Just when you feel like your month couldn’t fly by any faster, it’s already the second week of the month. With that, I have just the piece of #trashure for you. I spy a vintage chest of drawers makeover coming on! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it.
Little did I know when I was on a walk with Loula one day that I would happen upon this.
Well… I take that back. It is city cleanup in my quadrant. You see, each spring the city is divided up and you have one week to set out what you don’t want or couldn’t dispose of during the year. If you’ve been around with me long, you know I often shop Curb le Chic.
However, in the last five years or more, I don’t shop anymore.
That is unless I see something like this while I hear a trash truck moving about the neighborhood. You know I can’t just leave it there, right?
So, after I get home, I ask my son to help me load it up and bring it home.
Fits like a glove in there, doesn’t it? hee hee
In my video above, I describe what I find once I get it home.
It’s in decent shape with a few hot mess parties going on. First, there are chips in the veneer, a worn spot on the face of one of the drawers, and then insides some mess and derelict.
Thankfully, there’s not much here I can’t handle or haven’t handled before.
You can see my past work on Mid Century Modern pieces in these posts:
- Mid Century Modern Bookcase
- Mid Century Modern Media Stand
- Mid Century Modern Sewing Desk Upcycle
- Ikat Mid Century Modern Dresser
- and many more HERE
START TIME
Once I take note of all the repair needed, I begin by removing the drawers and making repairs. First, I remove staples and glue the drawer back together.
Not only is the chest of drawers makeover going to involve stain but also paint. Why? You see, the top is a laminate veneer while the rest of the cabinet and the drawer fronts are wood veneer. In order to make this piece cohesive, I begin by sanding down the drawer fronts to see what I’m facing.
Note… I mention (and show) in my video above how I handle this owie sanding process.
OUCH
If you recall from this post, I mention how I have been trained to have high pain tolerance due to abuse. Well… I put off doing this chest for a few weeks because I took a fall. I thought I was doing okay, but after the first day of this piece, I was in pain. So, I went to the doctor today. More in the video above.
Anyhoo, I got ‘er done using my thumb minimally before I knew of my injury issues.
This frustrates me as I try to be observant and seek help, even have had broken appendages before and had decent bruising, but, this time, not enough for me to think it broken. Remember how I mentioned going to Urgent Care when I had painful reactive arthritis following E. coli poisoning while at the same time finding out horrible information and the doctor blew me off as being menopausal? (even though others in my city had the same poisoning) I try not to ignore pain but have been trained to suppress it to not be a burden.
SAD.
Back to my project…
FINISHING
While I stain the drawers with Early American, I also prime the chest cabinet. For the best odor coverall and adhesion, I prefer Zinsser BIN primer as I show on this laminate dining table makeover. Not only does it come in tinted colors, but also clear so you can spray the insides of mildewy and smoke-filled pieces like I did on this entertainment stand turned wardrobe.
After that, I use low-tack tape to mark off sections after I measure and mark and then paint those sections in with three different colors.
What is more, I also painted those front finger pull pieces on the cabinet in an ombre color using one of my new favorite colors I use in my bedroom.
SHAZAAM
Finally, after I repair the drawer, stain the fronts, paint the cabinet, and line the top drawer, this chest of drawers makeover is complete.
Don’t you just love the clean lines of the Mid-Century era? Hard to beat.
So, I’m curious… would you have picked this chest up off the curb?
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Let me know in comments below. Additionally, pin and share to inspire others to give DIY a try too.
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What an AWESOME find, Larissa! And I have to say”beast-mode” for gettin’er done with a fractured thumb!! 😮 Hope it’s healing nicely, my friend. Pinned XOXO
Beast mode or stupid mode. haha. 😀 Thanks so much, Denise. Here’s to healing!
WOW!!! JuST WOW!!! Spectacular makeover. You are sooo talented!!! I’m always amazed by your vision and artistry. Will send you positive thoughts and hugs!!! 🥰
Thank you, my NM friend. 😀 I hope life is treating you kindly.
That is gorgeous, Larissa!! Great find and redo!! xoxo
Thank you, Nancy.
What a fantastic find! I hope your thumb heals quickly…can’t believe you did this whole makeover with a fracture! In the end, you saved a beautiful piece from being trashed…now take care of yourself! XOXO
I was like, “noooo” under my breath when I saw it. So, I had to go home and grab a buddy to help. 😉 Thanks so much, Christy. I’m trying! Hence the bike ride.
Beautiful piece, you are so talented. I love every you do. Hope your thumb heals fast. Thank you for always brightening up my day.
I paint a little bit of furniture but I have severe arthritis and no cartilage in any finger. I don’t always give a compliment because my hands hurt. But I can still read. I admire you as an stand a woman❤️
That sounds so painful, Lori! I’m so glad I brighten your day. I do try and your comments mean the world.
Aside, I do have trigger finger in my left index finger and that’s as close to arthritis I’d like to get (hopefully). This thumb makes me appreciate all my fingers all the more.
Gorgeous!! Mcm lends itself to both form and function so well so it has to be one of my favorite styles. I think the color blocking is super cool on this piece. Early American is my favorite stain as well when not keeping natural wood. I’m glad you had help lugging it home and pray for speedy recovery of your thumb. Sometime fractures are so sneaky but I’m glad you went to urgent care.
Thank ya, Nikki!! I’m with you. Next to classic Empire and Eastlake, the clean lines of MCM are so soothing.
I totally have had broken toes and this bruised up, but nothing sticking out so I thought it was just stoved. Ah well. I’m glad the doctor had time for me before they finished y root canal and crown. I’m a bit owie today.
MCM is a great style furniture. Can be styled so many ways.
This poiece is so sweet now !! Beautiful job.
Take some time to heal now 🙂
It looks beautiful in your madeover bedroom. I hope you keep it! Prayng for total healing🙏🏼
aww… thanks! I have no need for it though, but it will find the perfect home. <3