That hurt for sure but the work that was put in seems good and the recipient is happy.

Aside from the paint I also had some misgivings about dismantling the original piece but I got over them a few pictures in because it means a piece that clearly wasn't working for someone in its original form now gets a new life. If it were an antique Chippendale that's a different story, not sure I could've let the paint go 😉.

Good job to OP.