The thick, dark shellac that covered the entire piece was stripped away to allow the gorgous wood to shine. The sides and legs were painted a sleek black (Wise Owl One Hour Enamel in Jet Black) for a contemporary look. The top and door panels were left natural: hand sanded to preserve the marks and movement of the grain, then rubbed with tung oil for a rich, warm finish. The interior shelves were cleaned, sanded, and rejuvenated with Wise Owl Furniture Salve. The original hinges were removed, cleaned, and polished, and the plain wooden knobs were replaced with new decorative black metal pulls to complement the black paint and add a fresh touch. [Artisan: ABP]