It was a hefty and impressive piece, beautifully carved yet seeming too fragile to touch. Inside, I found some makeshift pine shelves and dividers.

I began by removing all the decorations, a crucial first step. After taking out the mirror, I was left with a bare frame, and I also plan to replace the back wall.

The internal divider had to go to restore it to its original design, and the floor will be swapped out for a smooth, clean surface.

After stripping the old finish, the frame looked simple yet elegant. Cleaning proved tricky due to the softness of the pine; the scraper often got stuck in the resin. Areas with lacquer came off easily, but the paint stuck stubbornly where it had adhered directly to the wood.

Among my discoveries were some 1961 newspapers.

Once the initial cleaning was done, I moved on to the detailed carving work. After four days of careful effort, the carvings were cleaned entirely by hand, as I avoided chemicals. Underneath the paint, a lovely design emerged.

I then sanded the wood with 60 and 80 grit attachments for three days, lightening its color. Some paint remained deeply embedded, but I managed to remove some with a chisel and engraver.

The cabinet doors became decorative elements in their own right. The paint on the clean wood was a real challenge, but I pressed on to assemble it.

Choosing a protective finish was tough; I initially suggested a dark oil but decided to keep the wood’s natural lightness. In the end, I opted for a clear oil and wax.

After putting the back panel in place, I cleaned the hardware by soaking it in solvent and vinegar—maybe too much vinegar, but better safe than sorry.

With everything reassembled, I’m excited to showcase the finished product!

I hope you enjoy the results of my hard work!