Saturday, November 7, 2009

The Painted Dresser

I have to tell you, I am so excited with how this project turned out! I think I'm going to be totally addicted to painting old furniture and giving it new life in my home. Yes, it was a lot of work and yes I learned a lot but it was a labour of love and so worth it. Do you ever finish a project you are just thrilled with and keep going into that room just to look at it?

So here's the dresser in the state I brought it home in. Chips and worn off finish on the top, both drawers had major chips where they meet but all in all....beautiful lines and sound frame and the drawers worked well.



First a little repair and then a whole lot of sanding. As I got to work, I was so excited to see my vision taking shape and it looking better and better with each coat of primer and then paint. I sanded in the shop out back but freezing temperatures made me haul the dresser inside. Paint needs to dry not freeze. I pushed the kitchen table off to the side and worked right in the kitchen. A plastic drop cloth protected the floor and it actually worked well as the little boys were able to chat with me and do their own crafting as I worked.


After two coats of primer that was slightly tinted with black to a grey tone, I was excited to get up the next day and start on the black paint. I used the Behr Black Suede paint. Being inspired by Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick, I followed her advice on painting furniture and it worked out well.


Five coats of paint later, I put the original hardware back on and called it finished. I'm still trying to decide about distressing the edges. I may just leave it for now and then, when it starts to get distressed with wear, make it look like it's supposed to be that way. Hubby's not too into the distressed look so we'll see.

I love how the light from the window highlights the details on the dresser.



Finally decorating the dresser. I must admit I kind of just threw some of my favorite things together on it that I'd been collecting around my kitchen. It's a little country looking here but I think if I took of the red gingham and that metal star, the "sideboard" would look lovely and elegant in style as well. The red gingham is just using what I have on hand. It's a table cloth that I've just folded up. I think it will add a fun touch of red for the upcoming Christmas season and it cost me nothing. Use what you have!


Totally copied this sweet scrabble tiles idea from Tiffany at {happy day}. I just thought it was the coolest idea for a shop your house decoration and you can change the word each season. Fun! And whimsical too.


I'm thrilled with this project. It fills an empty hole, warms up the room, gives me a table to decorate and look at those huge drawers! You can never have enough storage can you?!

This project links up to...







Have a beautiful day!

Julia

46 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I, like you, just finished my first DIY furniture project redo. I also used the black suede Behr paint. :)

    You did a fantastic job and I love how it came together with decorating on top too. Plus, you can't beat free when shopping around the house!

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  2. Oh wow, it is stunning painted black and I love the pretty vignette you have on top. Gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

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  3. I love your new dresser, and the way you've decorated it, especially using the Scrabble tiles - what a neat idea!

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  4. Oh my gosh... that piece is amazing! The lines just look so incredible in black. And I have to tell you, I did the knowing nod when I saw how you hauled it into your kitchen. :)

    The scrabble idea was icing on the cake. I'm so stealing that one!

    Amazing outcome!

    Thanks for linking up to SNS #4!

    Funky Junk Donna

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  5. So incredibly warm and GORGEOUS, Julia! What an amazing job you did with this--you're quite a decorator, too--love how you finished it off with a beautiful fall setting. Well done!

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  6. Looks GREAT!!! I love to paint furniture.

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  7. It turned out great. I love the accessories on the top (I've never seen the Scrabble idea.) I have the opposite problem, hauling things in the house to avoid humidity.

    @cheapchichome.

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  8. Gorgeous!! And I love the added Scrabble tiles...what an easy idea!

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  9. Your dresser turned out beautiful. I love your paint color in the room too.

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  10. FABULOUS. nice work, Julia! Love the scrabble decor piece too. Cute.

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  11. Hi Julia, congrats on starting a new blog! I'm adding it to my Google Reader right now.

    The dresser is AWESOME! It looks very expensive.

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  12. Julia,

    I just featured you in my weekly feature called "That's one fabulous Diyer". Come check it out!

    Jane @ Finding Fabulous

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  13. How gorgeous! You have soooo inspired me to want to do that now. I really love the Scrabble letters for accent. Great job!
    ~ Jill

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  14. Just beautiful! Welcome to the blogging world, it's a great resource for DIY-ing. It looks fabulous. Someday I will tackle something as big as that...good work!

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  15. I'm so digging Black Suede.

    On that antique-looking dresser.

    Sweet dreams.

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  16. I just love it. you make it look so easy... it takes me WEEKS to do furniture (due to my 3 kids)

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  17. I have a dresser in the garage that I would love to paint but I'm too ascared!!

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  18. Love the lines on that dresser! My thinking of late has been, BLACK is the new WHITE! lol
    I'm loving everything black lately!
    Great job and it looks fantastic where you have it~
    Lisa

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  19. Wow, how did I miss commenting on this! Thanks so much for your participation in FFF last week. I love the shape of this dresser and the black was a perect choice. Always clean and classy.

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  20. Your dresser is featured on my blog right now. Just an FYI and great job!

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  21. What a beautiful piece and you did a beautiful job, too! You had great vision, too.
    ~Nancy

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  22. I just saw you linked up, this is BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  23. You earned the right to be proud! Great transformation.

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  24. Love this! I was totally confused when I saw this over at Tip Junkie. I have nearly the same dresser and I painted mine black too.

    Mine was a total wreck when I bought it but it's much better now.

    I love yours too!

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Thanks for stopping by Finding Beauty @ Home. And thanks for your lovely comments. I appreciate each one. Have a beautiful day!

Julia