Hello, amazing friends! I’m back today with a beautiful piece I found this summer! This makeover involves a painted dresser with a stained top, one of my favorite looks! Before we get to that, just a reminder that it’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day, and my friends have more furniture flips for you to visit at the bottom, so be on the lookout for those!
Today’s project piece is this gorgeous dresser that I found for the bargain price of $59.99 at our local Habitat Restore:
It looks fantastic right?? Ha ha ha ha ha…just wait!
Here’s a preview:
How??
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Sand the Top
As I mentioned at the top, I wanted a stained top for this dresser. I love this look on the right piece!
So, the first step was to sand using my rotary sander. (I prefer this one for bigger jobs.) I used 100 grit sandpaper first, followed by 220 grit…
Clean
Once I had the top sanded smooth and all the dust vacuumed up with my shop vac, it was time to clean, and boy did this piece need it!!
Look what was behind those gross drawers:
How does that happen? Were the drawers stored separately from the dresser?
I did vacuum the entire interior first…
Then, I used my go-to paint prep cleaner, White Lightning by Dixie Belle. It is a cleaner AND a deglosser that comes in both a powder form and a ready-to-use formula.
I like to use the granules and mix a fresh batch for each project, adding one TBSP to a half gallon of warm water.
Eww. I was asked recently if I ever swap out my White Lightning mixture for a fresh batch mid project? And my answer was no. I usually go to the end and then swap my dirty water for clean water to rinse.
But this time, my water was SO bad that I did mix a new batch after cleaning the interior!
Then, I was sure to swap out that water for clean water to wipe down once more to remove any residue after cleaning. These terry cloth pads are perfect for cleaning…like a washcloth sponge!
Fill in Scratches and Gouges
After cleaning, it was time to fill in any sratches or gouges, and there weren’t too many this time. I did that using Dixie Belle’s Mud in brown.
Then those areas got a good sanding also, using 220 grit sandpaper:
I vacuumed that up, wiped everything down with a clean, soft cloth, and it was time to get to the good part!
Prime for Bleed through with Bonding BOSS
This red wood was definitely a potential bleeder, so I primed first with a coat of white Bonding BOSS, which is both an adhesion and a stain/odor blocking primer in one convenient product.
I usually let that dry for at least 24 hours, but I started on this project way ahead of time, so it probably sat for a couple of days.
Paint
Finally, the best part, paint!
I ended up giving this dresser three coats of Cotton, Dixie Belle’s brightest white chalk mineral paint, for solid coverage.
I applied that, as well as the Bonding BOSS, with my favorite Mini Angle Brush…
Sand
Chalk paint does have a slight texture to it, but giving it just the lightest sanding with 220 grit sandpaper after your final coat will make it smooth as butter!
I usually wrap mine around an old foam sanding sponge to make it easier to handle.
After sanding, I cleaned up all the dust once again using my shop vac, followed by a good wipe down with a clean, soft cloth.
Stain
Then it was time to stain the top. Before getting into it, I started by conditioning the top with wood conditioner. This allows the wood to absorb the stain more evenly:
While we do sell a wood conditioner, it’s pretty new and I had forgotten all about it! I don’t stain too often, so I need to remember that for next time!
I immediately followed that up with No Pain Gel Stain in Espresso:
I know lighter woods are trending at the moment, but I just love this dark, rich color.
I kept wiping with the grain until I had pulled any excess stain from the surface.
Seal
Finally, the last step was to seal! When working with the oil-based No Pain Gel Stain, wait about 72 hours to seal with a water-based stain. It should be good and dry. If you can leave your piece in the sun, it helps speed up the dry time.
I sealed the body and drawers using Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Satin, applying it with the blue applicator sponge…
And as soon as the stained top was good and dry, I sealed that with Clear Coat in Gloss instead. I wanted a bit more gloss for this gorgeous stained top.
Painted dresser with Stained Top Reveal
Here is how this dresser looks now!
Wait, what?? Where did that mirror come from??
I don’t know if anyone noticed this mirror in this haul photo from last year?
Do you spy this mirror in there? I found it at the end of last summer at a yard sale. I had dragged it out to be photographed with this haul, but then realized I didn’t have anything in this haul to pair it with!
So, it has lived at the back of my garage all year. When I spied this beautiful dresser at the Restore, I knew they would be perfect together!
The lady who was selling it had it priced at $25, but I offered $20. After a very long pause, she reluctantly agreed.
That got primed and painted also, of course…
And they do make a lovely match!
I love the contrast of the bright white with the dark stained top:
And that beautiful drawer detail is what sold me on this dresser…
But the antique mirror really adds SO much!
I’m so excited I finally found a mate for it!
The Drawers
Here’s a reminder of what the drawers looked like…
That was a drop of my own sweat it was so hot out ha ha!
