Some furniture is built so well that it outlasts its owners and several decades of trends. A couple who share their projects as @lifeonmod say they always keep an eye out for vintage Ethan Allen, and this time their patience paid off. They found a piece for $60, stripped away its old finish, gave it a soft tan wash and loved the result so much they almost wanted to keep it. In the end, they listed it at $1,100.
Their caption describes solid maple and birch with a mesmerizing grain. Here is how they turned a dated finish into something that looks like it belongs in a modern home, plus some tips for trying it yourself.
@lifeonmod
Starting with a $60 find
They set out to show how to turn $60 into $1,000, and they say they love working on vintage Ethan Allen. For $60, the piece was in great condition. Their plan was to remove the old finish, so they stopped at Lowe’s for supplies. They already had stripper left over from a previous project, so they picked up acetone and a cheap paintbrush.
Step one: clean with a degreaser
Before any stripper goes on, they always clean the piece with a degreaser. That step matters because it helps the stripper fully penetrate the finish. Decades of furniture polish, hand oils and kitchen air can leave a film on wood, and stripper has trouble working through it.
Step two: strip the old finish
They shook the stripper and applied it generously in an even coat. Then they let it sit for about 15 minutes before returning to scrape everything off. If you feel the finish has not lifted enough, they say you can repeat the process. Patience is the key here, since stripper needs time to do its work, and scraping too early just smears the old finish around.
Step three: remove the residue
Next they wanted to get rid of any chemical residue, so they used acetone and an abrasive pad and scrubbed. After that, they sanded with 120 grit sandpaper all the way down to raw wood. At that point, they say, the piece was already looking beautiful. They stripped the entire piece before moving on.
Step four: the paint wash
Instead of painting over the wood, they chose a paint wash in a light tan. A wash is paint thinned with water, so it tints the wood without hiding the grain. They mixed equal parts paint and water, sprayed a light mist on the surface and then applied the wash.
They worked in sections, and they say you do not want the wash to sit too long. If it does, it starts acting more like paint than a wash. Right after applying it, they grabbed a clean rag, wiped it away and pushed it into the grain, continuing until all visible streaks were gone.
Step five: seal and polish the hardware
The last step is to seal the piece, which protects the finish from spills, fingerprints and daily wear. They also restored and polished the hardware. Original brass or metal pulls can look dull after years, and cleaning them makes the piece look like new without the cost of replacing them.
Why they priced it at $1,100
In the final reveal, they point out the natural variations in tone and grain, calling it a quality heirloom piece meant to last for generations. That is why they listed it for $1,100. They had not announced a sale when they posted, so $1,100 is the asking price, not what it sold for. They also said, tongue in cheek, that they love it so much they almost want to keep it.
Why vintage Ethan Allen is worth looking for
Ethan Allen is a well known American furniture maker, and its older pieces are often made from solid wood with traditional joinery. Compared with many modern flat pack items made from particle board, they can be refinished more than once. That is one reason experienced thrifters look for the label.
If you are checking a piece at a store or sale, here is what to look for.
- Look inside a drawer. Older Ethan Allen pieces often carry a maker’s mark or label on or inside the drawers. Dovetail joints at the corners are a good sign.
- Check the wood. Solid wood has a grain that continues around the edges. Veneer or laminate over particle board has a different look and cannot be sanded as much.
- Feel the weight. Solid pieces are heavy, and the drawers should slide smoothly.
- Note the finish. A dark, glossy finish can be stripped. Do not be put off by an old, dated look, since the wood underneath is the real prize.
Safety notes for stripping
Chemical strippers and acetone are strong. Work outside or in a well ventilated space, wear chemical resistant gloves and a respirator rated for fumes, and keep acetone away from flames. Finishes on furniture made before 1978 can contain lead, so you may want to test before you sand or scrape.
What this story says about keeping and letting go
There is something gentle in the idea of a couple who almost kept the piece. When you are decluttering, it can be tempting to think that everything old needs to go. But a solid wood heirloom is the kind of thing worth keeping, whether in your own home or in the home of a buyer who will appreciate it. If you inherit a piece like this and have no room for it, think about selling it to someone who will cherish it, rather than putting it on the curb.
And if you are the one hunting for treasure, remember that the best pieces are often hiding under an old, dark finish, waiting for someone to look past it.
