Thursday, August 26, 2010

Check Out My Curves!

Before I show you a picture of this dresser, let me just tell you that when the bus rolled away this morning with my son on board, a little piece of my heart broke off and went with it. I didn't know it would hit me so hard! I went to the gym and had a very hard cardio workout which made me release endorphins and feel better! And then when he came home and got off the bus, elation!

Anyhow...I picked up this dresser earlier this week, and it was clear to see this one had been around for a bit.

It had watermarks along the bottom from an evident flood, and needed some serius cleaning. I used some bleach inside the drawers, and then sprinkled baking soda in each of the drawers and let it sit overnight. Then I dusted out most of the baking soda, and wiped the insides of the drawers down with vinegar and water. Since it was already a little rough around the edges, I went with a more distressed finish. It was missing a pull, so I filled holes in the top and made the top two drawers knob-ready. I sanded it, primed it, and painted it with "Reflecting Pool" by Sherwin Williams. I generally prefer the lightly distressed finish, which I do by hand. In the case of this dresser, I decided to really rough it up. By hand that would have taken forever and I may have passed out due to exhaustion, so I decided to put my orbital sander to use. I sanded it all over the edges, curves, and then gave it a general once over to expose the primer in spots. Then I used Minwax Golden Oak stain and wiped on lightly with a rag, replaced the pulls and added very dark red Anthropologie knobs. And here it is now! All roughed up and ready to go!




And don't forget to enter my 500 followers giveaway... if you like Target, that is.
Linking to...
Funky Junk's Saturday Nite SpecialPhotobucketPhotobucketUndertheTableandDreaming

50 comments:

Phil and Bri said...

Ok, I really really really need this dresser! :) hehe.

Cozy.Cottage.Cute. said...

Those little keyholes are darling!

Allison said...

What a cute photo of Sawyer! A big day for the both of you. So cute! Love the dresser....great blue and I like it heavily distressed. It suits the piece well. And, of course your spectacular Cassie knobs!

The Frosted Gardner said...

I love this one! funny thing - I popped over to decormama to link up and saw this dresser and thought Cassie! And I was right. It is gorgeous. Absolutely marvelous. Great color, love the extra distressing and the knobs. Perfection!

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

Thanks for sharing your little boy with us. My son never had to ride the bus. I think little ones look even smaller getting on those big ol buses. I have always wanted a dresser with that shape. You made that one so pretty. There is one on Craigs here for $350. It is in wonderful shape and has a mirror on top. I don't want one for $350 bad. I finally found a neat $5 dresser on Craigs and can't get a response! Oh well. I will just drool over yours.

Sue@Uniquely Chic said...

LOve, love, love it! Love the color choice!!! Saw you at Shabby Nest...joining your list of followers.

Jennifer said...

I'm in love!!! The color and shape is just beautiful!!!!

I hope it gets easier for you when your little one goes to school!

Take care!
~Jennifer

Michele Smith said...

Adorable picture, I bet he was so excited to see you when he got off the bus!!
and ...you flippin rock!!! That dresser is beautiful.

Petie said...

Your dresser looks awesome! I have a similar family dresser sitting in our garage. You've inspired me to give it some "pop" with a fun color. Maybe for my daughter's room!?

Your cardio workout inspired me too....back to the gym so I can get more energy to do these projects :)

Kristine at The Painted Hive said...

What the? Where do you keep finding these awesome pieces? It looks amazing in the afters. I love the black knobs. Glad to see your little boy came home safe and sound.
Kris
xx

kelley @ the eclectic owl said...

Seriously beautiful dresser Cassie! That color is great and I love the hardware! Hopefully it will get easier each day to see your little one head off to school! :)

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Sawyer looks so grown up getting off that bus. He is precious! I know what you mean about losing a piece of your heart when he left for school. I hate to tell you, but it doesn't get any easier. A piece of my heart went off to college with my sweet 21 year old daughter who is a senior in college. It looks like Sawyer had a great day at school! And your dresser turned out great! It is beautiful. I need to get inspired and finish the dresser this weekend for my daughter's room here at home. Love & blessings from NC!

Jen S. said...

LOVE what you did to the dresser...it is gorgeous! You are very creative :)
PS--just found your blog and I love it!

Kelli @ RTSM said...

What a great makeover! I love the color!

Cathy @ The Far Fifty said...

Aw, I can't imagine what it feels like to send your first baby off to school! I hope he had fun and great day!

Love the dresser, the shape of it is amazing!

Andi @ Jane of all crafts said...

