Custom Dresser Redo

I had the opportunity to do a custom paint job. I wasn't too sure how the end results would be, seeing it needed to reach someone else's artistic expectation, not just my own vision. I thought the dresser's original red paint was charming, but red isn't to everyone's taste. This family desired to have this piece feel a little more rustic... So here is the transformation. From fun red to rustic brown.

Original red condition

Sanding all of the gloss down

Primed and trying out the painting techniques

One coat of primer, 3 coats of paint, distressing, staining, touch-ups &
3 coats of satin poly sealer later.... 

From Red to Rustic

In distressing, I allowed some of the white primer and underlying red to show through
the paint, to add dimension. I also took the black hardware and sanded the edges,
allowing for the antique brass to peek through.

Detail is everything.

Complete. 

The project was a job and a half, but in the end the family was happy with the results (and that's what really matters right?).

Time Investment: 5 days

Turquoise Dresser

This piece was headed straight to the dumpster! Friends of ours were moving and no one in the apartment building wanted it.  I HAD to save this vintage piece! This project would actually spark my interest in refinishing furniture, since moving to CA. Here's how this vintage maple dresser got the TLC (and new home) it needed...

I removed all of the original hardware and sanded down the dresser. It was in very good condition, structurally. The hardware got a good soaking in dish soap. I chose a teal turquoise green paint. It was a bit of a risk, but I really wanted to choose a color that screamed character. I also decided that I would stain the top of the dresser in a rich brown.

I sanded the edges of the dresser and the drawers to give it that distressed look. I then stained the top of the dresser and the raw edges of the piece, then sealed the entire piece with a satin poly sealer.

Then I replaced the hardware and the piece was complete!

Total investment: $15
Time investment: weekend

Turquoise Chicken Wire Pantry

I came across this old stereo/entertainment cabinet at a yard sale last summer. Having arrived just before finishing time, the owners decided just to give it to me. A free wood cabinet sounded good to me! Here's how I turned this tired outdated cabinet into a chic turquoise pantry.

Outdated oak cabinet with lead glass windows.

I actually liked the windows, but sadly one was cracked.
So I decide on a different design idea... 

I took all the hardware off and the doors. Removed the glass panels and replaced the cut up back panel with a new piece of 1/8" fiber board. I sanded everything down to get the sheen off the wood and began painting. I used a good quality Turquoise egg shell wall paint and a poly brush. I used long strokes to allow some of the wood grain to still show through. Once the paint was on, I distressed the edges and sparingly rubbed a darker stain all over the edges and body of the piece, giving it a nice "worn" look. I sealed it with a clear satin sealer. Now what to do with the door panels...

I had seen projects created with chicken wire, but personally had never tried it before. I thought I'd give it a try this time. I went to the local hardware store and had the piece cut to length size. All I had to do was snip it down the center, for two pieces, when I got home. Attaching it would be a bit more difficult and time consuming.

Using screws and washers to attach the wire provided a
clean look and secured it tightly in place.

For about 4 long hours, I stood there hooking each and every loose end into a spiral, so there wouldn't be any sharp edges on the inside of the door. The end result was very nice.

Inside is painted slightly lighter giving a nice
contrast in color. 

I painted the inside of the cabinet a slightly lighter shade of turquoise (I just added some white to the paint) and this allowed a slight contrast in color. This picture was taken outside, so the sunlight gives off a slightly bluer shade. The true color is more of a green turquoise.

The finished product. 

I reused the same hardware. The antique brass and
porcelain knobs worked well with this piece. 

All finished!

Total investment: $10
Time investment: Weekend

Shabby Chic White Highboy

Friends of ours lived in their Northridge CA home for 30+ years and decided it was time to retire to a new home. When they moved, they gifted us these two pieces, along with a couple other pieces of furniture. Our apartment is pretty small and in dire need of storage space, so I decided to combine the two pieces into one. Here's how I refinished the White Highboy.

Here are the twin dressers on top of each other.
I almost forgot to take a BEFORE picture. 

I began the project with stripping down the hardware and removing the top boards and bottom panels.

