Where was I? Oh yes, in my last post I told you I’d fill you in on the treasure I took home! It’s funny because it was one of the very first things I saw when I went in to the antique/salvage shop, Housewerks. I was immediately drawn to something so humble but recognizably a treasure. I just knew it would be too expensive though so I just moved on. I later met up with my husband after milling about separately (after all, he was slowed down with the baby!), and he told me that there was this great piece that I just had to see. I knew we had seen the same thing. When I went back upstairs to give it a second look, there was a buyer with her tape measure out giving it the once-over. It was one of those sweet pieces that go fast….an old chest taken right out of a 100 year old + drug store! Here it is, our chest from the James Drug Co…..
How many times have you found an antique and wondered where it came from, or who owned it? This was such a rare incidence that we were told exactly where this piece came from and a bit of its history. Recently, the James Drug Co. (also known as the James Pharmacy) building was bought so they moved right next door. During the move several fixtures were sold – fixtures that have been there most likely since the store opened in 1900. What caught my eye first are the amazing drawer pulls. Yes, they are covered in paint, but I can see the detailed beauty beneath the layers. And the pull-out counter used for mixing medicine. There were old paper labels here and there in the drawers that stated “Poison”, or “Keep in a cool place”. We were so lucky to fit this in the back of our SUV. There was not a 1/2″ to spare…I was holding my breath when it came time to shut the back door. And driving home, my knees touched the dashboard.
My husband looked at me a bit strange (but just for a moment) when I suggested we go and see the actual drug store where the chest came from. How many times can you go and see the location where your antique spent years and years?? As it turns out, the James Drug Co. was close by in an up and coming section of Baltimore known as historic Federal Hill. Federal Hill is steeped in Baltimore history, and happens to be where my brother proposed to his wife.
I plan to put my sweet old find in my future studio, but it will need some work first. I do know that I want to reclaim those amazing drawer pulls and remove the paint so you can actually see their beauty. I imagine it would be best to try and repaint the face of the drawers (they are a peach color now) , this would be the least labor intensive. Please tell me what you would do with these drawers and how you recommend going about it – I’d love to hear your thoughts, if you’re familiar with this sort of thing.
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
You could try to strip the old paint layers of first, maybe by sanding and then paint again. I’m not sure. I’d google it! Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday! I’m glad you like your necklace. 🙂
Oh indeed, I do love your chest from the old drug store! Knowing its history is the best part isn’t it? I would love one of these in my studios (one day =) LOVE that pull out shelf. I had a small one built into my work station….and I just love it. I put my tools on it as I work on my desk top =)
Yes, it will take a little elbow work to remove the paint, but when you are finished….it will be a beauty! Even now it is wonderful!!
Can’t wait to see the drawer pulls after you clean them…..
You and Kerry have the best luck finding great old stuff! What a treasure you have for your new studio!
oh, you did find a treasure, Cindy! You studio is going to be awesome. I am going to be so envious!!
Jeanette
I LOVE old cabinets and display cases and hoosiers and, and, and,… you are so lucky to have found this, it will be a wonderful addition to a studio, with all the drawers just beckoning to be filled with treasures! As far as what to do with it, paint or strip, either way is good , just depends on your personal preference. Congrats on the cool find!
Wow – great find, Cindy. Your studio is going to be wonderful. Keep us posted!
AWESOME! Kind of like how I felt when I found my post office sorter!
I’ve stripped wood before, and would be happy to help!
I would clean up the pulls a bit, but the rest I would leave as is…I just love grunge! I adore that color, it could never be duplicated.
Wow, I would go crazy in a place like this…I would want everything!!! This old cabinet is a real treasure. If you die, will you “WILL” it to me???? lol
Have fun with it, I am sure you will enjoy it in your studio!!!
This is super cool, Cindy! I know it will be the focal point of the studio. I have a feeling that yours will be one worthy of “Where Women Create!”
Score! That is a great find. I love my printers’ cabinet with all the little drawers and slots. If you can figure out some sort of dividers it will be wonderful for storage. And I love that your husband knew that it was right for you. Beautiful find, Cindy. Enjoy the day!
Erin
I would give it a good sand and you may like it like that. Definitely strip the pulls. I have a multi-drawer cabinet from ikea that I decoupaged the fronts of the drawers with maps from an old atlas and painted the rest to look like a sky with clouds.
What a gorgeous find!!! I’m in favor of sanding it a bit and just leaving the smoothed paint/sanded finish. Maybe put a bit of satin clear finish over. AND definately clean up the pulls like new!!! Are they brass? Do you know the wood type? The piece is so interesting that it would good stipped like new or painted or decoupaged. . .Have fun!!!
