Easy Dresser Makeover with new hardware
Delighted to share my entry in “The Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest”. The theme for April 2018 is “Make it Pretty!”.
Huge thanks to D. Lawless Hardware for sponsoring this month’s contest and providing the products to complete this transformation. Although I received product to complete this post, all opinions are my own.
Make sure you check out all of our hosts!
Evey | Scottie | Christie | Jessica | Jodi
My Project
This dresser (and matching desk) has traveled with me for several years until I bought my current home. I could not bring myself to part with either piece due to the solid wood construction and true functionality.
Anyone who has purchased boxed furniture or lower end department store furniture can truly relate. The drawers never fall out of alignment and nothing ever needs to be tightened!
By the time I inherited these pieces, they were well worn. The beautiful cherry finish was very dull and the hardware slightly tarnished. Several years, 5 cats, and 3 moves later the pieces now reflect several scratches and dings.
The best view of the condition of this piece is the close-up below. You can see where a small chunk was taken out of the top.
Getting Started
The first step in my project was to fully clean the dresser and then I started the sanding process. It didn’t take long for me to realize that the stain I had planned to use would collect into some of the deep scratches giving a totally unnatural finish.
My vision then changed to find a paint that would color coordinate with the current basement updates. The dresser would become part of our family room where the colors are predominantly royal blue and silver. You can check out more of this project at here.
Once I decided on a color, it was off to check out D. Lawless Hardware for the best drawer pulls for this piece.
Now, I will confess I was a little apprehensive about buying drawer pulls and knobs online. I like to see what I’m purchasing to verify color, size, and feel. Yes- I have to touch everything I buy. Quirky!
However, I found the website to be quite easy to maneuver and quickly found exactly what I was looking for!
Here are a few of my initial ideas!
Since I hated the small area to grasp onto the existing knobs, I wanted something larger that I could truly grab.
I also didn’t really want to drill new holes in the dresser to install a pull in place of the knob. Drawer pulls are generally larger pieces that attach with 2 screws whereas knobs attach with a singular screw.
I also needed 2 wheels to replace a couple of broken wheels which made the dresser wobble. Sure enough, D. Lawless Hardware had the exact wooden wheels I needed.
Additional Touches
At my local hardware store, I found a wood repair epoxy putty to fill in the chunk missing from the dresser top. It was pretty easy to work the putty and attach it to the piece.
However, it was not quite as easy to mold this into the decorative shape needed for a seamless finish. For a novice, use this to fill in holes rather than re-creating intricate shapes.
I decided to use chalk paint for this project as it tends to cover imperfections in pieces extremely well. Chalk paint can also create a nice aged appearance to the furniture with the use of the proper wax.
Putting the Dresser Together
While I waited for my hardware to be delivered, I began by painting the dresser (and the aforementioned matching desk).
After the first few strokes of the new color on the desk, I was in love!
After fully painting both pieces and allowing them to dry, I touched up any small areas that needed additional color. Then, sealed the chalk paint with clear wax.
When the hardware shipment arrived, I swear I held my breath as I opened the box as I feared disappointment in my choices. I’m sure I let out a HUGE sigh of relief though as I opened the first individually wrapped knob.
The colors and size were exactly as I had hoped.
Now, I’d love to tell you how easy it was to install the hardware, but hey, let’s face it. Just about anyone can insert a screw into a hole and turn it!
Final Thoughts
I love my new space!
While this project is part of an entire basement makeover, this small hardware makeover was exactly what these pieces needed.
The knob choices were the perfect compliment to the piece for both aesthetics and functionality. (Of course, the new paint totally brightened up this somewhat blank space as well).
I will definitely be using D. Lawless Hardware for future knobs and pulls. Not only was the website easy to navigate, but the online store offers suggestions for complimentary components and provides the exact measurements of the item you are browsing.
I hope you will check back for the next installment of this basement makeover!
Best of luck to all the contest participants! You can see all the entries here. Thank you to our hostess, Sheri of Hazel & Gold Designs!
The Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest is open only to the entrants who have signed up through the group Facebook page. If you are an active, furniture flippin’ blogger, and you’d like to participate in future contests, we’d love to have you! Please contact info@eveyscreations.com to find out how!
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