Friend, I have such a sweet little piece to share with you. My mom found this for me at a yard sale for just $20. It was in pretty good condition, although fairly small. Today I’ll show you how to prep and paint a nightstand white, and how to add some fun pattern and color – after a frustrating fail that made me rethink the whole design.
First though, this vintage nightstand has one deep drawer on the bottom and then this secret turning “drawer” on top that I assume used to be for sewing supplies, but is also perfect for hiding jewelry. Pretty neat, right? You push on the left side and it spins to open.
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I cleaned the piece and removed the knobs. I knew this would have trouble with bleed-through, so I primed it with two coats of my favorite shellac primer – this stuff dries super fast! It does have a smell before it dries though, so make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area. You can grab my free guide for how to properly prep furniture for painting here.
This actually stayed primed for a few weeks while I was working on other projects and having quality family time. (This will be relevant in a moment…)
My plan was to use a gorgeous rub-on furniture transfer (from a new brand which I found on Amazon) on the front. I painted the inside of the jewelry drawer in Ooh La La by Country Chic Paint to coordinate with the flowers on the transfer.
Then I chose to paint the nightstand white (Simplicity by Country Chic Paint) with one of my favorite Purdy paint brushes. I applied 2-3 coats for even coverage. When dry, I sanded all over with 320-grit sandpaper for smoothness.
This is where things went wonky. The transfer I ordered had three different sheets, all very similar. I chose one and it was pretty much the perfect size – wonderful! I planned to start rubbing on the transfer and then cut as needed for the drawers.
You guys know I’ve been painting furniture over ten years and I’ve used dozens of rub-on transfers, but I’ve never had an experience like this before. I started rubbing on the transfer and when I gently lifted the plastic, it had completely removed the paint which had already cured for a couple days and the primer which had cured for almost a month. Crazy!
I don’t know if the transfer got too hot in the warehouse or during shipping, or what could’ve happened. Even though it was a small company I’ve never heard of, there were good reviews. Hopefully it was just a fluke, but I plan to stick with well-known transfer brands in the future like ReDesign with Prima or Iron Orchid Designs (there are others, but I’m most familiar with these).
I had to rush and find a Plan B though, because I needed to finish this project for Furniture Fixer Uppers day today! I didn’t have time to apply a couple more coats of primer and paint, so I decided on decoupage. No one would ever know the big fail that happened. I found a floral-design poster board in my stash, measured, and cut three pieces for the drawer fronts.
Then I decoupaged the poster pieces on with a thin coat of Mod Podge, pressing down for a couple minutes with my hand while it dried.
Finally, you’ll want to protect your painted nightstand with a topcoat like clear furniture wax (don’t wax over the decoupage area).
And now we have the exciting reveal of Plan B:
It’s not what I planned, and I’m super bummed the transfer didn’t work out, but I really like this outcome too. What do you think?
I also added new glass pulls (an amazing deal from Amazon here) that lets the pretty paper have the spotlight.
And here’s a peek inside the secret jewelry drawer with some of my goodies:
Remember that when you plan to paint a nightstand white (or any furniture white), that it’s a great idea to prime first to avoid pesky bleed-through.
I hope this project has inspired you! Please feel free to share this painted nightstand with a friend or Pin it to easily find again later. I appreciate you!
Now it’s time for some Furniture Fixer Upper fun with my blogging friends.
Below are their Before photos – visit the links underneath to see the stylish Afters and to learn how they did it:
1. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
2. Salvaged Inspirations
3. Petticoat Junktion
4. Girl in the Garage (you’re already here)
Sandra says
It was a sewing cabinet..the spoils set on the wooden poles
MrsSW says
It’s too bad the first transfer didn’t work – it’s a beauty. Your save turned out nicely.
I wonder if your nightstand could be a sewing cabinet – tall pegs for thread, small ones for bobbins?
Sheila
Janice says
Oh my! You really pulled that off with your plan B. Can you share which transfer company was the mishap – I mainly stick with DB or IOD but do look around for others. I’ve used Hokus Pokus with no issue; I did have one DB where the transfer would not release in places from the backing – no matter how much I rubbed. I ended up removing the rest of it – that is a chore – buying the same one again and had no pronlem with that one. I think sometimes storage, shipping etc may affect the transfers. But, I love using them!! Always enjoy seeing everyone’s beauties on makeover Thursday. All of you are so creative and inspiring.
