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The Perfect Color for a Craig's List Dresser

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Pretty Handy Girl: The Perfect Color for a Craig's List Dresser

Monday, October 11, 2010

The Perfect Color for a Craig's List Dresser

I am in love with those adorable french provincial dressers. The flourishy handles are what really get my heart pounding.

When I saw this dresser on Craig's List for $35 dollars, I pounced!
 Disclaimer: I stole this picture from the previous owner's Craig's List Ad.

Oooo baby, don't you just love that faux gold outlined accents and off white laminate top. Yes, I said laminate. But I wasn't afraid of it. For $35 who cares if it gets messed up. If you never take the risk, you'll never learn anything new, right?!


The drawers were still in good shape, but a little loose around the joints, so I squirted my new favorite Gorilla Glue into the joints and clamped lassoed them up!


Then I used newspaper to protect any of the areas I didn't want sprayed.


After sanding all the surfaces to rough them up, I put a coat of primer on everything. Loving that crisp clean white, but the dresser told me to "Keep Calm and Carry On."  So, I cooperated and continued on to another color.


Next, I sprayed Rustoleum Heirloom White and distressed the surface with a wood stain.


The drawer pulls got their own treatment of automotive primer followed by Oil Rubbed Bronze paint. Thank goodness they were happy with their new color because – I'm telling you – that dresser was certainly acting like a diva! She was still demanding a new color.


I have seen many Nantucket Fog makeovers and decided to make a run to Ace Hardware to pick up a small sample of that blue gray color. And I grabbed a can of artistic glaze.


After two coats of the Nantucket Fog glaze, that little dresser still wanted something else. Sheesh! So I pulled out some leftover blue paint from my dormer window shutters.


Finally, she shut up! It's a good thing too, because I LOVE this color. I love it so much that I hauled my tired hiney back over to Ace to match the color just for you.

Does anyone else get starry eyed and entranced by all these fabulous colors?

The closest match is Buxom Blue from Benjamin Moore. Not too far off from Nantucket Fog, but you know those divas they want what they want!


Now, all important divas need something to wear that gets them noticed. Thus, I decoupaged some wrapping paper on the side (tutorial is here.)


And then because I liked the pattern so much, I blew it up and added it to two corners of the dresser top (tutorial for adding a sharpie stencil.)


I added some beachy blue glaze over the wrapping paper and the top graphic.


And I have to tell you that – halleluiah – I finally figured out the proper technique when using the valspar glazes (the tutorial is here.)


I finished up with three coats of a semi-gloss polyurethane.

And here is that stunningly beautiful diva of a dresser. Transformed from Cinderella to the Belle of the ball!

Isn't it amazing what a little oil rubbed bronze can do!

 
 Hard to believe this was wrapping paper in a previous life!

 Peek-a-boo I see a cute stencil.

Now, I have to convince Pretty Handsome Guy that our master bedroom furniture doesn't have to be all matchy matchy!

 Because I LOVE our Pottery Barn Sleigh Bed. 

But not the matching dresser.

 I love the new-old dresser! What do you think?

Any helpful hints on using Jedi mind tricks on unsuspecting Pretty Handsome Guy?

Entered into the:

Copy Me Challenge


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47 Comments:

At October 11, 2010 at 11:54 PM , Blogger Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Your dresser turned out so beautiful. That wallpaper idea is genious! Can't wait for the tutorials.

 
At October 12, 2010 at 12:11 AM , Blogger Sue said...

Loving your blog. I need some tricks for convincing my husband too. If I buy something on the cheap, I can make it into a masterpiece, but our "nice furniture" ends up being shabby in comparison. Very ironic!

 
At October 12, 2010 at 12:40 AM , Blogger Erin @ Two Story Cottage said...

WOW. Awesome job. The dresser is just beautiful. Can't wait to read more!! Our bedroom furniture was my hubby's before we got married so I have my work cut out for me too. He does not want my paintbrush or sander anywhere near it. SIGH. I've changed the drawer pulls more times than I can count. It is good stuff too so there is no hope in changing it out anytime soon either. :)

 
At October 12, 2010 at 1:11 AM , Blogger Laura said...

You put that Wrapping paper on and I thought you were crazy but it looks so good!

 
At October 12, 2010 at 5:24 AM , Blogger Sherry@The BarnQuiltStore Blog said...

Very nice!! Hope to see the tutorials soon!!!
♥'s
Sherry

 
At October 12, 2010 at 5:46 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very nice, we just refinished a dresser and I know it's hard work. You did great!

