Hello, amazing friends! It’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day, and I have a fabulous makeover to share with you! This is the Cosmic Roses dresser and nightstand set that originally started out like this:
A sweet local reader reached out on IG to let me know that she was selling this set that had belonged to her parents for $50. I like pieces with a bit more character, but my sister was on the hunt for a dresser and night table for her oldest son’s room, and so I sent her the photos that were shared with me. She was super excited until her husband arrived home with it. It was very small! She wanted a more adult sized set for her son.
They ended up bringing it to me and I paid them for it. I’ll admit that I wasn’t super excited about making this set over, but it was in excellent condition and very clean.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Clean
Now I say that it was very clean, and it was, but as you can see, even the cleanest of pieces need a good cleaning:
While the inside of the drawers were immaculate, you never know what the rest of the interior has in store. I used one TBSP of White Lightning mixed into warm water to clean all three pieces. Then, I swapped out my water for clean water and gave them another wipe down for the best prep possible.
Slick Stick
The top of the dresser and nightstands were laminate. I used Slick Stick bonding primer to prime just the tops. Sick stick helps to bond paint to non porous surfaces like metal, glass, laminate, etc.
- Apply one coat and allow it to dry for two hours
- Apply a second coat and allow it to dry overnight
- Paint
Mud the holes
While I waited for that to dry, I filled the holes in the drawers with Dixie Mud since I planned to swap out the hardware.
I left it to dry completely out in the sun and then sanded it smooth with my Ryobi Corner Cat sander and 220 grit sandpaper:
No BOSS this time
Can you believe it? I am always drawn to the older vintage/antique pieces with tannins that just love to bleed through my paint. This was a newer set, however, and this was a white wood, so no BOSS needed YAY!
I was able to go straight to paint!
Plan A isn’t always the answer
Because of the petite size of this set, I immediately thought about doing it in a child’s theme. Since I got it, I had imagined using the Hello Baby transfer, which I love, on this one, but at the last minute, I ended up changing my mind.
Plan B it is!
Paint
For plan B, I wanted a white background and chose Fluff, which is more of a vintage white compared to Cotton which is a bright white. They both read as white though.
I applied it with my favorite brush for larger pieces, the mini angle brush:
Fluff usually only takes two coats for beautiful coverage, but I did have to give this set three coats. Once I had all three pieces painted, I sanded to smooth all over with a sanding sponge. These are fantastic to smooth the paint when you don’t want a distressed look.
Transfer time!
The reason I switched gears on choosing a transfer for this set is that I needed a transfer large enough to transform all three pieces.
I decided on this gorgeous Cosmic Roses transfer:
I have always loved this one but never found the right piece for it…until now! This one is a bit pricier, but it is much larger with six sheets instead of the usual three.
That would give me enough design to transform the dresser and both nightstands!
I laid it out to get an idea of placement. I would need to use three full sheets and about about a fifth of the other three to extend the design all the way across the front:
Then, I started burnishing away! I find it easier to hold one edge of the top clear sheet and lift it as I go:
You are basically just transferring the image by rubbing the enclosed stick across the surface with pressure.
Once I had the design transferred to all three pieces, all that was left to do was seal!
Seal
While you don’t have to seal pieces that are painted in chalk paint, you probably won’t love the finish, and I really want y’all to LOVE your finished pieces!
My favorite sealer for furniture is the Clear Coat in Satin. I apply it with the blue sponge:
You can also seal with Best Dang Wax . It is a bit more work though. You apply it and then buff it in with a soft cloth. And then there is Gator Hide, perfect for those high traffic pieces that are going to take a beating and possibly get exposed to water. **NOTE: Do not use Gator Hide directly over transfers as the water repellent properties in Gator Hide can cause transfers to lift. If you need the tough protection that Gator Hide offers, apply a coat of Clear Coat first over your transfer.
Let’s see how this ho hum set looks now!
The After
How cute is it now??
This would be so perfect in a tween’s room!
For this set, I decided instead of taking the design in between the drawers as well, that it would be easier to just apply the design to the drawers, and it totally works!
This dresser is so far from where it started.
I did a mix of knobs from Hobby lobby…
And how about the drawers??
Y’all know I like to have fun with them but it almost felt like a sin to paint over or cover the insides of these drawers as they were absolutely immaculate. Usually, I’m trying to cover stains, etc.
