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!