 
At October 12, 2010 at 7:08 AM , Blogger Sue@Uniquely Chic said...

I am drooling over here. You did such an amazing job on this. Can't wait for the tutorials.

 
At October 12, 2010 at 7:42 AM , Blogger fun fridays said...

very good color for a craig's list dresser. love the wrapping paper idea. great job!

 
At October 12, 2010 at 8:14 AM , Blogger SheilaG @ Plum Doodles said...

I LOVE this! I see the french provincial furniture at yard sales, love it, but always pass it up because I don't know what to do with it. I would love to use one for a tv stand, but not sure if I could remove the top drawers for electronic equipment- what do you think?

 
At October 12, 2010 at 9:02 AM , Blogger michelle said...

I love the dresser! I actually had one exactly like that, the whole bedroom set, growing up. My mom still has it and my room is now a guest bedroom! :) I love yours better, you did an amazing job with the colors!!

 
At October 12, 2010 at 9:19 AM , Blogger Tru said...

When you find out the secret to changing hubby's mind let me know. I have a hubby who is totally traditionalist. I like a good natural oak too, but I'm not averse to painting pine or laminate. I have been showing him pics of things I like online, and maybe, just maybe he's seeing the light! There are so many wonderful projects out there that people have already done, that it takes the worry out of "Will it look good or not". Yours, BTW is one of those great projects.

 
At October 12, 2010 at 9:28 AM , Blogger Sherrie said...

Bravo. I love the new dresser. I can't wait for the tutorials. Thanks for sharing.

 
At October 12, 2010 at 10:19 AM , Blogger The Midwest Cottage said...

WOW! That was a lot of work but boy it's beautiful. I am speechless. I cannot wait to see your tutorials!! Please send me a link when you get them done.

Great job. You are so talented.

 
At October 12, 2010 at 10:25 AM , Blogger Caitlin Campbell said...

Thank you for this tutorial. I am getting ready (at some point) to refinish a bed for my daughter so these tips will come in handy. And what's wrong with that tall matching dresser...it looks pretty nice to me :)

 
At October 12, 2010 at 11:20 AM , Anonymous Charlotte said...

great job....can't wait for the tutorial on your glaze technique.

 
At October 12, 2010 at 12:53 PM , Blogger Melanie {The Tiny Tudor} said...

Looks great- so much more stylish now! I think you picked the perfect color!

 
At October 12, 2010 at 2:06 PM , Blogger Our Little Beehive said...

That's a pretty amazing transformation!

 
At October 12, 2010 at 2:39 PM , Blogger Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

You ended up with a great color. Are you wanting to swap dresser in your room or paint your tall chest in the same way? Either would look wonderful.

 
At October 12, 2010 at 3:53 PM , Blogger Adi said...

I love following your blog. I am a carpenter also and look forward to finishing my many projects like an Ohia post for the porch. Love the dresser transformation.

 
At October 12, 2010 at 4:39 PM , Blogger Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews said...

Wow I absolutely LOVE that dresser! Great idea!

I just found your blog through another blog! Have a great night.

Amanda @ www.nutritionistreviews.com

 
At October 12, 2010 at 4:58 PM , Blogger Biljana said...

Great makeover, it looks so lovely, bravo:))
Greetings from Europe, Biljana

 
At October 12, 2010 at 6:03 PM , Anonymous Jo said...

Wonderful do over.. the dresser looks great, especially the wrapping paper. It's a trick I use too.. it's so much easier to manipulate than wallpaper, and way cheaper.
There's a bit of the 19th century Swedish about it... I think that's the colour.
I'm right with you on the high boy too Brittany.
As far as PH guy goes.. is it painting over the wood that bothers him..? or the fact that the furniture than won't match the bed, because if its the latter then a dozen or so photos of the very best bedroom designs should be enough to convince him that matchy matchy is BAD !!!
If it's the not painting the wood.. well then I can't help you.. it's in their genes you know !!
Jo xx

 
At October 12, 2010 at 7:47 PM , Blogger Sarah @ Cozy.Cottage.Cute. said...

Perfection! Can't wait to read your tutorials... :)

 
At October 12, 2010 at 11:17 PM , Blogger Just this... Alice said...

WOW! What a transformation! Your handsome guy has to realize that you have a masterpiece now for a dresser instead of the old furniture store cookie cutter furniture everyone else has. That is truly amazing. Maybe we all need to have a chat with him about appreciating your talents. Thanks for sharing it turned out great.

