My first-time furniture painting, lessons learned turning a dresser into a TV console.
You don’t have to get it perfect, you just have to get it going. Babies don’t walk the first time they try, but eventually they get it right. – Jack Canfield
When we left Arizona and moved to Oregon, we left behind a lot of furniture.
We ended up needing quite a few items for our new home…and not a lot of money to do it.
The Goodwill, Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, The ReStore, and Craigslist became my “home away from home”.
THE FIND
I saw this huge beast of a dresser and thought it could work for a TV console at our local Goodwill.
Everyone else literally thought I was crazy. Really lost it!
Many people thought it was pretty UGLY (including The Mister).
BUT THERE WAS A PLAN!
After about a year, we don’t like to rush things around here, I got some paint to start on this project…FINALLY
Now, truth be told, we have been working on 700 million other projects cause that’s the life of buyers of a fixer-upper home. We’ve been busy with The Building of Our DIY Walk-In Pantry, Dining Room Makeover (On a Budget), and our Under $500 Thrifty Kitchen Makeover.
So here’s what was done and some lessons learned:
I started the process by removing the two front doors and the top two drawers first.
I then added some baskets with vintage mailbox tags for the open spaces.
Table of Contents
FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME
With a name like Salvage Sister, most people think I have been painting furniture forever. This was not the case back in 2015.
UPDATE – I have since painted many pieces and have learned many things along the way. I will share them in this post.
FURNITURE PAINTING SUPPLIES
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- DecoArt Americano Chalk Paint, in Yesteryear – 2
- BRUSH FOR PAINTING FURNITURE
- Junk mail to place under the edges
I kept hearing that no sanding would be required so I didn’t sand it.
And, do you remember me calling it a beast? Well, it is so I didn’t love it cause when I had some time to finally get around to it no one else was there to move it. Also, we live in Oregon, where it rains, and it can be difficult to find a place to paint something of this size.
Junk mail was placed around the edges to avoid any issues with the carpet.
|ANOTHE RUSE FOR JUNK MAIL: DIY Junk Mail Confetti|
PAINTING PROCESS
First, you may look at one of the small paint jars and think no way will this go very far…wrong. this huge piece took just over one jar.
After two on and off days of painting a few coats, this is what we ended up with:
WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY
- Do you see the yellowing behind the color? The piece was so dark a yellow blocking primer is what should have been used. We now use THIS!
- I never really had a smooth feel to the touch that I really wanted. I have learned that I needed to sand the piece down afterward and then add the topcoat (220, 300, or 400 grit). This means that you put on more paint then you might normally do so that when you sand it, it won’t be too distressed unless you want that look.
- Finally, the top coat that I use for just about everything NOW is Gator Hide with the applicator and LOVE IT!!! Baby butt smooth!
THE HANDLES
For the handles, we didn’t want to buy new ones so we just wrapped the old ones in some twine. This will help not only so the paint doesn’t get scratched up, but gives it a new look for FREE.
This dresser to TV console makeover cost was around $25. A bargain! You could easily pay $200 for a cheapo cabinet. This piece is very well made and can easily be changed again.
*Still need to get a hole drilled for the cord!
|THE WREATH ABOVE WAS MADE FROM A FAUX FICUS PLANT TREE FROM THE THRIFT STORE|
MORE DIY PROJECTS
Here are a few more DIY projects we think you will enjoy:
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That turned out great! Love the tip about the twine too! Okay, tell me more about this paint. I’m not familiar with chalk paint at all. We bought a TV cabinet, bookcase, buffet, and an small entertainment cabinet from Ikea about 15 years ago, and they are still going strong and looking great. However, our (my…lol!) tastes have changed, and want a more modern look. I’m leaning towards painting them an espresso color, maybe even one piece in aqua, and then changing out the legs, hardware, and removing the scalloped cap from the bookcase to clean up the lines. Are you saying that you didn’t need to sand your cabinet because of the paint you used?
Pat, The paint was super easy to use! I just thinned it and did several coats. I then put the clear coat on top. I would highly recommend it. You should def try it. Do a small piece first to see what you think.
Wow! That is an amazing transformation. For me the hardest part is seeing potential in the used/old. Really amazing. #SITSblogging
Debbie Rodrigues recently posted…How To Get Ready For A Smooth Blog Release
Debbie, Thanks so much for stopping by!!!! It can be difficult, but if you struggle with that part grab a friend who can see a diamond in the rough. 🙂
Great idea with the handles and twine. Nice paint color choice for your new TV Console too. Thank you for joining our Project Challenge Link Party!
Holly recently posted…Project Challenge Link Party – Furniture {a dining table upgrade}
Holly, Thanks so much for stopping and leaving a comment! I appreciate it.
People may have thought you were crazy, but now they would be envious!! You have done an AWESOME job!! I love it. Thank you for joining us at Project Challenge…hope to see more of ya! 😉
Oh, and Welcom to Oregon!! 😉
Michele, Thank you so much for your kind words. We are pretty happy with it. Where are you in Oregon?
Deborah… you did an outstanding job on your makeover! No one would think it was your first go-round with furniture painting. Love the baskets in the top sections. Pinned my friend!
Wendi @ H2OBungalow recently posted…DIY Sunday Showcase and Weekly Wrap Up {5.3}
Wendi, You are TOO kind! Thanks for stopping by!
What an awesome transformation! Love that you can use a dresser as an entertainment center!
How did you know it didn’t need sanding?
Saph recently posted…Don’t Have Land? Start a Veggie Container Garden
Saph, Thanks for stopping by! The paint itself said no sanding needed. That’s all I needed to hear! 🙂
Beautiful transformation! Love the color and the twined handles!
Cristina@Remodelando la Casa recently posted…Kitchen Island Painted ASCP-Duck Egg Blue
Cristina, Thank you so very much!!!!!
Oh Yes, Love to paint furniture. I was looking through your other posts and got very excited. I too love to thrifty and reuse in my house. I am always amazed at what a little paint can do
Mary recently posted…Blog Makeover
Mary, Thanks so much for stopping by. Yes paint is a great transformer!
Using junk mail as a paint shield… truly a girl after my own heart!! I love the after! And the wrapped hardware – pure genius.
Awe Sondra, you are so sweet!! Much appreciated!!
Oh my gosh, thank you for this! I have one of these old dressers, in the garage. I thought there had to be SOMETHING I could use it for, but I had no idea where to start! I will copy this idea, down to the paint color.
Glad to help Pam
Love your idea of wrapping twine on the drawer pulls!
Thanks so much Cheryl. I like easy and peasy 🙂
Wish I could find a piece like that close by in Arizona. I am very impressed with your insight to remove the doors and a couple of the drawers. Looks like a whole new piece. I liked the handles, but think you kicked them up a notch when you added the twine. Very clever.
Thank you Sonja