Makely

Let's Make Life Awesome

  • Home
  • Decorating/DIY
    • Create Your Decor
    • Decorate Your Home
    • Paint Your Walls
    • Transform Your Furniture
  • Healthy Living
    • Essential Oils
    • Family Wellness
    • Household Care
  • Project Gallery
  • Contact
You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Transform Your Furniture » Mastering the Master Bedroom {the Thrift Store Cast-Off Dresser}

Mastering the Master Bedroom {the Thrift Store Cast-Off Dresser}

by Lindsay Ballard on June 16, 2011 102 Comments

If I can impart only one piece of knowledge today, I want it to be this:  When you find a piece in a thrift store that is exactly what you are looking for and the price is right, purchase it immediately. Should you give yourself time to “sleep on it,” you will obsess about it and then run the possibility of it not being there when you go back bright and early the next morning.  This very scenario has happened to me on numerous occasions.

Luckily, this is not the story of one of those times.  Instead, I obsessed about this thrift store dresser for about 29 hours before I called my husband at work and asked if he’d go buy it if it was still there when he got of off work.  It was.

 

When we went to pick it up, we promptly donated the mirror back to the thrift store (I did not feel like I could repurpose it because of the way it was made) and brought the dresser back to our garage.  There it sat while I finished this dresser and these walls.

I would normally hand roll a huge piece of furniture like this, but for the sake of time (and laziness), I decided to spray paint it.  I used Kilz spray primer on a whim (which I learned I do not prefer over my beloved Zinsser spray primer), and then painted it with Krylon Classic Gray.  After it dried, I glazed it with my Ralph Lauren glaze tinted in Black Silk and applied 2 coats of wipe-on polyurethane.  I spray painted the original brass handles, lined the drawers with Contact paper, and moved the wavy dresser into the master bedroom.

I get the greatest pleasure from seeing a thrift store cast-off become my new favorite piece of furniture.  I can’t believe I didn’t immediately claim it in the store by licking it or something.  That would have been pretty gross, huh?  Anyway, I’m glad no one else in those 29 hours we were apart saw it for the jewel that it was to become.

If you would have seen this dresser at the thrift store, would you have tried to fight me for it?

Joining Motivated Monday at Be Colorful.

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

« How to Spray Paint Drawer Pulls and Cabinet Knobs
Create Your Own Temporary Tattoos and a Silhouette Print and Cut Tutorial »

Comments

  1. zena says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:19 am

    I would’ve gone all ninja on you for that baby. That’s the best looking piece of thrift furniture i’ve seen on any blog. All I ever seem to find is 80’s kmart pressboard furniture. One day i’ll find something like that.

    Reply
  2. pine tree home says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:35 am

    No way. That is awesome. And spray paint? How’d you get it so nice? When ever I try to spray paint furniture it gets all streaky on me.

    I have a vanity table I am itching to paint…time to bust out the supplies.

    Reply
  3. Ruth says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:35 am

    It looks amazing. I think spray paint is a better option with a piece like this. Great job!!

    Ruth

    Reply
  4. danielle says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:37 am

    I would have walked right past it in the thrift store. I absolutley love what you did with it!

    danielle

    Reply
  5. Susan says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:38 am

    No I wouldn’t have fought you for it at the thrift store Lindsay but I’d for sure fight you for it now! What a great job! I love the color and the design is amazing, I’m not sure I’d have the insight to see it for what it could be, though I try to imagine everything white or in a color. You did a great job!
    Question: I have a piece of furniture I want to paint but I think it has a heavy varnish because it is quite shiny (like the top of yours looks). Do you think the Zinsser would work or do you need to sand the whole thing first?
    Thanks! Susan @ homeroad

    Reply
  6. michelle says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:42 am

    Oh my goodness Lindsay, I love it! I was laughing when I read your post. Just yesterday as I was dropping off my son’s saxophone at his school, I drove past a pile of “FREE” furniture – mostly bureaus and beautiful, frenchy, curvy kind! It was early so I thought “I’ll just stop AFTER I drop off the sax”. I was kicking myself when I pulled up and saw all the bureaus being piled into the back of a pick up truck. So, I get it and agree, you can’t wait! Awesome job!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 16, 2011 at 9:43 pm

      DOH! What a bummer!

