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The Frugal Homemaker

Your guide to turning your house into a home... one DIY project and yard sale find at a time

$20 flea market dresser re-do

June 13, 2012

I am so excited to share the first furniture re-do on my blog today!  It is actually not MY first piece to do – I have done a coffee table, toy chest, and another dresser, but this is the first official piece I am sharing here with before/after pictures.

I bought this dresser for $20 from the flea market quite a while ago (uhhh… a little embarrassed when I saw the date on this picture – almost 2 years ago.)  Sad to say it has been sitting neglected in the garage, collecting cobwebs since then.  I was working out of the house then and just didn’t have time, motivation, or inspiration to tackle it.

small white dresser before

I LOVE French provincial furniture!  My guest room furniture is French provincial and is the furniture that I grew up using as a child.  I love the lines of these pieces, the details, the handles, the curves…  And I love the way they turn out in before/after pictures I see on Pinterest and blogs.

I had originally wanted to try to sand and stain the top but it wasn’t solid wood so wouldn’t have the wood grain look that I was wanting.  So I decided to just paint it white.

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My husband bought me a paint sprayer last year for my birthday and I have been trying to learn how to use it effectively.  I struggled with the first dresser I did a few weeks ago – it had a rough finish and I had to sand it quite a bit in between coats and afterwards.

I used a smaller nozzle and thinned my paint more this time and it worked much better!  Still not perfect, but better!

Here’s my “paint booth” a few weekends ago! Smile

I used Valspar paint and primer in Sawyer White and did 2 coats.  I really love this paint!  No primer needed as it is in the paint and it goes so far!  I have painted 2 dressers, plus what you see in this picture and have used about 1/4 of the can.

Whoever had owned it before had just painted the whole thing a rough white handles included!  While it was drying, I spray painted the handles with primer and then gave them 2 coats of Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

I let it all dry for a few days.  Then lightly sanded it smooth and it was ready to be distressed.  My nieces were at my house that day I was working on it and of course had tons of questions for me.   I told my 4 year old niece I was distressing the dresser.  She said “Does ‘estressing’ mean messing up the paint you just painted?”  Yep, that is pretty much it! Smile

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I just lightly distressed the edges of the dresser, the edges of the drawers, and the edges of the decorative piece on the drawer.

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I like to use my sanding block and I usually use some medium-fine grit sand paper.  Since the dresser wasn’t dark wood underneath the white paint, the areas I distressed didn’t stand out that much.  So I brushed them with some dark walnut stain and wiped it off immediately.  Then I finished with 2 coats of clear poly.

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Hold on, I am getting to the after. Smile

Now it was time to find a place for it in the house.  I had originally bought it thinking I would use it in my entryway, but I had already found a larger dresser to go there (that reveal is coming soon too.)  So I decided this one was perfect to go in between the bedrooms at the top of the stairs.

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I know, you probably didn’t even know I had an upstairs! Smile  This is the first picture you are seeing of the upstairs in our house– the rest is too scary to show but I am working on fixing that slowly…

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And here is the AFTER!!

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And a shot all together so you can see the difference…

beforeafter small white dresser

I had fun decorating it too! Smile  I love the dark handles in contrast with the creamy white.  It helps bring out the distressed parts.

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Most of the décor came from yard sales too! The lamp, candle, and lantern are the only things that are not yard sale finds.  Lamp was 1/2 price at Dollar General – $6.50 for lamp + shade, candle – gift, lantern – part of set from Kirkland’s.

The rest are some of my yard sale treasures:

  • window – free from trash pile at flea market
  • wreath – part of set – $1.00 yard sale find
  • white frame – 80¢ Goodwill find
  • topiary – $3.00 flea market find
  • decorative ball – $1.00 yard sale find

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I am not sure yet what I will store in there.  I may use it for craft supplies, games, and puzzles for my nieces and nephew – they were excited about that when I told them!  Or maybe linens, candles, or extra décor.  I will definitely put the extra storage space to good use!

