beautiful diy: my new “old” dresser
By Beatrice Clay
Before I moved to my current largish two-bedroom apartment, I lived in a smallish one-bedroom apartment. Because space was limited, I needed all my furniture to be functional. Enter this dresser.
For the past year and half this dresser lived in my living room (really daughter’s bedroom) and doubled tripled as a TV stand, dresser for a tiny fraction of my daughter’s clothes (3 drawers on the left) and linen/towel holder (3 drawers on the right). The two invisible drawers at the top held the TV and cable remotes and batteries. For some reason I have packs and packs of batteries in my house, but I digress.
I can’t remember where I got the idea to use a dresser as a TV stand (probably Pinterest), but it worked. I always hated the color but I couldnt bare to paint a completely brand new piece of furniture. Now, a year and a half later, my dresser is old and I have no qualms about painting it. Sure, I thought about painting it some POP color like magenta or cerulean blue, but I felt like that would be too much for the calming peaceful neutral thing I have going on in my new nest. So….
I went for the high gloss white paint (works well on very smooth surfaces like a new “old” dresser) + metallic gold dresser pulls. Isn’t it LOVELY!!!!!! I can’t believe I did this for myself. I plan to add a mirror (thrifted of course) and a couple lamps soonish. My immediate plan of action: get my pile of clean laundry off the floor and into these drawers.
I mean seriously, gold metallic spray paint is like AWESOME! This stuff just makes everything look rich and PRETTY.
All in all, I had a wonderful weekend nesting. What about you? How did you spend the long weekend? Make anything? Did you think about making something? Do share?
for a beautiful life,
Britton
January 24, 2013 at 11:09 am (146 days ago)Love, LOVE! The new look really does change the feel of the piece! I spent the long weekend…RESTING! Something I very rarely get to do!
Beatrice Clay
January 24, 2013 at 11:17 pm (146 days ago)aaah rest sounds quite wonderful! I am glad you like the dresser. I adore it. I can’t stopped staring at it LOL…my clothes are still on the floor smh…don’t judge me.
Mylah Sai
January 24, 2013 at 11:29 am (146 days ago)Oh my goodness! You did an amazing job. I love the transformation!
Beatrice Clay
January 24, 2013 at 11:18 pm (146 days ago)Thanks! Just a little paint and patience. The patience part was a little hard for me. LOL. I can’t wait to start on another little apartment DIY…stay tuned!
Miss Rockwell
January 24, 2013 at 11:43 am (146 days ago)New paint jobs are refreshing. It truly does look like a new piece. I attempted dyeing a pair of jeans and totally screwed them up so yeah I’ll try again some other time.
http://thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com
Beatrice Clay
January 24, 2013 at 11:20 pm (146 days ago)Keep at it. I am sure the jeans you dyed are totally cute and wearable.
L.
January 24, 2013 at 1:46 pm (146 days ago)I LOVE how the dresser turned out. I’m a fan of just painting + spray painting over furniture. I’m always amazed by what some white paint & gold spray paint can do. This looks fab. I would love to see how you’re going to style the accessories on the dresser!
L.
@PartyOverHair
Beatrice Clay
January 24, 2013 at 11:22 pm (146 days ago)Thanks so much! ***hi5*** I can’t wait to style it. I was orginally thinking lamps and mirrors and of course my beloved books but now I am thinking some original artwork + books and gorgeous antique vase is what I need. I am going thrifting this weekend so stay tuned!
Autumn
January 24, 2013 at 6:55 pm (146 days ago)This is a lovely transformation. I have and old dresser and nightstand that I have been threatening to throw away but now, you have given me an idea.
Mine are a bit worn but with a little work I know that they can be restored. Thank you!
Beatrice Clay
January 24, 2013 at 11:25 pm (146 days ago)Anything can be saved girl. You just need a little sand paper (a couple books) or a hand sander if you can swing it (Home Depot has some for under $50) + some patience and you’ll get the dresser and night stand back smooth and ready for painting. I like high gloss paint for furniture but the surface has to be smooth because high gloss reveals every imperfection. Check out designsponge.com ‘s before and after pictures. They always inspire me!
Autumn
January 29, 2013 at 11:59 am (141 days ago)Thank you for the tips and web link! I see lots of things at DS that I want to try.
Kel Daroe
January 24, 2013 at 7:44 pm (146 days ago)I absolutely LOVE this! And the best part is that with creativity and like $15 you have a lighter, more beautiful space AND a sense of accomplishment.
Beatrice Clay
January 24, 2013 at 11:27 pm (146 days ago)Yep $15 is definitely about right. When I am tired of the white in a few years, I’ll just pick another color and some need dresser pulls and viola a new old old dresser LOL. I certainly felt accomplished after finishing. I am challenging myself to just do one little diy/home improvement project every weekend and by spring I’ll be done decorating and organizing my place. Thanks for stopping by
Lynn
January 24, 2013 at 9:29 pm (146 days ago)You are just a handful of AMAZING TALENT!!!!! It looks great… Thanks for sharing!!!!
Xoxo
Lynn
Beatrice Clay
January 24, 2013 at 11:27 pm (146 days ago)Aww thanks hun! I like making things. I’ll keep sharing. Thanks for stopping by. ***Hugs**
Tracie aka Phenomenal Mama
January 24, 2013 at 10:51 pm (146 days ago)I’ve been watching your progress on Instagram! You’ve been getting your HGTV on, girl!
I love it!
Beatrice Clay
January 24, 2013 at 11:29 pm (146 days ago)yay! you’re following me on instagram. Thanks I appreciate the support! I love HGTV by the way LOL. Ican’t wait all the shows because then I start getting sad because I live in NYC where one bedroom apartments cost $200,000 and not in the south where I can get me a whole house with a backyard for that price…LOL. thanks for stopping by.
Tyesha
January 25, 2013 at 12:43 am (146 days ago)You did a great job…I love the new look of the dresser. It definitely beats buying a new one!
I was wondering if you had finished it. I follow you on Instagram and noticed all the pics over the weekend! Pinterest is definitely a great place for new ideas. Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to see more DIY’s’.
Cynthia
January 27, 2013 at 9:03 am (143 days ago)I love the change. Beautiful dresser and congrats on your new place.
Beatrice Clay
February 1, 2013 at 7:51 am (139 days ago)Thanks m’dear. I’ve been in my place since September but am only now finding time to nest and decorate.
Memee
January 28, 2013 at 1:44 pm (142 days ago)Love it!
Beatrice Clay
February 1, 2013 at 7:49 am (139 days ago)***hugs*** thanks Meems!
Jamillah (Soukle)
January 29, 2013 at 11:21 am (141 days ago)I LOVE IT!!