It’s that fun time of the month where my Furniture Fixer Upper friends and I get together to inspire you with our furniture makeovers. Yay! If you saw my post a week ago, you knew my dad brought me a haul of furniture that included a vintage side table in hot mess state that I redid. With that in mind, it’s time for this vintage chest nightstand to shine.
What you’re looking at is a solid piece of furniture made by Gordon’s furniture, with beautiful brass hardware and awesome burled veneer. Unfortunately, one of the brass pulls is missing. Let’s take a peek at the top…bummer.
That’s some fantastic veneer, but a whole lot of damage. Thankfully, the old finish comes off easily, but I wasn’t so hopeful for being able to refinish the top back to wood. As you can see, there are a couple of rings that look like something hot was burned into the wood. Plus, there are chemical stains that could not be removed.
DIY TIME
Initially, I use my sander to knock it all down. Unfortunately, that damaged I mentioned couldn’t be fixed as it went through the veener. grrr… I sincerely wanted to save it. Then, after much debate with myself, I decided to use this striking blue to dress this piece up.
First, my goal was to showcase that gorgeous brass hardware and make it shine. Then, while I waited for my first coat to cure, I began my search for a replacement teardrop pull. Let me tell ya, it’s rare I can’t find what I’m looking for and doggone I was beat on this one. My solution, however, was to find a different way to make it all gel. Hang with me…
CLEAN UP
Meanwhile, I began to polish the hardware. Also, did you notice it has etchings of birds and blooms in it? I love it! At first, my favorite Bar Keepers Friend came to the rescue again. Not only does this stuff works awesome on most metals, but it totally helps me with all my porcelain and stainless steel in my home too.
Let me just say, that hardware was DIRTY!! It took me longer to polish that stuff up than it did to paint. In spite of the time, it’s so worth it. Just wait until you see the after.
Then, one more thing to do before I show you the finished product. It pays to have a stash of all kinds – seriously. One that I have tapped into endlessly is two office paper boxes full of vintage wallpaper samples. Not only do I enjoy using this paper for drawers, but also as dollhouse wallpaper, notebooks and journals, book covers, etc. Further, when I saw those birds and blooms on the hardware, I knew I had to line the drawers with some vintage goodness.
WHIMSY
Typically, I tend to find only one sample of each paper. It’s fun to line drawers with similar papers as surprise in each drawer. However, as I was digging, I came up with these two samples. As a result, I may have squealed out loud!
However, before I could line the drawers, they needed cleaned up with a bit of elbow grease. In any event, I felt sorry for this thing and how rough it had been treated over the years.
Finally, I completed my work on this nightstand. happy dance! Not only did it take two coats of paint, but also there is a surprise inside the cabinet, as well as lining the drawers and polishing the brass. woot!
With that dark blue paint, the vintage brass hardware is sure to take center stage as it should. Likewise, see those beautiful hand-crafted details?
Incidentally, those birds and blooms are what inspired me to use the vintage wallpaper samples I showed above. It makes it fun to peek in and see.
PEEK-A-BOO
Last, for added contrast, I decide to add some color fun using a soft peach color in the cabinet side of this vintage chest nightstand.
I’ve completed my DIY and hope you enjoyed my makeover adventure. This vintage chest nightstand is now available in my online shop along with many other home decor items for you.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
In addition, make it easy for others to find and learn by pinning and sharing my vintage chest nightstand makeover. It’s the best way to inspire!
Up next, I’m ready to confess a bit on how this wooden circle became a broken wooden circle – ahem. But, I didn’t give up on it – HEAD HERE to see.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
MORE FUN
Now, check out this fantastic collection of furniture makeover to inspire you!
- Just the Woods
- Girl in the Garage
- Confessions of a Serial DIYer
- Interior Frugalista
- Petticoat Junktion
Additionally, more furniture makeovers like my vintage chest nightstand:
Absolutely stunning, I held my breathe for a moment when I saw those beautiful fixtures on the front, so so glad you used them larissa, what a fabulous new life it has..x
Thank you, Janette. Yes, I’m all about saving as much as I can.
Oh wow….that brass! Absolutely stunning! I love the way you brought this together, it is a beauty.
It truly stole my heart. I loved all the details and class it gave this piece.
Wow Larissa!! This is 1 of your best makeovers ever. Love the blue and then the apricot inside!!Wow again
You are so fun, Rea! Thank you for that hug. 😀
It looks great. I love the contrast! Very sharp and charming at the same time. ❤️The brass is amazing. What a great save! Thank you for sharing your fellow blogger’s links as well. I love going through them.
You know I love my blues, and I really wanted that hardware to take center stage. Thank you for the kind words, Grace.
wow, wow, wow!! Love what you did to that chest. I am a fan of oriental style furniture and my heat went petty pat when I saw what colour you painted the inside. Fabulous!!!!!
Wahoo!! I’m so happy to hear it. Thank you for making me smile! 😀
WOW!! What a show-stopper, Larissa! I LOVE this gorgeous blue against the brass!! XO
Another winner for my dad – woot! I’m so glad you like it. Thank you!
What a beautiful makeover! I love the quality of older, vintage wood furniture and you did a fantastic job bringing this chest back to life. I am a big fan of Bar Keeper’s Friend too, it works well on copper items too. Keep up the great work, Larissa!!
