Pages

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Dresser & Vanity

You're not going to believe the 'before' pictures. Here are the afters.



Ok, brace yourself. What you're about to see is NOT PRETTY!



Last April my husband saw and ad for a free dresser and vanity. We snatched them up, tied them to our trailer and parked them in the barn. Seriously.


The barn is not at all weather proof or bird proof (did you see the proof of the birds on the dresser picture? Gross!), so we moved the set into the garage. The idea was for me to paint them and sell them. 

Before the garden took off last summer, I did some work on the vanity. But then I got tired of sanding and felt overwhelmed by the gluing and filling. And Mr. Ashes got a project car and my project furniture was moved into a back corner.

So it sat there. 

Finally in October the garden was done, the car was done and I felt up to the task. Out came the sander and wood-filler while the boys played in the sandbox and we enjoyed the sunshine. 

And then first trimester nausea and exhaustion set in and I quit again. Then it was too cold and then there were the holidays and traveling and guests...

Finally, a few weeks ago Mr. Ashes got a new project car. I didn't want the dresser to be blocked in a back corner in a freezing garage, so we moved the set inside. 

And I got to work!!!

There was lots of this:


and this:


and this:


Right in the middle of my kitchen. 


I sanded everything by hand to somewhat control the dust (ha!).


After three weeks (speedy, I am not!), two coats each of primer, off-the-shelf white paint and polycrylic, as well as some walnut stain, the set is done!


Here are some detail shots:


I love the contrast of the white paint and walnut stain!


I reused the original hardware, just spray-painted it oil rubbed bronze.


I just love how they turned out!


Don't they look right at home with Classic Pooh?


Good, cuz somewhere along the line, I fell in love with these pieces.


They're enjoying their new home in the nursery!



HOGPhotobucket  
   
 Domestically Speaking 
  Show and Tell Green
      

46 comments:

  1. Ellie, these turned out beautiful. I love the white with the dark top. Great job. I didn't see a link to my party if you could please add it so others can find the party and join in. Thanks so much for joining!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful! I wouldn't have been able to part with them either! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh muh goodnes...those are dreamy! The sweat equity paid off! Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have the long dresser that matches those and I wish I had done it white!! Those look amazing! I want them! Just gorgeous!~

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow, ellie- oyu should be so proud of yourself! it may have taken a while, but the wait was worth it. they look STUNNING!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my what treasures you have. These are absolutely timeless, beautiful pieces of nice quality furniture that was not loved but now is. Oh how you did a fabulous job.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my gosh. I LOVE those! So beautiful!

    I tried to do something similar (should have a reveal in the next week or so) but yours look so much better than mine!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Incredible! You had great vision...that was in very bad shape but you gave it new life! Visiting from FF.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! What a lot of hard work... but they look amaaaazing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. So impressive! I like how you re-did the top in the stain to contrast the white. Really nice!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful job!! I'm revamping an old cabinet with the same colors:) I saw you on the Shabby Nest blog, and I'm now a new follower.

    If you get a chance, please stop by my blog and say hello. I look forward to your future projects!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, wow, wow! I absolutely can't believe the transformation these went through! That had to be so much hard work, but you pulled it off and made them look amazing!

    Robby
    http://downonsanford.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ellie, you did SUCH a great job! They look beautiful!! I am so glad to heaqr after all your hard work they will be staying with you :) Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  14. wow! you turned the dresser and vanity into something amazing. Great job indeed. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ellie this is so beautiful! Bravo to you!!
    abby

    ReplyDelete
  16. I absolutely LOVE vintage furniture, especially with a quality face-lift. You did an amazing job!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I saw you on POWW. These are BEAUTIFUL! I love the hardware! One of the most amazing before & after pics I've ever seen!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a huge task! I am amazed at the work you put into these pieces. They are truly beautiful, it certainly paid off in the end!

    ReplyDelete
  19. wow!! what a huge job. I get kind of overwhelmed with stuff like this too. It turned out amazing!
    I'd like to invite you to link up this project to my Transformations and Treasures party that I have on Wednesdays!

    ReplyDelete
  20. just beautiful! i wouldn't want to paart with them either!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Amazing job! I know the work that this transformation must have involved. I love the creamy white paired with the stain topped. Lovely. XOXOX ~Carrie

    ReplyDelete
  22. You did an amazing job restoring these! I love the white with the dark top, and you got them for free
    AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete
  23. You did an amazing job. Beautiful and classic!

    ReplyDelete
  24. FABULOUS!! Love what you've done and the contrasting walnut top is the detail that sets it apart. Nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh my goodness these pieces turned out so well! You'll never believe it, but my friend has that exact dresser (in great original condition) in her bedroom... I'll have to see if I can get a photo of it for you!

    Lucky lucky baby to have those pieces in their first room. Great job. :)
    Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, you talk about turning trash into treasure. Girl you did that and more. Those pieces are gorgeous. I would not have had the patience to do all you did. I like to do a "little" sanding, priming and painting. That's it. Congratulations. Are you selling it now? If you mentioned this and I missed it, forgive me for being redundent.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love them! What fantastic transformations :-)

    Quick question - they look so nice and smooth (no brush marks) - did you use a brush or do you have a paint sprayer? thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl...these are amazing! Found you through Bonnie's link up at House of Grace.
    Isnt it fun to have a story to tell? No one would believe the BEFORES if you didnt have the pictures to prove it!
    XO,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  29. Do you have any idea who made the dresser and vanity? I have a dresser that is similar. Check it out and see if you think they are the same or similar?
    www.completelyshabby.blogspot.com

    I know who the manfacturer on my dresser is and I can share that with you if you think ours are the same. Scroll down on my blog and you will see the before picture, it is currently under construction

    ReplyDelete
  30. I recently finished a very similar Hepplewhite dresser, also in white. I like how you left the tops of yours stained. Very nice work! I bet you're glad to finally have them finished. Here's mine, if you want to take a peek:

    http://imbusyprocrastinating.blogspot.com/2011/06/bedroom-update-painted-dresser.html

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ok that is amazing! They both look beautiful but the top on the large dresser is gorgeous!!! Well done!

    Jenny
    http://daysofchalkandchocolate.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. You did an amazing job! It's so worth the time and effort, isn't it!

    ReplyDelete
  33. What I love is that it is all painted very nicely and NOT distressed! I'm getting a little tired of seeing everything distressed. The poor things were "distressed" in their "before" state. I'm sure they're both happy to have a new, crisp "after" look! Bully for you! Yaaaay!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Amazing Job! That pieces turned out beautiful. Love them. I wish I can find something like yours.

    ReplyDelete
  35. A-maz-ing!! I can't believe how great they look compared to before. I'm incredibly jealous of people like you who have the talent and commitment to make something so beautiful out of something so atrocious. And while pregnant! I virtually bow down to your awesomeness.
    Absolutely gorgeous pieces.
    Stopping by from Better After.

    ReplyDelete
  36. clicking over from Better After, and I just have to say that this is one of the most amazing transformations I've seen. And you did such a good job. They look flawless. JEALOUS!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Stopping in from Better After to see MORE! So beautiful! Congrats! They look like you bought them that way - the ultimate compliment! YAY!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Ellie, you did a fantastic job on these. Found u on better after. I bet u are so glad yoy picked these up and for free, i am so jealous. They were worth the time spent. Lindsay at countrygirlhome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow, just wow. This might be one of my favorite furniture painting makeover projects ever. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I can't believe how much nicer it is in white. It's such a huge difference.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I found this post on Pinterest and loved it so I used it in my top 5. Hope you don't mind. You can see it here Top 5 White Dressers Have a nice day. Michelle

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails