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Well-preserved antique furniture is becoming increasingly rare. Time leaves its mark on everything, but sometimes it’s not age that does the most damage – it’s a fresh coat of paint or a trendy DIY makeover that completely erases an item’s history. There’s something especially heartbreaking about spotting a nearly century-old piece at a flea market, only to see it covered in a modern finish that feels completely out of place.

The Reddit community ‘ReversePinterest’ shares before-and-after photos of vintage and antique pieces that have been altered to fit passing trends – and, thankfully, the careful restorations that bring them back to life. Scroll down to see some of the most shocking transformations and satisfying rescues, and don’t forget to check out our previous feature on the topic as well.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Asian Bar Cabinet Restored To Its Former Beauty, At Last!

Asian Bar Cabinet Restored To Its Former Beauty, At Last!

u/WhiteWavsBehindABoat Report

20points
POST
tamrastiffler avatar
Tamra
Tamra
Community Member
2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was a labor of love. I've restored several pieces of my own, and I can tell you that getting paint out of all those nooks and crannies is a nightmare.

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    #2

    I Went Into This Thinking I Couldn't Make It Worse: Reversepinterest Broyhill Brasilia

    I Went Into This Thinking I Couldn't Make It Worse: Reversepinterest Broyhill Brasilia

    u/philipgorila Report

    20points
    POST
    lilianaspiro avatar
    Liliana Spiro
    Liliana Spiro
    Community Member
    3 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What was done to this amazing piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture by Danish Brohill, is nothing short of sacrilegious

    7
    7points
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    #3

    Before And After Restoration: Broyhill Sculptra Nightstand

    Before And After Restoration: Broyhill Sculptra Nightstand

    u/Sensitive_Ad3375 Report

    18points
    POST
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    #4

    Mcm Rescue

    Mcm Rescue

    u/amosfargus Report

    16points
    POST
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    #5

    Beautiful Restoration

    Beautiful Restoration

    u/Inmyenergybubble Report

    16points
    POST
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    #6

    This Is A Rare Class 68 Singer Cabinet We Found Whitewashed. We Had It Fully Restored Back To Its Original State

    This Is A Rare Class 68 Singer Cabinet We Found Whitewashed. We Had It Fully Restored Back To Its Original State

    u/Quiltinglass-5011 Report

    15points
    POST
    r_oksanen avatar
    Ronja Oksanen
    Ronja Oksanen
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like the white one, gives romantic cabin on the beach vibes 😊

    1
    1point
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    #7

    1912 Craftsman Staircase Restoration

    1912 Craftsman Staircase Restoration

    u/Arousing_Wedgie Report

    15points
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    #8

    My First Restoration - A Dresser For My House

    My First Restoration - A Dresser For My House

    u/MERMO Report

    15points
    POST
    lilianaspiro avatar
    Liliana Spiro
    Liliana Spiro
    Community Member
    3 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WHY would someone do that to a Mid-Century Modern era Basic-Witz dresser?!

    2
    2points
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    #9

    I Found This Lovely Little Cherub Candelabra On Vinted For 2 Euros; Covered In White House Paint And Chipping Layers Of Gold Paint And Plating

    I Found This Lovely Little Cherub Candelabra On Vinted For 2 Euros; Covered In White House Paint And Chipping Layers Of Gold Paint And Plating

    u/GenderfluidPhoenix Report

    15points
    POST
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    #10

    I Finally Finished Revamping This Old Dresser From The Fb Marketplace

    I Finally Finished Revamping This Old Dresser From The Fb Marketplace

    u/AggravatingBox2421 Report

    14points
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    #11

    Vintage Lane Table, Rescued For $15!

    Vintage Lane Table, Rescued For $15!

    u/itsyagirlbonita Report

    14points
    POST
    #12

    Still Learning

    Still Learning

    u/Playboy97k Report

    14points
    POST
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    #13

    Before And After

    Before And After

    u/jointedhuskyjerk Report

    14points
    POST
    #14

    Herself Again

    Herself Again

    u/stickchomper Report

    14points
    POST
    xolitaire avatar
    xolitaire
    xolitaire
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get why they painted it green, it's a flower haha, very clever. But THIS green?! It looks like someone threw toxic waste at the poor thing

    2
    2points
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    #15

    Reclaiming This Lane Acclaim Step Table

    Reclaiming This Lane Acclaim Step Table

    u/wonderfulvices Report

    14points
    POST
    #16

    Scored This Huge Brass Swan Planter For $10 And Brought It Back To Life!

