Before & After: Craigslist Dresser Gets a Makeover

published Sep 21, 2012
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

When Melody found this white painted dresser on her local Craigslist, she knew that it could be transformed by a little TLC. Despite the peeling paint and damaged top, the dresser had great lines and was solidly built, making it an excellent candidate for a makeover. Best of all, Melody had a spot and a purpose all picked out for this piece once the transformation was complete.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Melody’s first step was stripping and sanding the top to see if she would be able to restain it vs. painting. Thankfully the wood grain under the white paint was lovely and virtually undamaged so she was able to preserve it. When the initial stain choice (Red Mahogany) turned out too red, Melody topped it with a second coat of a different color (Jacobean). After a couple of coats of Annie Sloan dark wax, the top was finished.

The base of the dresser was also sanded down to allow for better paint adhesion before getting three coats of DIY chalk paint made from Behr’s Happy Camper. The dresser was painted to match Melody’s kitchen table because it will be replacing a too large china cabinet in her dining room. Some light distressing and two coats of wax (one clear, one dark) and this piece was finished. The dresser is destined to hold her son’s craft supplies once that china cabinet finds a new home.