      Reply
  7. Southern Gal says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:44 am

    Can’t say that I would, but then that’s why you find the great pieces and I’m still searching. No foresight. It’s lovely.

    Reply
  8. Jenny (@ The Housewife Project) says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:09 am

    Cool! Restoration Hardware could sell that!

    Reply
  9. Pam says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:17 am

    That turned out amazing! I have some kind of handicap where I can’t imagine something in a new state. Oh I wish I had your vision!

    Reply
  10. Connie says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:19 am

    It looks really great in that room. Wonderful choice of furniture and color!

    Reply
  11. Michelle says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:33 am

    Nice work! That is amazing!

    Reply
  12. Holly says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:55 am

    LOVELY!!!!!!

    Reply
  13. Kara says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:11 am

    I’m going to all the wrong thrift stores. That piece is amazing. I really want a dresser to serve as a TV stand. Yours looks fantabulous.

    Reply
  14. Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:21 am

    That is gorgeous Lindsay!! 🙂 Looove the color!!

    Reply
  15. Kim says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:22 am

    Just about the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen.

    Reply
  16. a' la mode says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:34 am

    I love the fun lines on that sucker!! xoxo

    Reply
  17. Nicole says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Looks awesome!!! Great job!!!

    Reply
  18. Jason/Carolyn says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:52 am

    Completely in awe, this looks fantastic! I can imagine people reaching very deep in their pockets for this piece.

    Reply
  19. Cindy M says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:21 am

    wow Lindsay! it looks beautiful!! You did a great job! 🙂
    I’ve never spray painted anything but I’ve been wanting to spray paint our bedside tables! I hope I don’t end up ruining them! They’re not real wood so what would you recommend? They’re cheap Ikea tables but not the glossy kind.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 16, 2011 at 9:20 pm

      Hey Cindy- If I were you, I’d give them a really good coat of primer first and let it “cure” according to the can. They should be fine after that. I’m one of those people who thinks that primer solves all problems or problems-to-be. 🙂

      Reply
  20. Megan@reFind says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Love it!! I would have totally laid on it while I waited for my husband to come and pick it up in his truck. (Not overly better than licking it). Also – thanks for the tip about donating things right back… seems obvious, but I have never done that, and then pieces sit in my garage forever!
    Love the final outcome!

    Reply
  21. Centsational Girl says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:30 am

    Beautiful, just beautiful! The lines on that piece are fab and how perfect is that color too? LOVE!
    xo
    Kate

    Reply
  22. Erin says

    June 16, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    It looks very art deco now! I LOVE IT! Great find and great redo.

    Reply
  23. Iffy aka Cameron says

    June 16, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    This looks amazing! I love love love how it turned out! Nothing like this at my thrift stores…lucky you! I am your newest follower & was letting you know I am finally doing my post linking to the tile coasters on your blog like I asked a couple of months back. Thanks so much for your inspiration!!! I would love for you to link this up to my linky party going on all week(It will be up later today.
    I love it!

    Reply
  24. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    June 16, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    Great find, Lindsay! It looks amazing. 🙂

    Reply
  25. Katy says

    June 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Gorgeous job Lindsay! I would have foregone the mirror too… I love the finish and how it creates depth. TOO COOL!

    Question… do you think that’s the orignal position of the drawers or were you just keeping it funky… I feel like the bottom drawers should be the top and vice versa. I like the effect it gives, but I was just wondering… 😉

    Thanks for sharing ANOTHER great re-do!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 16, 2011 at 5:07 pm

      Ha! Katy, you are SO RIGHT! I just switched out the drawers and I think the top and bottom drawers are switched around from the intended locations. I spent so much time trying to figure out how they went right to left (they were wrong at the store), that I didn’t even think about top to bottom.

      At any rate, I think I’m going to leave them the “wrong” way. When they are the right way, there’s a lot of blank space going on and I like the busy look of the wrong way. I guess I’ll just say that I am keeping funky. 🙂

      Thanks for pointing it out! LOL

      Reply
    • Ashley Ez says

      June 16, 2011 at 10:07 pm

      This is exactly what I was thinking! I can’t imagine the headache of figuring out where all of those drawers went!

