You might want to consider a color from Annie Sloan Chalk Paint line. There is very little prep involved and the finished product has a beautiful patina to it! Maybe a soft gray...

I suggest you talk to the local Baker dealer to see where they send their things for touch up. These are very, very nice pieces. You can get the finish overcoated by a professional refinisher, but talk to them first if you are concerned about retaining the value.

They look like really nice pieces...nice toooo have
Something that was your grandparents ...
Maybe change handles first
See how you feel about them both
After that ..might be a shame tooooo paint them
But yes Annie Sloan ...is good paint !!!! Maybe not for this piece
Might cost £...
But goes along way ...
Good luck please post pics
When your done ..

....wow nice examples love this one
bluenan .....

Yes, be careful of what you do with Baker chests. I have several and are worth some money now.

I would talk to Baker and maybe they just need a good waxing. I wouldn't recommend painting them.

I retract my statement about paint! My eyes were not awake and I did not see they were Baker chests! Yes! See what you can do to re-store their original beauty!! Chalk paint something else:)

I was told to add my Baker pieces into my decorating as though they were antiques. I live in California now so my decorating at this point is more relaxed/transitional.

I looked on ebay. The starting bid for a Baker chest is 1250. One is selling for 22,000.

Wow these are more valuable than I thought