I have an old night stand that I paid $50 for over 25 years ago. It was white with funny, french style drawer handles.
After all these years, it's been in many different bedrooms, but mostly children's bedrooms.
I was ready to throw it out. I had some left over paint from painting some planters. Black and deep red/orange. I decided to use this paint to refinish my drawers.
I painted the drawers completely black. Then I took the deep red color and just lightly brushed it on so that it looked like highlights in the wood grain. I also dabbed it on the face of the drawers where there were a few indented designs. Then I finished it off with a light clear lacquer.
It now looks like an oriental piece of furniture and for the $5 bucks it cost me for the clear lacquer, it really was a welcome addition to our home office. It goes well with a plant stand that has the dark wood look with the reddish highlights.
I'm glad I didn't throw the piece away.