      I do think that I personally would flip flop the top and bottoms. But who knows.

      Gorgeous and simply wonderful transformation!

      Reply
  26. Lindsay says

    June 16, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    Oh wow!!!!! I would LOVE to get rid of my crappy dresser for something like that! How on earth do you refinish it? Do you have to sand it? How much was it from the thrift store?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 16, 2011 at 9:15 pm

      I cleaned it, primed it, spray painted it, glazed it, and polyurethaned it. Sounds way more complicated than it is! I probably should have sanded the top, but I didn’t sand any of it. I bought it for $125 at Salvation Army – more than I wanted to spend on a dresser, but this one was special.

      Reply
  27. Katherine says

    June 16, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    Great job. But I think I would have gone right by it. When I see the veneer finish I cringe. So much work. You did a fabulous job. Hugs!

    Reply
  28. Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    Love that! If I had a place for it in my home, I definitely would have fought you for it. On another note, I love how the chevron pattern is reflected in your t.v. in the last picture 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 16, 2011 at 9:07 pm

      Thanks! I love that, too. I’ve been known to sit on my bed with the TV turned off just to look at the reflection of the wall. 🙂

      Reply
  29. jenn says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    I had the same question about the drawers, if they were backwards or upside down or whatever… anywho.. I think it looks great in grey! I bought an awesome dresser recently… repainted it… but i could not get the smell out of the drawers 🙁 I live in a walkout basement that is not the driest part of the house, so I think the moisture just won’t fully get out of the wood, causing the funky old musty smell to stick around. I tried it all to get rid of it too.. I’m bummed though, because it only cost $12 at the thrift store!!! Nice job on yours!

    Reply
    • Katy says

      June 17, 2011 at 9:56 am

      someone did a post recently on getting the “thrift store smell” out of drawers. You may want to google it – I can’t remember who it was… But there was something about vinegar maybe???

      Reply
      • Lindsay says

        June 18, 2011 at 10:54 pm

        LOL I did a post on that about a week ago – maybe it was me? 😀

        Reply
        • Katy says

          June 19, 2011 at 6:37 am

          oh wow! Can you say Katy is a DORK! 😉 Well at least you know I’m listening but not categorizing information very well! heehee Have a great Sunday!!

          Reply
          • Lindsay says

            June 21, 2011 at 10:19 pm

            Ha! 😀

  30. Jean says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    that is incredible. i wish i had your eye for design. i esp. love that you can see your the reflection of your cool paint design in the tv! 🙂

    Reply
  31. Sunday Burquest says

    June 16, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    Love it Lindsay! I have been “burned” so many times by not buying on the spot…grrrr. I love thrift store finds and have ton’s of them in my house. Question: why to you prefer Zinsser primer over Kilz? I use Kilz and it I always have to sand it some, is this better with the Zinsser? Does it cover better? I would love to know being I go through about 4 cans of Kilz a week! Thank you!

    Reply
  32. Donna says

    June 17, 2011 at 7:32 am

    I have a dresser almost like that! It has been sitting in my basement for ten years. The previous owners left it. I love what you have done! Thank you for the painting tips. I have been inspired!

    Reply
  33. Denise says

    June 17, 2011 at 8:40 am

    That sure was a find, Lindsay! I wouldn’t have seen the potential in it at all. We are currently painting our bedroom furniture white and have had no luck with two different brands of spray paint. I’m switching to Krylon. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  34. Adrienne says

    June 17, 2011 at 8:55 am

    Lindsay – It is beautiful!

    Did you sand it down before you primed and painted it? And if so, how do you sand all those curvy trim pieces without rounding off the edges???

    Blessings,
    Adrienne

    Reply
  35. Marysol says

    June 17, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    What a breathtaking statement this piece makes in the room!

    I’ve been in the process of refinishing a simple, round table. However, after seeing your wonderful results, I think next time I’ll paint 🙂

    Btw, I’m also curious to know how you tackled the trim.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 18, 2011 at 10:53 pm

      Spray paint! 🙂 I knew that painting all of that trim by hand was going to take forever.

