29 November 2011

Before and After: A Goodwill Dresser Makeover!

                                            Before                                                                         After

I’m still a newbie to this the world of second-hand treasures, but when I spotted this beauty of a dresser at my local Goodwill a few weeks ago, I knew it was a hidden gem. It was hiding behind a few broken bookshelves, filthy and covered in stickers, scratches and dents…but it had such gorgeous details that it was practically screaming at me: “make me over, make me over!”!!! How could I refuse?! It had me at those legs.



I had absolutely no need for it, and no place I could even justify putting it. Our apartment is spacious but cozy, and it’ll feel more like a store than a home if I overstuff it with all the beautiful things I fall in love with :) Which are many :)

It took an exorbitant amount of willpower to leave the store without the dresser. But I eventually went back for it :) It was like a bad itch, I couldn’t stop thinking about it! The hallway table was my first major furniture makeover, but after that project I was hooked. I prayed for guidance and decided to refinish the dresser to resell. It would be a ton of fun and a great way to practice and develop our DIY skills :)

Because I impatiently waited a few days before buying the dresser it got marked down. Plus I ended up buying it on Goodwill’s 50% off Friday sale, so we got it for the super cheap price of $10.01 – a deal on a deal?! I don’t think I’ve ever felt more amazing.  

I started the makeover with a good cleaning and scraping off all the stickers and congealed grime. The veneer was bubbling a little in some parts so I only lightly sanded a few areas I couldn't clean well.

Then my husband and I got to work on all the chips and dents. 


I did some research on repairing the chipped corners with hard wax and veneer tape, but I decided to try wood filler first since I had some on hand. It may not be the easiest way to do it but it worked! With some patience we were able to reshape all of the broken corners and edges, and patch up some of the dents.


All of the drawers were functional, but one of the sliders was broken. It was an older design so it wasn't a standard size I could replace easily, but I eventually found an adjustable slide at Canadian Tire! That made my day :) 


For primer I chose Zinsser’s Cover Stain – after reading Centsational Girl’s recommendation as the best primer for laminate furniture.


It was amazing, no issues adhering to the glossy veneer at all. Plus it dried so fast, perfect for impatient DIYers like me :) But it does stink up a storm…and we’re in an apartment, in COLD weather, and I like me my heat! We had all the windows open and I was walking around in a hideous number of layers. Washing up for prayers in the morning was brutal!
 
For the paint we wanted to go with a nice bright shade of white. I’ve never bought white paint before, so I almost went nuts with all the shades! We were in the store forEVER and a day, but we finally chose a lovely shade of creamy white in a semi gloss. I love it!!

Super-duper love it : )

We thought about outlining the detailing on the drawer-fronts in black for a really bold look, but it took away from the depth of the detail and looked more like a stenciled-on rectangle, so we scrapped that. I also tried a high-sheen gloss to add a bit more drama with a glossier finish, but the product created a yellowish tinge that we weren’t loving, so we scrapped that too.   


I replaced the hardware with a simple black knob (on clearance for $1.43 a piece!). I chose black because of the black outlines we originally planned, but I still loved the bold knobs without it.


I am head.over.heels in LOVE with these legs. Can't get over the gorgeousness! A designer look for less if there ever was one :)

I couldn't be happier with the finished product!! Goodwill is my new favourite place, and it's amazing that by shopping there you're also supporting your community.

It was so much fun working on this makeover and transforming this $10 dresser into something so beautiful. It still has some little imperfections but they add to the dresser's charm :)

Here's another shot of the before and after:
 

Love it! What do you think? Any tips for future projects?

Linking up at:

35 comments:

  1. That's an amazing makeover!

    Thanks for visiting my blog earlier. I made the 3 hanging art pieces you saw from some fabric I found at the store :).

    I'm your newest follower--can't wait to see your other projects!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, also...I'm giving you the Liebster Award. Check out my site for more info :)

    http://www.theforeigndomestic.com/2011/11/received-liebster-award-and-won.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your dresser is gorgeous!!! Now that's one awesome transformation!

    Dee

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is gorgeous! You are super talented. Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I absolutely love this makeover Samaa:) So glad you stopped by so I could come over to your blog...you have skills:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. So jealous! The Goodwills here never have super awesome $10 dressers! I LOVE the makeover, but promise me you kept the original pulls to use elsewhere - they're too cool!