The top two were really the only ones abused this much. I scraped away as much as I could and then sanded the rest smooth:
Then they got painted inside and out in Bay Breeze Silk Mineral Paint:
I gave them two coats allowing plenty of dry time in between as Silk takes a bit longer to dry. (And no need to prime since I sanded and the drawers were pretty much raw wood anyway.)
Here is how they look all put together…stunning!
As you can see, I painted the outsides as well since they all pretty much looked like this before:
Everything was so dirty looking, I just wanted to paint it all lol!
But I saved the best for last! The top two fancier drawers got a little more fancy inside with this gorgeous Salon de La Gloire decoupage paper from Redesign:
I sell this paper like hotcakes, so I really wanted to use it on something!
It was the inspiration for choosing the Bay Breeze Silk Mineral Paint.
I cut the paper with the help of my rotary cutting mat set to get perfectly straight cuts:
Then I used a hair dryer on the warm setting to get any creases out.
To add it to the drawers, I applied one coat of Matte Decoupage Gel from Redesign using a 2″ Foam N Dandy brush:
Then I laid the paper and applied another coat of the gel over the top:
And voila!
What a beautiful surprise when you open the drawers!
It took one paper to line both drawers. I had hoped for enough to line this little cubby on the mirror as well, but there wasn’t quite enough, so it just got painted in Bay Breeze:
Oh and I was able to reuse all the original hardware!
I just primed and painted it.
I’m so excited about this one! I hope you love it too! 
Don’t forget to check out what my talented friends have for you!
And another one done!
See what’s been completed so far below:
Lamp Set Makeover
Painting the Smalls #36
Painted Lingerie Chest Makeover
Update an Upholsterd Bench
Update a Mirror with Paint and Transfers
Painted Drop Leaf Side Table
Painting the Smalls Yard Sale Edition
Vintage Cane Chair Makeover
Dated Coastal Lamps
Home Interiors Shelf Makeover
How to Change the Bottom of a Dresser
$3 Yard Sale Wall Shelf Makeover
Plant Stand Makeover
Freebie French Chair
Oak Pedestal Table
I’ll be back on Tuesday with this little chest:
UPDATE: No need to wait…see how elegant this box looks now HERE!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh WOWZA!!! I love that makeover! It is so fresh and beautiful, and I would look so beautiful in my house in my spare bedroom (I call it the blue room)!! I am totally amazed at how beautiful this one turned out! I also love the stained top with the contrast of the fresh white! That is an amazing transformation, and the mirror goes perfectly with it! I love the paper inside the drawers! I have never wished more that I lived closer so I could buy that dresser, what a gem!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary! What a lovely compliment that you would have this in your home! It sounds like it would go perfectly in your blue room! I wish you were closer, my friend! XOXO
Pamela O LaJeunesse says
Such creative and inspiring work. I want everything you do. Amazing!! Live with beauty.
Christy says
Aww that means so much, Pamela, thank you!! XOXO
Anita says
Well, if that isn’t perfection, I don’t know what is! Honestly, there is not much more to say. You knew exactly what to do to make this lovely piece shine. Classic! I think it will disappear the second it hits your shop floor. That mirror is spectacular and incredibly unique. Love everything about this re-do! Thank you for sharing!
Christy says
Aww yay!! I’m so glad you like it, Anita, thank you!! If I had a spare room, this would not be leaving lol! XOXO
Kathy W says
Christy – I could go on and on and on about how beautiful the dresser and mirror turned out. I love both so much!! Once again, another AMAZING transformation!! I’m in awe!! My favorites about this project:
– the stained top (gorgeous)
– the decoupage paper (beautiful)
– the very unique mirror with a cubby!!!!
You are truly AMAZING!! Have a wonderful weekend!!
Kathy W
oxoxox
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Kathy! This one is exactly me…I would keep if I could ha ha…I would keep many things if I could though lol! I was so thrilled the mirror worked so nicely with this dresser! XOXO
Jeanne says
LOVE IT!!! It’s a great piece. You could’ve done many things with this one but the makeover as is works so well. I LOVE the mirror with it too! This one won’t be staying in the booth for long, I’m sure! Glad you did a bigger piece. It always recharges me to finish my own projects. Are you sick of “hearing” me say, “Keep up the great work”?
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jeanne! I am so glad you enjoy seeing these larger pieces…I love that I can do more of them now that I have a larger booth space! And I will never tire of all the positive encouragement…y’all keep me going!! XOXO
Mary C King says
Love this! I think you know why. Reminds me of my grandmother’s pieces. I wish I had the need for more furniture, but very likely I will have to downsize again next spring.
