This post seems so long overdue. You’ve seen this after a million times, but I haven’t ever written a reveal post.
Which means you haven’t seen the before in quite some time.
One fateful day at the beginning of my business, I ran across this guy…
BEFORE…
And was told by many that it was ridiculous.
But I could see past all that scary orange wood and layers of dust (and spiderwebs).
And I had the perfect spot in mind.
The top seemed a perfect candidate to re-stain. I stripped it down with SmartStrip and restained it with an ebony stain.
When you wipe down one coat into the grain (with ebony), I’ve found you’ll get a really natural, smoky brown. I sealed the top with 3 coats of Satin Wipe On Poly.
And it really is perfect there. I haven’t been able to sell it despite several offers. It just fits. I don’t run across many 7 foot Amish-made dressers, so for now it’s staying.
I primed the bottom with Kilz, and painted it with 2 coats of Benjamin Moore’s White Diamond. It’s only subtly distressed, all done by hand with a quarter of 60 grit sandpaper.
The hardware is a mix of Hobby Lobby pulls up top, nickel knobs from Lowe’s, and two ornate label pulls from Lee Valley.
I love the mix of hardware, the storage, the finish…the piece.
I’m not the only one who loves it. It’s become quite the spot for pirate ship wars and piles of magazines.
And it makes quite the head rest for the pups.
🙂
That is Beautiful! I have a 7 foot credenza from my grandmother. I want to keep it because it was hers, but it is old and kinda looks like your Amish dresser. You have inspired me! I just may do exactly what you did. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
You’re welcome, Theresa! I’m sure you’ll love it!
This is a fantastic reveal, especially for a FIRST! you did so well. I love how it all came out!
Thanks so much! It was one of the first pieces I did when I opened my restoration biz, and that was a little over a year ago. I still can’t sell it! 🙂
I love this piece, both pretty and functional. I would not part with it either!
Thanks, Chrissie! 🙂
Honestly, who could say that’s ridiculous?! If weren’t for those people, it wouldn’t be left for us who can see past the ‘orange’. I have a side table that’s similar and am debating whether to paint it or not. I love how yours turned out…so maybe!
You should totally do it, Candace!! Of course, I’m in favor of painting anything. 🙂
shaunna
I am in love! I loved the stained top! BEAUTIFUL!!!
Thanks Stacy! How sweet…made my morning! 🙂
I’ve always loved that dresser! 🙂 (P.S. – This post didn’t show up in Google Reader, FYI. I just saw it on FB.)
Nevermind. It’s there now. Just a little lag. I’m just to on top of things. 😉
Just got your comment….glad it went through. Are the whole posts going through now? It was a link list when I first changed the other day. Just checking to be sure it’s working.
🙂
shaunna
Love it!
I have a question…whenever I use KILZ on furniture, then paint, then sand to distress…all I can sand down to is the primer. So the paint comes off, but I see white primer underneath. I can’t seem to sand the primer off. How do you use primer and still get down to the brown wood when you sand? Do you do the candle trick before you prime?
Just curious.
thanks!
Hey girl,
When I want it super distressed, I might skip Kilz (or any primer) if the piece has little varnish on it. Now, using a medium grade sanding block really should get you down to the wood and it still be a natural finish. Don’t really do the wax unless I don’t want to sand all the way down to the primer. Did you see the distressing video in the book? I go down to the primer in some spots and down to the wood in others. Just get a medium grade block and maybe even take 150 grit sandpaper and use your finger to “break through” the coats. (I will say that when I use kilz I usually only need one coat of paint)
Hope that helps some!
🙂
shaunna
Beautiful Shawnna! I have always liked this piece too. It is fun to see the ugly before. Wow you have vision to see it thru the ashes to absolute beauty. Well Done!
You did a fabulous job and it really looks fantastic. I do not blame you for hanging on to it since it suits that space perfectly. The pup is adorable!
~ Tracy
WOW You must be so proud of your work it is just gorgeous. Come visit I have lost of furniture that you could do for me LOL. Success in your work. Bunny
It is just gorgeous and perfect and fabulous!!! And it does fit perfectly in your space!
I LOVE it!
Lou Cinda
I think it’s perfect!! Looks great behind your sofa too. 🙂 Love the stain paired with the crisp white!
I love that piece. I think you should keep it!
I have featured you today because you are fabulous!
Thank you SOOOO much, Kim! Makin my day!
🙂
shaunna
Love the sideboard. I can’t believe no one has snatch that up. Lucky for you!
Great before and after. What a nice piece. I can’t believe it did not sell. Lucky for you!. You get to enjoy it for awhile.
This is amazing, looks like it could have come out of the PB catalog
Well done…love it. I like where you but it behind the sofa.
Hi, I follow your blog a few time, but I’d never reviewed.
I love to see a mobile behind the couch, and it was fantastic! Love the contrast at the top.
God work, like allways!!
Kiss
I love this piece, Shaunna!
Wonderful! I wish one like that!
Kisses
Wow! It came out amazing!! I wish I had the patience for a project like that!
This is gorgeous! I have been looking for a piece like this to redo for-ev-er! So jealous! I love that you stained the top and painted the bottom for a beautiful mix of finishes!
Hi, I was wondering about the Ebook link that will be sent after payment is received. I can’t wait to see and read about all of your great ideas! Love this piece too. It gives me all new ideas for the things we consider to be “junk”! Hope to hear from you soon. Mary P.
