I hope you are having a great weekend so far. It was a beautiful day here today, with the sun shining and a nice warm breeze. We have been very lucky so far this winter. For the most part, it has been one of the warmest winters that we have experienced in many years. Over the past month it has been feeling like spring is on its way, even though we technically still have another two months before its spring here in western Canada.
All of this warm weather has had me itching to get into my garage to work on some of my painting projects. Over the winter, I have been using my basement laundry room as a make-shift painting area. I am definitely missing working outside, but the current set-up will have to do for now.
Last summer, I came across this solid oak dresser on Kijiji. It was only $25 and it looked to be in good condition, so I quickly messaged the lady that was selling the dresser that I was interested, and two hours later it was mine.
Here is the before picture of the dresser from the ad on Kijiji. It is not a great picture, but it should give you an idea what I was working with. I had a plan to paint the body of the dresser a creamy-grey colour with a dark stained top.
And now I give you the after…
What a difference adding paint and stain can make! This dresser was first painted in two coats of dark grey primer. Then I made a white-wash mixture with cream paint and a little bit of water and painted the base of the dresser, rubbing off the paint in spots as it dried with a downward sweeping motion. This aging technique covered up the majority of the oak wood grain with some of the gray primer and just a hint of texture showing through.
I stained the top of the dresser with a dark walnut gel stain. I really love the way it turned out!
Finally, the dresser was then given a distressed finish, allowing the dark gray primer to show through and many layers of clear coat were applied for protection.
The original hardware on the dresser was a little chunky for the look I was going for. I wanted something a little more feminine and with a bit of a design. I purchased new knobs and ring pulls from Lee Valley. They only came in a aged brass finish so I set out to paint them so they would contrast nicely with the dresser finish.
After priming the hardware with black metal primer, I painted them with a couple of thin coats of Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. Then to give them a bit more definition, I lightly applied AMACO Rub ‘n Buff Wax Metallic Finish, Spanish Copper, 0.05-Fluid Ounce
They have so much richness now with a touch of glitz.
I am really happy the way that this little dresser turned out. It provides a lot of storage space and I love that it is a versatile piece of furniture that I could see myself using almost anywhere in my house.
The antique chair to the right of the dresser is also one of my thrifty finds. I haven’t decided yet if I will be reupholstering or slip covering it to have it tie in more with my decor.
The accessories on top of the dresser are a sneak peak for my next post. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and long weekend if you are from Canada.
Parties I’ve Linked Up To:
Mom 4 Real – 4 Real Friday Link Party ~ Remodelaholic – Remodelaholic’s Anonymous ~ Be Different Act Normal – Show and Tell Saturdays ~ Mum of All Trades – Weekend Wonders Blog Link Party ~ My Romantic Home – Show and Tell Friday ~ Fingerprints on the Fridge – Feature Yourself Friday ~ French Country Cottage – Feathered Nest Friday ~ Somewhat Simple – Strut Your Stuff Link Party ~ Delightful Order – Delightfully Inspiring Thursday ~ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating – Flaunt it Friday ~ Savvy Southern Style – Wow Us Wednesdays ~ Beyond the Picket Fence – Under $100 Link Party ~ Faded Charm – White Wednesday ~~ Fingerprints on the Fridge – Feature Yourself Friday~ Restore Interiors – Restored It Wednesday ~Thrifty Decor Chick – March Before and After Party ~
Don’t miss a post on thrifty transformations, crafts, DIY projects and more!
Subscribe to Hooked on Decorating by Email
16 comments
1 ping
jennifer
February 19, 2012 at 12:11 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The dresser turned out beautiful! I love pieces that can work anywhere in the house.
nancy pfeifer
February 19, 2012 at 12:59 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
WOW!!! This is amazing!! I love it! I will be working on an old dresser I bought at a garage sale! I can’t wait to see what it will look like :) first time visiting your blog. I have a linky on Tuesdays, if you’d like to stop by :)
Sarah
February 19, 2012 at 9:26 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
What a difference!!! I love it!
Carrie
February 19, 2012 at 8:49 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks Jennifer, Nancy and Sarah for your nice comments. Thanks for stopping by! :)
Nancy, I will have to check out your linky party.
Rachel
February 19, 2012 at 9:36 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Love it, I joined your blog, I am number 6.
http://re-purposedrestorations-rachel.blogspot.com/
robin
February 21, 2012 at 6:21 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
It’s GORGEOUS!!!! I absolutely love how this dresser turned out! I hope to copy it whenever I can find a cute little dresser to redo! :0)
~robin
Titia
February 23, 2012 at 11:11 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Love it…and like others have said. perfect for any room in your house. Good job :)
Lisa
February 24, 2012 at 8:29 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
It looks so good!
colleen
February 26, 2012 at 6:19 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
WHAT a transformation…amazing job…really brings that piece to life!…WOW!
Cathy
March 6, 2012 at 9:42 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
WOW!!! that is beautiful! well done.
Heather @ The Junktion
March 7, 2012 at 12:03 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Just saying HI to you and my dressers’ twin! :) I’m your newest follower!
Carrie
March 7, 2012 at 12:12 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Haha! Thanks for following Heather. I couldn’t find your subscribe button on your website so I could also follow you. Maybe I need to get my eyes checked. Can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks
Carrie
Carrie
March 7, 2012 at 12:11 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment! Carrie :)
claire
March 10, 2012 at 6:51 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
This is a real beauty-the hardware looks great too! Following you from TDC-stop by for a visit!
Monica Livas
May 26, 2012 at 2:35 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Amazin Job!
Carrie
May 27, 2012 at 7:44 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You are so sweet Monica! Thanks for your kind comments.
DIY chalk paint: hall table & hardware makeover » Hooked on Decorating
November 30, 2012 at 10:25 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
[...] Thrifty dresser transformation [...]