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! Yes!! I was channeling your special pieces on this one! XOXO
Michele M. says
WOW!!!!!!! Oh my goodness what a transformation, Christy. She is absolutely stunning! I love this post. I actually howled with laughter at your drop of sweat. You are so hilarious. You did a fabulous job on this. Question: is the mirror sold separately or together with this masterpiece?
Christy says
Thank you so much, Michele! It has been so dang hot here until the last couple of day…but the show must go on ha ha! I will be selling these together. Can’t wait to load them into my booth! XOXO
Gail Frye says
Another fabulous makeover! This one is extra-special……what a gorgeous transformation!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Gail! It was so rewarding to see it come together and to finally get to use that beautiful mirror! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
This dresser + mirror combo is amazing my friend!💙 I love the dark stain with the white contrast as well, soooo beautiful. And as a side note, how many pairs of work shoes do you have?👟🩴👟 … I have 1 pair! 🤣🤣🤣 Pinned XOXO
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, my sweet friend! Ha ha! I have two pairs just for the heavy painting days, but I work out most mornings, so I usually still have those shoes on when I’m doing something besides painting lol! And I sometimes don’t realize I was wearing my good shoes painting until I edit photos. 🤣 XOXO
Elizabeth Frum says
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.
I read this and thats all i kept saying to my self. Wow that was a lot of work
And what you ended up with lady was amazing. You are so good at what you do. Oh my gosh that dresser with the beautiful stained top then the mirror with the cubby and wow the inside of the drawers. Amazing.
Christy says
I’m so glad you love it, Elizabeth, thank you!! You are the sweetest! This was an incredibly dirty piece. I thought it was priced pretty cheap at only $59, but I’m guessing they knew something I didn’t ha ha! XOXO
Heidi says
This is so classically beautiful! I love the pale blue details inside! This is on par with your fabulous pink chest of drawers, or … Maybe you just topped even that one! You are knocking it out of the park, and you make it look way too easy!
Christy says
Aww thank you SO much, Heidi!! I thought that lingerie chest was my favorite too until I did this one! I wish I had a guest room because this would not be going anywhere lol. XOXO
Leslie L Mack says
This dresser with that mirror is probably my favorite piece that you’ve done. This is stunning!
Christy says
Aww yay! Thank you so much, Leslie! This might be my new favorite too! XOXO
Mary Smart says
I love this set! I don’t know if I could give them up if I were you. As always you do a spectacular job!
Christy says
Aww hank you so much, Mary! If I had a guest bedroom, this would be staying here for sure!! Jack needs to move out lol! XOXO
Colleen says
I love absolutely everything about this makeover! Perfection!!
Christy says
I’m so happy to hear that, Colleen, thank you!! XOXO
Susan says
This piece turned out so beautiful, and the mirror on top is the icing on the cake! Wow!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Susan! I love that I was finally able to match that gorgeous mirror to something! XOXO
Laura J. says
Simply FABULOUS Christy!!! The dresser with the mirror … a match made in heaven!! Such a perfect pair, and the mirror has a cubby – so cool!!! Love all your finishing touches. You are an amazing person! Thank you for sharing your talent; I enjoy your makeovers so much!
Christy says
Aww, thank you, Laura! That means so much to me!! I was so excited to find this mirror but then it kept being too wide for any pieces I found that it could go with until I found that dresser. I’m thrilled that they fit so nicely together! XOXO
Deborah Mealus says
What a stunning transformation! I absolutely LOVE the dresser and mirror combination! Will you be keeping it or will you be selling it at your booth? I know for me, it would be very difficult to part with!
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Deborah
Christy says
Thank you, Deborah! I wish I had a guest room so I could keep it, but sadly, I do not, so it will be going to my booth! XOXO
Carol S says
Goodness, gracious. You did a whole lot of beautiful work on this one! Congratulations on a stunning result. I hope you are selling this for a good amount. It is now a very expensive-looking, breathtaking, collector’s piece. Wishing you the best!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Carol! It is a one-of-a-kind for sure! XOXO
Lucy Caldwell says
I think this is my favorite piece you’ve ever done! If I lived closer, I’d buy it!!
Christy says
Oh I love that, Lucy, thank you! I think this might be my new favorite as well! XOXO
Jackie C says
OMGGGG you are killing me with these gorgeous pieces that I don’t have access to.
This is one of my favorites. The mirror is fabulous with this. Love, love, love‼️
Christy says
Ha ha!! It sounds like you need a road trip and a Uhaul lol! Thank you so much, my friend!! XOXO
Addie says
Stunningly beautiful!!! That mirror is perfect and really sets it all off.
If I lived closer…..I would buy that piece!!! Oh!!!….that mirror!!!!