But one thing I didn’t love about the drawers was the sides where they had overshot the original stain:
So, I decided to paint the sides and the every top of the drawer, taping them off with FrogTape for delicate surfaces to get a nice, clean edge. I removed the tape as soon as I applied my second coat of Silk Tide Pool:
That covered the ugly stain and matched the aqua flowers perfectly!
I love this transfer and color combination!
This transfer would be amazing over the top of this color as well!
And the hardware picks up the gold in the transfer…
I never imagined this set would turn out so sweet!
The drawers on the nightstands got a pop of Tide Pool too…
Here’s a better look at nightstand number two:
I hope you enjoyed this makeover today!
Don’t forget to check out what my friends have for you as well!!
I get to cross of three pieces!!
Here’s everything I’ve completed so far from this haul:
Standing Chalkboard Makeover
$20 Yard Sale Drop Leaf Tables
Upcycled Tea Box (This is a can’t miss!)
$25 FARMHOUSE TABLE MAKEOVER
Painting the Smalls #22 (Six mini makeovers!)
Easily Paint a Silver Tray
Upcycled Sewing Machine Drawers
$5 Yard Sale Stool Makeover
$6 Mini Wall Cabinet Makeover
$4 Jewelry Box Makeover
Vintage Sewing Storage Table
Wooden Horse Redo TAKE TWO!
White Painted Drop Leaf Table
Unfinished Wooden Horse Makeover
Updated Candlesticks
Voodoo Stain and Stencil Bench Makeover
Drawer Organizer Makeover
I only have FIVE more pieces left!! I have dental surgery this morning, so while I am on the mend, I will be sharing this old favorite:
UPDATE: See how this old gal looks now HERE!
Have an amazing weekend!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Mary Kaiser says
BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE how this set came out!!! The transfers are amazing on this set, the colors are perfect! You always pick great colors and transfers that the furniture is asking for! You definately nailed it! You are amazing!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Mary! I don’t know why it took me so long to use this transfer… I just love it! I wasn’t excited about this set before, but I am now lol! Have a fantastic weekend, my friend! XOXO
Janette Deans says
Stunning, just so beautiful love the finished pieces, they look brand new. x
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janette! They were in fantastic shape before, so that really helps! XOXO
Margie Bramer says
I do not usually like blue roses… definitely not in a garden….but these are beautiful!
You took a boring set and really made it beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Margie! I agree, but I too love them on this transfer! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Both pieces are really, really lovely. Fresh and ‘clean’ looking. Love it! Diana
Christy says
Thank you so much, Diana! I enjoyed seeing them come to life! XOXO
Laurie Levinson says
Great job. The color you chose for the sides of the drawers is perfect!!! Love seeing what you do, Christy!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Laurie! I love that added pop of color too! XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
I’ve used the Cosmic Roses transfer on a few makeovers and LOVE IT SO MUCH! This set turned out amazing my friend. Pinned!! XOXO
Christy says
I can’t believe it took me so long to use it. I love it too! Thank you so much, my friend! I hope you are recuperating well. I had dental surgery this morning and am in sorry shape lol, so I’m right there with ya! XOXO
Sue says
I love this upcycle, some amazing person will get such a sweet cottagy set for thier home!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Sue! I wish I got to see the people who buy me pieces! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! So pretty!! Everytime you use a transfer I want that same transfer🙃. I need to be a retailer. Lol
Christy says
Oh ha ha! Sorry about that lol! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
After you’ve seen furniture that’s been stored in a barn or kept outside, your idea of “clean” changes. Anything used inside a regular house is immaculate, comparatively 😂 The transfer is beautiful and I love that you didn’t center it on the dresser. Even though it was meant to cover a flaw, the color surprise from the drawers is a treat. The set still can be used in a baby’s room and grow with a child, or go straight to a first apartment. Early American furniture never looked so good, Christy!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Marcie! It’s crazy how dirty pieces can be sometimes, even when they don’t look it! And yes, this sure could go from baby room to first apartment for sure! XOXO
Amanda says
Can’t believe how beautiful this turned out! Absolutely gorgeous!