      Reply
  36. BeColorful says

    June 20, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Good eye. I think I have vision but I think I might have walked right past this one. I really like the gray for something different. Very sophisticated. I would love it if you wanted to link it up to Motivated Monday at BeColorful
    Pam

    Reply
  37. Marysol says

    June 23, 2011 at 12:40 am

    Thank you Lindsay, for having taken the time to share the spray paint tip—it’s much appreciated!

    Reply
  38. Monica says

    June 26, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    I LOVE IT! I am always intimidated at spray painting furniture that’ll be used a lot bc I feel it’ll be sticky/tacky. Is that not the case? How many bottles of spray paint did it take ya?

    -Monica

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2011 at 9:33 pm

      Hey Monica!

      No, it’s not sticky or tacky. I make sure I paint in the very early morning where there’s not much humidity. Works great!

      Reply
  39. Laura P. says

    June 27, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    That looks amazing Lindsay! I love your site 🙂 I am in the midst of my own refinishing project, and can’t seem to locate any Ralph Lauren glaze. It seems that the Home Depot is no longer carrying the RL brand. Do you know of any other comparable products that achieve the same effect?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 27, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      Hi Laura! Where do you live? Put it into the RL Paint Store Locator and see what comes up: http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/stores/results.aspx#type=19,33 I bought it at a small, local Benjamin Moore paint store. It’s the only product I’ve used, so I can’t recommend anything else – but I really love it.

      Reply
      • Laura P. says

        June 28, 2011 at 6:18 pm

        Thanks Lindsay! I’m in Scranton, PA. Nothing came up in the store locator, but I’m going to travel this summer, so hopefully I’ll find it somewhere!

        Reply
  40. Rose says

    June 28, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    Absolutely magnificent! I love that piece too.

    Reply
  41. Luxe_Lady says

    July 13, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    Hi! Love ur dresser!! I have been searching for the PERFECT COLOR for mine. Could you please tell me what color you used and what glaze? I would appreicate it soo much.

    Reply
  42. Mike says

    July 21, 2011 at 9:39 am

    Depends on the price. How much did you pay for it? I might have snatched it up!

    Reply
  43. Maranda says

    July 31, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    I purchased an item similar in style to your and I am SO excited to make it beautiful 🙂 I want to make sure I buy the right materials. Kinsser spray primer cover-stain flat white primer? Krylon classic gray flat, glossy, indoor/outdoor, not sure exactly which is the right one to buy. Lastly, what brand and type of polyurethane do you use. I found the ralph lauren glaze and tinted it black silk…that was the easy part. I get my furniture on Wednesday. Can’t wait to start cleaning and turn my find into a treasure. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 31, 2011 at 8:11 pm

      Fun, fun, fun! Yes, Zinsser spray primer. I think my Krylon was glossy, but I was going to use a semi-gloss poly, so it didn’t really matter. I like the Minwax Wipe-On poly – it comes in matte and semi-gloss.

      Be sure to show me your new treasure when it’s finished, and let me know if you run in to questions. So excited for you!

      Reply
  44. Maranda says

    August 1, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    I will definately show you my pieces. I will be doing the same effect to a dresser, night stand, and headboard. I am so excited to begin! However, I got to get the smell out first…:(

    Reply
  45. Charlotte says

    August 21, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    I DIE over this dresser! I actually picked up something kind of similar. I just painted it this weekend. I’m busy, and impatient, so I spray primed (zinsser) and spray painted it glossy white. Only problem is, even though I lightly hand sanded it with 400 grit after the primer, It still looks a little “rough”. It’s not the high gloss finish I wanted. I have spray painted other furniture and it has done the same thing….it does not look smooth or glossy at all! What am I doing wrong? HELP!

    Reply
  46. Maranda says

    August 23, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    OMG…I did the same thing, although I used the Kilz primer. I haven’t painted over it yet because it looks so rough. The primer did not go on well at all and is so rough that I am afraid to spray paint over it. If I do paint over it I know it won’t have the glossy look like yours. Do I need to sand it? Or did I apply the paint wrong?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 23, 2011 at 11:18 pm

      Hey Girls! I’d definitely sand and then roll on primer. I had issues with my spray primer on this dresser, too. What’s the deal? I have no idea why, as I’ve never had that problem before. I actually need to sand and redo the top of my dresser because it has that rough feel to it, too.

