Who says Antiques & Kids don't mix ??

A Two Seater English School Desk c1840, Offered By;
www.paintedporch.com

Sharing a house with 5 growing boys and 2 boisterous dogs I can totally understand it when I hear the common statement “Antiques & kids don't mix”... Well that's true to a certain extent, obviously you wouldn't want your darling son running his toy car across the top of your Fine Regency rosewood dinning table or seeing the damage your little princess's nail polish remover has done to the inlaid Victorian dresser you so painstakingly sourced for her bedroom.

The Answer in my opinion is (unless your intending on sending them to boarding school until their old enough to care about the finer things!!)..... 
                                                                           Go Pine, Oak or Painted;

A Dutch Two Drawer Stripped Pine Linen Press circa 1880, Offered By;
www.pinemine.com 

Pine

Okay so maybe its not quite as glamorous as the finer woods but its hardy and forgiving. I always love how the look of pine just get better the more worn and used it gets. There is still a great deal of old pine furniture around both stripped and painted. Its also easy, maintenance wise, very fixable and good coat of wax once or twice a year is all it takes to keep it looking good. Then when the time comes to off load the kids it will still be a desirable piece of furniture and bought sensibly a good antique piece of pine should hold its price, leaving you to exchange it for the finer style if you so desire.. My guess is your either love it so much your want to keep it, or reluctantly pass it down to the kids !! 

A 19th Century English Work Table, perfect for the family kitchen. Offered By;
www.ecantiques.com

A Hard Wearing Oak Extending Dinning Table from Denmark circa1910, Offered By;
http://www.arenskjold.com 

  

Oak

Having refinished 100's of pieces of oak furniture over the years, I've learnt that oak can be finished in numerous ways. Typically late 19th century English & European oak furniture was heavily stained and lacquered this was reduced somewhat during the Art Noveau period (1910) but then continued through the 1930's/40's.

So today there are many options, the popular one seems to be having the the wood stripped of all it old lacquer finishes to the bare wood, then oiled or wax polished. For kid friendly I always recommend oiled or lightly lacquered as this will give the wood some protection from spills etc but will allowed the full beauty of the wood to be shown. The thing to remember is if you opt for a heavier lacquer finish provided its applied correctly its always removable, however obviously sealed the colour of the oak doesn't age just the finish will.

A Painted Chest of Drawers from Ontario, Canada, circa 1870. Offered By;
www.scottlandonantiques.com

A 19th Century Eastern European (Later) Painted Pine Bench, Offered By;
www.uniquities.ca

Painted

Painted furniture really has come into its own in the last few years and is a great way to freshen up a tired piece or to colour coordinate a kids room. There are some great professionals out there that will paint vintage furniture, also some great teachers to show you the best techniques, such as Cait Whitson a painter and teacher (check out her very educational blog at http://decoratescotland.blogspot.com/ )

An Antique Romanian Chest of Drawer circa 1899, with later paintwork. Offered By;
www.g4decor.1stdibs.com