It was massive and imposing, adorned with intricate carved patterns that seemed almost too delicate to touch. Inside, makeshift dividers and shelves had been crafted from soft pine. I started by removing all decorative elements—an essential first step to ensure quality work.

With the mirror taken out, I was left with an entirely bare frame. I also planned to replace the back panel. The inner divider was set for removal, intended to restore the wardrobe to its original form.

Cleaning proved tricky due to the softness and resinous nature of the pine, as the scraper often clogged with resin rather than slicing through it—quite a frustrating process. Where lacquer lay under the paint, it came off without issue. But in areas where paint was applied directly to the wood, it resisted every effort to strip it away.

After four days of meticulous work, the carving was fully cleaned. I used a hand scraper for everything, no chemicals. This step was crucial, as paint had even found its way under the decorative details.

Once I’d finished cleaning the embellishments, I moved on to the next phase—a more refined, precise cleaning.

A sanding machine with 60 and 80 grit attachments, and three days later, here was the result of intensive sanding.

Choosing a protective finish wasn’t easy. I initially considered a dark oil with brown tones, but we opted to preserve the natural light tone of the wood.

All metal fittings are back in place, the structure reassembled—now, it’s time to reveal the final result!