      Reply
  47. Maranda says

    August 25, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    I sanded last night with a very light sand paper, then dusted with an old make up brush to get all the particles off. Spray painted two coats last night. I will be needing one more coat tonight and then will apply the glaze. I can’t wait to get off work to finish! Thanks Linsay 🙂

    Reply
  48. Amy says

    October 17, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    I can’t believe I missed this post of yours because I love to keep up with your blog. But, now I am working on our master bedroom and came across this dresser and I am truly inspired. Love it! And I am SOOOO thankful for your wonderful advice on repainting furniture. Thank you!

    Reply
  49. Susan Christensen Cook says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:10 am

    Hi Lindsay,

    I’m new to your Blog. Love your style and helpful tips. I am a professional Decorative Artist and think you did a wonderful job on your thrift shop dresser. I was wondering about the drawer positions . . . do you believe that there is a chance that the thrift store got the top and bottom drawers switched? I noticed the raised design/molding and thought that if the TOP drawer were moved to the bottom position and the BOTTOM drawer placed in the top slot, the raised design might line up better. Just an observation.

    Thanks for sharing your ideas and creativity.
    Susan

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 25, 2011 at 9:38 pm

      Hi Susan! You are definitely right. A few other readers pointed that out to me, too. I changed the drawers around to the right way, but I don’t love it as much. LOL Maybe I’m just weird – or maybe I have a dresser I can change around on a whim.

      Thanks for your note! All the best!

      Reply
  50. becca says

    November 1, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Love Love Love your blog!!!! Thanks so much for posting! I am working on an old dresser this weekend( can’t wait) wondering how to you apply the glaze?
    Thanks so much!!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 1, 2011 at 9:21 pm

      Hi Becca! The glaze is super easy. Use a cheap chip brush from Home Depot and dab the glaze into your detailing in small sections – like 2 ft by 2 ft. Then, quickly wipe it off from everywhere but the details with a wet cloth. Wipe with a dry cloth and then wipe again (lightly) with another white cloth.

      Reply
  51. Debi Perkins says

    November 4, 2011 at 7:49 am

    Hi. Love your site. I am in the process of aquiring furniture for my college age daughter. I have hit Craigslist in my area, I scored big, for her and our house at the beach. Ok. I have a oak top table with 4 chairs. They are painted white on the bottom. The buffet has alot of the “fake” wood. Hate it, but, I got it ALL for 200.00. ANYWAY, any suggestions for the fake stuff. I figure that it is laminate on the sideboard. I have refinished sooo much wooden furniture, just never any of this stuff. I told her that when she finished school, she could have a curb alert and buy her own. If wishes had horses, all beggars would ride, ha ha! My great grandmother always said that. Ada Armstrong.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 9, 2011 at 11:47 pm

      Yes! Try my laminate tutorial (http://livingwithlindsay.com/2009/05/how-to-paint-laminate-furniture.html) or Rustoleum’s Cabinet Transformations product. Both will work! Good for you for scoring so much stuff for free!

      Reply
  52. Suzanne says

    November 6, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    WOW, you did a fantastic job!!! I just stumbled upon your site while looking for a way to paint a laminate bookshelf I have. Anyway, I really like all your DIY projects…

    You’ve def given me something to think about.

    Check out my blog~

    Reply
  53. Lauren Smith says

    November 16, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    Hi Lindsay, I lucked out on a dresser and night stand so similar to the design of yours.. For only $40 (what a steal).. I was looking for a way to redo it and I hate to steal your idea but I am planning on doing EXACTLY what you did.. Yours turned out so wonderfully.. I am new to your blog and cannot wait to check out the rest of it.. You are fabulous!!

    Reply
  54. Miranda says

    December 6, 2011 at 9:58 am

    That is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen – retail or second-hand. Great job on the glazing, adds that special touch! And those pulls are to die for, so unique!

    Reply
  55. Deb says

    December 15, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Lindsay, Love this dresser! May I ask how much you spent on the original dresser at the thrift store? What a bargain! I find our thrift stores where I live to be a bit pricey.