 
At October 13, 2010 at 11:35 AM , Blogger Leen said...

love it so much! I can't seem to find anything good on Craigslist. Maybe I will have to check more often.

Looking forward to all the tutorials you promised :)

 
At October 13, 2010 at 2:37 PM , Blogger Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

This is absolutely to die for, love the color, love the wallpaper and the dresser takes me back to when I was a little girl when they were all the rage, way to amp it up to 2010!!

 
At October 13, 2010 at 3:11 PM , Blogger Alyssa said...

Oh yes! Love the new color, and you're right. Nothing to lose! It looks gorgeous.

 
At October 14, 2010 at 7:18 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

So Martha Stewart. Wrapping paper idea and blowing up pattern is an incredible touch!

 
At October 14, 2010 at 8:18 AM , Blogger Its So Very Cheri said...

I love the color. It is fabulous.
Thanks for linking up. We look forward to getting to know you and seeing more and more of your projects.

Cheri

 
At October 14, 2010 at 10:11 AM , Blogger Eliana said...

I am so impressed. beautiful piece, your attention to detail is fantastic. I just found your blog, and I am in love! you have a new follower! :)

 
At October 14, 2010 at 10:30 AM , Blogger Between Blue and Yellow said...

Very pretty! I did a similar dresser not too long ago http://btweenblueandyellow.blogspot.com/2010/07/updated-dresser.html

 
At October 14, 2010 at 4:41 PM , Blogger Lisa said...

Funny I should come across this very tutorial today of all days. I purchased the exact set of furniture for my daughter (randomly finding each matching--yet OLD--piece for my daughter's room). I was just wondering how to paint the laminate? Did you do anything special with the top? Thanks! Love this site!!!
lml118@hotmail.com

 
At October 14, 2010 at 10:50 PM , Blogger WhisperWood Cottage said...

The color is divine! And the wrapping paper...clever and gorgeous!! Thanks for linking up to the DIY Project Party monthly contest! :)

Amy

 
At October 14, 2010 at 11:43 PM , Blogger Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Beautiful job! The dresser looks fabulous!

 
At October 15, 2010 at 11:01 PM , Blogger Debbiedoos said...

I love this project it is fantastic. You really did a gorgeous job on it. Thanks for joining me this week. I would love if you added lil ole me to the linky list above:) So others know as well about my partay! Have a great weekend. Debbie

 
At October 16, 2010 at 1:28 AM , Blogger Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

WOW - gorgeous!! That dresser looks amazing. I love that you decoupaged wrapping paper on it. Genius!

xox
Jen

 
At October 16, 2010 at 1:52 AM , Blogger Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This really turned out fabulous~ thanks for sharing the steps with us! Hopped over from Garage Salen Party...

 
At October 16, 2010 at 8:54 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

This is awesome! I love it.

 
At October 16, 2010 at 9:44 AM , Blogger Pam Kessler said...

That turned out very well. I love the wrapping paper on the sides.

 
At October 16, 2010 at 11:53 AM , Blogger Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Love how that dresser came out!! Fantastic job!! The paint color and finish is perfect and the decoupaged sides are so inspired- coming over form Debbie's- nice to meet you!! :)

 
At October 17, 2010 at 5:06 PM , Blogger Holly Lefevre said...

It is beautiful...the color and the stencil are perfect!

 
At October 17, 2010 at 7:30 PM , Blogger Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Brittany - Your dresser is gorgeous! I love all the detail you have added - all your work shows. Fantastic job! Thanks so much for linking up! Hope you have a wonderful week! Stephanie Lynn

 
At October 17, 2010 at 8:27 PM , Blogger Roeshel said...

Love the new color - great technique! It's beautiful! Have a great week!

Roeshel

 
At October 17, 2010 at 11:25 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

BEAUTIFUL! I have a similar dresser that I had growing up. Hmmm! Really love the sides of it. Nicely done!

 
At October 18, 2010 at 8:43 AM , Blogger SheilaG @ Plum Doodles said...

I love your PB dresser. What if you do something similar to the country french dresser and just add a leaf stencil here and there to match your headboard? (Start with a little paint- maybe hubby will see the light!)

 
At October 18, 2010 at 2:13 PM , Blogger I {heart} Nap Time said...

Love this!!

 
At December 14, 2010 at 10:18 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Where is the mirror? It suppose to have a mirror. I had the same exact dresser. It was bought for me in the late 1970's when I was 12. I only have one photo of me standing in front of it. Your dresser looks nice. I wish I still had mine. I through it away in 1995. I regret it now.

 

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