Vintage Dresser

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Well it seems I must continue with my projects, like it or not. When you live in a place long enough there is always something or other that needs to be fixed, painted, repaired or replaced. During my present empty nester years the prospect of increasing my income to buy beautiful new stuff is non existent. Not significantly anyway. Soooo I get creative and when I need something (or want, which is a better word), I go a few blocks away to my favorite........you said it, thrift store. I find oodles of stuff there. Of course half the time or more, I can't take home what I want. I have no room!

Well it turns out I needed a dresser since I used the one I had as a media center (see my post here Re-purposing a Vintage Dresser Re-Do). Just as I suspected I found a vintage piece at the T.Store. The poor lovely was pretty neglected but I had a vision! I already had leftover chalk paint and paste wax, so the next step was just to paint it. Once I start painting it's ok, it's getting to even start to do it that's a problem. This blog works as a catalyst to help me hurry up and finish the "durned" thing!  I'll then have something to write about and pictures to post on the link sites. So here goes! The thrill of it all!

Vintage dresser. You can see it's missing a wheel or two, also a handle.

When buying a used piece it's important to clean it thoroughly after bringing it home. I removed all the drawers first. Then I washed it down with Murphy soap and a soft bristle brush. I then placed  small containers with baking soda in each drawer  and inside the dresser to remove musty odors. Antique furniture should be aired out and allowed to dry thoroughly after cleaning. I cleaned and disinfected with water and vinegar solution inside and out. I use 1 cup of vinegar, to 1 gallon of water. I don't want to keep spreading the dirt so I use a lot of rags. It had what appeared to be nail polish stuck to the top, but it came off when stripped.  I then wiped it down again with a tack cloth and applied wood conditioner. The top was stained in Minwax Wood Finish in red mahogony.  I then applied  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White to the body of the dresser and drawers. After it dried I used AS Paste Wax with a tad of burnishing stain mixed into it and applied for distressed look. I didn't sand over it this time, but if I want a more chipped look, I can. Lining the drawers with a vintage style paper gave it that old style look. Sorry I don't have pictures of it all, I believe my camera was broken then.

I love its lines, even if it's not the french look I like. BTW, space under the stairs renovation seen here. 

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Vintage look drawer liner. I found an old picture of a lady in one of the drawers. The clothes she wore and car in the background dated it to around the early 1940's, she probably had it from before that

Top after stripping and cleaning. It's discolored where nail polish stain was.

Red Mahogony stain

Minwax Color Express Wiping and Finishing Stain gives the white a burnished look. I kept the chippines, no wood filler applied.

The newest old lovely!

She's a beauty!

Stained wood top glows!

Unfortunately one of the handles was missing. I found a replica of the original online. I ordered two and used them on the top drawers. Whew! That was some search! Sure I could have changed the handles, but I liked the original and wanted to maintain the integrity of the piece. I even ordered old wheels online for it. The new ones just didn't look right. I was undecided whether to use the original mirror or the vintage, chippy, old one I had bought moons ago. Right now I kept my old one. which I bought 10 years ago. I didn't have to do anything to it. It was already a shabby, chippy old lovely!  When I finish painting the one that came with the dresser, I'll change it up.......ummm, maybe.

The rest of the bedroom is another project as stated in my sneak preview photos on sidebar. Stay connected!

Well the dresser is done and thank goodness I have a place for my "stuff"! Now to move on to the rest of the place. Where do I get the strength......moan.

The Little Table That Could

feliz año nuevo -       bonne année   -  

     عام سعيد  -  nЗ новым годам  -   pace e salute  -   head uut aastat  -   šťastný nový rok  -nგილოცავთ ახალ წელს  - kali chronia  - bònn ané  - nav varsh ki subhkamna  -  gleðilegt nýtt ár  -  ath bhliain faoi mhaise  -  akemashite omedetô  - sala we ya nû pîroz be  -   laimingų Naujųjų Metų  -  umyaka omucha omuhle  - szczęśliwego nowego roku  -  feliz ano novo  -  bliadhna mhath ur - sanad wanagsan  -  unyaka omusha omuhle -  สวัสดีปีใหม่byddyn newydd dda

рећна н

ова годин 

...and others. 

With the daunting task of extending my dining room wall and building a plate rack for the plate collection over, I can move on to other things that have been pending.

Wood accent table in the middle.

A couple of months ago on one of my junking finds, I bought this little accent table. It was stained a dark cherry and grungy. What I like is that it has a display top with a glass. I can do a number of things with it. My daughter-in-law, who is a very creative school teacher, cut out some paper snowflakes which I thought of using under the glass. I also thought of a french script fabric under it. How about a photo collage of my family? I can do all that as the mood strikes me. Right now I opted for a pathwork look. Using leftover scraps, I used them to create a fabric display under the glass. I think this little table can take it!

Folded over edgea and ironed for smooth edge.

Cutting fabric to size of glass.

Sanding after stripping and cleaning.

I assembled the fabric to create the look I wanted and cut the fabric strips to size. I then folded the borders and ironed them down to create a crease. I used a glue stick to keeps ends down and ironed everything again. Using leftover wallpaper to form a template, I then glued it to the fabric.

Pathwork insert after cutting to size. 

Adding stripper according to instructions on can and making sure to wear gloves.

Outlining template from leftover wallpaper.

I wanted to keep the table stripped to a natural wood in order to match it up to  the french bergère chair and the cocktail table.

Pre paste wax and buffing.

I used the patchwork border on this wall hanging a couple of months ago.

        

Double sided curtains from which some of the remnants were taken.

                I kept it a little chippy and with a little paste wax and buffing, they'll make a good pair, rather trio!

The little table and the chair will be getting a little white wash burnish on raised edges, like the Crate and Barrel cocktail table. Stay tuned  (umm, connected).

This is the little table that can do a lot!

I can't wait to see what else I can come up with to put under the glass! Have any ideas?


I wish everyone a truly healthy, blessed and prosperous year. Remember, all things are possible if you Believe!

Another Day In the Life Of....

Good Morning,

Today I will be a very busy bee. I have too many projects to finish and very little time and help. My son, Edgar helps me as much as he can but he has very little time. 

Right now my projects involve constructing a plate rack and completing the under stairs storage. Until that's done I will not be painting the wall, door and cabinet we've installed. Stay tuned for further info.

My camera broke down, not that it was that great to begin with.   However, I will post from my stored photo gallery. Believe me I have learned how to do amazing things on this little laptop!

Have a great day!