It’s time for Round 3 of my #trashure curbside haul. To catch you up to speed, this is the pile I scored from one person’s yard during our spring city cleanup. I’ve already made over that pie crust table and dog shelf. It’s time to tackle that awfully painted piece and turn it into a farmhouse chest of drawers for our Trash to Treasure fun.
If you remember, I asked JC (aka. husband) which piece he would have left on the curb. He said the chest. {{gasp}} In spite of the obvious, I replied that it was the best one. Consequently, that made him look closer, and he saw that it was oak It was only then he sorta understood my take on it.
Is it a hot mess? Yes. Does it have potential. YES!! However, the funny thing is that I have sworn off fussing with painted pieces for various reasons I have described over the last few years. Generally they can be a pain!
HOT MESS
This one definitely could look to be that way. First, the top is pretty beat up.
Then, the rail laying on top is from the back which has a missing panel or two. Last, there’s the bottom drawer. You know you’ve been around the block when you’re stoked that the drawer is even there. haha. Aside from the broken bottom, it also has a broken escutcheon. Thankfully, I can fix both no problem.
If you’re curious how I determine what’s worth working on, sign up for my newsletter to get my FREE furniture guide. Not only will you receive that freebie, but a discount to my shop too.
I just love when an antique piece still has markings to tell of its maker and history. Does that penmanship give you goosebumps too?
DIY TIME
Well, you know my sander had to come out to play, right? There is at least two coats of paint on this and they are oil base. First, green is under the brown paint, but it does make for a fun backdrop. So much so it reminds me of chocolate mint. tee hee.
After I got the top sanded down, I decided to restore this farmhouse chest of drawers to a proper height. The holes for the casters were there, but missing the hardware. No problem. At any rate, I always say it pays to have a stash. My antique caster loot came to the rescue yet again. Aren’t these gorgeous?
Meanwhile, my youngest son jumped in to help me remove the hardware that was incomplete. He’s not new to this DIY game and wanted to try out his new tools. You can see his past projects HERE. Gotta love a cute helper!
ALMOST DONE
Finally, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I use my circular saw and Rip Cut Jig to cut a new drawer bottom. Easy-peasy. With this in mind, I decided to wait until later to install it.
Next, it’s time to repair that broken escutcheon. Over the years, I’ve used this trick many times seen in my tutorial HERE. Further, polymer clay can be your best friend in furniture repair. See how I had a broken piece and made a replica using a cast to make a mold. Then, I used the mold to make a new escutcheon.
I won’t say my replica was perfect as it was a bit thicker than the original, but it still works.
However, before I tackle the bottom of my farmhouse chest of drawers, I add several coats of Hemp Oil to nourish and seal the top.
PAINTING
In between coats of hemp oil, I began the fun part…PAINT. Yahoo!! I chose to use this dark navy blue. This is the same paint I use on my Antique Store Sign Tutorial.
It’s a gorgeous milk paint in navy that will add the dimension I’m after.
The look I’m after is utilizing those previous paint layer and the chippy, rugged look of milk paint. Nevertheless, dare I say my heart starts to palpitate at this point? eep!
I’m amazed at the adhesion of the milk paint to the oil base paint – no bonding agent needed. Plus, I wanted it to come off in a natural look anyway. Last, I install the new drawer bottom using my nailer, lined the drawers, and added the new hardware.
THE REVEAL
While I could have applied more, I only used one coat of the milk paint, distressed a bit, and it’s good to go. Are you ready to see my farmhouse chest of drawers made new? I am!!
The hardware was an exciting find as it emulates the simple farmhouse style I’m after. Although the pulls come in several finishes, I thought this oil rubbed bronze gave the warm feel I was after.
And, how about that chippy paint. I love it!! Even the top came out better than I had expected. There is still a couple of deep scratches, however, I choose to embrace them as part of the story.
Also, the drawer lining is a vintage Waverly pattern that I scored the same time as the ticking stripe wallpaper at a garage sale. Brand new in package rolls for a buck…yes, please!!
And, how ’bout ‘dem casters?!? I am swooning over here. Likewise, notice the worn finish of the paint too. While I could have used the hemp oil to saturate and deepen the color, but I wanted time-worn.
SHARE
Finally, I hope my curbside find turned farmhouse chest of drawers has inspired you. If you’d like to own this chest, you can purchase it from my online shop, We deliver to your door both in the U.S. and any country upon request.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
Additionally, pin and share my farmhouse chest of drawers makeover. Help inspire others to rescue cast-off pieces too.
UP NEXT
Up next, I’ll am taking a break from the curbside haul. I am so excited to show you how to make use of those glass jars leftover after you’ve forced your bulbs for spring. See their new life HERE. Afterward, I’ll be back to the curbside makeovers with those dining chairs after that. Stay tuned!
