Hello amazing friends! I hope the holidays were good to you! We’re still playing with our Christmas toys around here, so today, I’m sharing a pretty one from a couple of years ago that I thought y’all wouldn’t mind seeing again!
This dresser was a fantastic find at only $60:
Crazy good deal, right?? I grabbed the ticket so fast and hustled my way to the register before anyone else could get their hands on it!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
The Prep
This dresser had a bit of damage on the two front feet:
But that was an easy fix with Dixie Mud…
I applied it the day before I planned to paint this dresser, so it would be ready to go the next day. Don’t rush this part, you want the mud good and dry for the best results. Then, I sanded it smooth with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge.
This piece wasn’t too dirty. White Lightning is my go-to cleaner for prepping for paint. It is a degreaser and a deglosser. It comes in a powder and I just mix one TBSP with a half gallon of warm water:
These terry cloth pads are perfect for the job. Then, I swap my water out for clean water and wipe down once more to remove any residue.
If you plan to use Dixie Mud, I recommend cleaning first or avoiding the mudded areas when cleaning.
Paint
This piece appeared to be a variety of wood that might bleed, but it didn’t seem that old, so I was hoping the tannins were well sealed in.
So, I took my chances and went directly to painting with Dixie Belle’s Fluff:
You can see how I paint furniture in this video:
If you have trouble viewing, find it on my YouTube HERE.
A little minor bleed-though
There ended up being several very small areas where the sealer was compromised by something that had been spilled on the top, which allowed the reds to come through.
I just spot-BOSSed them with white BOSS and a small brush:
If I were to BOSS the whole piece, I would typically let it sit overnight as it works best when you allow proper dry time. However, it was a lovely sunny day the day I did this, so I just pulled it out into the sweet sunshine to cure faster.
I let it bask in the sun for two hours and it was ready for paint!
I gave everything one more coat of Dixie Belle’s Fluff and let it sit in the sun for a couple more hours. Then, I sanded all over with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge to smooth everything out. I like to sand prior to adding the transfer so the transfer has a nice smooth finish to adhere to.
Adding the transfer
To add the transfer to the front of the dresser, I laid the dresser on its back and put the drawers in place.
Then, I lined up the transfer where I wanted it and used the included burnishing tool to burnish (rub firmly with the stick) to attach the transfer..
This is the Rose Celebration transfer. I have this and over 120 or so more transfers in my Etsy shop.
I cut it with a razor blade where the drawers separate first to make it easier to apply. Once the image is transferred, you just pull off the plastic piece on top. If any of the transfer sticks to the plastic top piece, just lay it back down and burnish a bit more.
Sealing the Dresser
Once the transfer was complete, I sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue sponge applicator to apply:
I share how I seal furniture using a sponge in this video:
If you have trouble viewing, find it on my YouTube HERE.
The Hardware
I kept the original hardware and chose to paint it in Rustoleum in Champagne Mist to coordinate with the transfer:
Ready to see it all together??
This was a rather large transfer at 44″ X 30″. It was tall enough to cover the dresser from top to bottom, but not quite wide enough.
I decided to only use four of the six panels it came with and keep the top row of drawers just painted to balance it out.
Now I still have the bottom two panels that I can use on smaller projects!
I love these pulls…it’s always a bonus when you don’t have to replace them!
And the Champagne Mist picks up the writing and flourishes in the background of the transfer perfectly…
You can find my rug HERE.
These bottom drawers are super deep…
I love that! I ended up not lining the drawers this time because the insides are like brand new, so there was really no need.
This dresser was such a treat to work on!
I ended up redoing this table to match:
You can see that HERE.
Such a simple update, but it made it so pretty!
I also used part of the leftover transfer on this basket:
You can see how that turned out HERE!
That’s three projects I was able to redo with that one transfer!
It’s available in my shop HERE.
I love being able to give these pieces another chance to shine and I hope you enjoyed them too!
I’ve put together a super informative post on how to paint a dresser from start to finish to inspire all your furniture painting plans in the new year:
UPDATE: See the transformtion of this piece from start to finish HERE. You may not even recognize the before of this one!
Who else is ready for a fresh new year of makeovers??