And just so you don’t start thinking my home is just perfectly put together and beautiful all the time… remember the rest of the upstairs is too scary to even show right now.  And that matter the whole house is pretty scary right now too as I have projects going in about 3 rooms…. and I am hosting a party on Friday night and Father’s Day lunch on Sunday.  That’s the way it is most of the time around here – I work best under pressure! Smile

And this is what this space looked like minutes before taking the pictures above.  Random décor pulled out from everywhere trying to find what would work.

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So keep your eyes peeled at yard sales, flea markets, and even the side of the road!  You never know what treasure you might find.  And with a little paint and some elbow grease you can have a piece you treasure in your home!

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{cj}

Linking up to: Rhoda’s Thrifty Treasure party and Best projects of June party at Beneath my Heart

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Sometimes I also link up to these wonderful parties:

Sarahndipities, Skip to my Lou, Today’s Creative Blog, How to Nest for Less, Home Stories A to Z, Apron Thrift Girl, Tools are for women too, Not just a Housewife, A bowl full of lemons, Uncommon Designs Online, Someday Crafts, No Minimalist Here,Somewhat Simple, 36th Avenue, Sew Much Ado, The Style Sisters, The Thrifty Home, Domestically Speaking, House of Hepworths, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Weekend Blogging party at Serenity Now, Home Happy Home, Tatertots and Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, The Girl Creative, Miss Mustard Seed, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Remodelaholic, The Lettered Cottage, Before and after party at Thrifty Decor Chick, Pinterest Challenge at Young House Love

33 Comments LABELS ~ Furniture re-dos

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Comments

  1. Laura D says

    June 13, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    Gorgeous!!! You inspire me 🙂

    Reply
  2. Kelly Palmer says

    June 13, 2012 at 12:52 PM

    Awesome job Christina! I absolutely love the dresser and it looks beautiful after your makeover. I love the way you decorated it too 🙂

    Reply
  3. Rhiannon says

    June 13, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    Looks fabulous!

    Reply
  4. raechel says

    June 13, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    Very nice!!!

    Reply
  5. Nikki says

    June 13, 2012 at 1:46 PM

    GREAT job as usual!! Can’t wait to see your next project! : )

    Reply
  6. Lisa S says

    June 13, 2012 at 2:33 PM

    Looks so nice!!!

    Reply
  7. MaryEllen says

    June 13, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    When you’re done with your house can you just come up here for a while and do mine? It needs so much work, but I can never seem to get things from my head into real life. I totally can’t picture the “after” when I see all the junk at yard sales, so I end up passing over lots of things that would probably end up looking nice.

    Reply
  8. Heidi Rew says

    June 13, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    Love it, Christina! Those ORB handles really pop too! I saw that you’re going to be at the Haven Conference! I’m going to be there too! Hope to meet you in person! <3 Heidi Rew from Parties for Pennies

    Reply
  9. Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com says

    June 13, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    It looks fantastic! The darker handles really pull it together, and I love the way you decorated the top. I’ve never been a big fan of the distressed look, but you’re starting to convince me. For one thing, you’ll never have to say “Oh, no, it’s chipped so now I have to repaint it!”

    Reply
  10. Heather @ Thrifty Stories says

    June 14, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    Looks great, Christina. I love it. I too have several things in our attic/bonus room that needs some TLC (read paint) for your family room. I just have a hard time finding time to do it. 😉

    Reply
  11. Stacey says

    June 15, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    Love it! Its pretty and will give more storage!

    Reply
  12. Renee@ Living Laughing & Loving says

    June 16, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    What a steal! Looks great!

    Reply
  13. Jerralea says

    June 19, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    Oh, it looks gorgeous and I love the way you decorated it.

    Reply
  14. Charlene@APinchofJoy says

    June 24, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    Turned out beautifully and it is just perfect for the space! Know what you mean about having multiple projects going on at once! Nothing like planning to entertain to get projects done! Thanks so much for linking on Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy! Hope to see you again soon!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      July 7, 2012 at 12:21 AM

      I got TONS done the first part of June – haha! I need to have company once a month! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Amanda says

    June 30, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    Wow, this looks great and I love where you placed the dresser! Such a cozy spot! I’m inspired!
    Amanda

    Reply
    • Christina says

      July 6, 2012 at 11:47 PM

      awww… thanks, Amanda! I actually intended to use it as an entry way table but then I found a bigger one (which I will reveal soon). But I am really glad it didn’t end up working cause I like this spot too.

