Whoa, this project has taken a long time to complete. I think most of the delays were due to my anxiety about trying new techniques. Some fears were unfounded while others were realized. I'm feeling a bit nervous about this reveal because so many of you have expressed interest. I only hope it lives up to the hype. Let me just say as a disclaimer that I do not drink martinis in my bedroom. The dresser is in the dining room.
In case you haven't been following along this dresser was originally claimed by Barb at hodge:podge when we went thrifting. When she couldn't make it work I took the opportunity to pounce. What I didn't tell you is that it's original price of $70 was reduced to a blow-out special price of $35 the day I purchased it. Here's a reminder of the before.
The work started out as any ordinary painting project does...sanding, priming and painting. I have never distressed a furniture piece before so I was a little nervous. I've never stained a piece either so my anxiety level was mounting. You can get a peek at the distressing here and the staining here if you missed it. I was a very bad blogger and didn't take any photos of the finished stained piece but I can assure you it was heavenly. Afterwards I wanted to seal and protect it and I chose my newest obsession, furniture wax.
The body of the dresser turned out beautifully and then I started on the drawers and...disaster.
The wax actually started to remove the stain!
After a little cursing I buffed all the drawers. They looked bad. I added a bit more stain to try and add a new layer of coverage. It looked good except it was quite a bit darker than I had wanted. After obsessing for a day or two I painted the hardware and attached it and realized that mistakes sometimes happen for the right reason. The dresser looks perfect and probably would not have had enough "antique" patina if I hadn't added the extra layer of stain.
I kept most of the hardware but splurged on 4 glass knobs for the top drawers to give it a little sparkle.
Loving that awesome detail.
I have to say, I'm a convert. I never thought I could love a distressed and antiqued piece but I do!
Don't forget to enter the beautiful blanket giveaway taking place this Friday.
This looks amazingly beautiful!!!! Love the finish, Janell
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Carol! You should be very proud of what you accomplished. It has a great patina and a lovely shape. Looks great!
ReplyDeleteIt's just perfect! I have to tell you that ever since I saw this dresser of yours - even the before shots - it ruined me for craigslist dresser shopping. None of the dressers I see are this beautiful, and definitely not for that price! How will I ever settle? :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this beautiful piece! Seriously gorgeous.
It's beautiful! You did an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteI love the color and the green knobs! I also love how you kept some of the original hardware. Love how you staged the top too :) Just think of how easy the next piece will be now that you've tackled the hurdles of this one.
Bravo!!
Kelle
xx
I think it looks fabulous! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteIt could only look better if it was in your bedroom and the martini glasses were full (or even half full!).
ReplyDeleteIt really is fantastic! Worth the headache I would say!
ReplyDeletelooks great. i use the wax too. i think that happens if you dont let the stain dry long enough
ReplyDeleteWOW! Carol, love how it turned out! It lived up to the hype!!! Can you hear me clapping! Any package yet?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job. IT's hard to see the end of the path when your knee high deep in a project that is going bad... But you stuck with it and in the end your made it work!
ReplyDeleteI love it! The glass knobs sure look great.
Dang it, I should of grabbed this dresser:) No seriously, I am glad you pounced and bought "my dresser", what a beauty. It looks amazing!!!! NOw the question is, are you selling it or keeping it?
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed we find some more treasures this Thursday!
I understand the whole, "learning while doing" process. That is what I am doing in the longest upholstery project ever with my striped arm chair!
Oh my goodness, just found your blog and LOVE that piece. And score! for the amazing bargain too.
ReplyDeleteHey, I would not judge you if you had a dry bar in your bedroom. In fact, I would totally get it. This turned out fabulous! I love the added bling on the drawers, great little details. I've yet to do the staining bit but I love distressed furniture. It is so life-friendly!
ReplyDelete-Bethanie
Beautiful! You did a bang on job! Love the distressed look.
ReplyDeletewow I think it looks amazing! Isn't it great when mistakes turn into things of beauty? love your choice of hardware :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great looking dresser. Amazing how a lot of work and a bit of product can transform a piece. The knob choice is over the top good!
