Before & After: Vintage Veneered Dresser Goes Back to Basics

published Apr 11, 2012
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Sarah got herself a great deal on this painted dresser — or so she thought until she started sanding off the paint on the top and found not solid wood but veneer. Battered veneer patched with wood filler. Veneer she knew she would have to chip off bit by bit. Veneer that ultimately required a chisel and a heat gun to remove completely. Despite her hatred of the process, the end result was certainly worth the effort.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

When all that veneer was finally gone from the top, Sarah embraced the imperfect surface left behind. She stained the base of the dresser and the fronts of the two smaller drawers on top. The lower drawers and sides of the piece were painted (Amsterdam by Benjamin Moore) and then given a light coat of stain as well. Finally, Sarah applied a coat of clear poly to seal the piece. The end result highlights the lovely shape of the dresser, and the warm wood tones suit it more than the stark white paint of the past.

(Images: Sarah/Imperfect Patina)