Small Dresser Makeover – Cambridge Fusion Mineral Paint
This small dresser makeover turned this tired, dated ReStore find into an elegant lady ready to wow for years to come!
Hello, beautiful friends! Happy Trashy Treasure Tuesday!
Before I get started, I have some sad news. Larissa at Prodigal Pieces has decided to leave the group and pursue other things. We will miss her! So, for now, it will be me, Christy, and Denise. We may add someone, but not sure who just yet.
I’m sharing a super cute and unique small dresser today. I found it at the ReStore last week and snapped it right up!
And I was happy to get it for $39, too. First markdown, I’ll take it!
It might have come down even more, but someone else would’ve probably snagged it then!
Small Dresser Makeover
Here is how it looked when I found it.
Dated, tired, but oh so unique!
REMOVE HARDWARE AND SAND
I removed all of the hardware, which took forever. Whew, this one is a bit “extra” with all of that. lol
I sanded to smooth the finish and to get it ready for painting.
The finish was flaking off all over so I also used a putty knife to move things along quicker.
CLEAN & PRIME (ULTRA GRIP)
Once I was done sanding, I cleaned the whole thing well with TSP Alternative cleaner in my continuous sprayer.
Yuck! But it got it nice and clean.
There was only one tiny area with missing wood that I had to repair with wood filler.
But check out how “rustic” the wood used for this dresser was.
Since it had the peeling finish (even though I sanded very well) I decided to use Ultra Grip before painting. And just to clarify, I removed all of that loose finish, but I wanted to go ahead and use this just in case.
I LOVE our Ultra Grip. It’s so great for adherence, etc. It’s very easy to use, dries clear, and works amazingly well.
MATERIALS LIST – Small Dresser Makeover
PAINT
Then I pulled out a color I haven’t used yet.
It’s a gorgeous, very “grown-up” blue. The color you see here, even though it’s wet, is most accurate. The daytime photos I took of the small dresser make it look a bit more like a bright blue than it truly is. It’s a very elegant shade of blue!
GILDER’S PASTE FOR THE HARDWARE
While I was waiting for the paint to dry, I worked on the hardware. I cleaned it up by soaking it in vinegar and baking soda, rinsed well, dried, and used this Bronze paste to add some color/sheen.
Isn’t that pretty??
I love the color “Bronze” because it is the prettiest “gold”, in my opinion. It’s a warmer, not so in-your-face gold shade.
To give the small screws some of the gold color, I stuck them in some foam to hold them in place.
By the way, in case you are curious, I decided not to change out the hardware style on this small dresser for several reasons. First, they felt like they belonged on this small dresser; second, the curves in the front would’ve made it more difficult to find something that would fit.
FINISH COAT
So, Fusion Mineral Paint does not require a topcoat at all, but I decided to give it a little extra protection with our Ultra Guard. I usually use our regular Tough Coat Topcoat (in matte), but love this one too.
I applied it with a brush and this sponge on all of the larger areas, (top, sides, etc)
ADD HARDWARE
Once that was fully dry, I added the hardware back to the drawers.
“SURPRISE” DRAWERS (INSIDE)
Sometimes I’ll do a little something extra on the inside of the drawers. Fabric, tissue paper, stencil, etc.
I painted the inside blue to match the outside.
Then I decided to do this pretty script transfer on this one.
I cut several sections out to add to the bottom of the drawers.
Want to know how to use transfers?? I’ve got an entire post detailing how here >>> How To Use Rub On Decor Transfers
I feel like a little gold script is perfectly fitting to this little dresser.
After that was completed, I stood back and looked at the whole thing. It was looking elegant and pretty, but it needed “more”. So, I pulled out the same “Bronze” Gilder’s Paste I used on the hardware to do it.
ADD GOLD ACCENTS
How about a little gold touch here or there? Sort of like when distressing, the same areas you would sand to distress is where I added a gold “touch”.
Simply rub it on with your finger. There are other ways, but I find this to be the best way. (You can wear a glove if you like.)
All of the edges got a touch of gold. I’ll share more of that in the “reveal” photos.
I absolutely love how that ended up looking. It was exactly what this sweet little dresser needed to finish her up!
SMALL DRESSER REVEAL
All finished!
How glorious does she look compared to how she began??
What a little beauty she is.
See the gold on the edges all over??
Just gives it that little extra something-something.
A touch more elegance.
And how about those surprise drawers??