Hey Mary, You should receive an email from Perfectly Imperfect via Ejunkie. It will just have a download link there. Be sure to download DNL reader from my eBook page first.
Thanks so much and hope you enjoy it!! 🙂
shaunna
I love it Shaunna! It turned out so beautiful and is definitely a keeper! And wow I have been behind, love the new look of your blog!
Amazing transformation! I would LOVE to find a piece like that to redo. The size is what makes it so great. Really hard to find something that long.
This Sidebord ist verry beautiful! realy wonderful!
Greats from switzerland
I love how it turned out! Totally gorgeous! Can you please tell me where you buy SmartStrip? Thanks! Look forward to your next creation!
What an amazing transformation! I love the wood top. I have been wanting to try refinishing things for my new house. I’ll definitely need to spend some quality time looking through your great information. Thank you!
Hi!
WOW!! It turned out great! Curious if you know what kind of wood it’s made from? I’ve been looking through your blog & I’ve gotten so many great ideas…thanks so much!
Turned out great! Glad to see before and after. Inspiring.
Sandra
I love this!! I found a sideboard like this and used it for a TV stand. It is the cheapest piece of furniture in my house (and that is saying something), but it is my favorite! I love the little drawers on yours! Check out mine–
http://refinddesign.blogspot.com/2010/11/double-before-and-after-tv-console-and.html
Hey there,
I think you are so talented. You do all of the things I dont have the guts for, and it turns out so beautiful! I have a buffet I aquired at re-store that looks similar to this. (actually three of them. They were incredibly cheap and I couldnt help myself)Anyways, I want to find the quickest way to refinish them. I am going for that restoratin hardware look.Did you do any sanding before using your primer? Or can I just prime and get started? Thank you!!
Thank you, Carissa. That’s such a kind thing to say. I’m all about buffing the shine off with a sanding block (or using a product called gloss-off in the grooves), wiping down off the dust, and priming with Kilz Original Spray Primer. LOVE it.
Hope that helps!
🙂
shaunna
Thank you so much! Time to get started…
This is absolutely jaw dropping! Love it!!
I have fallen in love with this piece! I have been looking for something for soo long and this is it. I have to have it…please pleas please would you even consider selling this piece?
If not, where can I find something that looks just like this? If you have anohter piece that you could make look like this I would love to see it!
Beautiful job! Im starting a project similar, but am having trouble figuring out what paint finish to use…did you use a gloss or semi-gloss?
Thank you!
What a wonderful piece! You have inspired me to do something similar with a buffet I have (and lots of other things – I just discovered your site)! I was thinking of trying the chalk paint method rather than the latex route. Never having painted furniture before – do you think a similar result is possible with the chalk paint? Sounds loads easier and I live in MN so have to work inside now. Thanks!
Definitely! Go for it with the chalk paint! if you want more sheen to finish off, just be sure to buff it really well and you’ll get a satin or glossier finish.
🙂
shaunna
hey shaunna!! i am in love with your sideboard!! i’m wanting to paint my media cabinet. after reading your other responses to people i think i need to sand the glossy off then prime with the kilz. i’m only wanting to subtly distress it if at all…(i’m sure my kids will take care of that process for me ;)) anyways… i’m stuggling with what finish to paint with.. semi-gloss or glossy?? please help!!
Hey Darci! Go with Semi….glossy will be quite shiny. Now…if you really want it to look super sleek and modern, go with glossy. For more of a natural finish, go with satin or semi-gloss. Hope that helps…have fun with it!!
🙂
shaunna
thank you sooooo very much for your help shaunna!! i’m nervous about doing this so i have a ton of questions about it :/ i am currently re-doing….if you will…a cedar chest my mother gave me. i am just spray painting it with valspar’s spray paint. should i use that for the cabinet or hand paint it with a brush?? i def am gonna look for the varathane sealer you use. thanks for mentioning it is a floor sealer. never would have looked there!! also..if you don’t mind i have one more question. i’m wanting to do a fun color on the cabinet but not sure what will work. the walls in my living room are a dark thyme green but from the chair rail down they are a whitish color and i have brown furniture. is there a color you would suggest?? thx EVER so much for your help!! 🙂
Hey Darci! shoot me a pic and I’ll be able to have more insight!
🙂
shaunna
ok thx!! i sent a couple to your email.
sent them to your harristire.com email. is that the right one?
it is!
🙂
shaunna
did you get the pics?
Sure did! Totally bombarded with email/work this weekend–I’ll email you soon!
🙂
shaunna
totally understand!! thx 🙂
Hello,
I am so so in love with this piece! I featured it on my blog not too long ago because I recently purchased a dresser and this is my inspiration for the project. Love your blog! Just purchased your e-book today and am about halfway through it. So many great tips!
-Erin Spain
DIYOntheCheap.com
Thanks, Erin!!!
🙂
shaunna
Wonderful! but LOVE the Table Lamp!
This sideboard is gorgeous! I’ve been wanting to refinish my bedroom dresser, chest and 2 nightstands, inherited from my parents. Thanks to your genius- I now know just what to do for bringing them back to life. Thank you, thank you!!!
A couple years behind on finding this post, but your redo is beautiful! A couple of questions…1) did you seal the painted part of the dresser? If so, what with? 2) Also, what types of paint brushes do you use?
Thanks for the inspiration!!!