Hello sweet Friends! Summer is well under way here and I hope you are taking time to enjoy some sunshine where you are. My oldest will be turning 15 in September and I am coming to the realization that sadly, this may be our last Summer with him actually wanting to hang out here with me and my youngest son. Too soon he will be off doing his own thing with his friends…boohoo! SO I really want to make the moments count this Summer, and with that I hope you don’t mind if I sprinkle in a few oldies but goodies here and there on the blog to buy me some of those moments.
It really is a shame that I share so many fun makeovers and many rarely are ever seen again.
Today I am pulling one of my favorite dresser makeovers out of the archives. Many of you may remember this one, but it may be new to many of you too!
I found this dresser at the Salvation Army for $45:
It was a bit dated, but it was in excellent condition.
I decided to give it a more feminine feel:
You gotta love the power of paint. Am I right?
I used Behr’s Pure White made into DIY chalk paint (recipe including video HERE) for the base, and a 50/50 mix of French Linen (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint) and Pure White for the stripes.
It has personality now, but it’s still neutral, which I love. I recently added similar stripes to this night table which would have matched perfectly and also to this armoire.
I’ve included affiliate links so you can see some of the products I used.
The first thing I had to do was fill in the original holes in the bottom three drawers using Elmer’s Wood Filler, since I planned on changing out the hardware on those.
To make the stripes, I used 1-1/2″ Frogtape for delicate surfaces.
I started by adding a strip of tape down the center. Then I added a strip to either side, and removed the piece in the center.
I used the piece I removed as a guide for the rest of my stripes…
Then I painted them in with two coats, and removed the tape while it was still wet, as soon as I finished the second coat. After the paint was dry, I lightly sanded the drawers with 220 grit sandpaper. The whole piece was sealed with Annie Sloan’s clear wax.
To save money, I reused the original six pulls for the top…
They add a nice contrast on top.
The other handles were just not working for me, so I replaced them with these much prettier ones from Hobby Lobby (50% off every other week):
The drawers got a pretty fabric liner as well…
I also purchased that at Hobby Lobby.
I prefer fabric to line the drawers in larger pieces if I can find a good deal on it, since it can more easily be removed down the road. I cut it with my rotary cutter and cutting mat, then used matte Mod Podge like a glue to hold it in place. I just brushed it all over the bottom of the drawer with an inexpensive chip brush before applying the fabric.
I hope you enjoyed this makeover, or revisiting it if you’ve seen it before! It is one of my favorites!
I’ll see y’all on Thursday with another oldie but goodie:
I didn’t want to let it go!
UPDATE: No need to wait, see how this cabinet turned out HERE.
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
Enjoy your summer with those kids, they don’t stay young forever! My four children are all grown and gone from home. I still love looking back on your old post, do It quite often for great inspiration! Have fun Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I’m learning that fast! XOXO
Leticia says
Looks beautiful! Thanks so much for the tips about doing stripes! I am going to try that. Much easier than measuring! Have a good week. Leticia
Christy says
Thank you, Leticia! That really is easier than measuring for sure…anything that gets us out of doing math ha ha! XOXO
Christina in FL says
Christy, this is positively brilliant… yes, another brilliant makeover! This chest of drawers is now ready to take a spot in someone’s home deserving of its elegance. Love the colors, perfect handles and the details are amazing. Love that you choose to use fabric to line the drawers. It’s such a lovely touch. Thank you for sharing all the details. I know this one will sell fast… if you can part with it. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! This was a favorite for sure! XOXO
ColleenB.~ Tx. says
Beautiful~ I do love them stripes.
Christy says
Thank you, Colleen! You know I’m a sucker for stripes! XOXO
Jody says
I think I saw the dresser before but who cares. It is so pretty to look at. Pretty soon I will be able to start doing things like this. It has so much personality I do not know why anyonebwould leave it plain wood.
Christy says
Thank you, Jody! I agree…the plain wood was so dated and boring! XO
Jamie Kennemer says
Oh goodness! Took my breath away! WOW! Absolutely Gorgeous!!! ????????????
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jamie!! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I love looking at your old projects again, Christy. Funny, I have the mate to that dresser. It’s lower and longer and was my mother’s, from when she was a child.
You may be surprised, your kids might want to be around you more than you realize, but I know what you mean. In any case, I hope the family enjoys this summer!
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I would have snatched up the longer mate to this had they had it at the store. It’s awesome that you have a piece that belonged to your mother. And you are right…my kids do enjoy hanging out with Mom, but I know all too soon friends will take precedence for a while. Cherishing these moments while they last! 🙂
June G. says
Love your “OLDIE BUT GOODIE”…..fun to revisit! Those old pulls on that solid maple chest…1960’S for sure…you made her updated and attractive! I have a window seat cushion I’d like to change the upholstery on…any oldie posts for a project like that? Thanks for the motivation!
