Have it professionally refinished/repaired

What a cool piece! Embrace the look....with a bit of "flair" you can mix that kind of mid century (1954) with today's modern. If the doors don't open and close smoothly, get that repaired, then if there are finish issues, someone can refinish/stain it. It may just need a deep cleaning. It probably won't be cheap. BUT DO NOT PAINT IT.

It’s by Wm. A Berckey. I would never paint it, Tara! The stuff of nightmares lol!! The wood is beautiful.

Yes, I agree with jck10. Gorgeous piece to keep in the family! Enjoy!

That’s a unique, beautiful piece. There is a product called Milsek. It is a cleaner for wood and I have used it with great success on my good antique pieces, especially after moving. It’s available on Amazon. Get the yellow type not orange. I think this is first step. It really restores and cleans beautifully. I would try it first. Hope that helps!

You are so lucky to have a grandma that thinks so much of you to give you this piece. And she is lucky to have a granddaughter who appreciates a legacy gift. Take Flo's advice and let us know how it turns out!

Diana, thank you! What a sweet comment! I will order Flo’s magic elixir on Amazon right now and see what happens.

Let us know how it goes. If you are a Amazon Prime member you should get it in a day or so! You

It’s ordered! My grandmother said the lighter pieces of wood are yew. My grandmother lived in Santa Barbara and she said she bought the piece in Beverly Hills “on sale” in 1954. My father remembers the piece sitting in their foyer when he started dating my mother in 1969. It has a new home now in Indiana.

@laraisaacs it would be a nice thing to write down that information and story from your grandmother and father, include the date and place you received it then place in envelope & affix to inside of cabinet for future reference. Sometime far in the future, someone in your family might treasure that piece of family history of an old family piece. We’ve learned from watching ”Antiques Roadshow” and listening to folks tell their facts and guesses of histories of pieces that have passed down through families.

It’s in pretty bad shape, as you can see.

Sorry, no, I can't. Maybe I need glasses or the picture just isn't showing enough detail? It's a handsome piece, regardless, and I'm sure you'll find the perfect spot for it in your home.

Here's some information on the William A Berkey Company:

http://www.furniturecityhistory.org/company/3395/berkey-widdicomb-co

And here's a chest similar to yours:

https://www.lot-art.com/auction-lots/Vintage-Wooden-Buffet-Cabinet-by-William-A-Berkey-Furniture-Company/17atl101m502-vintage_wooden_buffet-18.9.17-ebth

What a fantastic piece! I looks to be in good shape to me -- I'm not seeing what you're seeing to make you say it's in pretty bad shape. Clean it up and put the fabulousness on display!

Lucky you that piece will fit pefectly in a contemporary setting it is a stand alone star. I would suggest finding a pro to see to the finishing if it needs more than cleaning with Flo's elixir . DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT PAINT Would work with a really modern DR table or in an entry for sure.

KW, I will write down what I know about the piece and keep it with it. Great idea!

Diana, that’s so cool you found it! It’s so similar. They sold it for $81?! That’s pretty sad. A lot of mediocre furniture on Craigslist is more than that lol.

Wow, absolutely gorgeous piece of furniture! Lucky you!

It is a great idea KW shared. My grandmother did that with my beloved mantle clock (my great-grandparents bought it new in 1917). She listed the company and date when it was passed to her.

Please update after shining her up and settling her in. :)

It’s a beautiful piece of furniture. It looks like it’s in an unfinished basement now. I hope you are going to move it to a temperature controlled space very soon.

Carolae, our floors are installed, but not finished. They are supposed to finish them here in the next two weeks. I hate having to leave her in the garage!

I don't mind a few marks on older pieces. They are like laugh lines on people - they show that a good life has been lived!

That’s good!

@laraisaacs I didn't see where the sales price was quoted. Did you set up an account and log in to see the price?

Diana, yes I did. $81. I was like, dang, my six year old has that in his piggy bank right now hahaha.

That is beautiful! What a great gift . I also can't really see where its messed up. Maybe just a good ( safe cleaning ) and enjoy the dents and dings as character of a well used and much loved piece.

@laraisaacs oh well, you aren't going to sell it anyway, and it's worth more to you than that because of Grandma!

Diana, for sure! I was just surprised and a little sad it sold for so little because someone probably really loved that piece.

That’s a beautiful piece. Special that your grandmother wanted you to have it.