Can you paint over an old satinwood wardrobe?

Many people ask about painting these pieces. The dense grain of the timber does not accept modern paints well. The veneer is also quite thin, so sanding the surface risks exposing the carcase wood beneath. Leaving the original finish intact is usually the safest approach. The pale golden colour often blends well with modern bedroom schemes anyway.

I've got this really big wardrobe that comes apart into a few pieces but the middle doors seem to drag on the bottom edge when I open them. Why does it do that?

Heavy antique satinwood wardrobes usually separate into a cornice, a plinth base, and several middle sections. If the floor in your room is uneven, the plinth will twist slightly. This twisting transfers up through the carcase and throws the doors out of alignment. You can usually fix the dragging by placing small wooden shims under the plinth until it sits level.

How do you move a large breakfront wardrobe?

Most large models were built to dismantle for transport. The cornice lifts off first, then the central and side sections unscrew from the base. You should always empty the drawers and sliding trays before attempting to lift the sections. The dense secondary timbers make these pieces heavy even when empty.

The brass handles on the inside drawers are a bit tarnished and green in places, should I try and polish them up or just leave them alone?

Leaving the brass with its natural patina is fine. If the green verdigris is transferring onto your clothes, it needs gentle cleaning. Take the handles off the drawer fronts first. This stops the metal polish from staining the surrounding veneer.

Home > Wardrobes > Satinwood Wardrobes > Page 2

Antique Satinwood Wardrobes

← Page 2 of 2 →

These tall clothes storage cupboards are veneered in a pale yellow-gold timber and were built for wealthy late Georgian and Edwardian bedrooms to hang garments and store folded linen.