ReplyDeleteYou did such a great job on this! the dresser knob makes it look unique and actually makes the whole thing look even better
ReplyDeletehttp://heatherfrostx.blogspot.com/
beautiful just beautiful :))
ReplyDeleteLooks fabulous! What a great looking dresser!
ReplyDeleteHomeowner Insurance
Carol, you've outdone yourself and, I think, find a calling. This piece looks stunning! Well done you!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that is the same piece!! Good thing you don't live close to me or I would be begging you to go shopping with me and help me find the beauty at those thrift shops! I just can't see it!
ReplyDeletestunning piece, Carol. You'll have to mention the paint colours and stains that you used - pretty please?
ReplyDeleteWow! This dresser really turned out beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job!! It looks beautiful Carol!
ReplyDeleteSeriously jaw on floor amazing!!
ReplyDeleteI picture Wisteria selling this for loads of money.
Big high fives for you, Carol!
Ooh la la. It looks very French now. Well done!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful transformation, I love the gray!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out amazing!! I know distressed would be a hard thing to finish for a perfectionist like me, it's hard to know when to stop, haha! I really love the look, especially the bling of the glass knobs.
ReplyDeleteNice work!
What an incredible transformation! And at a whopping $35 bucks a total steal indeed! Love that slight Moroccan detail with the carvings...You totally scored and did an EXCELLENT job refinishing...I could totally see this baby sold in the thousands if you ever get bored of it :D
ReplyDeleteGreat work, thanks for sharing!
xo-Julie
Haute Khuuture Blog
It looks great Carol. I really like your decision to use the glass knobs, it helps draw more attention to the beautiful detail of the piece. Any idea what the deal was with the wax causing that reaction?
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous piece!! I have never distressed anything before...you may have inspired me!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt really did turn out well! I love the glass knobs, they really add to it.
ReplyDeleteWow, this just looks gorgeous Carol!! You did a fab job. Sorry I have been a bad blog friend lately, but I SO appreciate all your visits!
ReplyDeleteNancy xo
Wow!!Gorgeous. Looking very nices. Colors selection is amazing. I love the color and green knobs. all are pretty good. After finish it looking very clean and nice. Thanks for sharing. I also love to put hardware items on that.
ReplyDeleteTea Towels | French Gifts
Love the color and finish! The prices is right too!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and happy accident! Great job and way to be brave!
ReplyDeleteOh, I missed the reveal by a few days it looks like, but I love what you did. And I have to confide that I am also not a lover of distressed pieces and have never done it myself, but I think you have convinced me, Carol!
ReplyDeleteCamille
Wow, that came up fantastic. Would love to have that sitting in my bedroom. Very nice job!
ReplyDeleteI love the dresser! Some of my most creative pieces are the result of mistakes. They do often work in your favor! Lovely job.
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome! I am so impressed! The color is absolutely perfect.
ReplyDeletewww.sadieandstella.blogpsot.com
Just saw this on Emily's blog! Like I said to her, you made this look like a $3600 piece from Wisteria. It's fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely going to try this on an old sideboard I have...if I can find the patience! I'm in the middle of redoing a vintage corner cabinet.
the-bright-life.blogspot.com
Looks fantastic !! I love how all the details just pop. Great job !!
ReplyDeleteStella
Wow, what a great finish. Love the touch of green in the glass knobs. Great piece.
ReplyDelete- Joy
Amazing! It looks fantastic, good job!!! I love the weathered look it has!
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job! Love the stain color. The finished piece looks crazy expensive. The detail on those drawers if fabulous!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your dresser is gorgeous! It came out so well! Great job! Just found your blog and so glad I did!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog and great transformation! Your newest follower. Please stop by for a blog visit :)
ReplyDeleteLove the way this dresser had turned out, from an original mistake to a priceless beauty. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Cathy@eye chart
WOW what a fabulous result! I've just found your blog. Im mid way through a diy dresser job for my daughters room. I had high hopes for it, but not sure I can pull it off as well as your makeovers have gone. Im going to keep watching this blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that it took a lot of time to you to make this, I made it once but it took almost a week because i have to work, but well, it looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYou should apply clear wax first, then stain. It gives better results.
ReplyDeletewonderful web-site http://realCasinoonline.blogspot.com free online casino games
ReplyDelete