This post is brought to you by Decor Steals. All opinions are 100% my own.
Update: I am so honored to have this painted dresser vanity appear in Better Homes and Gardens magazine! Read more about the feature Here.
Today I have an awesome makeover to share with you guys – not only because the Before and After are so totally opposite but because the knobs I used on this dresser/vanity makeover are from Decor Steals, the fabulous daily deal site. I’m honored to be the featured blogger showcasing their lovely black drawer pulls.
Do you remember this piece from my Treasure Hunting post?
I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with it. Seriously, it looked like a lot of work to undo all those squares and bunnies and flowers, and I wasn’t looking forward to it.
Then Decor Steals sent me these black drawer pulls and I knew I wanted a more high-end look for this piece. I decided on upholstery tacks (aka nail heads) – similar to this vanity I painted before.
I was worried about the existing colors bleeding through the dresser, so I sanded it by hand and then brushed on two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Country Grey to test the coverage.
It DID cover the colors, but unfortunately the texture of the shapes was so thick that it still looked pretty bad. So I had to attack it with my electric hand sander (which took off all the paint I had just used… boo) and then I repainted the whole thing.
I added some Annie Sloan clear wax and then it was looking good! But it was still a little too plain.
How to Add an Upholstery Tack Pattern to Furniture
I sketched out about 10 different designs for the tacks and this one below was the winner (I’m sure this art will be worth a fortune someday). 😉
So I measured about a million times and made tiny dots with a pencil all over the drawers. Then I pulled each drawer out and hammered the tacks over the dots.
After the last nailhead vanity I did, some readers suggested that I use pliers to grip the tack while hammering – a much better option than using your fingers! And it went much much quicker this time.
Here’s the first drawer finished:
And here’s all three together:
Don’t the tacks look so pretty with the porcelain pulls from Decor Steals?
Here’s the full view below:
I love the chic shine of the black pulls and tacks.
I styled it with some of my favorite home accessories…
Here’s a handy Before and After comparison – feel free to Pin this project to easily find it again later:
I’m happy to report that this piece sold quickly from my booth (I love when that happens).
What do you think of this sweet nailhead vanity makeover?
Rachel from Shades of Blue Interiors also used hardware from Decor Steals on two gorgeous dressers today – click HERE to check them out.
I’d love for you to share or Pin this project so others can be inspired too. I appreciate you! – Jen
You might also like this project: Faux Antique Steamer Trunk Tutorial
Mari says
Jen absolutely beautiful! Love this share!!!
Lindsay Eidahl says
Great job! I want to try this!
Lindsay Eidahl recently posted…A Spring Day My Way
Heather J says
Oh my gosh! That is awesome, girl! That is definitely original! You nailed that on the head;) Absolutely gorgeous!
Heather J recently posted…Almost to the finish line
Hope Williams says
OH MY GOODNESS!
Absolutely Stunning!
Maureen says
You create the best stuff! Love seeing these posts!
Jen says
Aww, thank you Maureen!!
Debra says
Phenomenal job! One of my personal favourites of everything you’ve done!
Jen says
Thank you so much Debra – that’s so sweet!
Jenny says
Jen,
my absolute favorite project you have done to date! Bravo!!!
Are the pulls the kind with a nut to hold them in on back or the kind where it screws into the knob itself?
Jenny recently posted…Free Kitchen Label Printables from Renovar
Linda says
Love love love this!
Susan Ballard says
Jen~ you really have an eye for style and design! If I ever get up your way I would love to meet you! I live in Texas. I have relatives though in the mid-west.
I love the neutral color you chose to cover all the squares. The squares were definitely overdone!! The simplicity of the nail head design you chose came through nicely with the Knobs. Not over done at all. In the design field less is more.
The furniture piece really is not a vanity. It is however a chest of drawers with a matching mirror. A vanity is a furniture piece that has a cut out space below for your legs to slide under and a shelf or two for make-up application. I have a 1920’s vanity made of cherry wood with the full-size matching bed and a 4 drawer tall men’s chest. If you send me your email address I will gladly send you a picture of this beautiful set. Keep up the great design work!
Carol Paulus-Kalis says
This dresser is soooo sharp. I love the upholstery tacks and they way they look with the drawer pulls….well all I can say is “va-va-va-voom!” You did an excellent job. So unusual and a conversation piece.
Carol P-K
Laura @ RatherSquare.com says
Great transformation! I really like the contrast of the nailhead pattern and pulls with the white paint. It definitely modernizes this piece. Love it!
Laura @ RatherSquare.com recently posted…A DIY Ikea Tarva dresser for our modern kid
Jen says
Thank you Laura!
Beth H says
What a cool piece!! How in the world do you measure the spacing between each head?? Great job.
Jen says
Thank you Beth! I kind of eyeballed the spacing, but each dot that I marked was about an inch apart.
Tabatha@ChicByTab says
I’m so happy I have found you!!!
Tabatha@ChicByTab recently posted…Coffee Table Make-Over #2
Karen says
This is so clever. I like so much the elegance and simplicity. It is sophisticated design! OR: ya did good!
Jen says
Thank you Karen! 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
I love this makeover! Your design is perfection and adds the perfect touch to this piece.
Paula@SweetPea recently posted…Pottery Barn Inspired Media Console Makeover
Jen says
Thank you so much, Paula!
Julie Shearer says
Love this!!! I just found some old furniture tacks at an estate sale…. I can’t wait to try this!!! Thanks for sharing
Jen says
Thank you so much, Julie! I would love to see your project when it’s finished! 🙂