Dumped Dresser – Don’t be a Stressor
Have you come across a dumped Dresser? One that is missing some or all of its drawers? It can be a chore, to replace all those drawers! Often I will sigh, at the shortsightedness of the guy (or gal) that heave hoed the dresser to its fate, often through a dumpster gate. Not knowing, it could become this!
If you have hung out here for a while, you can read on with a smile. I saved one more from the land fill and it gave me a thrill. I found this sad gal one morning while everyone was still snoring. Lonely it sat there, all by itself. It really had no idea it could be turned into a shelf.
I am sharing some of the details of how I pulled out the entrails (of the dresser where the drawers were supposed to go). Like the Bionic Man, it is now better, stronger, will last longer. (But not faster)……..
I am out of ryhmes….here are the details:
Using a Mallet, I knocked out the drawer runners and just the middle drawer. It was pretty flimsy, like glorified cardboard, so it came out very easily.
The back was in bad shape too. Someone had strategically poked large holes in it. I removed it, placed painters tape over the back side of the holes and filled with spackling. Great way to fill drawer pull holes too! Thank you Catherine from Freddy and Petunia for that tip!
If you are deconstructing a dresser or bookshelf, I highly recommend removing the back. It makes it much easier to be able to work from both sides on the inside!
I measured the inside length and width of where I needed to replace the wood. The supports for the cardboard drawer holders were still intact. I cut pieces of wood to fit the inside, then used my jigsaw to cut away the little part in the middle where the middle support of the dresser ran down.
Due to the construction of the “bones” of the dresser, there was about an inch gap on either end where the new shelf sat. Instead of trying to make my cuts perfect to fit around the interior structure, I used the old drawer railings to fill in. These things come in handy, don’t throw them out!
After I had the shelves cut, I was able to base coat everything in Debi’s Design Diary DIY Paint. When this dried, I put the shelves back in, put the back on, and proceeded with the fun part. I did a color blend of two DIY Paint colors on the exterior. I randomly painted patches of both colors, then used a water dipped large Purdy brush to “blend” the colors together.
Once the paint was dry, I set about “burninshing” it. I do this by going over the paint with a 320 or 400 grit sandpaper. This sands off the rough excess and leaves a super smooth, almost silky finish. I use a large Chip brush, to “dust” off the paint dust as I go.
Something unique about DIY Paints is that it is a clay based paint. Not only does the Clay makes it more durable and adhesive, (remember, there is no acrylic in this paint)! The clay give the paint a variegated color. Like a fine silk or linen. “Burnishing” the paint really brings this gorgeous color to the surface. I sealed the entire piece in 100% natural DIY Clear wax for a gorgeous shine.
I purchased some baskets that were perfect for the spaces from Michael’s (on clearance!). I painted them in Sandy Blonde to blend with the overall look of the piece.
The dresser turned shelving took a ride to Paris Flea Market with me last week where it will be for sale next weekend, April 4th-7th. This piece can easily be used for a variety of things. It can be converted to a media storage unit by removing the back, or even cutting through the Back Board.
It liked hanging around outside as well…..
We had a lovely time together, the dresser and I. I hope it goes on to a new home where it can live on in it’s lovely new transformation.
If you would like to see more dresser conversions. (Frankenfurniture),they are easy top spot in my Project Gallery, “Le Junque Makeovers”
Great Job and beautiful color combinations. I’m sure it will sell fast. I’m so glad you save these poor things from the dump. Its amazing what could be kept out of the landfill if more people thought the same way. Please keep up the good work, it really does make a difference.
Karen,
What a great job on this dresser. You have transformed her into such a beautiful piece. She will be snatched up really quick at the Paris Market for sure. It is so beautiful. I am going to start to call you the furniture whisper!!!!! You put such wonderful life back into abandoned furniture. Great job.
Kris
ahh I almost thought I was reading a cute Dr. Seuss book;) I love the colour and the way you blended them. Perfect pick for the baskets, very well done!
beautiful, love the post, great save!
Love it, I’m going to find me one!
Excellent rescue!
