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Saturday, June 19, 2010

This is me feeling sorry for myself that I am under the weather this week. Hopefully I'll be back to full power by Monday. Until then, I will be laying on the couch and catching up on some HGTV and medicating myself with large amounts of coffee. Unfortunately, last week I tried to watch all of my Criminal Minds that I had taped so I could free up space on our DVR. Talk about bad timing. Is it just me or is HGTV not as awesome as it used to be?

Friday, June 4, 2010

Once upon a time there was a college student who needed a cheap dresser and nightstand. So like all college students on a budget he went to Walmart and found the cheapest thing he could find. That was about 7 years ago. Since then this college student has gotten married, bought a house, and furnished his house with beautiful furniture. This college student has a sister who has put the word out that before anyone gives anything away to talk to me first, so he asked if I wanted them. And of course I did!!

They aren't half bad the way they were actually, but not exactly my style. At first I thought I would just use them for storage in the closet, but I've been wanting an entryway dresser for a long time. I needed something to store mittens, hats, and gloves in the winter, beach towels, tanning and spf lotion in the summer, wallets, things to be taken back to the store, you name it. All of it piled up next to the door, or in the kitchen, and after my dog chewed up my last matching pair of gloves, I knew it was time to do something. Anything. And then I thought of the dresser my brother gave me.

I actually forgot to take pictures of the dresser, (of course!). I randomly get gung-ho about projects during the weirdest of times, and this one hit me right after I had put Haley to bed. I just saw the pile by the door, didn't want to ever look at it again, and went to straight to the garage and started priming.

This picture is the matching nightstand that I did take pictures of.

It sits in the office right now, serving no purpose except to hold all of Haley's junk that she doesn't want in her room anymore, but also doesn't want to throw away, and a friend's baby shower gift that is 3 months belated. I missed her baby shower because I thought it started at 3, but actually ended at 3. Yes, I am obviously a very good and organized friend. :o/

It was a Walnut color, is made of some kind of crappy particle board, and has a shiny plasticy finish. (Obviously I am not sure what I am talking about here, but the point is it is cheap cheap cheap!)

I removed the hardware and drawers, and started priming with Rustoleum's spray paint primer. I used the spray can version because it dries super fast. Usually I don't like using spray paint on large pieces because it seems like a lot is wasted. Sorry there are no pictures for these steps!!

I didn't sand first because the finish isn't real wood, and was already perfectly smooth, so I went straight to priming and crossed my fingers that it would stick. And it did!

After it dried I painted the entire piece in a Behr semi-gloss latex paint. I found it in the OOPS section for $1.00!! When I bought it I wasn't sure what I would use it for. I was going to use Rustoleum's Heirloom White, but didn't have enough to finish everything in one night like I wanted. And my OOPS paint almost matches it perfectly. Mine is a little bit whiter which I like. Sometimes the other can be a little too yellowy for my taste. Plus this is a semi-gloss versus the satin finish...easier for cleaning I think.

So I painted it up with a regular paint brush, and spray-painted the hardware with black high-heat paint. It's all I had on hand, and I actually think it turned out perfectly. I distressed the edges, corners, and a few of the drawers faces just for heck of it.

So here sits my free dresser, that cost a grand total of $1.00 to makeover.

Gathering all of our unsightly junk. It's so nice to have something to throw the keys on, plus the lamp lights the dark hallway, another reason I wanted something here.

I haven't found a use for the nightstand yet, it's actually only about 2 feet tall. We'll see what happens!

I am linking up to Ms. Mustard Seeds Furniture Friday so check out all the other amazing furniture re-do's!!

Sheet music lampshade

Treasure shelf

Skirt lampshade cover

About Me

I'm married with one daughter and two dogs. I love decorating, creating and design. And fashion and DIY and blah, blah, blah. I live in your typical suburban neighborhood where everyones houses look the same inside and out, but hope to one day have a house with enough land to raise chickens (for eggs, not eating!!!) and a fat llama. Thanks for stopping by!