Today's project is a 1940's chifferobe that I picked up at an auction during the summer. A chifferobe is a combination of a wardrobe or armoire along with a set of drawers. This one was dark and dreary, but I knew I could lighten it up and make it shine again.
Before
The label on the back gave the exact date it was made in 1942.
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| Label on chifferobe dated January 24, 1942 |
The top of the chifferobe has a waterfall top and the cabinet itself sits on 4 wood wheels. One of the wheels broke while I was working on it, so I ordered 4 replacement wheels. Luckily I was able to find brand new wood wheels with a vintage look. It has a wood frame with wood panels and was stained in a walnut finish. The interior was unfinished wood.
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| Before |
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| Unfinished interior |
I bought a white tassel for the key but thought it wasn't enough contrast. So I diluted some of my custom mixed pink paint water and dyed the tassel to match the interior.
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| Dying white tassel pink. |
The color is a very soft and subtle shade of pink. The photo below gives a better idea of the color contrasted next to the original white.
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| Original white next to custom dyed tassel. |
After
The new look is definitely much brighter than the original dark finish.
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| 1940's chifferobe painted in Old White |
The waterfall top has a graceful curve which softens the otherwise straight lines of the cabinet. The top itself is flat which will allow for additional storage on top of the cabinet such as pretty baskets or boxes.
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| Waterfall top on chifferobe |
The new hardware helps lighten the feel and adds a feminine touch to the piece. When replacing hardware I try to find something that will match in scale and design.
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| New hardware can change the look and feel of furniture |
The tassel on the key gives a hint of what color to expect when the cupboard is opened. I added a silver bead cap to the tassel to give it just a little bling.
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| Hand dyed tassel on vintage key. |
The interior was previously unfinished wood. Now it has a subtle soft pink color with a beautiful clean and smooth finish.
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| Chifferobe interior painted in a soft pink. |
There is a wooden rod at the top of the wardrobe for hanging clothing.
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| Wooden rod in wardrobe section of chifferobe. |
There is a false drawer front that runs along the bottom of the chifferobe. It provides extra storage space in the wardrobe section, but it also adds a perfect spot for secret hidden storage underneath the bottom drawer.
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| Secret storage in chifferobe |
To the left of the wardrobe and above the drawers is a cubby for additional storage.
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| Extra storage in cubby. |
The bottom of the chifferobe has streamlined details reminiscent of the art deco style. New wood wheels were added.
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Art deco style and new wood wheels |
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