    Reply
  56. Laura says

    December 28, 2011 at 5:26 am

    I recently got a $10 coffee table (craigslist) and first applied a product called “STIX” a “waterborne bonding primer”. The guy at the paint store recommended it for any project that requires a primer. Just one coat and then I painted over with the color I wanted, I don’t have a pic but it worked really well:)
    P.s. I love, love, love the inspiration fabric in Lindsay’s inspiration photo!
    Laura

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      December 30, 2011 at 9:49 pm

      Very cool! I’ve never heard of Stix, but I just googled it. I found a few places nearby that sell it, so I’m definitely going to have to give it a try the next time I paint furniture. Did you have to sand with this product?

      Reply
  57. Bobby says

    December 31, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Did you have to sand the dresser before primer? If so, what grit did you use?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      January 5, 2012 at 8:07 pm

      Hi Bobby- Yes, I lightly sanded the dresser before the primer, primarily to remove the shine and years of grime. I don’t recall the exact grit, but I would think I would have used something like a 120.

      Reply
  58. Sherrilee says

    February 14, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    Before you “saved” it , ugh! No! I would not have fought you. I would now! Amazing job! You make me want to head over to the local Good Will. Nicely done.

    p.s. I love the walls too!

    Reply
  59. Artsy Nifer says

    March 9, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Ahh ma zing!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      March 9, 2012 at 9:51 am

      Thanks so much! I’m very proud of that little gray dresser. 🙂

      Reply
      • Kim says

        October 15, 2012 at 12:01 pm

        Lindsay,

        Can you pretty paint any material? For instance my headboard on my bead, looks as if it has a “natural” wood finish but it is not would, it is some sort of tape or overlay to give it that impression. I have some ideas for my furniture now. Thanks for the inspirations

        Reply
  60. Timarla Johnson says

    May 20, 2012 at 1:03 am

    I know I am pretty late but I would like to do this with my Head Board. I’m new to painting and such can you possibly e mail me a tutorial on exactly what you did? How many coats of glaze? Is that spray form or brush on form? Thanks a Bunch

    Reply
  61. Timarla Johnson says

    May 20, 2012 at 1:04 am

    PS I drool over your creativity! its so amazing

    Reply
  62. Tara says

    June 1, 2012 at 8:51 am

    Ok….I just found a very similar dress this morning at a sale for $50. I passed it up in the hopes that it will still be there tomorrow for $25! I know I’m cheap, but I’m afraid my refinishing skills aren’t as good as yours 🙂 And I was worried about sanding all of those grooves. So you just primed and spray painted this? No sanding required? I’m crossing my fingers that I get a REALLY HUGE bargain tomorrow! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  63. Barbara Martin says

    July 26, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    Wow. I loved the dresser before the redo, but you made it even better. Love it.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      July 26, 2012 at 1:44 pm

      Thanks so much, Barbara!

      Reply
  64. Kim says

    October 15, 2012 at 11:52 am

    Lindsay,

    I absolutely love what you did! Do you have any suggestions for decorating a piece that I have been dying to give a facelift to, but I am scared. I have this Credenza or TV stand which is about 6 1/2 feet long and 2 ft wide (apprx) It is a great TV stand also in the 3 drawers located in the front, side-by-side, I keep my photo albums, DVDs and Videos, and the Wii supplies in it. This thing is solid Oak I believe. My only concern is that the Top of the credenza is not wood at all. It looks like it is some type of fabricated, plastic material. I would like to have it painted or “stained” in an expresso color. Any suggestions? I would appreciate your help. Thanks

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      October 21, 2012 at 10:07 pm

      Hey Kim! I think you should definitely checkout a product called Furniture Transformations by Rustoleum. I think it would be perfect for your piece. Here’s a post I did on it: http://makelyhome.com/rustoleum-furniture-transformations-review/

      Reply
  65. jan says

    October 18, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    Love this transformation! And, I would have given consideration to the mirror … dependant upon the weight, I think that mounted on the wall, it would have made a great 3-way dressing mirror.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      October 21, 2012 at 10:04 pm

      Yes! It may have!