    Scored This Huge Brass Swan Planter For $10 And Brought It Back To Life!

    r/ReversePinterest Report

    13points
    POST
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    #17

    Refinished Johnson Carper Brentwood 9-Drawer Dresser

    Refinished Johnson Carper Brentwood 9-Drawer Dresser

    u/TheDrIsley Report

    13points
    POST
    #18

    I Didn’t Even Want It, But I Had To Get That Paint Off When I Saw It At Goodwill

    I Didn’t Even Want It, But I Had To Get That Paint Off When I Saw It At Goodwill

    u/tenglempls Report

    13points
    POST
    #19

    Heywood-Wakefield Refinish Complete!

    Heywood-Wakefield Refinish Complete!

    u/zsb5 Report

    13points
    POST
    sarah-suelzle avatar
    Sarah Suelzle
    Sarah Suelzle
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well done! Cool table! It looks like it could start walking away LOL 😊🩷😊

    0
    0points
    reply
    #20

    Before And After Restoring A Lane Cabinet

    Before And After Restoring A Lane Cabinet

    u/9991cmj Report

    13points
    POST
    #21

    Its No Mcm But I’m Proud Of My First Job! £5 From The Side Of The Road

    Its No Mcm But I’m Proud Of My First Job! £5 From The Side Of The Road

    r/ReversePinterest Report

    12points
    POST
    #22

    Let’s Redo That

    Let’s Redo That

    u/Sjames454 Report

    12points
    POST
    kimwimgoddess avatar
    Otto Katz
    Otto Katz
    Community Member
    32 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW that is stunning woodwork. Beautiful work restoring that.

    0
    0points
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    #23

    Revived This Mcm Dresser From Pinterest Disaster

    Revived This Mcm Dresser From Pinterest Disaster

    u/LilPatatje Report

    12points
    POST
    hu-ghcasement avatar
    Fred
    Fred
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't MCM a brand of handbags?

    0
    0points
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    #24

    Restored Chest Of Drawers Back To Mid-Century Charm

    Restored Chest Of Drawers Back To Mid-Century Charm

    u/razzelsazzel Report

    12points
    POST
    #25

    I Recently Found This Corner Table In The Trash And Stripped Three Coats Of Ugly Paint Off Of It And Stained It

    I Recently Found This Corner Table In The Trash And Stripped Three Coats Of Ugly Paint Off Of It And Stained It

    u/mads1renwoman Report

    10points
    POST
    #26

    I Just Had To Rescue It. Who In Their Right Mind Would Paint This Gold? Nothing Special, I Think It’s From Pier1, But This Celadon Vase Can Breathe Now. Swipe For Progress And Final Product

    I Just Had To Rescue It. Who In Their Right Mind Would Paint This Gold? Nothing Special, I Think It’s From Pier1, But This Celadon Vase Can Breathe Now. Swipe For Progress And Final Product

    u/tenglempls Report

    10points
    POST
    #27

    Before & After. They Painted Inside The Cabinets, Too

    Before & After. They Painted Inside The Cabinets, Too

    u/CatAlayne Report

    9points
    POST
    #28

    Just Finished This Mirror Dresser For A Client. Someone Had Painted It 3 Times, The Most Recent Being Water-Based Acrylic

    Just Finished This Mirror Dresser For A Client. Someone Had Painted It 3 Times, The Most Recent Being Water-Based Acrylic

    u/MattOnADinosaur Report

    9points
    POST
    #29

    Hewood Wakefield Desk

    Hewood Wakefield Desk

    u/harrylime3 Report

    9points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Danish Rosewood Desk Rescue

    Danish Rosewood Desk Rescue

    u/LeadfootLesley Report

    9points
    POST
    #31

    Dixie Dresser In Progress

    Dixie Dresser In Progress

    u/Lonely_Bread6017 Report

    9points
    POST
    #32

    Restored Lane Cedar Chest

    Restored Lane Cedar Chest

    u/Practical-Big9699 Report

    9points
    POST
    #33

    My Weekend Project

    My Weekend Project

    u/demasiadotodo Report

    9points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #34

    Before, During & After: A Viscol Dresser Found At Restore!