    ReplyDelete
  7. thati is so cool! love the shape and those legs! nice!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ummmm-AMAZING TRANSFORMATION! LOOK AT THOSE LEGS...for $10 I wouldn't be able to pass it up either! You did an excellent job! Thanks so much for linking up today!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This really turned out lovely! What a piece!!! Very nice furniture makeover. Hey, thanks for stopping by my new place and leaving a comment. I see from your most recent post that you are new also and as you said, it is much appreciated! Have a great day,
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  10. You seriously did an awesome job! Wow - I can't believe that's the same dresser. Love the white and the decor on top!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You did an amazing job!!! The white with black knobs is simple & stunning. Don't you just love Goodwill ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. That doesn't even look like the same piece! Love it, seriously...awesome execution!! :)Kelli

    ReplyDelete
  13. WOW! That is a dramatic before and after! Love how the knobs totally changed that. I want one!!! :) Thanks for linking up on the Korner. Goodwill Rocks. So do you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Okay, please tell me you are not going to sell it now? It is is gorgeous you have to keep it! You did an amazing job.

    I am a new blogger, too and found you via link party. Us newbies should stick together! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is an AWESOME make-over.. I love it.. great neat idea.. Would LOVE if you could stop in and link this great feature to my Pin'Inspirational Thursday party pweeease.. http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/pininspirational-thursdayslinky-party.html thanks SO much.. wishing you an amazing start to your weekend.. ~Marilyn<-your newest HAPPY follower : ))

    ReplyDelete
  16. WHOOOAAA, that's SO awesome that you got an AWARD!!!

    DO YOU SEE SAMHAIN?

    I AM ALWAYS RIGHT.

    ReplyDelete
  17. half the battle in a good makeover is knowing when you have a great piece! brilliant decision to go back for that dresser! love it!

    amy

    ReplyDelete
  18. You did a great job. I have no luck at Goodwill lately so I am beond jealous of your amazing find!

    I love the dresser!
    If you wanna seal it and add a gloss look use WATER-BASED polyurethane. I used the regular kind on my first white piece and it turned yellow. I now use water-based on my pieces and it works great!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love it. You did an amazing job and I love our Goodwill here too. Great finds. Found you from Kammy's Korner

    ReplyDelete
  20. Looks awesome! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
    www.swooninteriors.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh it's gorgeous, but can I buy those OLD pulls from you???? I have been looking EVERYWHERE for some like that to finish a project (literally, for over a year now!) Please please please :)

    Kristen
    woodenflute (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm head over heels in love with this too!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love this dresser and the legs. It's unique with all the knobs and drawers.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Quick question....do you just paint the drawer fronts or the entire inside of the drawwrs as well. I want to paint my bath vanity and wonder about painting the insides. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Teresa! I couldn't find your email address so I'm hoping you check back here :) So far I've only painted the outsides of pieces, and whatever parts of the inner frame will show. I think painting inside the frame or the sides of the drawers could cause the drawers to stick, plus it's just a ton of extra work. In terms of inside an actual drawer, that's up to you! If they're in rough shape or you just want a uniform look when you open them up you could go for it. I might try lining the drawers with a pretty paper too :) I'm working on a buffet right now with cabinet doors and I did paint both sides of the doors (although not the shelving inside), but I've seen other makeovers that only paint one side, or use a totally different colour inside - it's down to personal preference :)

      Delete
  25. Thanks do much for your reply. In my case, it's a bath vanity so I will probably paint both sides of the doors but maybe just line inside the drawers with old skool contact paper.

    ReplyDelete
  26. DId you decide to keep this piece? I still love it just as much now as the first time I saw it! :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks soo much Jennifer :) I did end up selling it, I was super sad parting with it but on the plus side it was my first ever sale :)

      Delete
  27. Love it! What did you do with the original knobs?? I WANT THEM! :) So excited to have found your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Just like you I'm a newbie at furniture makeovers, and also love shopping at thrift stores. I am working on my first makeover on two Vintage Faux Bamboo pcs one 5 and other 9 drawer. I am making over my bedroom into a japanese oasis...at least I'm trying LOL. I love japanese stuff. I just fell head over heels in love with and I will also put my before and after pictures.
    fmjdiaz1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great Find. I Would have spray painted the original handles black to give it that extra pop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! That's such a good idea too, I still have those little flower backs of the original pulls, hoping to find some other project to use them on someday :)

      Delete
  30. Assalamu Alaikum, I hope all is well =) Oh my gosh! That is amazinggg! I have a wood dresser that we've had for yearsss in my room. I would love to repaint it but have no idea where to start?! lol

    ReplyDelete
  31. Really beautiful upcycle! Hope you kept the old hardware for another project or at least passed it on to another crafter. Thought it was really unique.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oops! Just noticed your previous post... you DID keep part of the original hardware for another project! Good for you!!

    ReplyDelete