The thing I love most about rejigging is the process. How something with so much history can turn into something so different yet still hold its history. This dresser for instance.........
It was my husband's childhood dresser, his mother gave it to us when we had our first apartment to use for our first baby boy, and
my cousin used it with my niece when she had her. Now it is time for a new purpose. My mother in law wanted it for the office project I did for my One Room Challenge (Fall 2020).
https://www.oneroomchallenge.com/orc-ig
This dresser is solid wood. What I love about wood is it's ability to transform. All you have to do is just sand it down and start fresh. The history still exists with a new face. With a little sand paper and elbow grease it can have a fresh face.
***Tip #1: Sand a little spot first to see how sensitive the wood is to sand paper grit.***
The higher the grit number is, the smoother the paper. You may want to start with a grit of 120 as a happy medium. I find 120 not too smooth and not too rough.
I decided to stain the dresser and chose Flagstone by Varathane.
I was going for a farmhouse look..... Not really my style, but this wasn't for me.
I sanded the dresser down, wiped all the dust then pre-conditioned the dresser.
***Tip #2 Always use pre-conditioning when staining or your project will be super splotchy.** (Disclaimer... These are NOT the stains I used for this project, but this is the pre conditioner I used.)
Well.... After all that ....... Nailed it moment!!! 😂
Nailed it!!!! 🤣😂😂😂😭😩
Y'all!!!! ....After all that work.....
I wasn't going to show this mess but ummm...... I think it's important that people see that DIY projects don't always turn out as expected.
Let me explain..... As I was staining, my daughter had to use the restroom. I took her to the restroom and it was a mess..... a bath and an hr later, this baby was born! 😂🤦🏿♀️ ***Tip #3: ALWAYS stay close by when staining so you can assess the stain.***
DIY'ing is less about the Before and After and more about the journey. This is when most people throw in the towel, but this is when the fun really starts 🤭🤗.
I tried EVERYTHING, resanding, making faux drawers, and spent quite bit of money trying to fix this DIY fail.
Finally.....
I bought 2 cans of Rust-oleum "Smokey Beige" and changed the entire thing one color.
I added some legs and handles I bought from Amazon
Set of 10 Bin Pull, Modern Hardware for Cabinets Drawer Bins Doors, 4 1/2x1x1 1/4 inches, Kitchen Cabinet and Cupboard Door Pull (Iron, Black Coated Finish) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N624PM8/ref=cm_sw_r_sm_apa_fabt1_czWPFb3AE20E5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Alpha Furnishings Shiny Brass,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0864YCK9S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Voila'!!!! It has been a Journey, but that's the joy of rejigging. Seeing the end product reminds me of the process. This piece has been in the family for 30+ years and now that my father in law will have it in his new office... Its cycle continues. 💕
Just remember when your project doesn't go your way, it may just be a blessing in disguise. This is exactly what this dresser was supposed to be! 🤗