This has been my task for the week - transforming a dark-stained and worse-for-wear solid oak early 20th c student's bureau into something that can be used again today. This will be heading to the Festival of Antiques at Peterborough next week and will be listed on this site for sale when I can get it out of the workshop and into a more photogenic location!
First picture gives an idea of the "before" state although I had begun rubbing down - the gorgeous green glass panel was the incentive to get this piece finished! 2nd picture shows the desk sanded ready for re-finishing. The outer oak panels have been limed then oiled, while the back board, cubbyholes and the inside of the cupboard are painted. The paint looks a little purple in the finished photos, but is actually a deep burgundy red - Fired Earth "Oxblood".