Earlier this week I showed you how I took miniature curbside picket fence and turned it into garden decor. In that post, I showed you this vintage dresser I had picked up on Craigslist. To say it’s dated would be an understatement, right?
Made of mixed woods with a veneer-type top and sides, and also has oak drawer fronts and face. However, this is certainly a solid piece, BUT… it has the look of “update me please!!”
What made me pay attention to this particular piece was the drawer fronts (not those medieval bull ring pulls). The drawers looked like crates to me. Don’t you think?
First, I was so super-excited because just a few days ago we were covered in snow, but the day I started to work on this dresser, it was a whopping 72 degrees in the first week of March in Ohio. YIPPEE!!
DIY TIME
So, of course, what do you do when it’s unseasonably warm? You work on furniture. tsk. First, I grab my favorite sander and gave the cabinet of the dresser some tooth and took the drawer fronts down to bare wood.
After they were sanded down, I fill the original drawer pull holes with dowel. Then, drilled new holes for the pulls I chose to use to take this dresser to a whole new level. Aren’t they gorgeous iron bin pulls?
NEXT STEPS
Next, I decided to use one of my go-to stains, Early American Varathane by Rustoleum. I’ve used in it countless projects like my master bedroom makeover, my bathroom vanity, and my Pottery Barn Knock-Off. It’s a rich nutty brown that has a timeless feel.
Now for the cabinet. I chose a smoky gray color. Likewise, I knew it would be perfect to contrast those wood-stained drawer fronts and tie in those iron bin pulls.
Also, to add a bit of industrial flair to this vintage dresser, I decided to use my DecoArt Old World Numbers stencil that I used on my son’s clock face table and my DIY faux shipping crate table.
Finally, once the cabinet and numbers on the drawers cured, I lightly distressed the paint and added a poly topcoat for extra protection to the entire piece.
THE REVEAL
Are you ready for the reveal? I am!
Finally, the colors came out exactly as I had envisioned it and the pulls really made this vintage dresser go to a whole new level. I.LOVE.IT.
I think this piece has so many possibilities as a dresser (of course), but also an entertainment console, a buffet, an entry credenza…I could go on. Likewise, if you think this dresser is something that you would love to add to your home, you can find it in my online store.
My desire is to inspire you to see past the obvious and look for what something could be. Yes, this vintage dresser was in need of some love, but it really came to life with vision.
In addition, do pin and share to inspire others too! ♥
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Also, check out these projects like my vintage dresser:
Oh what a transformation. The dresser is just fantastic.
Thank you!!
Oh my gosh, Larissa, this is amazing! I love every detail! This darling would be perfect in my house, it perfectly fits my style. :). Do you deliver to Columbus? 😉
GREAT job, my friend!
You are just too sweet, Kimm. Thank you so much! And yes, Columbus is our normal stop. hee hee 😀
Love it! You could barely see the detail in the drawer fronts before – great, great makeover!
Thank you so much, Anne!
Lookin Good Larissa! I love what y ou did here. Very industrial! I would never have seen the potential in this old piece. And your boots are rockin Spring!
I love me some industrial! 😀 My lovely pink snakeskin boots…yessss…
It turned out great! Another wonderful makeover. You are inspiring!
That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you!
Oooooh, I love CCP’s Rocky Mountain paint color and I love how you refinished this dresser!
It’s such a soothing color, isn’t it? Thank you, Marie!
Love love LOVE!!! What an amazing transformation!! Do you deliver to Australia??!!! LOL I have the PERFECT spot in my sons room! So clever! You are an inspiration 🙂
Wahoo!! Thank you so much! 🙂
Wow what a fantastic makeover. I love it, it’s awesome !
Wahoo!! I’m so happy to hear it, Claire!
Hey Larissa – we are doing a post for Monday – late notice, we know – and would like to include this piece. We will definitely give you credit with a direct link. Love this industrial update!
Absolutely. Thank you!
Boy, talk about inspiration, your redo was perfectly timely. Bought an old 6 drawer dresser at thrift store last week to use for 50″ tv. Have lower tv stand but wanted higher more cottagey looking stand, The paint color you used on yours is what I want to put on mine. We did little sanding all over dresser yesterday and hubs did minor repairs. Took top 2 drawers out to replace with shelf for dvd player. Was hoping to do painting today but it’s raining and snowing. Was thinking of using darker gray on drawers but still contemplating that idea.
Your dresser looks so fantastic, love drawer hardware, #’s on drawers are great touch also. Hope ours will look half as good as yours. Looking at more of your pieces shows me you’re very good at re-habbing old pieces.
Have wonderful week.
Score for you and hubby! 😀 I’m so happy to hear you found me and love that you are inspired as well. Enjoy your project!
I have been trying to figure out how to reposition furniture pulls on wooden pieces and can’t find much about it, especially when you want to stain! Can you explain the process? Thanks! You’ve done a beautiful job on the piece 🙂
That can be tricky. If you want to stain, you just need to plug the old hole with dowel and drill new holes. It doesn’t always stay hidden, but that’s about as good as you can do. If possible try to use a pull that will hide the old holes.
I have a similar dresser but some of the drawers are off their tracks. Where do you buy replacement tracks?
Check your local hardware store. I find them there or online. Hope you get it fixed! 😀
Hi Larissa,
Just wanted to tell you that I love the pieces you create. Your talent is just awesome. I would like to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and show love, Cindy. It makes my day!
Wow, this is so so fabulous, I love the look and the numbers on it are perfect!
Thanks so much, Katrin. 🙂
Just stumbled across your blog via Pinterest and HAD to stop to say that this transformation is AMAZING!! I love it!!
How fun to hear. Thank you so much, Arael.
very nice transformation!
Thank you, Penny.
Believe it or not but I found the Chester drawer just like this dresser. I am just starting to paint furniture and this is going to be my 1st project scary!!! What prepping did you have to do to the top and sides?? Did u sand it or what??
That’s awesome! I hope you have fun with it. 😀