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Before & After: Restoring a Mid-Century Modern Dresser

published Oct 22, 2012
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

When Jamie found this lovely mid-century modern dresser at a Salvation Army store fo only $50, she knew she’d hit the jackpot. Though she didn’t love the yellowing tone of the piece, and the finish was in bad shape (especially on the top), the lines and solid construction made it a great choice for an update.

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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Jamie used Citristrip to remove the old finish, coating the entire dresser then leaving it to sit overnight. After scraping off the peeling finish, she washed down the piece to remove any sticky residue, then lightly sanded with both 100 grit and 220 grit sandpaper. When Jamie saw the lovely lines of the wood grain revealed, she knew that her decision to refinish the dresser was the right one. She used a dark walnut stain to refinish the piece, then sealed it with a satin polyurethane. The final result is a beautiful dresser that has taken pride of place in Jamie’s master bedroom.