Friday, March 21, 2014

Antique Oak Dresser

While shopping around at a consignment shop I spotted this dresser and passed it right by.  After picking up my other things and going out the door I stopped again.  I. Just. Could. Not. Leave. It. There.  It was pitiful and crying out to me, "Please. Please take me home and rescue me!" :)

Ok, seriously.  It was hideously ugly with the worst paint job I have ever seen.  It was full of rat poop and spider webs.  The top was rotten through on the front corner and it was putrescently (yes, I made that word up.  I like doing that. ;) ) dirty.

Craig told me straight out it was a piece of crap, but I knew she had potential to be great again.  I figured with a little (ha!!) TLC I could resuscitate it.  Umm...yah.

After my sweet hubby sanded the top down with the belt sander I ended up just taking all the veneer off because of the rotten spot.  Someone had painted the original top, then stripped it, and then (without removing all the stripper gunk) put another piece of veneer over it.  Gah!  I had wanted a wood top but that was NOT happening!  

Then I sanded the whole thing down to the bare wood to get rid of two horrible layers of paint.  Funny story, the first color it was painted happened to be the color I wanted! :)

Then I went to paint it with MMS Apricot Strings and realized after doing the drawers (they sucked up the paint like a sponge) that I wouldn't have enough to do the entire thing without ordering more paint (which I was not going to do).  So, change of plans. 

 Anyhoo...the whole thing was a nightmare, but it's done now and I love it!!


 Before

After sanding it down I primed the body with Kilz to prevent bleed through and to give a smoother coat because the grain was so heavy. Then three coats of latex, sanding in between coats.

Milk paint (MMS Apron Strings) is meant to go over bare wood, so I didn't prime them, just painted it on.  It took about 4 coats until it wasn't transparent, but my paint was pretty thin.  Then I used hemp oil to seal it.  

After


I'm glad it turned out the way it did.  I think it looks fresh and ready for spring!










I love knobs!  I knew I wanted to use these on the bottom, but I wasn't sure what to use on the top.  I love the creamy white against this vibrant color. 








 The drawers needed H.E.L.P.!!
I painted them inside and out and then lined them with this pretty gray and white fabric. 



 I've used this poem on a couple of other pieces (it's a Royal Design stencil) and when I was trying to decide what I wanted to do for the drawer fronts (cuz they just needed something) it popped into my head.  Paired with these knobs, I love the french chic feel it gives. 



SO MUCH BETTER!  She's like a breath of fresh air! 

Welcome Spring!
 (which is actually kind of a joke here in WI)



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19 comments:

  1. Beautiful work as always.....you have such an eye for color and knobs that fit just perfect

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  2. I was just thinking of you today and the fact I hadn't seen anything in a while! I. Love. This. Seriously...this goes up to the top of my list on my faves.

    xoxo
    -andi

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  3. so what color is it that you ended up going with?

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  4. This piece is just fabulous! The Apron Strings looks great on it!

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  5. You are always such an inspiration with your choice of knobs! This is a lovely transformation!
    Robin

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  6. OMGoodness Lisa, I'm so glad you rescued her....she's beautiful!

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  7. What a great save! So fresh and pretty now! I love the mix of knobs too! Sometimes (often) things don't go exactly the way we plan, but end up beautifully in the end!

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  8. Absolutely Fantastic............well done!!

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  9. WOW!!!!!! I did not see that coming!! That before was pitiful but you managed to turn it into something anyone would love to bring home! Including me!! Great job!!

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  10. Lovely dresser ,absolutely stunning work!
    Have a lovely day
    Kat

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  11. Another stunning project! It's perfect for Spring! LOVE LOVE LOVE! Pinned :)

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  12. I love the way this piece turned out. So fresh and springy. The knobs, the colors, the lettering, all of it. Very inspiring! ~ Angie

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  13. Lisa, I love this dresser and the way your painted it. It inspires me to paint a French Provential dresser like this. Can you share the poem with me?

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  14. So pretty! Love the French poem on the drawer fronts and the insides of the drawers are just as pretty!

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  15. Just came across your blog because I have a large buffet that I just stripped and am going to stain. Thought I could find some online inspiration. Loving all your pieces, though! Very unique work that I don't see among a lot of us bloggers. Great job! And this reminds me of a piece I am about to post, too! :)

    Serena @ Thrift Diving

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  16. It is beautiful! You said you didn't have enough of the first paint... what is the name of this [coral] you ended up with? So wonderfully fresh and happy!

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  17. Hi! Came in via Pinterest/Hometalk and here. I am absolutely sucked in by this great color! Glad to hear it's available. I'm hoping it's not my monitor. :)
    I am refurbishing a beautiful, wave-fronted high boy myself right now. Currently rebuilding the drawers with wood hardner, and will move on to paint.
    I love what you've done here. I'm not usually drawn to stencils, but the creamy color you chose is perfect.
    Thank you for the inspiration!

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  18. Thank you for sharing this piece! It is very helpful and informative. Would like to see more updates from you.

    elcometer 456

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