Thursday, October 9, 2008

A Dresser Reborn

My goal for this fall is to redo Maia's room. Until two days ago, I had done a big fat zilch towards attaining that goal. Boo-hoo for me.

Then, I went to work on Maia's dresser and it has been reborn! I think this particular dresser used to grace my sister, Amy's, room. It's quite dated but has decent bones.
Here's a photo of what it looked like on Monday:


*Notice the antiquated gold-painted trim around the drawers and dresser top.
*Notice the missing hardware on the bottom drawer (it snapped in two a couple of months ago).
*Notice the dark, blurry conditions of my sub-par photography (that will just make the after shot that much better).
*Notice the 6 inch-thick coat of crap on the dresser top--oh wait, I mean, don't notice that (my only defense here is that I only require a clear floor and closed drawers when my kids clean their rooms)!

All I did was a little wiping, sanding, painting, drilling and affixing new hardware. It really didn't take long at all. Without further ado, I present Maia's new and improved dresser:



Now, doesn't she look more clean and fresh and, well, user-friendly (what with actual drawer pulls attached to every drawer and all...)? I thought so.

Teensy does, too. She was my assistant when I was drilling the holes for the new drawer pulls (thankfully, the new hardware covered the old holes beautifully and no putty/spackle was required). Once I attached the new hardware, Teensy proclaimed the new and improved dresser "too girlie" for Maia (who is in a decidedly non-girlie phase of her life). Then she mentioned that she happened to know someone who is girlie--herself--and that she should probably be the recipient of the "new" dresser. It did make me feel that it must look better if she was petitioning to have it for herself.

Now, do I think it looks brand new? No. Do I think it looks like a professional job? No. But, do I think it's a vast improvement and am I pleased with my work? Absolutely.

But don't take my word for it. Let's check with the recipient of the face lift, the dresser, herself, and see how she feels after she's had a little work done.


Yep, she looks happy to me. Don't you agree?

22 comments:

Lynette said...

She is happy...what a cute dresser!!! You did an awesome job..i love it!!!

Jenni said...

What a sweet little smiling dresser!! You amaze me with your do-it-yourself-ness!! Great job!!:)

Sommer said...

Mendy I LOVE your posts! They without fail always make me laugh out loud. I think the dresser looks brand new, you did so good!

Rachelle said...

I know how much hardwork you put into that dresser. I've done a little refinishing myself. Good job it looks beautiful.

Beckie said...

So handy, who needs a husband?

Amber said...

Nice job. Kudos. You're the winner. You're the best. It's beautiful. You are amazing. Your talents know no bounds. If only every daughter in America had a mother as talented and caring as you are. I could go on and on.

Mary said...

I remember the before dresser. And am quite envious as I have no skills such as that. You Sechrists and all your craftiness. Share a little with the rest of the world will ya?

whitney allison said...

It looks marvelous. As I just stated in my own post, it really is amazing what a little paint can do! Very fresh, very clean, very neither girlie nor non-girlie. Well done sister, well done.

Tracy said...

Bravo! It looks great, amazing, super-di-duper, stupendous, marvelous, gorgeous! Now quit wasting time making your house look nice and come fix mine up!

Anonymous said...

Very cute. I hope we get to see it soon! Margaret

Anonymous said...

OH! I see where I can leave my name! A little slow here.

Cami said...

HA HA! I love the happy dresser picture. Good makeover.

laura said...

Ahh. I'm feeling so much home improvement guilt right now. I just looked at Whitney's blog too. It looks wonderful!
I'll probably have to be up all night making something pretty now. Thanks a lot. :)

supersonicjan said...

Haven't you seen antiques roadshow? You just wiped, sanded, painted, and drilled away all that dresser's value!!!

the design boss said...

You are so cute! You make me laugh, I need you around more! I am super impressed with your restoration project! That is one thing that just scares me. Speaking of projects you need to call me so we can set up a date!

Ashley said...

Quite the little talent you have there! Do you want to come help me refurbish (or is refurnish) by furniture? The dresser looks perfect in a little girl's room.

Christie said...

Looks great! nicely done!

Deb said...

great job, mendy! i hope the wallpaper removal turns out as well as this project.

i remember a friend of mine had a dresser like this when i was younger. i was a little jealous. i totally understand marlee's feelings. :)

Anonymous said...

I love it! Want to come to my house I have an entertainment center in the basement that could really use some help. Watch out Ty Pennington here comes Menday Hunter!

Susan said...

It looks new! What a lucky dresser!! You inspire me to tackle Olivia's dresser. It is very similar, complete with ugly gold trim! There is hope for her sad dresser!

Sally said...

What a piece of gorgeousness! It looks like it could be sold at a boutique for a pretty penny.

Julia said...

She does indeed look like a very happy dresser :) Good job!

Quotation of the Month

There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.

-Jill Churchill