Thursday, February 10, 2011

Shabby Yellow Dresser

This old dresser came from an estate sale. Oh yes, it looks sweet... but this dresser kicked my butt!  I lost count how many hours it took me just to get this baby ready to prime, but seriously, it had to be around 7 hours or so.... I'm not kidding!

Since it was so old, I wanted to test it for lead before I sanded.  Home Depot or Lowes (can't remember which) carried these lead tests.  They cost around $20, but there are eight tests in each one.

              Our scientist in the family, Zach, was a great assistant. 

The test came out negative, so it was good to go!

I was in trouble as soon as I started sanding.  The paint just gummed up under my sander and wouldn't come off, so I knew I was going to need to get out the stripper. 

I started out with the Citri Strip that worked great on the coffee table in the previous post.

Some of the paint came off, but now I had a gooey gummy mess, that I couldn't get off.  It was like someone had stuck a million pieces of chewed gum all over the dresser.  I fired over a 911 email to Cassie at Primitive and Proper.  This girl knows everything about furniture refinishing!  She told me I was probably going to need to whip out the big time stripper to finish off this job, and she recommended Formby's.
Most of the remaining paint came of with Fromby's and mineral spirits before I finally gave up.  Still this dresser will always have a little bit of it's original white paint, and that's perfectly ok with me!

Did I mention it took me 7 hours just to get to this point???  :)

There were a few places that needed repaired~

Not a problem.  This stuff works great for these kinds of repairs~

After applying the Quick Wood epoxy, I allowed it to dry for a couple of hours and then sanded it down.

The sun was shining, and it wasn't super cold, so I drug the dresser outside and sprayed on a fast coat of Kilz.  (I thought I deserved a quick spray primer on this project instead taking the time to roll it on! :)

I thought about painting the dresser white, but after the prep ordeal, I couldn't bear for it to be just an ordinary white. 

I pulled out some yellow paint I already had and mixed in some white and another greenish yellow oops sample I found that day to make the perfect yellow.

This dresser needed to be shabby, so I distressed the heck out of it!

After that, I brushed Minwax Dark Walnut Stain all over and wiped it off with paper towels.  I gave it another good sanding after that.

It was finished off with a coat of finishing wax, applied with cheesecloth,

The orginal pulls were already the perfect color, so I left them as they were.  One was missing, so I had to paint a couple wooden pulls to match the dresser.

I painted the insides of the drawers and lined them in coordinating paper from Hobby Lobby.

Before shot~

Here it is, all yellowed up!



Simple wooden knobs were an easy and perfect fix for the missing original pull~

                   The original pulls are so adorable!

                                  .Go ahead...peek inside the drawers~






                          It's even got wooden wheels!


I REALLY want to keep this one!  It matches just perfectly with our playroom!!!  We'll see....  :)

64 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is the happiest dresser! I absolutely love the yellow and the distressing on it. I think it was so worth your time and all of your effort shines through.

Sherry Hicks said...

It turned out beautiful! Alot of hard work but pays off when you see the transformation!

Artichoke Alley said...

I LOVE this! I think I would HAVE to keep it! About the stripping...UGH but all that effort looks to be WELL worth it in the end!

Erika . . . with a K said...

You did an amazing job! I love the color and all that distressing added a lot of character!

Sue@Uniquely Chic said...

I love everything about this, Kim...the color, distressing and paper you chose for the drawers. What a lot of work, don't ya hate when something takes way longer than you expected? Can I ask you, how do you get the paper to match up without showing a seam when you have to piece two together? Thanks and have a great day!

Unknown said...

Its beautiful, you did a great job, the color and distressing, I love.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Ok, this is seriously gorgeous! Love the style of the dresser itself, but the yellow paint just really makes it fabulous. Did I mention that I love yellow? And the lined drawers make it fun! I'd have trouble letting this one go!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I love that shade of yellow, what a great job you did, thanks for the close up of the distressing, I think I need to do more on my washstand since seeing yours!

Rondell

Kirby said...

Oh 7 hours, gross! If it makes you feel any better it was so worth it, this looks just awesome, I love the yellow!

Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures said...

PERFECT!!!!!

Jenny Hall / Seamingly Smitten said...

The time was worth it! It's awesome!
www.seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com
Jenny

Chrissie said...

Just beautiful! I love the yellow and the drawers are the perfect finishing touch, I love that you used different coordinating papers. Awesome!!!

Lindsey Stephens said...

love it! it turned out wonderfully!

Ali Richardson said...

It's AMAZING!!!! Great job! Keep it, keep it! You deserve it after all that hard work!

Cassie Bustamante said...

it turned out sooo darn cute! i love the yellow you chose! and i like how you fixed the knob issue... it is adorable, kim!

Tanya said...

Wow...that turned out wonderful! Great job :)

Theresa said...

I love your style and again you have done such a beautiful job with the dwawers!
I left you a little award on my blog. Have a great day!
Theresa

Trica (Tree' - ka) said...

Love this project! Love your work!!

Holly Do. said...

Love it! I was just thinking last night how I want to do some yellow furniture. I'm getting tired of painting turquoise all the time (though I still love that color). I'll be looking for some yellow paint now!!

The Midwest Cottage said...

You will have this one SOLD fast! I love the way you distressed it. It was really the perfect style for this type of redo. Good find!

The Frosted Gardner said...

Kim - I just love this! The yellow looks sooo good! We need to do yellow! I keep telling myself this but you just confirmed it one again. Just beautiful!

Unknown said...

I love that you painted and lined the drawers! Lovely touch.

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Wow! Wat a job!!! Your dresser is perfectly imperfect now! Love it!!!

Doubletake Decor said...

you did an amazing job! I LOVE it!