    Before, During & After: A Viscol Dresser Found At Restore!

    u/jormaco Report

    8points
    POST
    #35

    For $3.99 At Goodwill, I Really Had To Know What Was Under The Chalk Paint

    For $3.99 At Goodwill, I Really Had To Know What Was Under The Chalk Paint

    u/tenglempls Report

    8points
    POST
    lilianaspiro avatar
    Liliana Spiro
    Liliana Spiro
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a Mid-century pocket planter from Morton Pottery called Love Birds.

    2
    2points
    reply
    #36

    Goodwill Vase: Saw The Color Inside And Had To Remove The Paint

    Goodwill Vase: Saw The Color Inside And Had To Remove The Paint

    u/I_Am_A_Twin Report

    8points
    POST
    lilianaspiro avatar
    Liliana Spiro
    Liliana Spiro
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's an Italian Mid-Century Modern vase from Empoli. A wise choice to strip that paint!

    2
    2points
    reply
    #37

    American Of Martinsville Refinish

    American Of Martinsville Refinish

    u/YesterdayHelpful7049 Report

    8points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #38

    Antique Industrial Stool I Got At Goodwill For $4.99. Three Layers Covering The Top, And Some Horrible Red Paint. Still Some Remnants Of Red, But Still A Big Improvement

    Antique Industrial Stool I Got At Goodwill For $4.99. Three Layers Covering The Top, And Some Horrible Red Paint. Still Some Remnants Of Red, But Still A Big Improvement

    u/tenglempls Report

    8points
    POST
    #39

    Goodwill Dresser Restoration

    Goodwill Dresser Restoration

    u/METRO1DS Report

    8points
    POST
    #40

    Pinterest Reverse

    Pinterest Reverse

    u/Opposite-Estimate-63 Report

    7points
    POST
    #41

    Ash Table Saved From The 2000s Shabby Chic

    Ash Table Saved From The 2000s Shabby Chic

    u/HornedGoatScream Report

    7points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #42

    Unchalking A Lane Commode Table From The Reflection Line

    Unchalking A Lane Commode Table From The Reflection Line

    u/itsyagirlbonita Report

    7points
    POST
    #43

    Goodwill Save. Had To Get The Chalk Paint Off Of It. Almost Seems Like It Could Be Arts And Crafts Era, But I’m Not Sure

    Goodwill Save. Had To Get The Chalk Paint Off Of It. Almost Seems Like It Could Be Arts And Crafts Era, But I’m Not Sure

    u/tenglempls Report

    7points
    POST
    #44

    Whoever Paints Cabinet Hinges Is A Sadist

    Whoever Paints Cabinet Hinges Is A Sadist

    u/number9allfine Report

    7points
    POST
    #45

    Mid-Century Modern Redo

    Mid-Century Modern Redo

    u/GoalHuman Report

    7points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #46

    Ok.. I’m Kinda Conflicted On This One. The Acrylic Painting Was Cute, But For $3.99 I Had To See What Was Under It. 1930’s Purinton Slipware Vase

    Ok.. I’m Kinda Conflicted On This One. The Acrylic Painting Was Cute, But For $3.99 I Had To See What Was Under It. 1930’s Purinton Slipware Vase

    u/tenglempls Report

    7points
    POST
    tamrastiffler avatar
    Tamra
    Tamra
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The painting was actually quite good.

    5
    5points
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    #47

    Un-Chalk Painted This Rad Ceramic Vase From An Estate Sale

    Un-Chalk Painted This Rad Ceramic Vase From An Estate Sale

    u/itsyagirlbonita Report

    5points
    POST
    #48

    Took A Gamble At Goodwill. Found A Badly Spray-Painted Vase And Thought The Base Looked More Mcm. Spent An Hour Stripping It, Only To Find The “Made In China” Sticker Under The Goodwill Tag. Still Looks Better

    Took A Gamble At Goodwill. Found A Badly Spray-Painted Vase And Thought The Base Looked More Mcm. Spent An Hour Stripping It, Only To Find The “Made In China” Sticker Under The Goodwill Tag. Still Looks Better

    u/tenglempls Report

    5points
    POST
    #49

    Does My Skull Count?

    Does My Skull Count?

    u/PistolMama Report

    5points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    Pinterest Reverse

    Pinterest Reverse

    u/PopovDadeCounty Report

    4points
    POST

    Follow Bored Panda on Google News!