Christy says
I can’t either ha ha! Those transfers are pure magic! Thank you, Amanda! XOXO
Cyndi says
Oh, gosh! How pretty! I LOVE the transfer, the splash of color inside, and those knobs!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I actually bought the knobs to go with plan A…I’m so glad I went with plan B and that they worked out so great! XOXO
Cyndi says
BTW, Christy, I bought “your” logan point driver and I love it! 🙂
Christy says
Oh good! My husband bought that for me for Christmas many years ago, and I get so much use out of it! XOXO
Fran says
More inspiration! My Cosmic Roses are waiting to be used on a cedar chest painted in blue. I sanded the inside and it revived the cedar fragrance. Will send you a pic when finished. I love all the pieces you have done in this haul! Looking forward to the candlesticks and that lamp with the funky shade!
Christy says
Thank you, Fran! This transfer is going to be stunning over blue on your chest! I can’t wait to see it! XOXO
Lizzy says
So pretty! The transfer is perfect for the pieces.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Lizzy! I’m so glad I finally had the perfect pieces for this transfer! XOXO
Cher U says
Stunning! Simply beautiful – someone is going to love having these pieces proudly displayed in their home!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cher! I hope so! XOXO
Niki says
So I don’t mind a smallish dresser- nightstand set. Especially living in a ranch style house with smaller narrow bedrooms. I think this turned out so well Christy! A little French country flare! I really like the transfer you chose and the little tada on the drawer sides! The way the blues worked together is tres magnifique!! 😁
Christy says
A smaller set is perfect for smaller spaces for sure, and this still offers plenty of storage. I’m so glad I added color on the sides too! Thank you so much, Niki! XOXO
Hannah Reyor says
Absolute perfection! Great choice on the decal. Love this one (3)!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Hannah! XOXO
Nancy says
How sweet would that set be for a family member in assisted living? So cheerful!
Christy says
Oh it sure would! It would add a touch of sunshine for sure! Thanks, Nancy! XOXO
Darlene says
Love this makeover Christy!!! Great job! And love this blog!!!
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Darlene, thank you!! XOXO
Shari Clines says
Beautiful! I love the drawers!
Christy says
Thank you, Shari! I’m so happy that I was able to add a pop of that gorgeous color! XOZO
gail says
Christy,
I always love how you use the transfers! I have a few in my stash but I always feel so intimidated in the placement–that I never use them. 🙂
beautifully done!!!
pinned
gail
Christy says
Aww thanks so much, Gail! You just have to go for it! I’ve gotten much more comfortable with them over time! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
I just love that transfer now, but I wasn’t so sure before. So thanks for changing my mind with your great use of it. Very cute set, Christy.
Wow, that really needed cleaning! I recently painted a small square woven basket. I wasn’t crazy about it because it’s original state was in that tacky brown and tannish-beige meh. I scrubbed it with crud cutter and a soft brush, rinsed it well and set it out in the sun to dry. About a half hour later I picked it up and gently tapped it on all 4 sides against the table to remove any water that was not visible. Would you believe, tiny bugs fell out!! Ohhh YUCK! Of course they were dead, but still. So it was a great reminder to clean, clean, clean, regardless of how clean it looks.
Christy says
Thank you, Caye! It’s a beautiful transfer. As for your basket…yuck is right! I can’t imagine…good thing you cleaned it! XOXO
Kimmylouwho says
This might be one of my favorite transfers that you’ve ever used! It turned out so nicely! I’m sure you’ll have no trouble selling it.
Christy says
Oh yay!! Im so glad you like it! It really is a gorgeous transfer! XOXO
Marty Koons says
Beautiful transfers! Love how the pieces turned out.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Marty! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh ouch, hope the surgery goes well and you heal quickly. The dresser and nightstands turned out beautiful. Love the blue on the drawer sides – a perfect match and really adds to the look. Very pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! My surgery went well…in pain control mode now, and hoping to heal quickly! I really enjoyed seeing this set come to life. I can’t wait to load it into my booth! XOXO
Kathy Owen says
Gorgeous!
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! XOXO
Naomi S Shelton says
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, Christy! Love the color and the transfer just makes it. Turned out to be a real “statement piece”!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Naomi! Those transfers sure can work some magic! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh, my goodness this set is absolutely stunning, Christy! WOW!!!!
Very very well done, ma’am! Love love love it!
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! I sure enjoyed working on this one!! XOXO
Catherine Lynn Darsey says
It turned out great. I love the Cosmic Roses transfer and I’ve used it on two of my own pieces over navy paint. I never thought about using white but now my mind is racing with the possibilities.
Christy says
Thank you, Catherine! I bet it is stunning over Navy…I never thought of that lol! XOXO