Stormee says
It’s too bad the transfer didn’t work out. It was really beautiful. The decoupage looks very nice. I do think the glass knobs get lost in the pattern of the decoupage, but I don’t know if painted knobs would look better.
I agree with Sheila that the nightstand is actually a sewing cabinet with the secret drawer for thread and bobbins.
Great job on the transformation.
gwen says
This is so cute! I’ve never seen or even heard of floral poster board!
And I agree with Sheila above, my first thought is that it’s actually a sewing cabinet, but your made it work for jewelry, so why not!
Niki says
So cute Jen! I’m bummed for you that the transfer didn’t work- it was so pretty. Your improvise worked great though and overall this little cabinet/nightstand turned out lovely.
Julie says
Turned out great! That transfer was pretty so sad it didn’t work. This is definitely a vintage sewing cabinet where you keep spools of thread 🙂
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
ohhh, that transfer was so beautiful but I bet you wanted to rip it to shreds after it peeled your paint… uggghhhh. You created something super sweet with your decoupage though… I LOVE IT! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
That’s awful about the transfer because when I first saw it I thought I need to have that transfer. Did you call the company to see what they said? Do you mind sharing the company so I know not to order from there?
Fran says
Did you use Mod Lodge over the drawer fronts? This is such an interesting piece. I know your frustration. I have a piece to the side because of reconstructing. I have never seen the poster board you used. It has so many possibilities . Beautiful!!!!
Christy James says
Wow! I love plan B so much! That stinks about the transfer, but you worked your magic! XOXO
Kathy from Jax says
Hi, it’s been a while since I’ve commented but I wanted you to know what a beautiful gem you found. This is a spool cabinet. I actually have one that belonged to my grandmother. The small pegs are for holding spools of thread. You have brought this lady back to life. It is darling. Love the color with the decopage.. looking g forward to what you do next. All of you girls are so creative.
Rebecca says
I that same problem with one of my transfers. It was very humid and hot outside and even though I was painting inside with air conditioning, the transfer did the same thing. It’s heartbreaking to peel it up and see all your hard work has lifted with it 🙁
Rebecca says
So pretty. Greatly done.
Mary Emerling/Young says
Very nice. I used to have the same sewing cabnet also bought a yard sale. I used it as an end table.
Caye Cooper says
Such a bummer about the transfer! BUT, this turned out just awful gosh darn cute. I believe it’s a sewing cabinet as well, and you have repurposed it just lovely. Good job.
Kelly Schulte says
Great save! This is beautiful!
Do Dodson says
Oh my goodness! Why am I just now finding you? Your work is beautiful and I’m a sucker for decoupage on painted furniture. I’m so glad I found you via Denise at Salvaged Inspirations. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Do! Your work is gorgeous! So happy to have you visiting GITG! xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you so much, Kelly!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
You’re so sweet, Caye – thank you!!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you, Mary! It is the perfect size for an end table!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Rebecca! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Oh my gosh, yes it’s awful! I did all my transfer work inside too. It had to have been a temperature issue at the warehouse or during shipping. 🙁 (That’s why I didn’t want to blast the manufacturer, I don’t really think it’s their fault)
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you so much, Kathy! So thankful for your comment and to have you following along! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much my sweet friend! xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Fran! I think I got the poster board from Hobby Lobby awhile go. I haven’t put Mod Podge on the front yet, but yes I plan to! I just ran out of time before the blog post. 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
I know, that transfer is gorgeous! I’m still sad about it. I think it’s really an issue with the temperature at the Amazon warehouse or during shipping, so I didn’t want to post the manufacturer name because I really don’t think it’s their fault. 🙁 I’m just planning to stay away from ordering any transfers on Amazon now.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, Denise! I’m so sad the transfer didn’t work out, but thankfully there was another quick way to salvage the table. xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Julie! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
I appreciate your sweet comment – thanks Niki!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Gwen! I think I found the poster board at Hobby Lobby awhile ago. 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, Stormee!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Janice! I think it’s really an issue with the temperature at the Amazon warehouse or during shipping, so I didn’t want to post the manufacturer name because I really don’t think it’s their fault. 🙁 I’m just planning to stay away from ordering any transfers on Amazon now. (It’s not any of the ones you mentioned though)
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Sheila – yes I think so too! 🙂