Sunday, August 30, 2009

Project 1: A Dresser Re-Dressed

"Tackle the easy ones first." This is project #1 of my "Lose the Piles" Project... click on Piles to see them.



This is the first step in attacking a huge pile of projects that need to be done before the snow flies here in Northern Illinois.



This little $6 dresser didn't need much... just to be freshened up with a new coat of paint...I am a "Navajo White" Girl.



Now it is repainted, sanded and waxed...ready to be find a new home. It is a cute little size, with a Frenchy shape.

Why did I take the SAFE white color choice? It is about appealing to the most customers. If it doesn't sell with a simple redo, I'd try something more flashy.




Just a personal pet peeve... repaints where the drawer sides are not painted...doesn't it look much more professional this way?

ONE down ~ 6,357 more projects to go...

108 comments:

  1. hey I have the long dresser that matches this little stand..I use it in my craft room...same handles and all..

    Love it....

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  2. I wish you didn't live so far away I could use this for my cricut stand...lol..

    cannot wait to see the rest of the projects

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  3. Cute as a button...thumbs up on painting the drawer sides..That'll be out the door pronto!! xoxo~Kathy~ @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  4. That is awesome! I paint the drawer sides too. When we bought this 70's house, we took all of the drawers out of the kitchens and the bathrooms and painted them inside and out. Sharp!

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  5. how cute! i never find any cute fixer upers for 6 bucks! dangit! :D

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  6. I answered all your questions in my blog-how silly of me.

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  7. It looks awesome. I love the white. It looks wonderful and painting the drawer sides really does make all the difference. Looks so much more professional. Love it. Hugs, Marty

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  8. Wow! I thought my little pile in the corner of the garage was a little overwhelming. Now I don't feel so bad. At least we can still get 2 cars in the garage. Good luck to you. I have subscribed so I can follow along with you.

    Your dresser - paint brush or spray paint?

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  9. that is gorgeous! i have piles too, and in mn, so i know what you mean about the snow!!!

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  10. Oh, this is simply beautiful. Lovely re-creation.
    Have a beautiful week. TTFN ~ Marydon

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  11. What a great dresser. And only $6.

    By the way, I love your blog.

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  12. I love the frenchy style! I'm with you...I like the sides of drawers painted. It really doesn't take that much time and you're painting the front anyway, so why not!

    Manuela

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  13. Great price and great redo! Have a great week...

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  14. I do not think it needs anything else. The cabinet is really pretty in the white. Just leave it as is and go for it. You did a super job.

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  15. Six bucks! I'd have bought it for three or four times that at least! It's beautiful now.
    Brenda

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  16. $6,score! I love a good DYI project and have about a zillion lined up. You are so right about painting the sides of the drawers, it does give it a nice finished look.

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  17. I love this little dresser - you have made it looks so pretty :)

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  18. Love your "safe" redo of that dresser Joan! Such pretty lines, and I think you're right, it will appeal to anyone, in white, and you can really see the details. Glad to see your "piles" are getting better, slowly but surely!

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  19. OMG! lol that's the nightstands I had growing up! I had the whole bedroom set, I think it came from Sears! lol

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  20. Very cute dresser! It looks wonderful all freshened up.
    And your pile...such a fabulous pile it is!

    What part of northern Illinois? Because I would so make that drive if you ever had a garage sale!

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  21. Wow - 6 bucks? It came out really nice! I like it in white, that way if someone wants to they can add to it themselves.

    ~ Pam

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  22. I NEVER find anything that great for $6!! You did a great job. It would be perfect for a nursery!

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  23. Oh, wow...... I want to see your pile come unpiled..signing up to be a follower!

    Suzanne

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  24. What a darling little dresser!

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  25. $6.00 ! That would have to be the bargain of the century. Looks fabulous.

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  26. Cute! Cute! Cute! You can never go wrong with white. :)

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  27. I love the white, it's a great color. Good job painting the insides as well.

    Please stop by and say hi.

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  28. Love it!!
    Keep up the good work on that on those projects!!

    Blessings,

    Barbara Jean

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  29. Hey Joan
    You are so good at this, I have a job for you over here... I have 2 besides and commode to be painted... and in white!! Now I'm a paint the insides of the drawers as well as sides sort of gal... so you'd better bring that paint!! x Julie

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  30. You got a great deal for $6.00 for this little piece.

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  31. Great find at $6. I wish I could find that. I've been looking. I need one I can paint black for my guest room. I'd even gladly pay $20. LOL

    I added you to my google list...I like making new friends. I can't wait to be inspired.

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  32. What a cute dresser! Got a question? What is the advantadge of waxing the finish rather than using something like Poly? Is the wax better for distressed finishs?

