Charming Tiger Oak Drawers

It’s incredible what you can do with a piece of furniture when it’s got good bones. This handsome chest of drawers is a perfect example – a true rags-to-riches transformation. We spotted it tucked away in the local tip shop and knew straight away it had potential. Underneath the dust and years of neglect were some beautiful details just waiting to be revealed.

The top edges featured delicate marquetry-style patterns, paired with a stunning tiger-stripe wood grain on the pediment. Once we carefully sanded away the layers of old varnish and grime, the original character burst back to life. Each drawer was then finished in different shades of wax to create a gentle, graduated effect that really lets the wood shine.

To give the piece a modern, sophisticated twist, we painted the carcass and legs in Frenchic’s Hornblower navy blue – a shade that adds depth without overpowering the natural beauty of the wood. The unusual square feet were highlighted with Frenchic’s Frensheen gold, echoing the warm tones in the grain.

The original handles were cleaned, stripped back, and polished to bring out their full charm. And for that final flourish, we lined the sides with a navy-and-gold wallpaper that ties every element together beautifully.

This once-forgotten chest of drawers ended up being snapped up by a lovely local couple — who later told us they were taking it all the way to Barbados as they began their new life in the sun. Not bad for something rescued from the tip.