60 years old!...difficult to say what was done to it over the years. HOWEVER!...if you want to make refinishing easier when the time comes...don't wax that floor; it will interfere with any refinishing involving film-forming finishes, such as polyurethanes. You could clean and buff the floor and apply an inexpensive waterborne polyurethane...that would get you through a few years with a surface you can clean and that will not interfere with a future sand and finish.

I was given one as a high school graduation gift from my parents (along with a set of luggage... think they were trying to tell me someting?) Some of my mom's sisters gave me household things for HS graduation, set of baking pans, some towels. My hope chest stayed at home and really did hold that stuff while I was in college. Last couple years of college, I took the towels and baking pans to my apartment. I didn't take the hope chest until DH and I had been married a year or so and into a big enough apartment to bring it. (My parents were moving then too, so I had to take all my stuff still at home.) Now my hope chest hold memories: yearbooks, grad cap/gown from HS and college, my diploma is in there! My wedding gown is also there, the cake server used at the wedding, a scrapbook I made in brownies. A journal I kept when pregnant w/ DS#1. All sorts of stuff, it's fun to go through on a rainy day. It sits in my bedroom, and also holds piles of various stuff. LOL. Now that I think about it, I guess it's more important to me that I thought. Maybe I'll plan to get DD one at about the same age.

Abundantblessings - That sounds like a neat idea with the table runner. The valance is the same material. I was aiming for one like My3dogs here. I used olive green cording to hold up the sides. I'm considering using the gold/red DR chair fabric for the tie ups when I make the new one. It was the first thing I ever made! Didn't turn out too bad but it's skimpy looking. It didn't bother me at first (I think because I was so darn proud! ha) but it needs redone. Ajsmamma - Really? The picture of the corner post isn't showing up? I attached the link to what I was talking about. We were one the same website! I can't picture the island having paint on the one side and stain on the other. I think the whole thing needs to be matching one or the other. Can anyone find a pic of half and half?! My Merillat cabients are I believe Seneca Ridge. Phoggie - I could probably convince him with that beadboard idea but what about the other side of the island. I would have to paint it white. . . paint on cabinets kind of scares me. :) Oakley- I'd probably do the painting if we did end up going that route. My Dad is so busy with stuff right now I wouldn't ask him. There's already a few things I need him to finish up over here (that he started) and it's been like pulling teeth. Can anyone photoshop beadboad?? Ctlane - I think at some point I'll head out to Lowes and grab a piece of white and oak to get a feel if I would like it. Regarding the painting or staining the island..I haven't even mentioned that to DH. If it was something I felt 100% I was comfortable with and knew I would like..I could probably convince him. I'm just scared to change the color of it because I'm so fickle. It takes awhile before I get things "right" with house stuff. Here is a link that might be useful: Legacy Corner Leg

Cute chair! If you want to save the wood finish and don't want to DIY it, perhaps you can find a refinisher who will come to your home and repair it right there. Our refinisher has told me that if we ever have a small job, he'll work at our home rather than taking it in to his shop. But the finish looks fine on my computer - the back stretchers seem perfect. Perhaps all that's necessary is a good cleaning? I would do as Pal suggests and have the cushions done professionally, but then I don't sew, don't even have a machine. If you go this route be sure to take the cushions in with you as they are, in order to get perfect dimensions. And then throw those musty old ones away!