High Street Cottage said...

Hi Kim, I have the honor of being your "linky neighbor" over at Funky Junk Interiors. What a wonderful cheery dresser! I love it, and the distressing is so beautiful, as well as the drawer paper. Well done, xoxo tami

Stephanie @ The Cozy Old Farmhouse said...

I'm loving the yellow! I'm planning to redo the coffee table in my living room (an old trunk) and I was already thinking of doing a warm buttery yellow. Now after seeing your dresser I think I'm gonna go for it! Stopped by from Funky Junk.

foreverdecorating said...

Excellent refinish job and excellent tutorial.

Elle Uy said...

I don't have the patience to strip something like that, hats off! Great color, I'm so loving yellow these days...

Jayna Rae said...

Wow! Hard work really pays off. I love when people line the drawers with paper or fabric. I am definitely going to do that on my next project.

Lacie said...

This tured out so pretty! I wish I had the patience and the guts to tackle a project like this. I get intimidated at the thought of sanding and stripping :) (thanks for the love on my tassel post!!)

Allison@FabRehab said...

Whew! I got tired just reading about that! But it was sooooo worth it! So cute!

Tania Pelletier said...

Oh boy, what a lot of work! But it turned out so sweet, I love it!

Tania

The Loops said...

This turned out great! I have a serious fear of furniture redos. I'm your newest follower. I'd love for you to come visit!

http://theloops13.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, Kim!

Phew... I'm tired just looking at all the prep work. 7 hours... wow! Love the yellow and distressing! It's gorgeous, Kim! Yellow is such a happy color. I used it in my boys rooms when they were little.

Happy Valentine's Day! xo Michelle

WobiSobi said...

This looks amazing! Beautiful job!!!

Suzanne said...

I love this dresser!! I'm so glad that you gave this amazing dresser another chance at life!! You did GOOD!!

A Vintage Vine said...

This is amazing...I really like the color! Lot of work but looks perfect now!

Donnie said...

After spending so many hours on it and getting it to that perfect state I think it wants to stay with you too. It really is beautiful.

Sue said...

Love that happy yellow color! What a great transformation of a less than perfect piece of furniture. :-) Visiting from Linda's party.
~ Sue

Anonymous said...

Love it. Love the insides of the drawers, so worth the 7 hours.

Cheers,
Lisa x

Lauren said...

Thanks for the sweet comment! Your dresser looks awesome!

Lauren

laxsupermom said...

Love that dresser! The color is fantastic and the drawer liners are such a fun surprise. You're so talented. Thanks for sharing.

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

whoa! lots of prep but it looks like it was totally worth it. I love the way it turned out. perfect!
thanks for sharing @ ccc and linking back. I actually had a piece very similar to yours, but I didn't strip it so it didn't turn out as pristeen as yours! fabulous!
I'm shocked it tested negative! but sure glad it did!
gail

Carrie @ Dittle Dattle said...

You didn't have to tell me how much work went in to doing this dresser! I've never been blessed with having easy-2-do refinishing jobs and most up them end up sound much like yours. I love the yellow color. It's such a sweet touch :D

Katie said...

Ahh! How did I miss this one?! I love it! The yellow looks great!

Megan @ {VintageHydrangeas} said...

I absolutely adore this piece, the yellow is just perfect. And I'm loving your distressing job, distressing always intimidates me!

Megan @ Vintage Hydrangeas

PS - Thanks for your comment!

Serendipity Chic Design said...

Wow Kim! That is a ton of work you put into that. But every grueling minute obviously paid off. I love the detail of the interior....Actually, love everything about it!

Take care,
Lisa

mamamanda said...

I'm a follower, so I saw your post once, then revisited through Primitive and Proper. Dying to try Kwikwood!!! Beautiful piece!!!

Amanda
www.studio1404.com

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

After all that work, I say keep it! It is beautiful! I just love the way the color and distressing turned out! It really is a keeper! And look at it this way, you will NEVER get enough money for all the hours you put into it so YOU may as well enjoy it yourself! Have I talked you into it? :)

Rebecca@This Present Life said...

That turned out absolutely adorable! It may not have seemed like it at the time, but hopefully you know feel it was totally worth all the work. It is just beautiful. And yellow was definitely the right color!

Visiting from POWW!

Contemplating Cadie said...

WOW! You don't mess around!

ARudd said...

Love your projects! I am just getting started with the painting. I am you newest follower. The paper on the inside of the drawers is so creative and so CUTE!
~Angie

Suzanne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Holly Austin said...

The dresser looks great! I love the casters - they give it such a unique look!

I Play Outside The Box said...

That turned out beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Kim, it is so sunny and cheerful now! It was totally worth all the effort! Enjoy your weekend. :)

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Beautiful color and piece! Thanks for linking up to Beyond The Picket Fence.

I {heart} Nap Time said...

Wow that looks great!! I'd love for you to share it at I Heart Nap Time

Aubrie said...

Love it!
I'm a new follower :o)
aubrie @ http://amamab.blogspot.com

Little Miss Penny Wenny said...

Kim that is DARLING! I can't wait for you to see the antique dresser I just bought... very similar legs. Love the idea of applying your wax with cheese cloth. Thanks for sharing girl!

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful transformation. Thanks for including all the products you used to fix it up before painting! Love that yellow too!
I'm your newest follower from Furniture Friday!
Pieces of the Past is my entry this week!
Deb

Cristie said...

Very pretty! love the color and finish. I like the Kwik wood tip hope I can find it. Really a beautiful piece.

Kate Fredrickson said...

It's such a friendly yellow! I've got to branch out more on colors.

Kate @ welcomedtempest.blogspot.com

Shawn said...

Oh, hon....this is just lovely...I really love it!!

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