HOW TO UPDATE AN OLD TRASHED 8-DRAWER DRESSER | YOUTUBE VIDEO COMING THIS SATURDAY!
Hello sweet friends, and welcome back to the first Trashy Treasure Tuesday of the year! If you’re new here, on the second Tuesday of each month I join my talented TTT crew to see what we can salvage and save. Our goal is to inspire you (and each other) to think outside the box and get creative. For today’s project, I’m updating this trashed eight-drawer orange stained dresser I found in the trash. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the new look!
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I’m looking forward to seeing what our TTT crew have created and I hope you join me on today’s tour as well!
Here’s the dresser I found roadside. There is a crew of 3 guys that are renovating a home close by, and I’m guessing this was some leftover furniture from the previous owner. One of the guys was kind enough to help me load it into my FUV because this one is heavy! I was going to take the little tier table on top as well but bummer, the wood on top was in very poor condition.
I took a closer look once I had it in my studio. It’s a nice solid piece and all the drawers work well.
The top was a little beat up but nothing that a good sanding couldn’t fix.
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Trashed 8 Drawer Dresser – SALVAGED
Bosch Sander
Carbide Scraper (18% Off as of writing this!)
Painters Tape (24% Off 3 Rolls as of writing!)
Voodoo Gel Stains
Stain Applicator Pads
Umber Silk All-One Mineral Paint
Paint Brushes
Smooth Finish Roller
AstroEuro Paint Gun 1.7mm Tip
Gator Hide Topcoat
HOW TO UPDATE A TRASHED DRESSER
Here’s how I salvaged and upcycled this trashed 8-drawer dresser. A big thanks to all of you who commented on last week’s post about transforming this piece!
CLEAN & PREP
A good cleaning was needed. I used my go-to heavy-duty cleaner and gave it a couple of scrubdowns inside and out. Then using a sponge with clean water, I wiped off all the residue.
I removed the dated hardware and filled the hardware holes with Bondo.
REMOVING OLD WOOD FEET
I removed the chunky wood feet by removing the screws and using a furniture mallet to smack them off. My plan was to make a modern DIY base as Rhonda suggested in last week’s comments. I even went to Home Depot and bought the wood… but a little more on this later.
SAND
To remove the orange-dated finish, I used my Bosch sander. I started with an 80 grit and worked my way up to a 220 for a nice smooth finish.
For all the smaller details, this Carbide Scraper did an awesome job. I can’t tell you how much use I get out of this little tool. It’s saved the day many times!
NEW BLEACHED CYPRESS
Now for the fun part, giving this curb-shopped dresser a new look. Dixie Belle was super kind and generous to send me their NEW Voodoo Gel Stain colors. I decided to go with Bleached Cypress to cut down on all the orange undertones this wood dresser has.
Check out the gorgeous stains below. I’m looking forward to trying the other three stains on upcoming projects. The stains are modern ‘colors’ that can update wood nicely. Below is a sample of what they look like on this wood dresser. Keep in mind that depending on the wood variety, the stain may differ in tone/color. For instance, mahogany will read more warm/red because of the undertones, where as a birch or oak wood will read less warm and probably much lighter.
To apply the gel stain, I like to use an applicator pad. This is a water-based product so water can be misted on the applicator or even on the wood before applying the stain. Water acts like a wood conditioner to get a more even application.
PAINT
To add contrast and give this dresser an updated look, I masked off the top and painted the bottom in Umber All-In-One Silk Paint. Omygosh I LOVE this paint color. It was my first time using this rich dark brown and I’m definitely going to order more. Once the two coats had dried, I removed the masking tape. I should also mention, I used this brush and roll technique to get a smooth spray like finish.
To get my perfectly crisp paint line, I used a little bit of sealer on the tape, let it dry, and then painted so no paint would seep under the painter’s tape. I’ll share this in this weekend’s YouTube video so you can see how well it works in action!
TOPCOAT AND HARDWARE
The Umber All-In-One Silk paint doesn’t need a topcoat but the water-based gel stain does. I masked off the bottom portion of the dresser and sprayed three coats of Gator Hide tinted with a little Bleached Cypress. A tiny bit goes a long way and I never add too much because I don’t want to dilute the heavy-duty topcoat properties. I add about a 1:10 ratio or 10% stain to 90% topcoat. I also like giving the top a light sanding between coats of sealer. The very last coat of sealer, I don’t sand.
I also ordered some brushed brass hardware from Amazon. Simple handle pulls but the brushed brass looks lovely against the two-tone dresser drawers.
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Beautiful!
Thanks Debra! xo
I just watched the whole video. Excellent job and so inspirational. You make it look fun, fairly easy, (as long as there is not alot of repairs needed😁) and so rewarding. Even for a beginner. I have 2 smaller pieces i have been hoarding just waiting for the right nudge. Thank you. As soon as I can get into the unheated shop and outside,here in north Idaho, I’m jumping in and getting started.
Susan
Thanks for watching and I’m so happy it’s sparked some ideas for your 2 pieces. And ya, its FREEZING cold here as well so I get it…lol.