June
Christy says
Thank you, June! Yep those pulls gave her age away for sure. Is the cushion just a simple rectangle? I have the perfect post if so: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/sew-easy-outdoor-cushion-covers-oldie-but-goodie/ 😀
Sherry Stuifbergen says
I love this dresser’s makeover. Who would have thought of stripes to add interest? I understand about spending time with children who grow up too soon. I enjoy your “oldies.” I bookmarked this one because of all the good information to fix something that may come along. You do such good work. Enjoy the summer.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sherry! Stripes can do wonders for so many pieces. Going to cherish all the moments I can this Summer! XOXO
Melinda says
So pretty!! I feel for you,when the kids get older they fly farther from the nest:*( Just enjoy the many moments that you can! When they get older like mine are,they become friends and that is special.
Christy says
Thank you, Melinda! You hear it all the time that they grow up so fast…but the 13-14 age, they seem to grow up overnight! Enjoying every moment! XOXO
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
I have my thumbs in the air to you, Christy! From one empty nester, take it from me, you would regret not taking this time to stop and notice what really matters the rest of your life. We will be here when you get back and besides, your projects are so darn gorgeous who wouldn’t want to see them again or catch up on ones we may have missed. Now go be a fabulous Mom, your son will remember that always! xo
Christy says
Aww thanks, Marie! My oldest has seemed to grow up overnight, and it has me really wanting to be present so much more than normal. I’ll still be posting some new things too, just taking my sweet time on those projects! 🙂
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
They do grow overnight. Next thing you know, they’ve left the nest. I think it speaks volumes that you want to be present even more than normal before that happens. Take your sweet time, we’ll still be here.
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend!! XOXO
chris tucker says
you take all the time you want i love your oldies xx
Christy says
Aww thanks, Chris, I appreciate that! XOXO
Kathleen Rupp says
Wow….this dresser makeover is so much fun! I love the stripes. I don’t know if I would have thought about stripes on half of the front. Looks great! Also, thanks for the tips on lining the drawers with fabric. I’m re-doing a dresser right now and may use that. Makes a nice touch:) Great flip!
Christy says
Thank you, Kathleen! Yep the rotary cutter and mat are a huge help for getting perfectly straight cuts on the fabric for the drawers! XO
Kathleen Rupp says
Oh I better purchase that then! I am glad you told me because I probably would have had a headache with scissors. Is that in quilting aisles? or do you have an affiliated link?
Christy says
I have this one: http://amzn.to/2s2ss77 which is an affiliate, but you can also find them at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or any fabric store near all the quilting supplies. I use mine all the time! 🙂
Kathleen Rupp says
yay.. I just ordered it 🙂 I would not have thought to use that since I am not a quilter! Thank you so much!!
Christy says
Awesome, you’re welcome! I actually bought my original one way back in the day when I did make a few quilts…makes those straight cuts so much easier. You can use it for paper too. 🙂
Jan says
Hi Christy!
This is so pretty and I must have missed it the first time!! So just perfect to see it today! Thank you for your inspiration and I really just don’t know how you keep up your pace!! You deserve lots of time off!! Enjoy your summer!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jan! I’m going to enjoy as many moments as I can! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Can hardly believe it is the same dresser as in before shot. Amazingly wonderful changes.
Christy says
I know, right?? Thanks, Rose!! XOXO
Terri Hughes says
”BEAUTIFUL”
Christy says
Thank you, Terri! XO
Paula says
I may have pinned this post the first time, but I’m pinning again because I love it so much. This one is so close to my heart. I had a similar dresser when I was a baby and small child and it was painted white (I think it was my even mom’s before). When I got a little older, I remember my mom and dad spending a hot southern summer day stripping the paint and staining it. I carted that dresser around with me almost everywhere I lived after leaving home. For a few years, I had it stored at my parents while I was traveling and then I settled many miles away. One day I found a dresser (stained) almost like mine that I grew up with. I had to have it. It became my son’s dresser when he came along. Then, pregnant with my second child, we visited my parents and ended up carting the original one back home with us. Now they both sit together in the room that my sons share. I dream of painting the dressers someday and probably will. Remembering how hard my parents worked on that one may be what makes me live with it. I love what you did with yours and I just might try some stripes in fun colors; that would look so cute in a boys room. Of course, when they get older, I could paint them white (again for my original), but, I hear y’all, and I won’t rush that bittersweet (more bitter than sweet) day. I sure will miss those drawers filled with tiny socks and hiding treasures that they think their little brother won’t find. Thank you for sharing and inspiring us!
Christy says
Thank you, Paula! How awesome that your sons are using the same treasured dresser that was possibly even used by your own mom! I totally understand your hesitation to paint it after your parents worked so hard to strip it. And yes I already miss those tiny socks and baby toys! Enjoy those babes! XOXO