Since I’ve owned this dresser, I have had such a range of feelings for it… First, sadness… then hope… then discouragement… then apathy… then apprehension… then hope… then frustration… then hope… then relief and satisfaction. And now a little pride.
I remember distinctly one warm day back in September. I was heading to a somewhat unfamiliar area to look at a small dresser that I saw on Craigslist and I had my mother and two boys in the SUV with me. I took a wrong turn and ended up in a semi-ghetto area. (You know the kind of neighborhood!) Then on the side of the curb I saw this huge, sad, ugly dresser. I cannot even imagine what kind of hideously 80’s bedroom decor this was once a part of. It looked like someone had just thrown it out there because all of the drawers were out and one was busted on two of its sides, and the metal track was bent. But I immediately fell in love with the doors!
Since I was just starting out in blogging and low on funds for projects (aren’t we all budget conscious these days?) the idea of a free dresser to experiment with (even in its terrible condition) was SO exciting. Much to my mother’s dismay and embarrassment, she got out and helped me quickly attempt to load it up… thankfully a man was driving by and jumped out to help us.
We did finally end up making it to look at the Craigslist dresser, but needless to say, it did not compare to my newly acquired curbside treasure. I’m not sure if it’s a blessing or a curse that I see so much potential in old ugly furniture!
First I started working on the broken drawer. Wood glue, clamps, and several nails did the trick – and a swift hammer straightened out the track. Then I started to paint it (the same pale gray as my armoire) but I didn’t get very far. The dresser was disgustingly filthy, there were a million little grooves on the doors, and I got discouraged.
Then the cold weather came and I found myself spending less time in the garage and more time inside doing crafts or smaller painting projects. I got bored with the dresser because of the slow progress, which was my own fault. Things got piled on it and I forgot about it for a few months.
With spring’s arrival and renewed optimism, I decided I had to finally finish this dresser. It was taking up way too much room and I was sick of looking at it partially finished. Have you ever had a project that seemed to take forever?
I did a lot of sanding and painted it with about billion coats of gray, especially on the doors which seemed to lose the paint in all its grooves. Then I decided to paint the handles with Valspar glossy black spray paint (3 coats of black followed by a spray protectant) and painted the inside of the drawers black also. When it was all done, I added about 4 coats of matte soft touch polyurethane.
To me, it gives off a little “French luxury” vibe, or a little throwback Hollywood glamour.
C’est magnifique, non?
I also added some trim to the sides where the wood was damaged at the bottom. It was so easy to do and adds some extra detail.
As perfect as it would look in my bedroom with the armoire, I took it to my booth this weekend. I hope someone buys it who loves it as much as I do! Do you ever get emotionally attached to your furniture, especially things that you’ve spent a lot of time and effort on? I don’t ever plan to spend 9 months repairing and painting a dresser again, that’s for sure!
Jen
Miss any of my recent posts? Catch up here:
Upcycled Antique Sewing Drawers
Fabric Garland and Bunting Tutorial
The Good Life: Overcoming Fear to Reach Success
Bev says
This dresser is gorgeous! You did a fabulous job with it and have reason to be proud. I find your blog so full of feelings I experience, and such a joy to read each day. I find encouragement in your posts, most of all. While you are miles ahead of me in making over pieces, you are an Inspiration for me too! Someday I will be in your position, getting a booth and making it look lovely and having fun doing what we do!! Thank you for sharing this today 😉 Can’t wait to see what you write about next!
Bev @ Give me a paintbrush
Lisa says
I just love your furniture makeovers Jen, do you sell your creations too?
Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects says
Oh Jen, it’s SO BEAUTIFUL! I love the details and the hardware is amazing!
Dria @ Dio says
Wow you did an incredible job, your dresser is stunning!! Loved reading your journey with this dresser!
Lisa Clarke says
This reminds me of my parents’ old furniture set. I love what you’ve done with it – white really transforms the whole thing into something soooo not ugly!
Jen says
Thanks Bev! That’s so sweet. 🙂 I’m just learning as I go… it’s always fun to experiment with new pieces and see how they’ll turn out!
Jen says
Thank you Lisa. 🙂 Actually I just rented a booth space last weekend (June 1st) to start selling my pieces; my house and garage were overflowing with them! You can read more about it here: https://girlinthegarage.net/2013/06/big-announcement-booth-space
Jen says
Thank you so much Dria. Yes this piece had a bit of a story! I’m so glad that it’s finally finished.
Jen says
Lisa, I agree- light colors make everything seem so fresh and updated. Thanks for stopping by!
Jen says
Thanks Adrianne- Hopefully someone else will agree and snatch it up quickly. 😉
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Gorgeous piece Jen! I can totally relate….I’ve had several like this. I few I wanted to just throw the towel in on! 😉 But ended up finished and loving them. Thanks so much for sharing it on Project Inspire{d}. 🙂 Pinned!
Nancy
Nancy Davis says
Beautiful makeover. Isn’t it fun to see a little unloved object become a loved treasure?
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Simply gorgeous, Jen!! I’ve got a few pieces half done, myself, I better to working on them. Pinning ~ Amy
Lara says
WOW – the dresser looks amazing! And yes, I have Way Too Many projects that have gotten offtrack and now just sit… sad and unfinished. I must say your dresser has given me hope and inspires me to get back to work! I have questions — what “booth” are you talking about? in a shop? oooohhh, would LOVE to see/shop!
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! And the fact that it was FREE makes it even better! Pinned! I popped over from Lil’ Luna–thanks for sharing!
~Abby =)
Jen says
Thanks, Amy! Half finished is better than where you started. 😉
Jen says
Thank you so much, Abby! Glad you stopped by!