P.S. My darling grand daughter is 2 yrs. 4 months. . .;)
What a great prize? Did you have to wrestle the other lady who was looking at it, or did she just give up?
I’ve never refinished a piece, so no suggestions here. I have no doubt you will do an outstanding job.
Tape drawer face off and use paint stripper on the metal pulls to clean them up as they are probably nailed in not screwed. If they are screwed in then you can remove them and use paint stripper then re-screw into place.
Cabinet that old probably has lead paint so if sanding you will have to use a respirator mask!
Don’t use paint stripper as this may ruin the wood as it is probably very porous or pine. Sand it, dust well, then apply new color is what my hubby recommends.
Can’t wait to see what you do, what a fabulous find!!!
Shannon
What a great Treasure! Cant wait to see it done up!
Oh Cindy, it is absolutely fabulous!!! And to know the history of the piece is priceless. I have sometimes come across old shop counters full of drawers at the flea market – but they are usually much too big to fit into the small rooms we have. 🙁
Congratulations on the sensational find. I am so looking forward to seeing your studio, when the house is finished and you are finally settled down.
What a great find! I’m looking forward to seeing it finished and your studio.
What a fab find, Cindy! You truly have the antiques hunter’s “sniffer”! I believe it is a dowsing talent– like finding water. Some dowsers find lost objects (me) and some people can sense information from old objects and are drawn to them, and that’s you! As for the paint, do NOT sand anything that might contain lead– use a “wet” removal method and put the stuff that comes off in an old paint can and take to your landfill on their toxic materials disposal day. There are some very good “green” paint removers out there which take a bit longer to work, but have no toxic fumes and are very efficient. The wood is probably in pretty good shape if it’s been painted and has been indoors and not stored in a damp barn or building. If the heat has always been on where it was stored or used, the wood is most likely ok to refinish or re-paint. If you use an environmentally-safe stripper, the wood won’t be as porous and you could use a Minwax sealer and polyurethane stain/finish on it. Their finish is beautiful and looks like one that has been hand-rubbed! They have very good customer service so if you either call or e-mail the company– or go to your local owner hardware store– you could get some good advice on your project. Yeah, you can tell I’ve been at this antiques refinishing thing a while — I should probably get a jop at This Old House! Enjoy your treasure and keep us posted!
What a FABULOUS find friend, I LOVE it!!! How fun is it that you went to the little drug store where it came from…that just makes it even better! My soldering attempt was sucky, but I will keep trying to get it. Oh if only you were my next door neighbor & I could just come to your house when I needed JEWELRY knowledge, you’re soooo amazing at everything you make. Sighhhhhh
I will keep at it though!
Smiles,
Susie
WOWZERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is such a find! I think it is totally cool that you and your hubby are on the same page for finding cool old stuff! This is going to be wonderful for you to use in your creative space. Imagine all of the things you can store in those old drawers. LOVE the story of the history. That makes it even all the better.
Now I don’t know about taking old paint off…but I am sure there is somewhere out there in google land that can point you in the right direction…either there or the DIY website.
Your son is adorable and that cocunut pie looks devine! I copied the recipe so I can make it! Mmmm…..should I…???…as I pinch my waist! ha.
xoxo
becky
Wow! Thank you for all of your advice. I just knew a group like this would have a lot of experience and would know what to do! I’m making note of everyone’s suggestions, and I appreciate them all!
Cool find, awesome you know the history. I’m totally jealous and don’t have a single bit of advice for working on it. However, I am really disappointed you left out the juicy bits of the story! The part where you had to fight off tape measure woman with a rusty hinge? ;o)
A couple of you asked what happened to the other lady that had her tape measure out and was also eyeing the piece….well, she was expecting so no I did not fight her off!! She was a buyer and needed to go and take measurements of a room so she told us to go ahead if we were interested in it. We did not hesitate!
Wow, wish I could help on the cabinet, I love it though. I’ve refinished a ton of oak, but just stripped and oiled. I know they will look fabulous when you’re done! Very cool chest. Hugs, Riki
WOWIE! I am jealous. 🙁 but at the same time THRILLED for your find!
That is awesome. It is a perfect studio piece.
It is so cool to have a bit of history like that. I don’t know why but for some reason antique pieces make such wonderful additions to a studio. Something about the charm they have promotes creativity.. it is too cool!
CONGRATS on such a wonderful find. 🙂
Cindy, what a great find! I hope you are going to post pictures of your studio filled with all these wonderful finds! Next time Frank and I come to Baltimore we’ll have to visit this place. Usually we plant ourselves at Helen and Dick’s and don’t venture very far but both of us and Helen and Dick would love this place. thanks for sharing! Love and prayers, madeline