amazing! Absolutely Beautiful work-

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Lydia

[@rosamundg.3789]

I love Eastlake, too. Not everyone does (or maybe it's a west coast generational thing) but that's OK by me! Seeing the beautiful walnut Knapp-jointed piece come back is a real treat here. My back aches as I see you bent over sanding with the case & drawers on the ground(!) I'd have a waist high work surface of some sort to eliminate that little challenge or I'd fold like a pc. of origami by the end of the day - no lie! Thanks for sharing!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! In some ways I'm glad that new generation don't like it. More for us!!! Haha

[@patriciakelly2714]

Fabulous job. Well done. X

[@projectsbypeggy9072]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Peggy!

[@doddnejadfard3251]

What a fantastic job,,,beautiful piece,,wonderful

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Dodd

[@beverlyherring6595]

Wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Beverly

[@rosebayer114]

You did a beautiful job!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Rose

[@diannameyers8163]

OMG... Cory, the 140 year old dresser looks amazing! Great Job to you and your Husband. So glad you didn't paint!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Dianna

[@crisbf9897]

Love your music, too.

[@esterdemellolima320]

Beautiful!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Ester!

[@Txbrat]

Amazing!!!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Debra

[@abutterfly7975]

I had one very much like that one, but it had a top that was in really good shape wooden. Mine also had the tongue and groove drawers. I think I sold it for a couple hundred bucks a few years back it was in excellent shape.

[@mrsducky3428]

Hi! That turned out beautiful! Just for education, could you have stained the edges of the top, instead of the contrast? Love the idea of using old tables for tops and want to use one for a top on a lateral file cabinet. Thanks!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! Yes absolutely you can stain it to match. I would use a mahogany stain color to match the top

[@thekraftycreech]

Soooo good!!!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you!!!

[@valentinat3250]

Beautiful job!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Valentina!

[@marykhernandez7146]

It's beautiful Cory

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Mary

[@manuelamcintosh2598]

Wow great job 👍😊

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Manuela

[@idog1911]

Great quality

[@autalkinghead]

Absolutely incredible work. I might be in the minority here, but these videos are so much more enjoyable when it's just the sound of the tools without the music though. Just a suggestion.

[@DesertDIY]

I understand, but it sounds horrible fast forwarded

[@lindabunce5133]

Gorgeous dresser! Have you been following the winter In Northern AZ?! Even Phoenix has been cold this year.

[@DesertDIY]

I haven't but I know tucson has been getting a lot of cold Temps. The weather is definitely changing the last 5 years or so. Huge extreme hot and cold changes

[@barbaralamoreaux328]

Cory, I loved that you saved this piece and kept all the old. Can you tell me why you chose shellac vs any other finish? I’m not sure what the difference is between shellac and polyurethane or hemp oil. PS: good to see you back. We missed you!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! I chose shellac because that was most likely the finish used in the 1800s when it was built. It is not as durable as a polyurethane because it gets white rings from water but I do not intend to put any cups or water near this piece in my bedroom. Oils and waxes are more natural but less durable as well. High traffic pieces should get a urethane or lacquer finishes

[@lindasmith5190]

Beautiful.

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you!

[@wendymoon5668]

Gorgeous

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you so much aunt wendy!

[@chandrasutton4669]

Good job!!!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Chandra!

[@cynsmi]

We had one of these in our family and the top was marble.

[@DesertDIY]

Yes I love the marble top ones

[@wg146]

Beautiful!!!,

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! 😊

[@pfles1]

Very beautiful! What router bit did your husband use to get that edge? I just purchased a router and want to practice with different bits. Thanks!

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you! I don't know the name of the bit but they usually have pictures to go along with each bit to know what design it cuts

[@brandonestelle9029]

Great vid!

[@almachapman5409]

Beautiful

[@DesertDIY]

Thank you Alma

[@prayinforyou1]

Love this video but would love for you narrate just a bit on what you are doing. I am learning by watching but I don’t know sandpaper grit and what type of sander etc is very being used . That is very helpful to a novice like myself. You are amazing to watch.

[@DesertDIY]

I have another one I am going to restore soon so I will do a voice over on that one for you