      Reply
  66. Brenda says

    March 17, 2013 at 10:01 am

    You’ve inspired me, but it seems all the dressers I find that are ornate and have the cool design and look to be perfect for glazing have plastic accents that look like wood on the front as part of the design – have you come across this in you hunting to finds? If so do they work for projects like glazing?

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      March 21, 2013 at 7:57 am

      Hi Brenda! Yes, the plastic accents is totally expected. My grey dresser actually has plastic accents on the front, too. You can glaze plastic the same way that you glaze wood. Just make sure you use a good primer that works on plastic sufaces under your paint, and you’ll be golden!

      Reply
  67. Mindi says

    October 9, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    Ok. I just saw this post. I have been reading the 31 days to an eclectic home. When I came across this picture of the dresser, something just seems off to me. Have you tried to swap the top drawers with the bottom drawers? It looks like the flow would be better……… just an idea…..

    Reply
  68. carley ann says

    April 28, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    wow so very sophisticated looking, who would have guessed? i would never have been so bold as to choose that color but boy somehow you sure made it work! i saw this chair and thought wow his would look good wiih that grey dresser i have a similar piece that could use a refinish ! so now i may try it with your technique

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/26126837?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227018274826&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=35480403996&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=52210173636&veh=sem

    Reply
  69. Sally says

    February 20, 2015 at 9:47 am

    i am flipping thru Pinterest looking for ideas on dressers when I run into this dresser you have redone!!! Well, it caught my eye as my mother has the same exact dresser! The mirror is different as hers only has the single one in the middle! You did amazing on this piece! Wow!!! My mom had hers together just a bit differently…and I wanted to share that with u for a different look if it is possible! The way you and the thrift store have it set up….the bottom drawers were switched with the top. It creates a different pattern! There may be slight differences in them, but just for fun…look at the different pattern it creates if they are interchangeable.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Interior design news & notes: Home show results; 10 cheap ideas; and remaking an old dresser | DECORE GUIDE says:
    October 13, 2011 at 9:48 am

    […] and consider and contemplate until a light goes off; infrequently it never goes off. At any rate, take a dresser she saw. I’m certain we would have shrug and kept on truckin’ […]

    Reply
  2. Interior design news & notes: Home show results; 10 cheap ideas; and remaking … - ASİA DESİGN – ASİA DESİGN says:
    October 14, 2011 at 6:23 am

    […] and consider and contemplate until a light goes off; infrequently it never goes off. At any rate, take a dresser she saw. I’m certain we would have shrugged and kept on truckin’ […]

    Reply
  3. Interior design news & notes: Home show results; 10 cheap ideas; and remaking an old dresser - ASİA DESİGN – ASİA DESİGN says:
    October 16, 2011 at 1:44 am

    […] and consider and contemplate until a light goes off; infrequently it never goes off. At any rate, take a dresser she saw. I’m certain we would have shrugged and kept on truckin’ […]

    Reply
  4. Interior design news & notes: Home show results; 10 cheap ideas; and remaking … | DECORE GUIDE says:
    October 16, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    […] and consider and contemplate until a light goes off; infrequently it never goes off. At any rate, take a dresser she saw. I’m certain we would have shrugged and kept on truckin’ […]

    Reply
  5. Mastering the Master Bedroom {Layered Frame Gallery Wall} - Makely School for Girls says:
    May 2, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    […] latex paint from my yellow dresser (Sherwin-Williams Decisive Yellow), matching spray paint from my gray dresser (Krylon in Classic Gray), and a lovely teal spray paint that I found in my garage from another […]

    Reply
  6. Mastering the Master Bedroom {Room Sources and Tutorials} - Makely School for Girls says:
    May 20, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    […] the Master Bedroom {the Handmade Bed} Mastering the Master Bedroom {the Miss Matched Dresser} Mastering the Master Bedroom {the Thrift Store Cast-Off Dresser} Mastering the Master Bedroom {Updating an Outdated Light Fixture} Mastering the Master Bedroom […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


Archives

Categories

PRIVACY POLICY
Copyright © 2009-2019 Makely School for Girls | All Rights Reserved | Posts may contain advertising content or affiliate links