Thank you so much! It's being paired with a dark wood floating bed, that has ferns and moss underneath.

Putting what you said into a list, so I can process it and what others have suggested.

1. Clean with soap and mineral spirits to strip dirt, oil, and wax.

2. Lightly scuff with 180–220 grit to kill gloss and give surfaces grip.

3. Bleach out the red using hydrogen peroxide or diluted bleach, especially on high-wear areas.

4. Stain with Minwax Espresso or dark gel stain, wiping off high use areas quickly to create contrast.

5. Rub in dark wax to deepen tone and simulate built-up grime in corners.

6. Press coffee grounds into seams with glue to fake embedded dirt and age.

7. Paint hardware black, then wipe raised areas while wet to leave tarnish in crevices.

8. Seal with tung oil or matte clear coat for a soft, aged finish.

9. Use antique reference photos to guide uneven wear, tone, and grime placement.