Well u know i love the dresser...if only I had a place for it! hmmm...might have to do something about that :-) Just wanted to stop by and let you know I mentioned you and your furniture in my blog.

http://www.janeofallcrafts.com/2010/08/things-im-lovin-friday.html

Thanks again! I'm sure we'll talk soon!

gail@myrepurposedlife.net said...

awww, your little boy is growing up! :) I remember the first day I dropped Jamie off to pre-k, she waved a happy goodbye, I walked away and cried my eyes out. That was 24 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.
that chest of drawers is gorgeous! Love the color and the distressing! great job!
gail

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I think it looks great! It is more distressed than the pieces you usually do, but it looks like it's supposed to be there. Love the color!

The first day of school! It's a huge step. :)

Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat. said...

Fabulous! I love the vivid turquoise with the distressing. I need to do more distressing...thanks for the inspiration!

XO
Lenore

Rebecca@This Present Life said...

It looks fantastic! You really brought that piece back to life. The curved drawers are so sweet and the color is gorgeous. I like that you roughed this one up a bit more than usual. Great job!

Meg said...

Is this the same dresser?? It looks wonderful. I love the color and the heavy distressing. Great job! I'm going to check out your giveaway right now.

I'm having a link party and (heehee) Target giveaway on my blog. I'd love it if you joined up! Have a wonderful day. alittleknickknack.blogspot.com

~linds said...

I LOVE it! So inspiring! That color is gorgeous and I love the distressing.

Robby said...

Everything about this is just plan awesome! Fantastic work!

Kari said...

This looks SO good! You did a GREAT job! :)

Kelly at I Dream of Decor said...

such a cute photo of your son! and don't feel bad, I cried like a baby on my oldest sons first day of school (in the school no less) The dresser is stunning, love the color and the anthro knobs are beautiful!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

What a gorgeous dresser!! The color and distressed finish are perfect! Cute blog- new follower here
I know just what you mean about the first day of school!
Sigh* I remember when my babies had their first days of school...looks like it was a good day for him and sounds like it worked out for you too! :)

Danie said...

I love this! It looks like a piece from Anthro and not just a do it yourself!

Life in Rehab said...

NICE, Cassie! I'm loving that color a lot, and the lines of that baby are just stunning.

Allison Shops said...

I remember all our first days of school like it was yesterday. Enjoy!

Love the color you selected. Nice job!

I wanted to let you know about Atticmag's new linky party - Giveaway Friday! It's a convenient place for bloggers to link their giveaways each week. We've kicked it off with a fantastic giveaway of our own. Five lucky winners will win material to do a backsplash in their home. Hope to see you there!

Allison
Atticmag

Becky@Organizing Made Fun said...

This is really beautiful! I really love the color and the curves of it! I have a buffet I'm getting ready to re-do and this is really inspiring...I'm a little unsure of the roughing up part because I have no other furniture that way, but I know that it would probably pop out in the room if I did! Thanks for sharing this - I'm visiting from Remodelaholic!

Ellie said...

You always do such a nice job. It totally looks cool and pretty instead of old and worn like it was. Love the color!

Alida L. said...

The dresser is stunning! I am impressed!

Ali @ Honey and Maple Syrup said...

The curves are great and I love the keyholes!

Becky said...

I'm a sucker for keyholes! It looks amazing!

Alison said...

Wow!!! This dresser makeover is gorgeous!!! I love the color, the distressing, everything!

~Alison

Camie at "Home is where they love you" said...

These are the best kind of curves...very beautiful.

Nita {ModVintageLife} said...

Oh...I love this turquoise dresser. I would love to paint my dresser this color....alas it is birds eye maple and I just can't bring myself to do that. But I love how your's turned out.

Ruth H. said...

I [heart] turquoise! And I love what you did with this dresser. Where are you going to put it?

Mandi said...

YOu know I had to swing by and tell you how wonderful this turned out!! I love all of the detail and you son is so cute!

love your guts
mandi

Jami said...

What a gorgeous chest of drawers!! You are so talented!
smiles!

Screaming Meme said...

Hi, Im Meme from Screaming Meme...I stumbled upon your blog and love it! Your dresser is beautiful! I look forward to reading your blog and seeing more wonderful treasures you create! Stop in sometime for a visit! Meme

AM from White House, Black Shutters said...

I love the color, distressing, knobs, curves - oh I love it all! You are VERY talented!

-Ann Marie

nancycreative said...

You did a beautiful job on that dresser!

Becolorful said...

Great post title and even a greater piece. Love the color. I would be so flattered if you would consider linking it up to my first linky party at BeColorful. I do a lot with painted furniture myself and I think it is the kind of thing my followers would like.
Pam

Amy @ Increasingly Domestic said...

That is one of the most amazing furniture transformations that I have seen! You did a magnificent job and now I want to go find something ugly and make it pretty:) Thanks for the inspiration.

Catch A Falling Star said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!
I am particularly fond of the color.

{ kelly jo } said...

Oh, wow! amazing after!

Chris said...

Love the curves, love the color, what a great transformation.

Jenn Erickson said...

OMG, it's gorgeous! Love, love, love the color you chose!

freckled laundry said...

Love the color!