So you guys know how much I love to use Craigslist to find new projects {as evidenced here, here, here and here}. I think the key to finding good deals is to just be patient. I usually have a price limit in mind and I absolutely refuse to budge. Being stubborn can sometimes be a good thing.
But this Craigslist deal was far and away my best one yet. I had been keeping an eye open for a large dresser that I could fix up and use as both a changing table and dresser for my daughter's nursery. I was able to score this little beauty {actually, the words" little" and "beauty" really didn't apply at the time} for only $5! How could I pass that up? Plus, while it was not the prettiest dresser, I could definitely see the potential for a makeover in all the cool details---like the trim work around the top and the awesome middle door.
A diamond in the rough, just like Aladdin. Excuse me...I've been watching WAY too many Disney movies.
I had been thinking about painting the dresser yellow when Annie Sloan released her new chalk paint color, English Yellow. I took it as a sign from the paint gods. I had been dreading the prep work involved with using regular paint but didn't like any of the yellows that were already out there for chalk paint. Just as I was resigned to choosing a different color of chalk paint {because ain't nobody got time to sand down a dresser that large}, ASCP debuted the yellow. The paint gods are merciful indeed.
To begin the makeover, I started by removing all the brass hardware and spray painting them oil-rubbed bronze. I am always amazed by how big an impact this simple step makes. {Unfortunately, it's such simple step, I just blazed ahead and did it without taking any pictures for ya. Whoops.}
After that, I wiped down the dresser using some Simply Green to remove all the dirt and oil before getting started. I mixed the English Yellow chalk paint with some Old White that I had leftover from my headboard makeover in a ratio of 2:1. I also watered it down a little bit. I find this helps prevent streak marks, if you are going for a more modern, smooth finish {which I was}.
Luckily, I had my sisters and mom {and wine} on hand to help with the initial painting. Since chalk paint dries really fast, we were able to paint three coats on the dresser in a day and a half. {Because I water the paint down, I have found that I need at least three coats to give my pieces the coverage that I want.}
My middle sis, Kelly.
My youngest sister, Rachel. What are sisters for, if not free labor?
After the dresser was painted, I wanted to add a little something to the three middle inside drawers. You wouldn't see the drawers when the big door was shut but I liked the idea of a surprise when you opened it. I decided to transfer an image to the wooden drawers and I found a floral picture on Google that I liked and printed it off. {Make sure your printer uses toner! An inkjet printer won't work.} I had read a few tutorials about how to do this and most recommended using Citra Solv as the transferring agent but some mentioned that ANY orange degreaser would work. Since I couldn't find Citra Solv at the store {and I am an impatient soul} I just bought a generic cleaner and used that. I think I should have been a wee bit more patient this time around.
While I was able to get the image to transfer, it wasn't as easy as I had hoped. I laid my image on the drawers, coated with a thin layer of the orange degreaser and then, using the back of spoon, burnished it onto the wood. It worked okay but I had to go back after and touch up with a sharpie marker. I am extremely happy with the finished product but next time, I want to try Citra Solv and see if it works a little better.
Once my image was transferred, I began to wax the dresser. I applied two clear coats of wax to the entire dresser, using rags to wipe on and wipe off. I found I was able to control the application of the wax much easier this way.
Then I was brave. I used the dark wax. {cue dramatic music} I was really terrified that I was going to wreck all my hard work and that I wouldn't like it once it was applied. Luckily, I discovered a method that worked really well for me. I would rub the dark wax on, making sure to apply it to all the nooks and crannies, and then immediately wipe it off, using a little bit of the clear wax to aid in the removal.
While this seems a little counterproductive, even the little bit of dark wax that remained darkened the paint color in a very natural way and most of the wax stayed in the cracks so it had a very realistic aged look to it. I LOVED it!!
Once I was finished with the waxing, I put all the hardware back on and stepped back to admire my new yellow dresser.
It was such a labor of love but totally worth it.
It's hard to believe that this little beauty {the word "beauty" does apply now..."little" still not so much} was only 5 smackeroos!
When my youngest daughter leaves her nursery to share a room with her big sister, the yellow dresser will stay in the guest room and provide a ton of storage.
And now I will leave you with the obligatory Before/After parting shot.
Isn't it wonderful what a can of paint can transform?
Sharing with these great parties:
That's Fresh Friday
Made U Look
Craft Frenzy Friday
Furniture Feature Friday
The Pin Junkie
A Conquered Mess
Eat, Create, Party