Love,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Mary Kaiser says
I loved how this dresser came out, it is so beautiful now! I remember all of these old pieces you have restored to beauty, and I love seeing them even for a second time. I am looking forward to seeing you work your magic on new pieces in 2023. It is so fun opening up your post on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s to see what you have been up to! Have a fantastic New Year, it is so hard to beleive that 2022 is almost over!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I enjoy giving them another chance in the spotlight too! And I am so excited to see what the new year brings! I’ll be working on getting my workspace organized and ready to work this week. Have a fabulous New Year also, my friend! XOXO
Laura McLaughlin says
Absolutely Gorgeous! You treated this beautiful piece of furniture with the respect it deserves. It is now a show piece.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Laura! XOXO
Janice Holt says
You know there is nothing you do that I don’t love. I hope you and your family had a safe and wonderful Christmas.
Christy says
Aww that means so much, Janice, thank you! We had a lovely holiday with family! Happy New Year!! XOXO
Karen R says
What a gorgeous piece/find. A beautiful light, bright makeover ! Love the florals.
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! You know I had to grab that tag fast so nobody else could grab it ha ha! XOXO
Christine says
Beautiful, bet the pair sells fast?? I would love to see what you would do with the tall cabinet in the thrift store photo, the one with the semi-circle top!!! Couldn’t that be a money-maker?
Christy says
Thank you, Christine! That could have been so cute for sure! XOXO
Tracey A says
WHOA!!!!!!!!! Beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Tracey!! XOXO
Patty Cowan says
You never fail to amaze! That dresser is gorgeous! GREAT work!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Patty! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
I love that transfer and there’s pools are perfect with it. Enjoy your holiday with your family.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cecilia! Happy New Year! XOXO
Cory says
The dresser is gorgeous!! I especially love how you left the top drawers solid for balance. 👏👏🙌🙌❤️❤️
Christy says
Thank you, Cory! I’m glad that worked out! XOXO
Rebecca says
GORGEOUS! Keep these gorgeous makeovers coming in 2023! Happy New Year!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rebecca! Happy New Year!! XOXO
Niki says
Still one of my all time favorites of yours. I just simply enjoy how pretty it is!!! Anticipating great new redos for 2023.
On another note-I bought an old mcm set for my son recently, he decided he doesn’t like it and it stinks bad like old dry wood and I don’t know what else- almost mildew. Is it boss that covers up smell too? I don’t remember, anyway I’ll try to paint it and send it on down the road this spring.
Christy says
Aww yay! This transfer would make any piece shine for sure! And yes, BOSS is amazing at blocking odors. If you plan to paint, that will do the trick too, but be sure to BOSS any areas that won’t see paint. 🙂 XOXO
roe squire says
I love this. I was just thinking of you this morning because I have an old bureau I want to redo. This has inspired me! Thank you.
Christy says
Oh yay! I’m so glad you are feeling inspired with this one, Roe! Thank you! XOXO
Cheryl Borns says
Beautiful work!! I love it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! XOXO
Michele M. says
WOWZA!!! It is stunning now! My golly it’s gorgeous, Christy.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Michele!! XOXO
Petra says
This was such a lovely piece you did Christy 🙂 that transfer looks like it was made for it! Glad you’re enjoying special time with your family. It’s very quiet here in Tasmania, just doing some gardening projects – we’ve had some hot days but now it’s cooling off. xo
Christy says
Thanks so much, Petra! The warm days seem so far away here lol! Enjoy! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Gorgeous! Your work is phenomenal! Keep it up!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Rose, thank you and Happy New Year! XOXO
Shirley says
I just love how the color of the hardware just fits so perfectly with this! I’m not a fan of light colors but this is just beautiful! I think the transfer fits perfectly too. I have a question now about the rug. Is that sculpted like a high/lo rug? That is just gorgeous as well! Christie, I follow a lot of bloggers and I have to say your work just goes above and beyond in comparison. I don’t comment much but I think I’ve seen every piece you’ve ever done and I’m always in awe!
Christy says
You are the sweetest, Shirley! I appreciate that so much! That rug does have a bit of a raised pattern on it. I found it at HomeGoods several years ago. Thank for spreading some sunshine my way this morning! XOXO
Shirley says
Aw thank you! You deserve a little sunshine as I know you work very hard on not only refinishing but running a shop and raising a family is a lot to balance. I’ve been there myself and although it’s a lot I know the satisfaction it can bring.
I am so glad you posted that rug from Amazon. I will be ordering it today actually!
Christy says
I do keep busy for sure lol, but you are right…it is so satisfying! And yay! It’s a great rug! XOXO