Wood Wednesday: Curbside Correction

Several months ago my friend Susan called. This is the same Susan who inspired the hooded towels from last week. Well Susan called and said that she had seen an old dresser at the curb near the new fire station. I have only lived here 2 years and needed directions to the “new” fire station.

So my sweet husband went with me and we rescued this dresser.


It was in really bad shape. Someone had tried to fix it and had done a very bad job. I thought that I might have to just use it for parts.



All of the drawers were there and the boxes were in pretty good shape with dove tail joints. There was no hardware.
The dresser had a veneer finish that was cracked and falling apart.  But it had this really unique cabinet front. I did the usual sanding and filling and priming and painting. First I thought I wanted it a pale gray. Then I remembered that I had some really cool drawer pulls...somewhere. I just had to find them. Success!
Aren’t they pretty. They look just like Easter eggs. So I repainted the dresser in the turquoise green of the knobs. I cannot tell you the paint color because I just mixed until I got what I wanted. I am an artist and I can’t seem to paint straight from the can. I had enough knobs to put the flowers on the drawers and the plaid on the doors.



 
I added the plaid to the front of the doors and wallpaper inside the drawers.

The drawers did not slide easily. I sanded the edges of the drawers and the inside runners. Then I read ( I’m sorry, I need to start writing these references down, but did not) to use soap. I knew this but I had never tried it. Well guess what? It really works.I took a dried up bar of hotel soap from my guest bathroom. I rubbed it on all the wood that touches when moving the drawers. AMAZING!!!!!!! The drawers now move easily. 
I distressed the edges before adding the sealer coat. I am really proud of this piece. I plan on listing it on craigslist first and then take it to the consignment store.

My hummingbird painting looks beautiful with it. Maybe I could sell them together.

This is where I party: