Hi friends! Today is Themed Furniture Makeover Day with 18 or so of my close blogging buddies. This month’s theme is Industrial, which we all interpreted in our own way. See all of my past TFMD projects HERE.
This is how my piece started:
Several months ago I went with my mom to look at a dining set that someone was selling on Facebook. When we got there, the seller had already loaded this dresser into his pickup to take to Goodwill. Of course I couldn’t help checking it out, and he said I could just have it since it would save him from driving it to the store. When someone says that, it’s really hard for me to say no. (Oh, and my mom bought the dining set – thankfully everything fit into our vehicles!)
I knew I wanted to completely transform it, and I found my inspiration piece for a DIY industrial dresser: the Illusorio Cabinet from Anthropologie which retails for $1698. (Isn’t it gorgeous?!)
I took the drawers out and removed the old hardware.
To mimic thinner drafting drawers, I bought balsa wood strips, cut them to size, and glued them on with E6000 (seriously like the strongest glue ever). I purposely left a gap between the balsa strips on each drawer to look like the Anthro version.
The lengthy part was measuring and drilling 24 new holes for the 12 new cup pulls I got from D. Lawless Hardware.
The first drawer was finished! The hardware was just on to see how it looked, of course I had to remove it to paint. I was just really anxious to see if my vision was going to turn out like I hoped.
I tried to use paint I already had at home, so first I painted the entire piece in some leftover dark brown/gray. Then I dry brushed a light tan over the entire piece, but I didn’t like the way it looked with the pulls. Finally I caved and bought a sample size of Leather Satchel (Valspar latex) and dry brushed it over the other colors. I think it accents the antique bronze in the pulls perfectly.
My industrial dresser is darker than the Anthropologie version, but I still love how it turned out.
Here’s a closeup of the absolutely gorgeous cup pulls from D. Lawless Hardware – I don’t even think this photo does them justice!
And SHHHH…. no one has to know that there are only six drawers instead of twelve.
Someone got jealous that I was taking photos and not giving her any attention. FYI Abby is doing great – she’s still doing chemo for her lymphoma but she’s in remission now. <3
Here’s a handy before/after graphic if you’d like to Pin it for easy reference later:
Thanks so much for visiting with me today! I hope you’ve been inspired by my industrial dresser makeover. It can be used in a bedroom, in an office as a credenza, a foyer, etc. It will be going to my booth as soon as I wax it.
Disclosure: I did receive free hardware for this project. In no way does that affect my opinion of the product.
– Jen
Next up: Visit my friends’ projects below!
Paula@SweetPea says
What an incredible makeover! Your piece looks even better than the Anthropologie version.
So glad that your sweet dog is in remission. 🙂
Paula@SweetPea recently posted…DIY Industrial Table (Vanity Bench Makeover)
Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says
Hold on…I just passed out a second..that turned out so amazingly gorgeous, I can’t even believe its the same piece!!!
Jen says
Oh my goodness- thank you Karin!!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Wow, Jen!! That is an amazing transformation!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule recently posted…Industrial Cart Makeover (Themed Furniture)
Jeanette says
Once again I like your piece so much better Jen. I love the darker color and the price! Great idea to add wood the give the look of thinner drawers.
Jeanette recently posted…Industrial Furniture Makeover
Lisa says
That is soooo beautiful.I love everything you do….I live through you as I have no patience or vision for makeovers. Well only in my head anything else does not work unless it’s small craft /non furniture projects!
The picture of the dresser as two tone- brown & plain balsa wood with drawer pull is a cool look also.
Have a Great weekend.
Lisa
Jen says
Thank you so much Lisa – I hope you have a wonderful weekend also! 🙂
Melissa says
Fabulous makeover!!! I am really in love with the wall map – could you share your source??
Jen says
Thank you so much, Melissa! The map is actually a shower curtain from Urban Outfitters. 😉
Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge says
Lucky you to score this piece! I like your version better than the Anthro one. And 6 drawers are perfect. Great makeover, once again.
Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge recently posted…Industrial Cart Makeover Project
Lucy @ Patina Paradise says
Wow, what an ambitious undertaking especially considering you are preggers! Your piece turned out stunning and I prefer the colour of yours to the Antrhopologie one.
Kimm at Reinvented says
Wow, Jen, that is gorgeous! I LOVE the color. Amazing makeover!!
Kimm at Reinvented recently posted…Typewriter Table, Reinvented
Jen says
Thank you so much, Kimm!
Kathy @petticoatjunktion says
I really, really, really, love it Jen!
Kathy @petticoatjunktion recently posted…Rustic Modern Industrial Meets Shabby Chic
Jen says
Thank you, thank you, thank you Kathy! 🙂
Angela says
WOW!! It looks amazing!
Angela recently posted…Letting GO
Jen says
Thank you so much, Angela! xo
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
Wow! You rocked this makeover! Love it and I wouldn’t have known it was the same one…at all! Super, super job!
Wendi @ H2OBungalow recently posted…Faux Painted Zinc Dresser
Jen says
Thanks so much, Wendi! xo
Renee says
Just beautiful. I love how detailed your blog is. I would use your piece as an inspiration piece!
Jen says
That’s so sweet – thank you so much Renee!
Jeanette @ Snazzy Little Things says
I’m totally in love with this look, every time I want more pops of color I always go back to this industrial look. Awesome work, Jen!
Jeanette @ Snazzy Little Things recently posted…Budget outdoor decor hacks…
Jen says
Thank you so much, Jeanette!
Tami @ Curb Alert! says
Jen, wow! I actually like the grayish tone better than the original! You did an amazing job once again!
Tami
Jen says
Thanks so much, Tami!
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
Genius! I love how you used the wood to simulate the multiple drawers. The color is perfect, and those pulls really are beautiful!
Jen says
Thank you so much, Meredith!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says
You did a fabulous job with this project, Jen! I love the technique you used on the drawers…I’m inspired! Thank you for the tutorial, too! Pinning!
So glad to hear your sweet dog is in remission…
Jen says
Thank you so much, Linda!
Sandy says
I absolutely love how this turned out! Would you be able to give me instructions on how to replicate this? I have a laminate dresser that I’m hoping I can do this to but I haven’t the slightest idea where to start. It’s my first time but you’ve inspired me!
Jen says
Thank you Sandy! 🙂 I believe all the directions are included in the blog post- is there anything specific that you have more questions about? You can also email me at [email protected] if you want.
Lucy @ Patina Paradise says
Hey Jen, just wanted to let you know that I will be featuring your anthropolgie inspired dresser tonight on FRIDAY’S FURNITURE FIX. http://www.patinaparadise.com
patrick patterson says
There is this grey dresser you painted and you added strips of wood to make it look like there are more drawers. Can you please tell me how you painted it and what you used? I want to do something like that. Thanks so much! Patrick
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Patrick, I have done a few like that. 🙂 This is a gray one I did last year: https://girlinthegarage.net/2017/10/diy-card-catalog-dresser-makeover All of the steps should be in that post. If you still have questions, you can leave another comment or shoot me an email: [email protected] Hope that helps!