Already were in a new month barreling along whether we want to or not and I’m excited! Why? Well, it’s the second Tuesday of the month which means it’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday. That means my blogger friends are joining me for brand new DIY projects for you. While you’ll see their work in a bit, feast your eyes on this damaged antique dresser ready for revival.
As you can see, I have my work cut out for me with this piece I am able to source for free from a wonderful gal who needed to find it a new home. Not only is it missing veneer on the drawer fronts, but also the top and sides as well as needing casters and…let’s face it…love.
In the event you’re new to the damaged veneer game, don’t be afraid of it. Rather, embrace it because it typically means you can get a piece for free (like I did) or relatively cheap. Though, bear in mind that free typically means WORK. With this in mind and for the purpose of encouraging you, here are some examples of my past projects messing with veneer:
- another damaged dresser
- damaged side table
- damaged table top
- damaged wash stand
- double waterfall chest of drawers – Dumpster Diva
- my BEEP – a fun makeover
- or many more HERE
GET ‘ER DONE
First, as you can imagine, I need to see what’s below that veneer. Most often, there is gorgeous wood underneath there, but it has flaws here and there that make it suitable for stability, but not for beauty. That being the case, I grab my putty knife and begin to pry it off the drawer fronts.
Thankfully, it comes off pretty easy for the most part – no towel method needed! {{whew}} However, I still need to sand down those rough drawer fronts. Moreover, they’re full of worm holes, deep grain, and a whole lotta character.
Additionally, I am able to source wooden casters from a local thrift store and set those in place.
Then, as soon as the drawers are ready, I use my reactive stain to naturally age and deepen the wood. Likewise, you can see what I’ve used the stain for in these past posts. Oh, and yes…I’m embracing those worm holes, knots, and oodles of story-telling grain much like this dresser and this chest.
PAINT COLOR BOMB
Meanwhile, I am soooo in the mood for some color fun using this second’s paint in a wickedly fun coral color that I used on this tilt top table. Actually, I want to really deck the cabinet out with ombre colors, so I mix up these three.
After all, I’m not new to this technique as I’ve done plenty of paint blending like on this Mid Century dresser, this damaged mirrored dresser, and this chest of drawers, to name a few.
At the same time, I also want to keep the original hardware, but give it some spunk as well. Next, I use milk paint to brush it on the knobs and swag pulls, then wipe it off a bit with a rag.
BAM
Last, after a bit more DIY fun, here is my damaged antique dresser now sporting a Boho vibe from top to bottom. Can we say spunky?
Hellllooo color and goodbye grunge.
Also, do you see the paper-lined, skip-happy drawers? tee hee! While I’ve made use of this paper before, so I am happy to have it fit this project as well. In fact, I also gave the entire piece, drawers and all, with hemp oil for a natural finish.
As always, I want to hear from you…does this color make you smile or maybe you would have picked a different color? Do tell in comments below. Furthermore, if you’d like to add this piece to your home story, you can find it and more in my online store.
SHARE
In addition, pin and share to inspire others to grab up those damaged veneer pieces and revive them for a new life!
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter to see this next pin transformation, then head below for more Trash to Treasure fun HERE.
Last, but not least, for the sole purpose of inspiring you, these awesome blogger ladies have created new projects using their found items to create new.
While you’re at it, check out these other DIY projects like my damaged antique dresser:
That looks so complicated to do!! But, as usual you give such a good tutorial that I believe I can do it too!!! Thanks for all the detail you go through to teach us!!! 🥰
My pleasure, Rebecca. I just had someone say that this is one piece that would not have painted…umm…like…it was really damaged so what other option was there? haha. People are funny. {{eye roll}}
I have an old Lane cedar chest that is missing veneer. You have given me some ideas on how to handle that and get it refinished. My son actually wants it when I no longer need it. This dresser turned out beautifully! I live the “real” wood drawer fronts!
OOh…those are so nice to have and usually missing veneer too. haha. I love that your son wants it someday! 😀 Thank you for the kind words, Sherry.
I knew you would do something spunky! I love the colour you chose. Honestly I would have done it two toned with the darker colors but it is pretty the ombre style . It will look lovely in some one’s room. Lucky them.
haha…I’m in the mood. 😉 Yes! So many ways to go with this blank (er…damamged) slate. Thanks so much, Lorri.
Not being a fan of pink, this piece is gorgeous and I love how you ver de gris’d the pulls. Very pretty piece. The stain is fabulous!
I’m typically not either unless in coral form, but this one just needed some fun since it’s been sad for so long. tee hee. Thanks, Fran!
That’s one mean ombré……😂😂😂. I really like that color. Coral and turquoise or aqua are some of my fav’s. I’m not a fan of the ombré style that much so I agree with Lorri, but you do you boo! That paper in the drawers is fabulous! I guess that’s about as spunky as I get. Have a blessed week Larissa.
bwahahaha!! Yeah, I’m all about coral lately for some reason and always aqua (my blog and business colors). It felt good to give it some spunk for a smile. Thanks!
Love the paint/stain combo, Larissa! So pretty! xo
What a FUN makeover my friend! I love love love the pop of color against the gorgeous rich stain! XOXO
Thanks so much, Denise. One has already chastised me for painting it at all. I don’t understand why some can do the same and get all sorts of praises for painting a perfectly beautiful as-is, but I paint a derelict freebie and am awful. Here’s to being ME! 😀
This dresser is just beautiful! I, for one, love the colour! The world needs as much of it as possible 😊.
Thank you for the details about removing veneer. I’ve been a bit afraid to because of joy knowing what’s underneath. I think I’ll give it a go on a dresser I’ve been procrastinating on because it’s such a mess.
It sure makes life fun to change it up every now and then, eh? 😉 Thanks so much, Val, and I hope you have fun with your project!
I like the dresser but not the finished paint. I think painting it all white with rub on transfer would of been better.
I will be honest, that there are too many of those in the DIY world currently. Everyone is using a transfer and I prefer to be my own artist instead of a carbon copy of someone else’s work. And better is relative. 😉
I know this was a TON of work, Larissa, but you made it sing!! It’s beautiful! XOXO
You are just awesome, Christy. Thank you. I think this may be the last one for me for a very long time. 😉
It turned out great! Such a vibrant color, way to go!
Thanks! With the doldrums of winter at large, a spring color is what was needed. 😉
Po prostu ślicznie Larissa . Zawsze trochę bałam się używać tak zdecydowanych kolorów, ale może spróbuję podobnego koloru na jakimś małym przedmiocie i może wtedy odważę się na jakiś większy projekt. Pozdrawiam.
Bardzo dziękuję. To zdecydowanie właściwa droga… Zacznij od małych projektów, przechodząc do większych projektów.
Larissa, you did a beautiful job of this piece! What a lot of work! The drawers are so fabulous, the rich dark stain with the beautiful pulls and paper. This will be such a focal piece in someone’s home! You basically made a piece of junk ready for the dump into a lovely treasure. So sustainable and innovative. Fabulous!
Well, Anita, you just made my day. You got what I was after and understand how labor-intensive this type of work is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Love the dresser and what you did with it! The coral color is gorgeous, just not really liking the ombré. Just my taste. Thanks for the tips about veneer, I’ve been shy about dealing with that.. I’m going to be watching you now.
You’re welcome.