Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Feb 24, 2009 03:52am | #1

   Do you know the original maker?  That could be a starting place for research. 

2. 
   Gretchen | Feb 24, 2009 08:50pm | #2

   It it is OVER the fumed oak, I'd have to guess it was not the original finish. What part of the country?

   Back in the 50's and 60's when you could buy these pieces for a pittance because no one liked or appreciated it, there was a lot of "antiquing" going on, and I would take a guess that this is that.

   And if you want to remvove it, I hope there was a protective overlay of shellac or something because it is the pits to get out of the grain, let alone off of the flat!!

   Gretchen
1. 
   toolmaniac | Feb 24, 2009 11:25pm | #3

   No, what is strange is that it was applied directly to the bare wood... there is no evidence of stain or finish underneath. I used a heat gun to strip the paint and the wood where the milk paint was is definitely a different shade, like it was applied before the fuming. I am in Florida, but the piece came from my wife's family in Ohio. I have had to refinish several pieces now that they had painted white, but this one has me stumped. I will try and match the stain when I refinish it unless someone comes up with an example of an authentic piece showing it was supposed to be decorated like this.

1. 
   Gretchen | Feb 25, 2009 05:23am | #5

   Because you say Ohio, I say even more that it is an "antiquing" thing. That is exactly the genre I am addressing.  I think it is a "do over" antiquing job. Surely you can see whether this is a "real" Stickley/Arts and Crafts piece that also might have been "antiqued".  Ohio was not the womb of Arts and Crafts, but did have  furniture of that style 'way back when. BUT it wasn't Stickley, for the most part, and truly was not at all appreciated. There was just too much wonderful wide board pine!!  Just my opinion.Gretchen

1. 
   doorboy | Feb 25, 2009 07:12pm | #6

   I can't imagine ANY scenario where a furniture manufacturer would fume some white oak and then paint over it. It would be both inefficient and unnecessary.
   Michigan was the home of some Arts and Crafts furniture manufacturers--notably Stickley Bros.,Quaint Furniture, and Limbert.
   I have NEVER seen anything painted by these--or any other--Arts and Crafts manufacturers, though I certainly don't claim to know it all.
   I agree with Gretchen on this one, though. It's probably a later 'improvement' to cover up some water rings, cigarette burns, or other wear and tear.
   You know, before the '57 Chevy became a classic, it was just a beat-up old car.

1. 
   toolmaniac | Feb 26, 2009 01:05am | #7

   Thanks for all the input! As I work more on removing the paint, I think that there has been some repair work in the past. The two back panels certainly are now suspect as the wood grain just doesn't look right. My guess is these are replacement panels and the piece was painted at the same time rather than try to match the wood and stain. I still wonder about the front rail just above the drawer. There is a nice finish directly above the drawer, but on each side, it looks like the finish was removed prior to painting... that said and having worked on other pieces of furniture my in-laws have painted, i can't be totally surprised by anything I find!AH well... looks like a simple refinishing job just got a little more interesting. Good thing I like the challenge of bringing old, abused furniture back to life!

3. 
   eng312 | Feb 25, 2009 01:39am | #4

   Stickley did use some "mellow greenish stains" on some of his work. Of course most of what is out there is the deep brown fumed finish. Many firms reproduced craftsman style furniture, so it may not necessarily be a stickley. I got my info from the "collected works of Gustav Stickley".

   
   

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   Edited 2/24/2009 5:50 pm ET by eng312