Dresser with a brand new look

If you saw my last post, you know about my knob hiccups for this beautiful dresser I picked up for only $5.

You can see the mismatched knobs.  What isn't quite as noticeable in this photo is the crazy green paint.  It has a limish green base color with a darker green wash.  It was really odd.  That is probably why I got it for $5.  Other than the color and the knobs, it was a very sturdy, well built dresser.  Oh did I forget to say heavy too?! 

I knew this dresser was a great candidate to use my chalk paint.  When I was taking out the drawers, I felt like I was with my grandma.  All of the drawers had that smell that my grandma's make-up had.  It wasn't a bad smell at all.  In fact, it smelled tons better than most antique dresser.  Anyways, back to the transformation.  Because of the magical powers of chalk paint, I only applied one coat of Duck Egg Blue.  After a coat of wax and applying the new knobs, the dresser is transformed.  First a reminder of the knobs.

Now the whole dresser!

So much better don't you think?  I'm sharing over at:

  
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Unique Knobs

I recently acquired a steal of a deal.  I got a dresser for only $5. 

As you can see, it had mismatched knobs.  I didn't think it was a big deal until I went looking for new ones.  Sure there are some really cute ones out there but they can get pretty expensive (especially since I needed 8). 

I'm sure you have seen people using resin to create unique knobs.  Well, I stumbled upon a bag of wooden knobs containing about 20 for $7.  I thought this must be my lucky day.  I decided to just paint the knobs the same color as the dresser being repainted.  So far so good.  Then, my luck started to run out.  It started after applying the resin.  I had stamped the bird with Staz-on ink.  As you can see from below, it didn't Staz-on! 

Great thing about chalk paint is it can go over just about everything.  After painting again, I decided to stamp the bird using white acrylic paint which I actually liked a lot better.  

Better already, uh?  This time the resin worked like a charm.  I will be revealing the updated dresser hopefully tomorrow.  I just wanted to share my experience with EnviroTex Lite and save you a headache in case you tried stamping before applying the resin.  Perhaps if I sealed it with a thin coat of ModPodge, it would have worked.  Hope you stay tuned to see the updated $5 dresser.

Happy 4th and a project!

Happy 4th of July!

I'm sorry I've been a bad blogger this summer.  I find it hard to dive into projects with both kids demanding attention either to play with or to referee.  Needless to say, it appears that I'm not one of those blogger moms that can do it all.  I wish I could figure it out but it eludes me.

I've had this project done for a while but only got around to taking pictures of the completed piece recently.  I have some great friends.  One in particular kept me in mind before she let her dad throw an old sewing table away.  I felt honored she thought I could make this look cute (thanks Stephanie).  I believe within a half hour of her call, I was in the car ready to get my free item. 

You can see that there are some condition issues.  So, I stripped it before I painted to get a smooth finish.  I don't think you can tell from the picture but I did some light distressing. 

I'm not sure that this piece would be used as a sewing table but it sure does make a cute little side table.  I think it would look great in a beach themed room with it's soothing color.

I'm sharing over at:

  

Needing your opinions!

Yes, I am still alive.  After the trip to MO, I got one of the worst summer colds ever.  I'm just now recovering, but that is not the only reason for not blogging.  This is:

Meet our new dog.  We looked through tons (I really mean tons) of dogs online.  This one happened to be the first one my son noticed.  I just couldn't talk him into any other dog.  So off we went to the pound to meet her.  My son and daughter instantly fell in love.  So long story short, she is now ours.  Fleas and all!  Needless to say, we have been adjusting to caring for an animal (without fins).

The only thing I have been doing is trying to change up a few things.  This is where you come in.  I really would like your opinion.  So, please, please, let me have it:) 

First, I have been wanting to change up my mantle for a while.  So this is what I have come up with thus far. 

Okay, first does the urns like nuts with the candles on top of the moss.  I tried to replicate a similar look from a magazine but it doesn't seem to look quite the same.  So, should I take off the candles leaving just the moss, leave it as is, or put something else in the urns?  Second, the empty frame.  I've just leaned it up against the wall but would hang it.  It was suggested to put something inside the frame.  How do you guys like the idea of a moss monogram?  I do have a second option instead of the empty frame.  It is a smaller frame I picked up from the Goodwill store.

It is smaller.  I would definitely put a larger picture in it or maybe a print.  Which do you like the bigger frame or this smaller.  I know you must be getting tired now but I need you for just one more question.  It is a lamp question.  You see I have only bought about 3 lamps for this house in 10 years.  With the majority of the windows being east/west, we get plenty of light until winter.  We have always used the overhead lighting which you all know isn't that flattering.  So, I've picked up two options for our sofa table.

Initially, I like the taller black one.  But after keeping it there for a day, I think I like the short one.  I'm just not sure about the color.  Here is a closer look.

I was thinking of doing white with a gray dry brush distressed look.  Should I do two lamps on the table?  Which should it be??  So, here is where you jump down and comment your opinions to help a gal out.  Let me just thank you for reading this long post.