You may remember we picked up two Bassett dressers over the Memorial Day weekend knowing they needed some TLC. We finally found the time to work on the one we plan to use as a credenza, and started out rehabbing the dirty drawers with fabulous new liners...
How To: Refurbish a Craigslist Find
Washington DC
1. Notice faux wood contact paper used to line drawers possibly decades ago - ugly, dirty, and bubbling.
2. Peel off contact paper. Notice and despise sticky residue left behind. Remark to self that drawer is already looking better!
3. Cut template based on measurements of drawer. Cut out corners to allow one-piece construction, thus eliminating pesky seams that might otherwise peel back and catch on future contents of drawer.
4. Measure depth of drawer bottom and mark the center on the liner paper (complicated because drawer fronts are curved).
5. Match center of drawer front to center mark on liner paper. Trace curve of drawer front onto paper.
6. Cut 1/2 inch tabs of varying depth across front of paper following the traced curve.
7. Fold down liner paper to make crisp creases that will sit firmly in drawer with no bubbled corners.
8. Set paper into drawer and peel off backing to adhere to drawer. Curse repeatedly until developing a feel for the process. Be thankful there is a learning curve - step 8 will be the longest step on Drawer One and the shortest step on Drawer Nine!
9. Smooth out any visible air bubbles using a straight edge like a plastic pot scraper or ruler.
10. Measure height of drawer front and cut final piece of liner paper.
11. Roll on final piece of liner covering up tabs that created the curve.
12. Reflect on beauty of new liner - clean, bright, and not bubbling. Fortify with beverage of choice before starting on the next drawer!
Comments (10)
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Where did you get that contact paper?
view lurker2209's profile
I was just going to ask where they got that contact paper. I love it!
view lindseyf's profile
It's from Target!
I just used that contact paper to cover the inside of my boring, white medicine cabinet. I love it so much, I'm going to frame it and hang it in the living room.
view Valerie LA's profile
I just scored a craigslist find with icky interior drawers, so this is a big help. I was also going to ask where the contact paper was from, but it looks like we've gotten an answer to that.
view Jessimuhka's profile
Congrats on the CL find and the beautiful new drawer liners!
view bepsf's profile
Target? Really? I can't find it there online. Maybe it's online in the store.
view lurker2209's profile
Lurker2209, I agree I can't find it online. Can anyone find the link? If not, did you buy it there recently? It is so beautiful!
view lntyrrell's profile
Its actually better to use wrapping paper or wallpaper remnants to line drawers. Bugs cant get into the drawers and they eat the glue from the contact paper and lay eggs under it. Larvae apparently love glue. So contact paper- it is a bad idea.
view Trumystique's profile
Thanks everyone!
The paper is from Target and I only bought it a few weeks ago (though I can't find it online either). It is Magic Cover Self Adhesive Liner in Potpourri. It is much less sticky than the contact paper I remember from my past- I was able to easily peel up and reposition when necessary before the final smoothing rub. The paper looks even better in person- a lovely spring green that didn't turn out great in the pictures. Relining the drawers really made a difference to my CL find.
Colleen
view CQ in DC's profile
I just found a digital Yamaha piano... wahoo!
view ekoshyun's profile