    Sherrie

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  33. Joan, don't feel bad...we haven't been able to get any cars in the garage for 5 years now...I keep saying this year but it doesn't look good.
    The little dresser turned out great.
    Blessings
    Rebecca

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  34. Wow! I love how the dresser turned out. I can't wait to see how the rest of your projects go.. I'm right there with ya.... too many projects to count.
    Happy Monday!
    Stephanie

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  35. So glad you stopped by and visited my blog, as now it has led me to your fabulous blog. Love, love, love it!!!
    xojanis

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  36. Great redo on the dresser....it will definitely appeal to someone just the way you painted it. Looking forward to the other 6357 projects on your list!

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  37. I always enjoy my stop here.

    You are so darn creative you make me irritated with myself.


    TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

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  38. Very cute!!! I'm thinking of where it could go in my studio right now.

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  39. That's great - I have two shelves to redo, and your massive task is going to spur me on, I can tell. Thanks for your visit to my Brittany Blues!

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  40. That's just beautiful! Good luck with the rest of the "pile"

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  41. What a beautiful piece
    Love the shape and details
    Alison

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  42. Gee, I seem to be following Alison around, we must have the same bookmarks. Nice distressing job on the little dresser. It'll make someone very happy :-)

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  43. LOVE IT-very cute. I need that in Miss G4s room.
    I hope you will come by for a visit.
    Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri

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  44. How very, very nice your re-do turned out! Nice $6 price, too. I like that you thought to paint the sides- they show too!
    :-) Sue

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  45. Perfection!!! This turned out great. I'm so inagreement. The sides of the drawers painted do look more professional... Happy MM
    hugs ~lynne~

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  46. Good work on your project-slow and steady will get you there eventually! BTW, I gave you a shoutout on my blog about being your giveaway runner up. Thanks again!

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  47. Joan, that is just darling now, I love your redo. Thanks for playing this week!

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  48. I'm loving that little dresser! Thanks for the tip about the drawer sides. I have a couple of dresser's I'm getting ready to tackle and I wouldn't have thought of the sides!

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  49. I like the way you painted this, and I especially like that you finished it off so beautifully. I will have to remember to paint the sides..it really does matter.

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  50. I agree with the others that painting the sides is nicer than a paint "line" - usually more of a smudge. I even paint the insides if they aren't perfect too. (Never have been very good with drawer liner-teehee!)

    Terrific makeover and now a very charming piece!

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  51. What an adorable dresser! I like the painted drawers. I will need to go back and do the same to mine, that way when you open them they look "finished."
    Thanks for dropping by my blog. :o)

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  52. Nicely done, Joan. Great tip about painting sides of the drawers!

    Bill

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  53. How do you find dressers for $6 ??? lucky duck!!! But I guess you do have to go rifling thru some junk to find it. That estate was something else. Some of that old Christmas stuff might have been cool if it was vintage enough. I liked that urn even at $90 you would pay more wholesale with those big handles like that....plus now they make them so cheap they actually easily get holes in them.

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  54. Hello Joan, my goodness, a $6.00 find! Yes, I will sign up as a follower... I can't wait to see what else you find! I am going to run downstairs to my craft room right now and pull out my old Country Living Magazine and look at your potting shed! (I save them ALL!) Then I will look at your older posts... Bisous... Julie Marie

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  55. I used to have that little nightstand. I had the entire set when I was growing up. Funny how I wish I had it back again. I was so sick of it. Got rid of it after my daughter used it for years. Bummer. It looks great repainted!
    Karen
    www.elderberrystreet.blogspot.com

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  56. I would buy this in a New York minute if you and I lived closer. Just love it....

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  57. Ok Joan, here is my 2 cents...Good job and I agree with the color and the fact that you painted the sides of the drawers. A lovely 2nd time around treasure. The price was worth the effort.

    I am following your project management program. I love your blog. You go girl.

    Hugs...Jeanne

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  58. love it! yes, drawers painted looks very professional. I love that you are sharing your journey with us. thanks for the inspiration. I love your blog!!

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  59. Love the dresser redo, I'm sure someone will snatch it up! Thanks for sharing on Trash to Treasure Tuesday!

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  60. Your dresser looks gorgeous now! You're right about the sides of the drawers, it does look much better. I'll have to remember that!

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  61. Ohhh I am so lovin that dresser! It is beautiful! And $6? That is so awesome!

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  62. I'm so jealous of that price tag!! I love those finds!! White is always so beautiful on furniture!! You can never go wrong!! It's gorgeous! I'm so excited that you linked so I can see all of your coolness!!
    ~Andy @ poppies at play

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  63. GORGEOUS!! BUT $6?!!! MAN! THat's awesome! You should come check out my barrel table I got for FREE!

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  64. Adorable little chest. Nice repaint job, too. I like the painted sides but I'm afraid I'm too lazy to do that for myself!

    Cass

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  65. That was a great thrifty buy and you've made it look so pretty with the paint job.