There’s just nothing like it, Dana. Made better and built to last if owners would just take care of them. I’m so delighted to hear you like it. Thank you!
Wow, that turned out gorgeous. I love the brass hardware and vintage wall paper drawer liner!
Woot, woot! Thank you for the fun, Shelia. I feel in love with this piece.
Very nice Larissa. I just finished two night stands for my daughter in a very similar color of Dixie Belle Chalk Paint. They were not as nearly as unique in structure but the color makes the whole piece! Your’s is absolutely stunning! I love it.; especially the hardware!
I bet they are beautiful! Color does make the difference. Thanks for the love!
Oh my gosh Larrissa my jaw dropped when I saw the finished piece! I knew the brass and blue would be beautiful together but it still blew my socks off! The apricot and wallpaper are that special added touch you always manage to add to your pieces. BTW Barkeepers Friend is something I have always know about but have been just too stubborn to try, but I just saw you used it in one of your last posts and finally tried it myself. I am kicking myself for not trying it sooner, it’s incredible!
How fun is that?! Thank you for your encouraging words and making my day in more ways than one. Glad you like the Bar Keepers – it’s a keeper!
Stunning, Larissa! The burled veneer is nice, but the painted chest is magnificent.
I’m so happy you like it! Thank you, Marcie.
You did this old vintage nightstand proud, Larissa. Wow, love how the brass hardware just pops with the pretty dark blue. Gorgeous makeover!
happy dance!! I would love to keep this one as I don’t have a nightstand, but also have no room for said nightstand. haha.
What is the name and brand of the blue paint you used? You did an absolutely gorgeous job!
The brand is Glidden, but I made a custom color for this. Thank you for the love!
Such a beauty Larissa! Those pulls are so gorgeous. You made this from an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan! Another amazing transformation!!
You’re so fun, Debra. It truly was a unique challenge to bring it all together. So fun!
Breathtakingly beautiful and very elegant could fit in any home. What a beautiful job
You just made my day, Gail. Thank you!!
Be still my heart!!! All of my favorites combined…blue, brass, birds, and coral!!!
Yippee!! You are a gal after my own heart, Fran. Thank you so much!
You had your work cut out for you with this piece. The top was a disaster, too bad.
Can’t believe how dirty the brass was, wow.
The finished product is beautiful
Enjoy the rest of your day
Cindy
I was so close to saving it, but wasn’t meant to be. Frustrating, but glad it came out as I had envisioned. Thank you!
Woah what a save! I confess that I have yet to try bar keepers friend! Love that blue, great minds think alike 😉
You gotta try it! And…we rock the blue, girl!! 😀
Very beautiful color Larissa —- and personally I really like that you did not distress this piece. One question – looks like 3 drawers, but you say its two. I cant quite tell from the photo if the middle is blank, and the drawers are top and bottom? The open drawer pic looks like they are one right below the other…. . So why not 3? Thank you! Love reading your site and enjoy your humor !
I don’t often distress and only when the piece requires it. The top drawer is one and the bottom is deep with a front of two faux drawers. So glad you like it! 😀
That blue and gold together are beautiful, and those pulls are stunning! I’m so glad you were able to save them Larissa!
I’m so glad my dad thought me able to do it justice. Thank you so much, Jen.
Larissa you did a beautiful job with that piece. Fantastic transformation. Please tell me the brand name and color of that blue paint. I want some. I love all kinds of blues. I want to buy some today if I can. Also, the brand name and color you used inside. Keep up the great work.
Thank you for saying so. It’s a color I custom mixed for another piece awhile back, but the paint is Glidden. As for the inside I have the link to the color in my post. Isn’t it pretty? 😀
WOW…..you certainly worked a miracle on this one. BEAUTIFUL!!!!
You are so fun! Thank you for making my day, Terri. 😉
Oh my…..that’s absolutely stunning!! Beautiful job, as usual.
What a wonderful thing to hear, Becky. Thank you!
what colour/brand of blue is this ? it looks perfect. Awesome job !
It is a custom color I made using a latex paint. Thank you!
Wow beautiful job , The color is also very beautiful .Congratulation .
Thank you so much, Karine. 🙂
Beautiful piece!
Do you have any tutorials on how to paint the inside of a cabinet? I love how “finished” it looks. I am currently refinishing an antique buffet and would like to know how to go about painting the inside.
Thanks!
Thanks! I just paint them like I do the exterior, but usually a fun color pop. 🙂 Just make sure to prime and then a couple of top coats. You can see one of my buffets HERE.
Hi Larissa: I echo everyone else’s compliments. Look’s great. Can you tell me if you used clear wax at the end?
Thank you! Nothing more than the dark wax was needed. 🙂
Larissa, what paint did you use? (was a primer/topcoat used as well?) You may have shared this but I can’t find links/references
I used a satin paint by Glidden – a basic latex with built-in primer. 🙂
Beautiful! If I’ve read your replies correctly, you used a a latex paint, satin , and a dark wax to finish. Is that correct? If so what wax do you use?
Thanks
Thank you, Betty. 😀 Yes, I used Daddy Vans antique brown wax.