Growing up, my Dad was always fixing or MacGyver’ing something to save a dollar.
He’s raised me to believe being wasteful and over spending is a bad thing. Time and again, Dad has proven that anything is possible if you combine a little elbow grease with a dash of creativity.
Truth be told, as a young girl, I was embarrassed by his thriftiness.
I would hide in the back seat of the car while he browsed yard sales. My favorite hiding place in thrift stores was smack dab in the middle of those round racks of used clothes.
What I didn’t understand; it wasn’t purely out of necessity. It was more about his desire to create, build and repair and feel proud of his accomplishments.
Little did I know, watching my Dad salvage parts at junk yards, thrift stores or yard sales (and then somehow putting it all together to make it work) would eventually rub off on me.
Salvaging, repurposing and restyling has become my passion – my business – my fun! And somewhere down the line, my embarrassment turned into gratitude.
So what does all this have to do with a plain ‘ol dresser?
This dresser was so plain, it took a little more thought to restyle. I originally wanted to spruce-up this piece with stripes. That plan went nowhere. All of you on Facebook agreed – “NO” to the stripes. Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate your input!
I was wracking my brain trying to think of how to give this piece some unique character.
Then it came to me.
A few months back, I was driving my Dad to one of his appointments. On route we spotted and old dresser with a shapely backboard hanging off it. The dresser was in horrible shape. But we stopped to grab the backboard. We were excited that it could be used one day.
This curb-shop excursion made my Dad super happy. Hey – no more hiding in the backseat… and his daughter has figured out how to do some MacGyver’ing of her own! 😉
I love the finished look of this dresser and I’m truly grateful for my small find.
Not only because it finishes off this dresser perfectly, but also because it makes me realize how important it is to appreciate all things big and small. I’m super grateful for my Dad and all the thrifty-creative lessons he’s taught me. It’s who I am, who I’ve become, and I have so much fun with it. Sure, I could go buy new, but just like Dad, it gives me a true sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to create something new out of something old.
Even though my Dad is not able to fix and MacGyver as many things these days, in my eyes, he’s still the ultimate handyman that can FIX ANYTHING!
What are you grateful for? Are you appreciating your blessings- big and small? I’d love to hear what you think of this dresser and any other questions or comments you have… so feel free to chime in below.
Sharing With~
~ The Painted Drawer ~ Remodelaholic ~ Elizabeth & Co. ~ Thirty Eight Street – Patina Paradise
Have an amazing day!
Denise x
_____________________________
Like what you see? Subscribe to Salvaged Inspirations so you’ll never miss a post!
Follow along on Pinterest, Google+, and Facebook for more inspiration!
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Just wanted to let you know that I am featuring your dresser makeover tonight on Friday’s Furniture Fix… http://www.patinaparadise.com/2015/10/fridays-furniture-fix-11.html
Thanks for including me Lucy! 🙂
Fantastic post and fantastic piece! Featuring this evening on The Painted Drawer Link Party! Thanks for linking up, Denise!
Thanks so much Suzanne… and I hope you enjoy your long weekend. 🙂
Nice job giving this plain jane dresser some pizazz, Denise! The back board is a beautiful addition – amazing what the details add. I am really loving the combo of black paint and refinished wood together. I loved hearing about your excursion with your dad and the detour you two took together to to rescue the back board. I’m sure that was a special afternoon – full of love and gratitude – for your dad as well.
We did have fun Jen! And I’m really liking the looks of a black with refinished wood too! Elegant and stylish!
OMG! I can hardly believe that that is the same dresser! It looks UH-MAZING!
Thank you Audra! It’s already found its new home which makes me so happy. 🙂
Absolutely Stunning Denise!!!!! What a true piece of art you have created. We are all lucky to learn such valuable lessons from our parents. At times it takes years to see the true value of a lesson. Only now I realize I’ve gotten the “painting” bug from my dad who was a professional painter and wallpaper hanger in Toronto (back in the late 60’s and early 70’s when wallpaper was all the rage). The addition of the gorgeous clock above worked out perfectly. Excellent job Denise!!!!
How exciting that you’ve gotten the painting bug from your Dad! 🙂 And just as a side note – M-M-M works with professional painters who paint custom homes in Markham, Unionville and the Toronto area.. and believe me, wallpaper is making it’s comeback! Have a great day and thanks for the kind words Josie. x
What a sweet story!!! it’s a beautiful transformation, love your pieces!!!
Thanks Julie! x
Denise,
I’d say the “Apple didn’t fall far from the tree”. As your dad, you see beyond what’s staring you in the face.
Beautiful job!
Aww thanks Phoebe! And once again, thanks for your email. x
Beautiful work, even more beautiful words!
It feels like mine.
My Dad was a great handyman, he could do almost anything, from fixing the car to build a pair of amazing angel wings for my costume.
And I think I inherited some of his abilities.
Thank you!
It’s so nice you took after your Dads talents and abilities Josefina. And our fathers do sound alike! Don’t even start on cars …lol. My Dad use to spend hours in the garage. Engine repairs, body work… he did it all!
Patience, the inspiration came, and it is beautiful!
Thank you Kim! x
That dresser is gorgeous! I’m glad you were able to share that backboard “find” with your Dad. I’m sure it meant something special to him. I know I’m grateful to realize just how wise, thrifty and clever my parents we’re while they were still alive and was able to tell them. They were part of America’s Greatest Generation!
Thanks Sally.. and phrased beautifully. Sometimes it does take time to ‘realize’ how wise and talented our parents really are/were. I wish my Mum were still around so I could express how grateful I am for everything she did too. <3
It’s gorgeous ! and you know the clock will have to go with it… it couldn’t be any more perfect.
Great job, not just on the dresser, but on the gratitude thing. My story with my Dad is similar and it’s funny how life turns back on you eventually, but knowing that’s a gift, is the best part 🙂
So true Chez, it is funny how that works isn’t it! And as for the clock… I’m keeping it…lol! 😉
Wow Denise! Super makeover. That backsplash! Those knobs! The wood top & drawer faces. You couldn’t have chosen better. What a difference it has made. You get an “Atta Girl” for this one!
Aw thanks Tracy! And I did get your stunning table re-do…gorgeous! I just haven’t got around to answering my emails yet. x
I love the finished product! I also find your appreciation of how the little things contribute to the larger things quite refreshing-a true salvager! Great post.
Thank you Hannah!
Wow Denise. What a great transformation. Adding the back plate and the new hardware took it to a whole new level. Looks like you are enjoying STYLING your pieces! Love how you put it all together.
Yaaaay…I did have some fun styling this piece! And I take this as a HUGE compliment coming from you Mary! I’m always in “awe” of how you stage/style your pieces.