- Antique Pie Crust Table Makeover
- Hunting Scene Shelf Makeover
- Farmhouse Chest of Drawers
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. Now it’s time to see what my Trash to Treasure friends have for you. See below…
Check out these fantastic projects my friends have created to inspire you:
In addition, more DIY projects like my farmhouse chest of drawers:
Wow you saved it life!! Turned out so beautiful! Thanks for having the fun contest to win a set of the Zibra brushes!!
Yay! I’m so glad you think so. It truly had potential and just needed some love.
I love the drawer pulls and the links at the bottom of the post where to purchase items used to make that beauty possible!
Awesome! It makes it easy for me to share what I use and for you to find them. Thanks!
Love that blue paint.
Me too.
You are so creative ?
Thanks for sharing! And the fun give-a-way!!
Thank you so much. My pleasure!
I am now on the hunt for an old dresser or smaller sideboard. This dresser is beautiful.
Hooray! I hope you find what you’re looking for. Thank you.
Your trashure is inspiring! I love to rescue and remake, but you really have great vision for these pieces!
Your words mean so much, Melanie. Thank you!
Larissa I always love milk paint and the history it immediately gives a piece of furniture. Yours turned out great with just the right amount of character.
You and me both. It’s so addictive!! 😀 Thank you, Mary.
I love it ive had a chest for @ a month but couldnt figure out which way to go i think im going to go navy thanks for the inspiration
How wonderful!! That is awesome to hear. Thank you!
I have some chairs and a dresser I would like to paint.
Another great transformation! Thank you for introducing me to Zibra paintbrushes. I love them!❤️They make it so much easier to paint everything.
Thanks so much! I am delighted to hear you love them too. They sure make my work easier in more ways than one.
Wow! I love the blue paint! I’m more of a coastal lover, but you made it look beautiful!
Thanks so much, Babette. 😀
That turned out awesome!! Love that chippy paint!! I’m anxious to try some Zibra paint brushes.
I am tickled with the outcome. So fun! You will love these brushes…really!
What is the difference between using hemp oil and lemon oil?
Hemp oil is a heavier oil, but they are basically both similar otherwise.
Wow! What incredible work you (and your son) did on this piece. My grandmother’s old dining room buffet is in desperate need of a face lift. Your Zibra brushes would be the perfect professional style brushes to help give her the TLC she deserves!
Thanks! He was happy to help and was bored, so that worked out. tee hee.
I love the drawer pulls. They are special . I like the casters too. I have an old pantry I want to paint and Zibra brushes would be so great to use on it.
Sounds good. 🙂
I love that you proved to your husband that the dresser was worth the time! It turned out awesome! I have a house full of trim to paint…
Per normal…tee hee. Thanks so much, Toia. I had fun.
Larissa, i’m so glad you brought this piece back to life. It is so cute. I’m going to try and win these wonderful brushes and i look forward to Thursday.
I’m glad I stopped for that haul. It’s been fun to save these pieces. You will love the brushes! 😀
Oh my goodness! It’s lovely! I think you got the long-loved-look just right!
I need to paint a little wall cabinet I have sitting in my storage room waiting for better things… It’s going to be a bit of a job; someone must have painted latex over oil before giving up on it, eek!
Aww…thank you for getting what I was after, Becky. Thank you. Oh boy…latex over oil is not a good thing. 😉
Larissa, i’m so glad you brought this piece back to life. It is so cute. I’m going to try and win these wonderful brushes and i look forward to Thursday. Can you please tell me what a URL is?
Thanks! The URL is the web address up in your web browser page tab. For instance: https://prodigalpieces.com
Oh my goodness I love it! I have an old dresser that is just waiting for something like this.
I’m delighted to hear it, Janet. Thank you!
Love seeing these make overs! So inspiring!
Hooray! That makes my day, Marion. Thank you!
thanks for the introduction to Hemp Oil. i googled it compared to Linseed Oil and it’s a definite contender! I love the chippy look through the milk paint and the new drawer pulls – good job Larissa!
You bet. I’ve used both and prefer the hemp, but both work fine. 😀 Thanks!
It looks so much better! Love the hardware and the top is perfect.
It is hard for me to ever pass up a chest like this, painted or not. I love how you made use of the previous coats of paint in your restoration, yet let the wood shine in the top.
You ain’t kiddin’. They are just so handy to have and full of character. Thanks for the love, Kimberly.
I am absolutely in love with this makeover! You have a most imaginative way of looking at a piece and the transformations always amaze and inspire me to try things myself. I look forward to each and every post. So glad I found you! ♥
Barb, I do believe you just made my day. Thank you so much!
Love it, You are so creative and a are wonderful source of ideas for turning lost causes into treasures. It’s nice to know you’re passing on skills to your son, too!
I feel so blessed that they are eager to learn too. Thank you for lovin’ on my work. Hugs!
I love the new color. I could tell the chest was short, but I never would have guessed it used to have castors on it. Great Job!
Thanks! Yes, most all pieces from the early 1900’s had casters and that’s my favorite part. Makes sense to me! 😀
Love your posts; I learn so much from you. I am not sure what the first thing I would paint with the brushes would be. I paint furniture for resell but have just discovered the Zibra brushes which I love. It depends on what piece I am working on when I receive the brushes if I should win them.