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  66. Funny! I have the exact same end table thingy. It must have been a popular one in it's day. Mine is in it's original state and it's not pretty. whitish with gold.. I LOVE it with white. I was thinking of going black but now looking at this I might go white too. I was going to change the hardware but I like it white.

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  67. haha I actually saw one for sale at a thrift store here too. I thought about buying it but didn't have room for 2.

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  68. I love your dresser re-do. It had great bones to begin with--nice job!

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  69. I like the white color it is so classic!
    Can't wait until the next project!

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  70. That is darling! Hey, you won the seashells so email me your addy so I can ship 'em to ya.

    Thanks for joining me today!

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  71. Nice little piece with a great new look! Nicely done!!

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  72. When the piece is for sale...white is the way to go!! Looks fab!!!

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  73. Very nice, simple redo. And I totally agree, the sides on the drawers painted, make all the difference!

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  74. I've got a couple pieces with that "Frenchy" look to them too. However they've been painted an awful gold. Think I'll try your simple Navajo White.

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  75. Sweet little dresser. I would like to have it if I only had a place where to put it!

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  76. i'm not a fan of white..but i gotta say this little set of drawers looks delightful :)

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  77. I enjoy visiting you and seeing all your projects. And yes, white is more appealing to most.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Living it up at Lakewood,
    Cindy

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  78. Cute little dresser! I'm followig you now. So no pressure to hurry up and get to all those other projects! LOL

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  79. First of all, that was a serious score for $6. It looks great all freshened up. I must confess, that if I were to ever paint a dresser I think I would've been one that didn't paint the sides of the drawers. But it does look way better...now I know!
    Thanks for joining TST!

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  80. I have the dresser with mirror that matches this too. I love what you did. Mine was yellow when I got it. My husband also made wall shelves with the same scrolling design. There are pictures of it here. http://memorylanememoirs.blogspot.com/2009/07/big-girl-room-phase-ii-sleeping-in-big.html

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  81. Yay for tackling at least one project! If I can do one good project a week, I'm a happy camper!

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  82. When we decided to take one of the smallest rooms for our bedroom---we both love a cocoon instead of a big room with several "areas" and if this house had had a Master Bedroom, we'd probably have used it for a library---we opted to put just a tiny stand on each side, to hold lamp and book.

    My side has a wee marble-topped whimsy from my Mother's ornate living room, and his side has this exact little stand. EXCEPT: the bed is so wide that we had to cuddle the stand in sideways, facing the bed, so he took out the top drawer to have a little cubby for stashing books, flashlight, etc. It works beautifully, but I have no idea what ever became of that pretty drawer.

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  83. Great job - love the little dresser. Can't wait to see your other 6,357 projects. I'm looking for a lingerie chest. Hope I find one soon.

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  84. Wow, six dollars for that gorgeous dresser?!?!!

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  85. Wow - what a find and such a lovely paint job!
    Cheers!

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  86. It's beautiful, how can you bear to part with it?

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  87. Turn out so cute, $6.00 love that!

    Ally

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  88. It looks great! Pretty lines. :) Can't beat the price! Visiting from Julia's party. :)

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  89. i would so buy that! & i love sides painted white. :)

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  90. Wish I live nearby so that I can purchase it. Have a nice weekend.

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  91. woweeee.. another 6,0000++ to go.. gosh.. that is huge piles!!! but I like the dresser and few more furniture you got in that huge piles.. wish I live in the same continental as you.. :-) so that I could grab few of my fave furniture! white is my colour!

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  92. Lovely!!!!

    My Show N Tell is posted. Hope you can have time to stop by.

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  93. I like the sides unpainted so I can see the wood grain. Leaving it white is good because someone could repaint another color and white is easier to cover. I like the distressed look. Nice piece.
    Mama Bear

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  94. Thanks for participating in GET R DONE - great project re-vamp!

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  95. Thanks for linking up to Thrifty Thursday this week, my friend! LOve this sweet dresser!
    Leigh, Tales from Bloggeritaville
    www.lbratina.blogspot.com

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  96. Beautiful job! God's blessings as you make your way through your projects, Sarah :D

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  97. a perfect dresser re-do!

    Blessings & Aloha!
    (sorry if I keep jumping around your wonderful posts!...trying to catch up and not being very systematic about it haha)

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  98. I am inspired.
    We could have a dueling banjos with our garages.
    By the way- I love the name Piles!
    Awesome-

    Enjoyed visiting,
    Laura

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  99. I love it.
    I am totally a do it yourself-er...what did you use to wax it? I always coat furniture with polyurethane... but I just did a french china cabinet for my kitchen and would LOVE another option for a shiny finished look. What did you use, where did you get it, etc, how, etc. Please enlighten me! I am so thrilled I found your blog!
    email me please!
    leggo_my_meg-o@juno.com
    thanks! -meg in arkansas

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