Tuesday, April 30, 2013

From Ashes to Amazing!

One Saturday as we were heading to breakfast, I spotted a large dresser at a garage sale. I convinced my husband I NEEDED it, and a bit later the oldest child and I carted it home. It was sold to me as a two piece set-the main dresser and a hutch that sat on top. As you can see, retro is a nice way of describing the outdated piece with gold accents.
The seller also told me there was minor smoke damage from being in a house fire. I don't have experience with smoke damage, but it was pretty gross. There was ash in the drawers and a layer of black soot on everything!
I removed the hardware and gold plates and wiped the whole thing inside and out with water and vinegar solution. After sanding and coating it with a couple of layers of Kilz Premium, I had a blast girling it up! New hardware and a Moroccan stencil made for an unbelievable transformation. I added zebra print contact paper in the drawers. I would have to say that this was a fabulous $40 find! 

Are you wondering about that hutch? Well, my darling husband told me from the day I brought it home that it was an 80s waterbed headboard. I assured him it was part of the dresser because I never questioned the seller when she told me that. I had big aspirations for it too, but um, it turns out it was actually a headboard. 

I feel dumb for not realizing it sooner, but it is 15 inches longer than the dresser. I lost interest in it becoming anything other than a has been. The dress is cool enough on its own without a hutch anyway. Now if I can redo a fun mirror to mount over it, my daughter's room will be complete.