Great choices ! I also would not have expected a deep brown to turn out like this. So elegant. and a change from a black ish contrast. It looks so updated and fresh now.
I was confused – untill the very end when you explained the ‘feet’. These feel really do look great on this piece – esp with this color.
I also would love to learn how to add a modern base. I have a bookcase that would benefit greatly.
I can’t wait for your tutorial on doing this !!
Your tutorial details are done so well. Thanks for sharing !
Now… if only you did consultations !!! 🙂
I wasn’t expecting the Umber to look so darn good either…lol. It paired beautifully with the new gel stain. I would also LOVE to learn how to add a modern base as well. I’ve been wanting to try for over a year now. I have a brand new Kregg Tool that I’ve never even used. Now that I purchased the wood, I just need to find the ‘right’ piece to try it on. And I promise I’ll share… regardless of how it turns out.😆
It’s so beautiful now, Denise! Love the Bleached Cypress stain! xo
Thanks Nancy! I really enjoyed working on this one!
You took it from dated and mundane to totally sophisticated!
“Sophisticated…” I LOVE it Ruth! thanks so much. XOXO
I clicked on your dresser from your friend Christy’s blog. Amazing two-tone restoration!! Love the modern vibe and the feet work just fine. It looks so refined and upscale!
Christy’s awesome! Thanks for clicking over Linda and I’m so happy you like it! xo
Gorgeous! It looks like it came from a high-end store.
Huge compliment Lizzy, thank you! XOXO
I’ve seen this style of dresser in thrift stores and never imagined it could be made to look like this. Super inspirational Denise. You’ve worked your magic once again!
I see a lot of these dresser as well. They are so well built and last so we will probably KEEP seeing them! 😆 Thanks so much Nicki! XOXO
Hi Denise. Beautiful makeover.
Thanks Monique, so glad you like it! XOXO
Absolutely gorgeous! I knew you would give this piece the update it deserves, and I think the original feet totally work! XOXO
Thanks my friend! Took them off – put them back on – lol – caused myself some extra work as well!😂
Love this makeover! These are my favorite dressers to makeover. Solid wood, either maple or cherry usually, and made to last for decades. I have 3 in my home. And I love this two-tone look you gave it. So many people are bleaching and restaining but I still love painted furniture to coordinate with my room, especially on these vintage pieces.
Thanks Lena!😊 So good you have these solid pieces in your home! I wish I was a little better at identifying woods but I’m pretty sure this dresser is maple. And I love both – painted and stained wood depending on the piece. And if I’m honest, it depends on my mood as well. I would get so bored doing the same type of furniture with the same technique. I have to switch it up now and then.👍😊
Stunning & beautiful! Job well done.
Yay, thank you Kimberly. I really enjoyed working on this dresser.
Wow. What an update this thing got! I could see it with the modern base instead of the feet too, but it still gorgeous! I love the wood stain color on it. I’ll be watching for your video on this. I’m especially curious about the sealer on the tape trick.
Yesss, I imagine it would be over the top ‘modern/sleek’ with the DIY modern base but I’m intimidated to build one. For my first time trying, I’m going to leave myself a ton of time so I don’t feel rushed – which didn’t happen this week. And yes, I’ll demo the sealer tape trick – brushing on a thin layer of sealer gives a super crisp PERFECT line and it’s so easy.
Nope, not too “girly”. Kind of unusual, but i like the two tone look. I have a chest-of-drawers of this very same design that I have been considering refinishing, so this gives me ideas.
As to the old oak dresser you just found: please give it the reverance it deserves. It is at least a hundred years old. And most likely has some beautiful oak grain underneath the grime. I have three of these, so will be very interested in what you come up with.
haha glad it’s not too girly for you…lol. You did pop to mind while I was picking the paint color. And ya, I think this little ‘frozen’ dresser is super old. I can’t wait to start sanding back and see what it looks like, thanks for the heads up!
I can’t tell you how many of these exact same dressers I have painted over the years. I always enjoy seeing the different colors and color combinations. But this combo is over the top gorgeous. I love this so much. Thank you for sharing your always inspiring work, Denise. Have an amazing week, my friend.
xo 😘
These dressers were sooooo popular (and are still kicking around!) and well made/heavy duty. They don’t make them like this anymore. I’m so glad you love the combo. This was my first time using this Bleached Cypress AND the rich brown Umber. Painting a wood piece of furniture brown never really appealed to me but boy was I was wrong…lol. I’m ordering MORE! Have an amazing week as well Do! Hugs
Fingerprints and all, this looks amazing Denise! You always have such great vision for your remakes!
I was even thinking how I had to give it a quick wipe down AS I was walking these drawers up the stairs. Omgosh 😂 Thanks so much Sara, glad you like it! XOXO
I have this dresser! Beautiful and I’m so inspired. Thanks!
These dressers were popular and built to last, right?! Great quality!😃
Your a miracle worker, this is stunning. I love the way you designed it and it looks so beautiful.
Aw, thanks so much Janette! I’m so happy this one didn’t make it to the landfill.😉
What a gorgeous save, Denise! It looks fantastic
Thanks my friend, glad you like it! XOXO