I removed the front scalloped panel

This piece would be going on top of the other piece. In order to attach it,
I needed to cut the side board and legs down, as well as remove the top board.

A few of the drawers had panels that were pulling apart.
Some wood glue, clamps and overnight wait will fix them right up!

Next, I took some furring strips (salvaged from another project) and arranged them within the inside of the two pieces, allowing me to attach them together. Nice and sturdy!

Furring strips allowed me to easily attach the two pieces together, on the inside.

Once the two pieces were one, I began applying the stripping agent. I like to use CitriStrip Stripping Gel. It is non-toxic (although you still need good ventilation and gloves) and very easy to use. Just paint it on and let it sit. The timing will vary depending on how many coats of paint are on the piece and in some cases, it may require two applications. This project took about 1.5 hours to start coming off.

Once you see the paint bubbling up, you can start using the scraper
to peel it off. 

Once you have all the paint scraped off, its time to clean it up. You can buy the Stripping Wash, or what I do is just let it dry completely (after wiping it with old rags and let it sit probably over night). Once I had the piece all clean, I used wood filler to begin filling in unsightly holes and imperfections.

Two pieces are now one. I trimmed up the old scalloped panel from
the other piece and reattached it in the middle to cover up the middle front seam.

Filling in the side board gap and screw holes. 

Making those worn down details new again!

Once the wood filler is dried (usually overnight) the sanding begins. I used a power sander with 80 grit on the piece, being careful not to push too firmly on the wood filler. Repeat with the wood filler, if you find there is shrinkage, repeat the sanding but by hand for finishing touches.

Drawers are all repaired and sanded. 

Ready for paint! 

For some pieces, I prime ahead of time. This piece I actually didn't have to. I bought a quart of Benjamin Moore Eggshell finish wall paint in an Antique White shade. The paint has a priming agent in it, so it adhered nicely. I used a good poly brush and lightly stoked on the paint in long strokes. I applied 3 coats of paint total. Once the paint was on, I grabbed a bit of sandpaper and began lightly sanding the edges to expose the raw wood. I then took a dark stain (whatever was on hand at the time, Minwax) and used a Q-tip to apply it carefully to the raw edges, wiping the excess into the wood. This also added a little bit of a "worn" look.

All painted up!

The distressing, before the stain application. 

I always like to seal my pieces with a CLEAR water based satin Minwax sealer. This gives a little bit of protection from dust, dirt or scratches. Also, make sure it says "clear, water based sealer", as some will actually turn your piece more of a yellow shade (and that's icky!). Here's the finished project!

All distressed and sealed! Original hardware sparkles due to the
simple dish soap bath and a good scrubbing. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my highboy! It doesn't take up much space and it adds A LOT of storage space and character to my bedroom!

Total investment: $25
Time Investment: 4 days

Salmon Executive Desk

This desk was given to me by a friend of a friend. It took me a good 6 long months before deciding how I'd tackle this project. I was a bit tired of painting "normal" colors: antique white and black. I got my hands on an "oops" can of paint at our local hardware store called "Ladybug Red". YES! Finally, something fun!

I always seem to get so excited about projects that I forget to take
a "before" picture. I almost forgot here... hardware is removed. 

As with any of my projects, I always begin by sanding the old finish off. This piece was unique, in that the top was laminate, made to look like wood. So, I decided to use this to my advantage and incorporate it into the design.

As I began painting, the color began to show a bit more pinkish than I would've liked. But, after about 3 coats of paint, brushed on, it darkened and I was pleased with the overall color.

I sanded the edges of the drawers and desk with sandpaper to give it a worn look. Using a sponge brush, I lightly applied stain to the raw wood, wiping in the excess. To take away from some of the "pink", I took more stain and carefully rubbed it all over the piece. This gave it a rich, dark look... no more pink.

I used a stain, in Walnut finish and stained the small decorative pieces underneath to tie the wood colors together. Once completed, I polished up the top of the desk with Old English, for dark furniture. This filled in any scratches within the laminate, just wiping off the excess.

I polished up the hardware, reattahced and the piece was complete!

Total Investment: $13
Time Investment: Weekend