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Thrift Store Dresser Makeover

July 8, 2013 by Crafty Teacher Lady +

Summer vacation means lots of time for DIY projects! I’ve been slowly giving my living room a makeover and part of the transformation included finding a new focal point for my television wall. Instead of the TV ‘hutch’ that I bought a couple years ago, I wanted to find a long dresser, over which I would wall mount my flat screen. After finding a couple options at big-box furniture stores for close to $300, I stumbled upon the perfect piece to transform (only $90 at Salvation Army)…

Thriftstore Dresser Makeover Tutorial

I love the curved lines of the piece as well as the 9 drawers for storage purposes. After removing the old hardware and sanding the entire piece with a medium grit paper, I used a good quality Purdy brush to paint on all the curved edges and used a small foam roller to paint the top, sides, and drawer fronts. I had to go back and use a large foam roller for the top, however, because the small roller kept giving me stroke lines!

 The paint color I used is called Birds Egg by Benjamin Moore and is the perfect shade of aqua/pale blue. It reads a bit more aqua in real life than in these photos, however, and I LOVE it! I had it mixed in a quart of Benjamin Moore Super Spec D.T.M. Acrylic Low Lustre paint, which provided the perfect amount of sheen (not too flat, not too glossy). It was close to $20 for a quart, however, I’ve used inexpensive paints on other furniture painting projects and boy did splurging on the good stuff make a difference!

I wanted to add more modern brushed nickel handles to contrast with the vintage curves of the dresser. The rectangle cup pulls were purchased for $4.50 a piece at Home Depot. I would recommend letting your piece dry for a good solid 4 days before putting on hardware or placing anything on top…waiting was the WORST part because I just wanted to see her in all her glory!

Dresser Makeover Benjamin Moore paint in Birds Egg blue

I’ve used painters tape to mark where I plan to wall mount the TV! The new color of the piece plays nicely with the blue accents in the chair I just picked up at Target as well as the light celadon green in the new rug! To see more pieces for my living room design, check out my Pinterest board! I’m THRILLED with how it’s all coming together so far! The overall cost of the dresser (including paint and new hardware) was $150…a super bargain for a unique piece with character!

Sharing My Project With:
Between Naps on the Porch

Filed Under: decor, DIY, living room, Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Amy says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:31 pm

    What a cute make over! Love the shade of blue and the dresser is amazing! Thanks for sharing!

    • Crafty Teacher Lady says

      February 9, 2022 at 5:31 pm

      Thanks, Amy! I was pretty thrilled to find this awesome dresser at the thrift store! 🙂

  2. Abby C says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:31 pm

    Hi Amy, I'm painting a dresser this shade now. Did you happen to use a poly finish on it?

    • Crafty Teacher Lady says

      February 9, 2022 at 5:31 pm

      Hi Amy! No, I didn't use any sort of finish/top coat. I think the paint itself has a really nice finish to it! Good luck with your project!

  3. Treana says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:31 pm

    I have this same dresser in my home. It was my first large purchase in my 20's. FYI: I bought it for $850 in 1982. 🙂

Hello! I’m Kelly-Anne!

I’m an avid DIY and home decor enthusiast, wife and new mom, teacher of 15 years, and a Mainer now living on a farm in Virginia. Here you’ll find creative endeavors of all sorts!

Now offering Interior Decorating Services at  Dirigo & Dogwood

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Absolutely gorgeous afternoon making memories with Absolutely gorgeous afternoon making memories with my sweet girl! We picked the best berries, then went home where my little sous chef practiced her fine motor skills by cutting the strawberries for homemade shortcake- my all time favorite dessert (and quickly becoming C’s favorite, too)! 🍓 

The last couple of months have been super challenging regarding some unexpected health challenges for me, resulting in an emergency surgery 4.5 weeks ago, and getting back to feeling good enough to go on outings like today was at the top of my priority-list! I felt good and had a wonderful time with my best little bud!! 🥰

Also shout out to @browdersfreshpickins for allowing us to pick all along the outside rows so that C could easily use her walker in the field!
Happy Easter from our (reluctant) Bunny Stanley 🐶 and our happy little Reese’s-loving gal!! 🥰
It’s always such a wonderful start to the weeken It’s always such a wonderful start to the weekend when a visit to @cafe_davina is on the agenda!! If you haven’t been, this adorable coffee house and crêperie is located within the beautiful grounds of the @thepinnerhouse, a boutique inn with cozy rooms and cottages! Both are a must visit in downtown Suffolk, VA!
Some adorable Valentine’s Day printable cards an Some adorable Valentine’s Day printable cards and decor from my @littlecpaperie Etsy shop! Head to my profile @craftyteacherlady OR @littlecpaperie for a link to download any of these cute items and spread some love! 🥰💗🥰💗🥰💗
I added some sweetness to C’s room for Valentine I added some sweetness to C’s room for Valentine’s Day! 💗 Even the little holidays are so much more fun with a little one here to celebrate! 

💗 This heart garland is easy to make using the printable I created for my Etsy shop @littlecpaperie…just print on card-stock, cut out the hearts, punch some holes, and thread onto some cute string! Make as many garlands as you wish, in any length! 🥰 Now go spread some love! 💗💗💗
And just like that, she’s 4!! ❤️🥰🍓❤️🥰❤️

We had a small family party while in Maine and I had so much fun putting together all the details! My favorite part of the decor was making the cake toppers to put onto a plain white bakery cake (I also added some fresh strawberries). I printed some strawberries and flowers on card stock and glued them to wood skewers. I made the pennant flags and bunting out of fabric from Joannes and used the same gingham for the table runners. It brings me so much joy to put together a little birthday party for my sweet little girl! Watching her grow and seeing her personality blossom is the greatest privilege of my life…she’s the best thing to ever happen to me! 

And on that note, Happy Birthday, C, and Happy New Year to all of you!

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