I’m so glad to hear it, Carolyn. They sure are wonderful to have on hand.
great results!!!
Thanks! 😀
This is gorgeous! I love the navy paint and the wood top. You did a great job!!
Thank you for saying so, Carol. I had fun trying!
I would love to try out these brushes.My favorite hobby is redoing furniture. I have three projects in my workshop right now. They all need stain and/ or paint .
Sounds like fun. 🙂 I hope you enjoyed my work today. I had fun too!
The paint job is beautiful. You find the best castoffs, Larissa! My town needs a local cleanup day like that so we can all shop curbside ?.
Seriously you do. I don’t even go out any more because it’s just too much for me to bring home. If I see something while I’m out, I grab it. I need quintuplets of myself…tee hee.
Your work is inspiring to me! Love how it turned out with the navy milk paint. Thanks for the chance to win the brushes, I would use them on two old nightstands I have that have lots of nooks and crannies.
Fantastic to hear. Thank you, Mariah.
I think that navy color is the next color I am going to try, it is beautiful.
I am so smitten with it. It has that rustic feel I adore.
Larissa, this is such beautiful dresser now! I love that your son was able to put his new (correct sized) tool set to work with you!! I adore the blue milk paint and it’s chipping goodness, along with the hemp oiled natural wood top. This piece was so much work, but you made it better than ever, well done girl!
I’m so glad you think so. I couldn’t leave it there for sure. Thank you for the love on the two of us, Kaycee. 😀
How do you get out that funky ,musty old smell out of wood pieces?
Sun, sun, and more sun is the best. But you can also wipe down with a vinegar/water mixture too.
Beautiful piece! I usually “overpaint”, meaning I can’t leave it chippy or dry brushed–I tend to just paint it like I’m going for new, but I love the way yours looks. I’m going to have to try harder for a vintage look!
Thank you, Amy. 😀 I know what you mean. That’s why I love the unexpected “wear” of milk paint. Makes it fun!
That turned out amazing and fantastically rustic!! Love it!! 🙂 xo
Thanks so much, Nancy. This was fun! 😀
Wow, your dresser looks so much better now! I wish I had the ability to envision the finished project like you can. I guess practice makes perfect, right? I am so slow on the projects I have though, my end tables are still waiting for a makeover! 🙂
You are sweet to say so, Abby. Thank you. Slow is a good thing. 😉
It is amazing what you are able to do with some paint and patience! I have a bunch of small things I could use those detail brushes on…signs, cabinet, carvings, etc. I watch the DIY blogs with great interest.
Love your take on it because patience definitely is key. haha. Thanks so much for the love, Janine.
Larissa, I love the whole idea of curbside salvaging. The dresser came out great and very different than I imagined when I first saw it before you worked on it. But I really like it, especially the fact that you left the wood showing on the top. And the unique drawer pulls add to it’s unique personality, too.
I am planning to start painting some furniture and other pieces that I’ve been collecting this summer so I could really use those Zibra brushes!
I’m so glad our city not only has the clean-up, but allows folks like me to salvage what we can to save the overpopulation of our landfills. There’s so much we can do to make this planet a better place. Just takes time. 🙂 sounds like you have some DIY fun on your way. 🙂
I’m not sure the rest of the family would agree with the really chippy look, but SWOON!!!! The chest looked impossible to salvage to me! :/
That made my day. Yay!! Thanks so much for the smile and encouraging words.
I might have left that one on the curb too, but you gave it new life! Such a great rescue!! XO
I’m tickled to hear you like it, Christy. Thanks!
I am an avid collector of pieces to “rescue” I never buy anything that doesn’t need a little TLC. I need those brushes to use on a grocery list of projects. We are also redoing our 1888 farmhouse. So redo is a perpetual occurance at our house.. between my “projects” and our house! HA!!
You are definitely a kindred spirit, Kelly. You will love the brushes as I do for endless uses. 😀
Larissa – I mentally catalog all your wonderful transformations. I would use the Zibra brushes to do detail painting. They look like the perfect shapes for different tasks.
Thanks for saying so, Allan. That’s awesome. I was always kind of a one-brush-does-all gal until I ran into these. Game changer for sure.
so many things to paint 😉
You find some of the most amazing things!!!
I seriously think they find me as I don’t need more. haha! Thanks so much for the smile. 😀
What a sweet rescue Larissa! Now it’s ready to be loved again. xo
Thanks for the love, Jen. 🙂
THIS! Oh my stars, it’s so delicious! I love the blue and the bits of green and brown showing through. The hardware is my favorite part. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks. I have a two different pieces that would benefit from this post, and I would love the brushes to use! I’ve always left furniture as is, but I’m feeling more ready to be adventurous after looking through your posts! Thank you!
It is my pleasure to share, Brooke. I know many face similar problems I encounter. You sound like you’re ready for some DIY fun. Yay!
I would use some new Zibra Brushes on some vintage jewelry box upcycles.