$12 Dresser Transformation

I found this broken beauty for $12 at a thrift store while shopping with my niece.  The top drawer had a major chunk missing from it.  None the less, I loved it and I was so ecstatic  that I forgot I was not the one driving.  Cris had a smaller SUV than I realized, and there were 3 of us on the shopping adventure.  Fortunately we only had a few miles to go and as long as I was okay squeezing my body in among our purchases and sprawling out in the back with the dresser, it was going to work out.  But, I forgot that I too had gotten a new SUV and it was a bit smaller than my last, I just wasn't sure it would fit like I KNEW it would in my old one.  

 

 

 

 

Luckily this story has a happy ending.  I got it to my house 2 hours away without much trouble.  I filled in the gouges as much as I thought necessary, then I painted and distressed it.  

 

Is it perfect?  Nope.  Do I care?  Not at all.  I hate shiny new furniture.

 

I love the way the paint turned out.  I have to admit I am not sure how I got this crackle finish.  I do have a suspicion.   Because I use chalk paint on most of my furniture (I mix it myself with un-sanded tile grout) I do not sand before painting.  My basement where I work is only about 60 degrees so I use a heat gun to help the paint dry.  I only waited about an hour after it dried before I applied the poly top coat.  After returning to put on a second top coat I discovered the crackle.  I must admit I love it!   

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not bad for $12  :)

 

Keep on pickin'

Kelly

Surprise Pink Princess Dresser

One of the perks of having a salvage store, or thrift shop, is that people drop off unwanted items and often donations come in that I am able to transform.  Such was the case with this dresser.  I did not get a picture of it before, but it was just a plain 1950ish lightly stained dresser.  I recently acquired an overhead projector and drew the crowns on with a sharpie marker.

I love the little surprise of pink in and around the drawers but not on the outside.  It is a pleasant surprise and a little pop of color that this piece needed!

 

 

Keep Pickin'

Kelly

 

 

 

Dressers

It's been a crazy few months focusing on selling our home, therefore my creative time was limited.  I am finally to the point in which I have found a balance and have made sure that I am taking a couple of days a week to work on new projects.  I still hate to write, so the following are some of my latest transformations.  May you find inspiration:)



BEFORE



AFTER

$5 yard sale find BEFORE...I loved the color combo but the paint was peeling so bad it came off in sheets.  I had to completely strip it and repair the top and every drawer.






AFTER...All fresh paint:)

Freebie...BEFORE...lots of peeling veneer and trashed top.




 

AFTER...new top, new mirror and distressed paint.


 

 

 

Keep Pickin'

Kelly

 





Another play kitchen:)

So, I am not much of a cook and don't spend too much time in the kitchen so I find it kind of funny that I have been making play kitchens for kids!   Maybe if I had one when I was little I would like cooking now?

NAH!

 But some youngster is going to be very happy:)

 

 

Shelf BEFORE.




 

I am not sure of the purpose of the boxes on the top of this unit, but I pulled them off, shaved a little off each side and hung them on the inside of the shelf.  Perhaps a place to put spices...or you know...other kitchen kind of thingies.

 

 

 

Kitchen comes with a real faucet and stainless steel sink...a.k.a... a dog dish.  

 

I finally found a use for all those CD's I bought intending to burn some music and jam out while spinning!  LOL!

On to another adventure...headed out to pick 3 barns on Tuesday.  Can't wait to see what treasures will reveal themselves to me:)

Until then...
Pick on!

Kelly

Dressers

It has been a week of dressers.  I have had these stacked in my garage all summer and finally got a chance to work on them.  With all the cool ideas running around on Pinterest I had some deciding to do. 

 

One of several dressers I had which was missing a drawer.
 

 

This dresser was one that I was alerted about. (Sorry no before photo)  It was just sitting in a dumpster waiting for a home.  It was falling apart and missing 2 drawers but I knew it had potential. 

  

 

 

Since this dresser/TV stand sold in about an HOUR I decided to stick with the color and stencil pattern for a couple more pieces.

 

1950's desk and dresser to match

Another dresser with a broken drawer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, my new FaVOriTe, an 1880's  Eastlake Victorian beauty, came to me in at least 15 pieces.   All the drawers had fallen apart and it had NO hardware. Not to mention...the top was missing and originally was probably a marble top. There goes my budget, even if I did get it for $15!  

 

 

It was quite a large project for me to take on. Normally I don't take time to restore furniture because it takes more time, energy, and $$$$$.   But THIS one was going to be worth it I just knew.

 Most of the wood was in good condition, it had wooden key escutcheons for keys and the drawers had lovely scallop edging.

 

 

 

 

I was able to reassemble it, strip it and refinish it without much problem.  I bought the hardware on ebay and though it isn't an exact match (I saw the outline of the original hardware which indicated it had a diamond backplate and loop handle) it looks great.!

 

 

Since my budget did not allow for real marble, I went ahead and FAUX painted a piece of plywood.  I must admit I am happy with the results and have decided to keep it for myself:)

 

 

Good Pickin'

Kelly