Jen says
Thank you Lara, that’s so kind of you to say! Actually I just rented a booth space at the beginning of this month – you can read more about it here: https://girlinthegarage.net/2013/06/big-announcement-booth-space It has several more items there now than in the photos when I first set up.
Jen says
Thank you Nancy! You’ve had some pretty awesome pieces yourself; hard work and determination usually achieves better results right? 🙂
Trisha D. says
Just stopped over from Dria’s (http://diohomeimprovements.com/) Facebook post. I’m always drawn to classic Black and White.
I’ll have to take a look around and become your latest reader!
Jen says
Thanks so much Trisha – Glad to have you visiting! 🙂
Ruth@LivingWellSpendingLess says
Hi Jen! I hopped over from Sugar Bee Crafts – you should totally be proud of how this dresser turned out. Drab to fab – it looks awesome!
We would love for you to link this up with us at Living Well Spending Less! You can link up any of your thrifty projects each Thursday – we would love to have you join us! http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/category/thrifty-thursday/
Jen says
Ruth, thank you so much! I am pretty proud of it. (blushing) 🙂 I just stopped by your party and linked up- thanks for the invite!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
This dresser is beautiful! Good pick on the hardware! It goes perfect with the dresser.
Stopping by from Happy Hour Friday. Have a wonderful weekend!
Kathryn says
I swear my parents have the same dresser! It looks so much better in grey! So pretty!
pam♥ says
è assolutamente perfetto, bellissimo!!!!!
Mrs. Handyverger says
Stunning! I absolutely love it. What a labor of love, though, with all the little details! Beautiful job. 🙂
Stopping by from DIY by Design!
Jamie says
Wow! I think we’ve all seen ugly dressers like that one. You’ve done an amazing job!! Thank you so much for sharing at Give Me The Goods Monday!
Jamie @ Better With Age
Lauren says
Great job. That looks amazing. I wish I could find an old piece like that. I would love it if you would link up to my link party.
http://www.ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/tuesday-link-party-23.html
Tania says
I love it, so beautiful! I would have been embarrassed too, but would have braved it too get my hands on that! :o)
Tania
Tanya says
Your dresser is gorgeous Jen! Thank you so much for sharing her at the Pretty Things party 🙂
xo, Tanya
twelveOeight
Clydia @ THREE MANGO SEEDS says
Gorgeous Jen! You did a really great job! xoxo
Angela @ CreativeBlossoming.com says
Such a beautiful piece of furniture. Your makeover really did it justice! Great job & go you for finishing it! I too know that feeling.
Jen @ Migonis Home says
LOVE THIS!!! I just found you via the Before and After link up party! You had such a great vision… and seriously, who in their right mind would have that piece of furniture without painting it!?!?!
Susan says
I loved seeing this. I found and bought the matching armoire at my local Salvation Army in MI. I thought the doors where awesome as well! They may have come from that same 80’s bedroom. Mines the yin to your yang, I painted it black. I love seeing what it would look like if I ever wanted to repaint it white. Great job!!
Jen says
That sounds awesome- I would love to see the matching armoire! I bet it’s gorgeous.
Lauren says
I am featuring your dresser today on my blog. Thanks for linking it up. I hope to see you again later today for another link party.
http://www.ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/
Jen says
Thanks so much Lauren! 😉
iris says
This came out amazingly beautiful!!
MK says
I bought a tall chest-of-drawers with the exact same design from Salvation Army. It may have come from the same bedroom b/c it had some loose wood, heavy wear, and one of the metal drawer tracks was completely off (it was there but it wasn’t attached). My college daughter said, “Oooooh, Mom, why did you buy that ugly thing?” I painted it lime green to go with the teal, aqua, & lime green fabric in my craft room. May sound crazy, but it is the definition of a “pop of color” & now my daughter wants it for herself (not happening). It looks so fun and I only paid $25 for it. Not free, but $25 is ok!
Kara says
Oh my goodness! This is gorgeous!!! You did such an amazing job!
Louise says
Oh, my gosh, that is just BEAUTIFUL! And the black hardware just pops against the light gray. Paint is such a magical substance. I love how it just transforms things.
I have an old dresser in my garage that I have partially redone. It isn’t fancy, and had water damage, but it will make great storage for my craft room. I replaced the damaged side, and now it needs paint. I’ve been working on other projects, though, so there it sits.
Jen says
Thank you so much Louise – good luck finishing your dresser!
Trista says
Drop dead gorgeous! And I had to laugh at your story. My husband was horrified that I snagged a sweet mirror from the Goodwill drop off castoffs. “You’re supposed to leave things, not trade them!” LOL!
kathy marez says
Just love how you turned that poor, unloved dresser into something trendy and pretty. I’m sure it will fine a new home, where it will be cherished as is its due. Lots of good storage and still a lot of life left in this beauty. Always enjoy seeing you bring new life and purpose to tired old furniture. So nice when you compare to what you will find in retail stores these days.
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Beautiful, as always, Jen!!
Jen says
Thank you! LOL – that sounds like something my husband would say! 🙂
SONJA says
hi would you mind sharing the colour of paint you used?
Jen says
Hi Sonja, I’m sorry but I did this project a couple years ago and I don’t know the name of the paint color anymore. If you’re looking for a light gray I would suggest checking Paris Grey which is made by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Hope that helps 🙂
K says
Hello, I am new to this DYI world but I am extremely interested in refurbishing furniture. Do you paint with a paint sprayer or by brush? In your opinion which is best? Your answer would be greatly appreciated. Your work is fantastic.
Thanks,
K