Do you ever have one of those moments where your jaw drops and you are amazed how a certain event in life could have happened? I mean, you think, “what are the chances…?” I had one of those in my past with a bedroom set that left me giddy.
Today, my Trash to Treasure girlfriends and I are digging into the archives for some makeover goodness for you. Check out the end of this post for their projects, and you can see last week’s makeover here.
First, the story begins… A certain couple was selling off several pieces of furniture, 5 to be exact, for $20 a piece…a piece! One was a Broyhill Brasilia credenza, and a few other chests of drawers. You just can’t beat Craigslist for being able to peruse furniture & other goodies right in front of your eyes in the comfort of your own home. I love finding a steal. Let’s face it, it’s an online treasure hunt.
So, of course I bought them all. (ahem) However, I’m not exactly sure they were all a perfect fit, but most had awesome potential! Included in this lot was an antique cherry vanity that just needed a little love. 
My favorite feature is the mirror that is mounted on a rail that adjusts to suit your sitting height. This vanity sat in my garage for a couple of months until that jaw-dropping moment came.
REUNION
Initially, I stopped by a local garage sale on my way home with 5 kids in tow (see, I told you this was from the archives…I now have 6!) You know how it goes, I wasn’t really planning to stop, and there they were, a matching chest of drawers and dresser with mirror!! EEK! I couldn’t believe my eyes and tried not to look too obvious, but they were for a ridiculous price and I quickly made the purchase before anyone could beat me.
Here they are reunited at last!
Seriously, you just don’t find solid, heavy, sets like this anymore. Dove-tailed drawers, solid throughout, and nearly complete…only missing 1 pull. Missing the one pull drove me nuts because, well, it’s just one!! I scoured the internet and local stores trying to find a match, but to no avail. sigh.
All the original labels present, with coordinating stamps…aaah, the stories! I researched the manufacturer, Youngsville Star Mfg. Co., based in Pennsylvania. Their main choice of wood was cherry, and at one point even were requested to make a custom set for General MacArthur at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
DIY TIME
This set was just asking to have that cherry surface refinished, so I grabbed my favorite sander and went to town.
Isn’t it gorgeous!? Although I paint most of my pieces, I really am a sucker for wood.
Question: Why, oh why do people line drawers with contact paper? I’ll never know. Check out the rockin’ polka dots.
Actually, the confetti print actually grew on me, but it had to go. So, with the help of my little guy, who had a blast yanking it out, we brought the drawers back to normal. Seriously, my kids are gleaning so much from just helping with the smallest task.
TIP: If you have sticky drawers after pulling out contact paper, just use household rubbing alcohol and wipe them down. Done!He even helped me remove the pulls, with a chubby screwdriver ALL BY HIMSELF! Love that tow-head.
NEXT STEPS
I used a seconds paint that looks like a creamy buttery yellow. Also, I really wanted to a primitive flair, so I added some hand-painted features, and distressed the whole set for a time-worn wear appeal.
Here is the bedroom set all together again.
What better to compliment the buttery color than espresso, that deep, rich color that is so pleasing to look at. I used an espresso stain on top, like I did on this Art Deco dressing table, and espresso paint on the pulls with some distressing, of course.
In addition, replacing that one missing pull with two antique glass pulls to add a touch more femininity was an easy fix.
I decided to pair the vanity with a Duncan Phyfe chair from my stash, and added a new upholstered seat.
Finally, what a blast reuniting this bedroom set and am happy to say it is now living with the new owners that purchase it from my shop. (SOLD)
A happy ending is always the best way to end, though my furniture adventures will continue. tee hee.
NEXT
Up next, this jewelry armoire gets new life with some TLC. Head HERE.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
Next, take a look at what these lovely ladies have pulled out the archives for you today:
Also, more makeovers for you like this bedroom set:
Sweet job Larissa!
Thank you, Anne! It was a fun project.
This set turned out so pretty! What luck to find matching dressers? I love that story!! XO
Thank you, Christy! It makes the adventure all the more fun. 🙂
HOLY COW!! That looks wonderful! And to think you got them at 2 different places! Great job!! PS I love your little helper, wanna hire him out??
hahaha…thank you!! It was fun to revive them and see them all together.
Ooooh, I don’t think I remember seeing this one! How lucky to find those pieces for a great deal- you really made them into a gorgeous set!
Funny how things fly by over time. I could hardly remember it too! 😀
How beautiful. I really like how you finished the knobs to match the tops.
Thank you, Debra! It was fun to get this set back together and see it find a new home.
FYI?..Gibert’s in Ashland, Ohio is stil in business!
They actually closed a few years ago. 🙂
I love your little helper. 🙂 You worked your magic on this piece for sure!
xo
Nancy
Thank you, Nancy! She loves to help in even the smallest ways.
love your stuff. Just a little FYI its tow-head not toe head, has to do with the color of straw in old England. I was a blonde child and called tow headed all the time, I though people were saying I looked like a toe. When my son was born and someone called him towhead I googled it
Thank you, Wanita. I actually know that, but I think my computer auto-corrected it or something. My mother was born in England and used the term with us all the time. I didn’t even notice the typo. 😉
I love the primitive designs and distressing. It gives the pieces more depth.
It has such fun just letting loose. Thanks, Leisa!