You must have been working on that for a while…..every picture you have on different shoes!!!!…lol
Keep up the good work!!!…/AD xx
Christy says
Thank you so much, Addie! Oh that is so funny! I did work on it little bits at a time over several days! XOXO
Kim Wollmer says
So so beautiful! Love it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kim! XOXO
Cyndi says
That is so, so lovely!! That mirror looks like it was made for the dresser. I’ve never seen one with the drawer like that. I love it! And I love the touch of Bay Breeze and the gorgeous paper. Wow! Fantastic job!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I am so thrilled that the mirror worked so well with this dresser! It is definitely a unique piece now. XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, you never cease to bring such beauty and elegance to unloved pieces. She will sell very fast! Absolutely love that gorgeous mirror – it’s perfect paired with the dresser.
I agree – I don’t understand how the inside of dresser drawers end up looking so rough.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, my friend! I might price it high just so I can go still visit it at my booth for a while ha ha! And right?? The drawers had to have been stored separately somewhere? Who knows! It’s nice and clean now! XOXO
Lizzy says
It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love everything about it.
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Olivia says
The mirror and the dresser are a match made in heaven. Love what you did to both. Unexpected that the mirror has a box that opens. Nice job on both.
Christy says
Thank you, Olivia! I am thrilled that they worked so well together! That mirror is definitely unique. It may have even been attached to a dressing table at one time. XOXO
Dianne Glass says
It is beautiful! You do such a wonderful job on every piece you redo. You are such an inspiration!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Dianne, thank you! XOXO
Victoria Hempe says
This piece is absolutely gorgeous! I think it’s my favorite project that you have shared. I love this!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Victoria! I think it is my new favorite too! XOXO
Gail Wilson says
What a beauty!! I LOVE that mirror, it’s so unique! I’m glad it finally found its soulmate!
As always, your tips are so helpful. I hopped over in the middle of the article and purchased some items from your Etsy store. Then, as I scrolled down to see the drawers, I thought, “Dang, I should have gotten that decoupage paper.” Oh well, next time!
I pinned your beautiful project.
gail
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I too am so glad they found each other…soul mates…I love that! If you want to add that paper, I’ll refund the shipping and put the orders together. They won’t go out until tomorrow, so you have time to think about it! Thanks, my friend! XOXO
Charleen says
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!What more can I say?? The mirror is so lovely and the cubby is ingenious. Probably used for jewelry or treasures. Every one needs a small treasure space. Take care.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Charleen! That mirror was such a great find, and I am so thrilled that I finally had a piece to match it to! Yes, that cubby is a perfect cubby space! XOXO
Ellen Shook says
This one will fly right out the door! Better get busy on another dresser. 😁
Christy says
Thank you, Ellen! I always welcome a quick sale! XOXO
Cyndel says
I always love how well you combine pieces (or sometimes un-combine pieces) to create something prettier and more interesting than the originals. And then, of course, you further reimagine them with your paint magic. I always enjoy your posts.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Cyndel! That means so much! These two especially worked well together…like they were always meant to be! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
Now, isn’t she a regal beauty! It’s just lovely, Christy. There’s a saying which so aptly applies to you – “the cream always rises to the top”. You always inspire me and I thank you for all you do for ALL of us!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Caye, thank you! I couldn’t do this without all of you! XOXO
Gayle Stewart says
Beautiful piece, Christy! The simplicity of the finish really allows the beauty of this one to shine. As always, thanks for sharing your creativity and techniques. And, you have an amazing work ethic!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Gayle! I appreciate that! I agree…this one was so pretty with the details on its own that all it needed was paint! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh goodness! The mirror looks like it’s always belonged to this dresser. Stunning makeover. If this doesn’t sell fast, I’ll be shocked. That paper is beautiful. I need you to come wave your magic wand over some of my pieces. I just get overwhelmed and can’t make up my mind! Lol.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cecilia! They are a perfect match for sure! I might price it high just so I can keep visiting it in my booth ha ha! When I am overwhelmed with a piece, I just start painting, and that leads me to the next step. It can take me a minute to decided sometimes too though! XOXO
Becky says
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Becky! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
They both look beautiful now, Christy. Although I didn’t even notice the mirror at first, I was so busy admiring the dresser 😁 Love the paper, too. I wondered what to do with such a big print, didn’t realize how nicely it would work inside drawers!
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I lot of these prints are large scale, but they are quite eye-catching in drawers! XOXO
Joni Gonzales says
This is drop dead gorgeous!! 😍😍 I love it!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Joni!! XOXO
Natalie says
Love the surprise on the drawers and the dark stained top!! You nailed it!!
Christy says
Yay! Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Susan says
Love, Love , Love this one 💕💕
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! XOXO
Julie O says
Both pieces are magnificent. But when you showed the mirror cubby I liketa died!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Julie! That mirror with the cubby was such an incredible find! XOXO