      Reply
  16. Jaime Baeza says

    June 30, 2012 at 10:40 PM

    It looks beautiful! I am looking for a dresser like this too!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      July 6, 2012 at 11:46 PM

      thanks!

      Reply
  17. Erin @ Sassin' Southern Style says

    July 14, 2012 at 6:44 PM

    This is gorgeous! I love the slightly distressed look, and never would have thought of wiping off walnut stain. Great technique!

    Reply
  18. Traci says

    July 23, 2012 at 7:23 AM

    Great Makeover, Christina! Love it!
    Sharing it on my blog today. 🙂

    Reply
  19. Katie Wilson says

    December 4, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    Would you consider selling it. MY daughter has a matching one and ive been looking for another one.

    Reply
  20. TMHW says

    May 15, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    Stopping by from Before and After.. Beautiful job!
    I have the same style furniture from my childhood and it’s now in my 4 yr old’s room. Sadly, it drastically yellowed (almost a greenish tint now) and I”m hoping to repaint it, including a canopy bed that matches. I just need the proper tools to get it done. (Anyone have a paint sprayer they dont want any more, lol??)
    this is so cute and I like that you stayed with classic white. Great job and thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  21. Sharon says

    May 15, 2013 at 2:49 PM

    You did a great job!

    Reply
  22. Katie says

    May 15, 2013 at 2:53 PM

    Just saw you on Better After. I really appreciate that your distressing on this project was minimal. When the whole “distressed” fad first came around, I thought it was nice. But then as time went on, it started getting a little over the top – the distressing on projects I was seeing was taking away way more than it was adding (in my opinion…). Anyway, I think your work on this is the perfect amount – it looks naturally worn and in no way screams “Hey! Someone took a huge sander to me to show off my previous colors/stain/etc for no real reason other than to look shabby!”

    Just my two cents…

    Reply
  23. Britt @ Creating Space for Five says

    May 15, 2013 at 7:11 PM

    I am (re) doing a french provincial right now for my daughters room, I got it at a flea market and someone had painted it with acryclic in yellow, green and pink. Its a piece of work.
    I just had to take a look at yours. Its looks so crisp and clean! I wish I had a paint sprayer:) Great job!

    Reply
  24. Margo says

    June 2, 2013 at 2:12 PM

    I love your dresser makeover. I have a similar dresser I am going to makeover also. I was wondering if you used the original drawer handles and painted them or did you add all new handles and knobs?

    Reply
  25. Kate Jordan says

    July 22, 2014 at 10:19 PM

    This is just delicious. I’m not usually a fan of the distressed look, but this is just perfect. Your whole setup is lovely and makes me want to just steal it and put it in my house. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Colleen says

    January 22, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    couple of questions about the window… Does it still have the glass and what did you use to hang it on the wall?

    Colleenlaux@yahoo.com

    Reply
  27. Trish says

    May 3, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    Nice job! I would really love to find a window like that but am thinking to have to buy one is pretty pricy.

    Reply
  28. Jeanne says

    October 9, 2015 at 8:23 PM

    Love this!

    Reply
  29. Pat Everman says

    September 29, 2018 at 10:06 PM

    Ok. ..I do LOVE the dresser and the decorating…but PLEASE tell me the color of your walls.Such a perfect color to accent all your hard work!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Perfect Dresser Makeover Idea says:
    August 24, 2015 at 8:06 PM

    […] do not have to have a huge decorating budget to create beautiful pieces of furniture. Most of the time all it takes is a watchful eye for a great yard sale deal and a creative mind. To […]

    Reply

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Hi!  My name is Christina . . .

I love doing simple, frugal things to make our house feel like HOME! Come learn along with me how to have a beautiful home on a budget.

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