I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the way this
project turned out. It may be my favorite element in Reese’s
nursery. (But then I turn around and start thinking something else in the
room is my favorite.) Hanging above the dresser are my Birdhouses
and three of the Little
Birdies hanging from clear thread.
I found this dresser at the ReStore about a year ago for $5, as
is. The top drawers were broken and the bottom trim was pulled off, but all the
pieces were there. I just couldn’t resist such a deal, figuring we could turn it
into an entertainment center (like THIS
ONE by Sausha from Sweet
Pickins Furniture) and sell it. Well, it sat in our garage for about a year,
and then I got pregnant. Suddenly it was perfect as the dresser/changing table
for Reese’s nursery.
Despite all the pieces being there (or so I thought), it was in
pretty bad shape. One of the top drawers was broken beyond repair, and one or
two of the bottom drawers had broken tracks on them. Nolan got to work repairing
the bottom drawers by ripping the still in tact tracks off the top drawers and
reinforcing all the sides of the drawers with Gorilla Glue.
I wanted to use baseboard trim around the base for a chunky look
instead of putting the original and dated trim back on. We picked up some 5”
baseboard trim (exactly the size of the gap at the bottom that needed to be
covered) and some decorative trim to go around the top cubbies.
We glued and nailed the baseboard around the base (and filled in
any gaps with wood filler). Then Nolan used very thin (I think 1/8”) board to
box out three sides each of the two top drawers. He found it to be a difficult
process because while he was making straight cuts, the openings weren’t square.
So we used a lot more wood filler.
We also filled in some holes where I’m guessing there were some
decorative elements originally. He then glued the beaded decorative trim around
the openings.
After a light sanding, my mom gave the whole thing a light
coating with Kilz Spray Primer, followed by two coats of Sherwin Williams Pro
Classic paint in Charisma. The lady at Sherwin Williams was very helpful and
suggested this paint because it drys like normal paint, and then after about two
weeks it cures into a very hard, almost laminate strength finish. You don’t need
to use any sort of poly or top coat and the semi gloss is easy to clean up. She
also recommended using a high quality brush to paint with. My mom started out
using a roller, figuring it would be just as easy to start with. But this paint
works a little differently and doesn’t move like normal paint. She switched to a
Purdy brush and was much happier with how easy it was to paint with. The finish
is beautiful! Just know that it’s a heavier paint, so you need to be careful not
to overwork the paint as it starts to dry, and we did have a few drips because
of some thicker spots moving as it dried. And no, Sherwin Williams did not
compensate me for this. I just like the paint that much.
I love the way the trim turned out! It looks like it’s always
been there. Nolan is very proud of how well the corners turned out, especially
after having to use so much wood filler.
The pulls are Martha Stewart from Home Depot. I knew finding
shallow enough baskets for the top cubbies would be pretty difficult, so I
looked for kitchen trays instead. I originally hoped to find wooden ones at a
craft store and then paint them the same green as the frame above the dresser,
but I couldn’t find any large/deep enough. I finally found these plastic ones at
Target and they were perfect. Some white scalloped vinyl trim softened them up
enough so the pink/red wouldn’t look too valentine-ey together.
Love that beaded trim!
Painting the inside of the cubbies was going to be hard, as well
as getting the wood filler sanded smoothly enough so it wasn’t ugly, so my mom
and I thought it would be best to line the cubbies. I couldn’t find any shelf
liner that I liked enough, so instead I bought this vintage-style fabric at
Walmart and Mod Podged it on. I think it’s so sweet!
The dresser perfectly holds the changing pad and a basket for
diapering supplies. The changing pad cover was bought for Jace’s nursery, and I
love that it works in Reese’s too!
And one last look at its loveliness.
I was thinking this would be my last detailed project post
before doing the final nursery reveal, but then I realized I have two more
projects to share with you. I want the reveal post to be simple without all the
project descriptions (just links to them), so I’ll be sharing it with you
soon!
Thanks for stopping by!
Parties I like to link up with:
Transformation Thursday, The Sunday Scoop, The Sunday Showcase Party, Made By You Monday, Making the World Cuter
Monday, Weekend Wrap
Up, Just
Something I Whipped Up, Get Your
Craft On, Real Momma, Real
Style, Tutorials and Tips
Tuesday, Sew Cute
Tuesday, Make it,
Wear It, Show
and Tell Saturday, Weekend
Bloggy Reading, I’m Crafty
Party, Take a Look Tuesday, Simply Link
Party, Whatever Goes
Wednesday
I was thinking that this dresser was also my favorite. And then I saw the adorable fabric lined cubbies and I knew that this is my favorite! Oh my, I LOVE it! Great job on all of it. You are one talented woman, Jill. Can't wait to see Reese!
ReplyDeleteWow, you really transformed this dresser! It looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteThose birdhouses are even cuter with the frame around them!
It turned out beautifully! That's a dresser I never would've bothered with - but I"m really impressed at how you guys handled it. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteJess
Wow! So impressive! It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing! I think I'm going to have to tag along with you the next time you go to Restore...or I have to check it out myself! :) You have given me the itch to get crafty, so thanks!
ReplyDeletete quedo hermosisimo, me encanta
ReplyDeleteThe dresser is absolutely lovely. I love the cubbies! What great ideas you have. I'm sure the dresser is happy to have a new fresh coat of paint and have a good home. The baby's room is turning out so sweet! Looks like you are having so much fun.
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Love the color and the bead trim. The little birdhouse accent piece is so super cute too. I'm so excited to see this room come together...you really are very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteSMiLES!
GWeN
Absolutely adorable! Reese's room is so awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute! Anything coral is a beautiful thing. I also loved that you covered the inside of the top shelves. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing! Love the idea of lining the cubbies in fabric, it makes the finished piece look so fun! :D
ReplyDeleteoh love the colour and you did an amazing job!!
ReplyDeletewould love it if you could share this on my linky party Serenity Saturday, that runs from sat-thurs @ www.serenityyou.com
Natasha xx
Beautiful job. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/08/free-bee-sweet-hat-pattern-crocheted.html
I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
www.adornedfromabove.com
Just adorable! I love love love the color!! Thanks for the details about the paint you used. I'll have to give it a try. Visiting from Stephanie's Sunday Showcase. ~Cindy
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that I'm following you! Wow, what a difference. And I love the beaded trim. You did an incredible job! Thanks for posting on tt&j link party!
ReplyDeleteKatie
www.funhomethings.com
Visiting from Skip to my Lou...really love this dresser redo. It reminds me of a red one that we did for my daughter's room a few years ago. Great job! Thanks, Angela @ Mrs. White Twig & Tea
ReplyDeleteThis really turned out pretty! I love the floral fabric you used. Such a sweet surprise when you look inside. I hope you'll share this at Gettin' Krafty With It this week!
ReplyDeletehttp://kraftykat76.blogspot.com/2012/09/gettin-krafty-with-it.html
This is adorable! Stopping by from get your craft on!
ReplyDeletexo, Ruthanne
ruthannewithane.blogspot.com
wow, that looks great, like new :)
ReplyDeleteI would like to let you know about a new Craft Party,
I would love to see your creations linked up with Crafty Tuesday
Every week I will choose few tutorials and they will be featured on my blog and my facebook, twitter and pinterest page
I hope to see you link up
http://blueberrycraftandhobbytime.blogspot.ie/
LOVE this! I stumbled across your blog from Made by You Monday. I'd love to know if you used regular Mod Podge for the fabric-lined drawers or used that special fabric Mod Podge. I am re-doing a dresser for our little girl's nursery (due in November!) and am thinking of lining the drawers with fabric, too! :)
ReplyDelete