I staggered the transfers, first drawer on the bottom right…
…second, bottom left…
…third, in the middle…
…, fourth, in the middle, on the bottom of the drawer.
Just for a little fun! Different placement on each one.
This little beauty is all ready for many more years of enjoyment!
PIN it to save it!
Don’t forgot to hop on over and visit my friends’ makeovers too!
Hope you enjoyed all the makeovers!! Have a wonderful week, friends!
xoxo
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Beautiful!
Thank you, Sue!! xo
Well, this may be the first time I’ve responded to a post on your site but I felt a need to. I hated that ugly dresser and you changed my mind. It is the PERFECT color and the gold brushing is so fitting! Nice job! You win best makeover (although the other two were pretty darn good!)
That is beauuutiful! I love the color, and the gold along the edges was the perfect touch it needed to complete it!
Thank you, Cyndi! I thought of that at the very end, so glad I added it too! xo
Absolutely GORGEOUS, Nancy! I love the color you picked, the gold detail on the inside and out, and the vintage hardware is stunning! Pinned XOXO
Thank you so much, Denise!! :) xoxo
Oh Nancy, what a lovely piece of furniture. I really like the color you chose and the gold touches are beautiful. Really sets off the line of the piece. Now that it is a different color the drawer pulls make the piece look so regal. I really, really like this piece. I pinned it to my board of painted furniture. May have to copy this idea on a piece in the furniture. Thank you so much for sharing. You and Christy really outdid yourselves this time.
Thank you so much, Sue! I think you are so right, they really do set it off now and regal is a great word! Thanks for pinning too! xoxo
I didn’t really even notice the hardware in the “before” shot and was shocked to see how beautiful they were once cleaned up. Love the colors and shape. Nicely done :)
Yes! They are a bit “dated” in general but look so much better and go SO well with this little dresser! Thank you, Jen! xo
I rarely leave comments on anyone but Christy… that’s gorgeous piece required a comment. Absolutely beautiful.
Aw, thank you so much, Jackie! I really appreciate that!! xoxo
What a beauty now!! SO elegant in blue and gold!! XOXO
Thanks, Christy!! Definitely more elegant than before!! xoxo
Oh what a great makeover!
When you first mentioned the hardware I thought…. way too much for such a little piece….but the after …..it is …..ooo la la!!!
Thanks so much, Margie! Yes, yes, me too!! Almost left off the middle section but so, so glad I did not! xoxo
Very well done – you did a great job and gave this dresser a whole new life!
Thank you, Marion! Yes, it’s quite the change! I hope someone will love it! xo
Terrific body color choice and I love the gold accenting. I’ve never seen a piece with so much hardware, but it works!
Thanks, Cyndel!! I’ve never seen one with that much either! I almost considered leaving off the middle pieces, so glad I didn’t, it’s very unique! xo
I was not impressed with the before photo and couldn’t see anything redeemable about the chest but I’m always amazed what a change of color can do. It’s beautiful now, Nancy. The color is perfect for it and I might love the hardware even more than the chest itself! The script is such a fun addition, I think just a touch made a bigger statement than if you had covered the drawers with it. Someone is going to love this one.
For real! Same! But I had hope! lol Thank you, Marcie! The hardware is SO unique and SO extra! ha! I almost left off the middle pieces because it was “so much”. I am so glad I didn’t, that just adds to the uniqueness of it. xo
Love,love! I think this one is my favorite thus far. I just may have to try the Cambridge blue.
Oh wow, thanks, Mandy! And yes, do! xo
Just gorgeous! It’s really lovely Nancy! Great job. That’ll sell fast, I’m sure.
Thanks, Caye!! I hope so, it’s a unique little thing! xoxo
Love that shade of blue, and combined with the gold hardware it’s absolutely stunning! I’m also surprised at how rustic the wood was underneath the peeling finish for this style of furniture. Truly a trash to treasure makeover, great job!
Thanks, Vicki! Yes, the whole thing had wood like that all over. Very odd! But I guess adds to the uniqueness of this quirky little thing! xo
What a transformation! So glad you kept the hardware as in the end I think it almost makes the piece. So pretty. Love the color choice and what you did with the drawers and the gold touches.
Thanks, Debra! Me too, so much! Really adds to it, for sure. xoxo
I couldn’t love this one more!!!!
Aw, thanks, friend!! xoxo
WOW!!!!! That is an amazing transformation. Holy smokes, Nancy – she is gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Michele!! It was a super fun transformation!! I love doing furniture the most! So fun. xoxo