Bliss
Karen, what a great transformation! Love the re-purposing of it, the baskets, the color choices… Absolutely gorgeous! sharing!!
You are a furniture Goddess for saving the dresser without drawers!!
I love her she turned out, colors are gorgeous and the baskets really completes her ๐
I’m currently working on a dumpster dresser too, when I found her,she was upside down with drawers all over the place. My first thought was “I’d take her if she had all the drawers…”
And she did so I brought her home. I always hesitate if there’s something missing.
Please keep up the good work!!!
Your dumped dresser turned out PERFECT. Love the blend, the baskets and the cute tags!:) You are Furniture Lady of Liberty with Mallet in hand saving the planet one dumped dresser at a time!
Fantasmagories!
LOVE this! the color, finish, style… my heart skipped a beat or two!
You funny girl~well I now know someone caught my tip on filling holes!
I have picked up sO mAny tips through my years in construction/cabinet design.
I l-o-v-e those colors you chose, and the whole piece looks fAb!
I have a dresser much like yours I’ve been toying with making a bookcase, I guess I will go forward now! You’re always so inspiring!
Catherine
Nicely done! I’ve done this myself with some roadside rescues. I know how satisfying it can be to take something someone obviously saw as trash and fix it up. No drawers? Doesn’t bother me at all!
I love it! And thanks for the tutorial too ๐
I am in love with those colors — blended perfectly! I’m gonna have to try this technique, Karen!
xo Heidi
Now I am on the lookout for dresser with no drawers so I can do this too. Super cute make-over.
Traci
I love it! Your imagination never ceases to amaze me!
Oh this is so absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! What a transformation! Thank you so much for sharing this with us ant Knock Our Socks Off!!
xo
Angelina
Oh…I LOVE it! It has a fabulous new life now! And I am totally crushing on those baskets.
Great save! ๐
Kelly
I am completely in love with this piece! WOW! It looks amazing!
I have to try this!!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Love this dresser, and the baskets are completely perfect for it. The colors you chose for it are perfect together!
Love the color and the baskets Karen!
Oh…I love how this turned out! It is soooo pretty. I’d love to have this in my home.
Love the color you chose! And the baskets fit perfectly. Love, love, love! Coming over from French Country Cottage and so glad I did!
Jeanine
This is gorgeous. I love the color combination and how your rescued it and recycled into shelves. Lovely. Would love you to share it at my link party if you get a chance: http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2013/03/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party_31.html
This looks amazing! You’re so talented!!
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
very cute idea!
You did such a GOOD JOB! The dresser turned out amazing. I’m really impressed.
Blessings,
Debbie
Beautiful! Love the color. I’m just dying to get my hands on an old dressor to make one of these for myself!
I’m visiting you today from Common Ground. I hope you get a chance to stop by my blog and leave a comment and Link Up, too!
~ Megin of VMG206
Medicine Cabinet Makeover
Yay! So glad you shared this at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
So pretty, so creative! I’ll take one! ๐
Karen, you always amaze me with your functional dresser repurposing!
As always, you’ve done an amazing job! You will be one of the features at this Friday’s Anything Blue Friday party. I’m actually working on the post early. Sometimes I shock myself…lol. Anyhoo, pop on in and grab an Anything Blue Friday feature button. Hope to see you again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Featured this!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Featuring this – it is amazing!
Stacey of Embracing Change
What a great idea, love it!! I would love for you to link up at SHOW-licious Craft Showcase.
Just follow the link…..http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2013/04/show-licious-craft-showcase-26.html
Marti
Wow! This is just fab, love the colour you’ve painted it.
Gorgeous!! It was well worth the effort of knocking out the inside of this dresser. Thank you for joining the Crafty Country Cottage Link Party.
SO SO Cute!! Great colors. Love it Karen.
This piece is just gorgeous! I love the baskets with it.
I saw your dresser on “the Old Red Barn”. What a beautiful transformation!
I love it!
You did a great job! The baskets are perfect and the little labels just add the finishing touch! Sharing this over at my place on Friday. XOXO
Thank you for the inspiration – I am going to make my daughter’s dresser a REDOUX!
Thank you to for the smile you give me every time I come to this page!