The Unfinished Chest
As you know, we sold the Cottage and moved. Did I mention that our buyer also bought most of our furniture? Yes, she did, and we were in dire need of someplace to put our clothes. After much discussion, the decision was made to buy an unfinished piece for me to finish. Since the new place is small, we started out with one unfinished chest of drawers.
This is how it was delivered:
Yes, I forgot to take that 'before' picture again, so I had to find an image online!
The top was stained with dark walnut stain, followed up with 3 coats of satin polycrylic.
I know you've heard me say I'm not a fan of polycrylic, but that's for tables that get heavy use. (If you want to read that sad story, click HERE). Since this is a dresser, polycrylic is a great choice.
Once the top was done, I primed and then painted the dresser in Silver Lining Chalk Paint. Before I started the drawers, I brushed some walnut stain on those edges so it would show through after distressing. You can see what I mean in the picture above. The drawers were painted with chalk paint as well, White and Silver Lining. At this point, it was looking pretty plain:
A stencil was needed, but there were 2 problems:
1 - I couldn't find one I liked.
2 - They were EXPENSIVE! Have you priced stencils lately??
Since I'm a problem-solver - HaHa!! I got out my Cricut and found a vine I liked. Hit 'cut to page' 2 times and this is what I got:
Starting with the bottom drawer, I did a lot of playing with the pieces before I got out the paint. Since the stencil was just cardstock, I used the stencil more as a guide and hand-painted the vine.
Here's a close-up of the stencil:
Once the stenciling was done, 3 coats of polycrylic were applied to each drawer. The knobs were spray-painted white and the dresser was reassembled!
Project complete! We can now get our clothes out of garbage bags!
I especially love that the stencil didn't cost me a dime. Have you ever cut your own stencil? I'd love to hear about your experiences
Don't forget to share, pin, and/or comment. I'd also love it if you 'liked' Apple Street Crafts on facebook!
Enjoy the long weekend and be sure to stop back again soon.
Featured at:
Linking to:
Do It Yourself Craft
Silver Pennies Sunday
Happiness is Homemade
Dishing It & Digging It
Over the Moon
Inspire Me Monday
Makers Link
Handmade Monday
Amaze Me Monday
Merry Monday
Motivational Monday
Make It Pretty Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow Me Wednesday
Dream, Create, Inspire
Party In Your PJs
To Grandma's House We Go
Homemade & Handcrafted
Share Your Style
Creatively Crafty
No Rules Weekend
Vintage Charm
Thursday Favorite Things
Feathered Nest Friday
Create, Bake, Grow & Gather
What To Do Weekends
Sweet Inspirations
Best of the Weekend
Make It Pretty Monday
Silver Pennies Sunday
Happiness is Homemade
Dishing It & Digging It
Over the Moon
Inspire Me Monday
Makers Link
Handmade Monday
Amaze Me Monday
Merry Monday
Motivational Monday
Make It Pretty Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow Me Wednesday
Dream, Create, Inspire
Party In Your PJs
To Grandma's House We Go
Homemade & Handcrafted
Share Your Style
Creatively Crafty
No Rules Weekend
Vintage Charm
Thursday Favorite Things
Feathered Nest Friday
Create, Bake, Grow & Gather
What To Do Weekends
Sweet Inspirations
Best of the Weekend
Make It Pretty Monday
Very smart way to save money.Yes stencils are rather expensive, especially good stencils. I have a Cricut but have yet to install it, am pretty digitally challenged. Got stuck at the install, didn't understand what instruction meant and gave up, shame on me.
ReplyDeleteLove that vine you used,so simple but very classic,dresser is gorgeous how you used stencil. I would love to use that, would be in style with pretty much anything for long while.
great job.
Enjoy your long weekend
Thank you so much! You should check YouTube for videos on setting up your Cricut. Sometimes it nice to have that 'visual'. I'm so glad you stopped by; come back again soon!
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful - it goes with the new duvet cover I bought!! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW's DIY party!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helen. If we lived closer to each other, I could stencil one for you!!
DeleteAlways a pleasure to have you stop by!
Amazing and beautiful! Love the stencil pattern. I pinned your work of art to my sprucing up living space board on Pinterest. Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Nancy A @
ReplyDeletehttp://obloggernewbie.blogspot.com/2017/05/tips-to-reduce-clutter-and-organize.html
Thank you so much for pinning it, Nancy. I hope you'll come back again soon!
DeleteThis is a beautiful furniture makeover. I love the colors and the stencil.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mimi. I just couldn't leave it plain!
DeleteI'm so glad you stopped by and hope you'll come back again soon.
Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteThank you. So glad you took the time to visit the Cottage!
DeleteLove that! Are you taking orders...I wish!
ReplyDeleteI would take orders, but I think the shipping would be cost-prohibitive! LOL
DeleteThanks for stopping by - come back again soon!
Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie - Glad you like it!
DeleteI love it, the stencil is pretty but not overly complicated. The whole piece has turned out beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. I spent a lot of time placing the vines, stepping back, and rearranging - all before painting!
DeleteStop by again soon, won't you?
Hi Ann, just to let you know that your beautiful chest of drawers is one of the features at this weeks #HandmadeMonday. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
DeleteThank you! It's always such an honor to be featured, Julie.
DeleteLooks great... I love the colors.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteOh Wow, what a great transformation........you were smart to do it yourself, as it is really lovely.......nice piece of furniture.
ReplyDeleteYou did a super job on this.......
Blessings, Nellie
Thank you, Nellie. So glad you like it!
DeleteThis is very well done Ann! Love it so much and your beautiful chest is one of my features tomorrow at Snickerdoodle Create-Bake-Make Link party! Hope you can join us Saturday!
ReplyDelete~Laurie
Thank you so much, Laurie. It's an honor to be featured!
DeleteThat turned out lovely Ann. The stencil adds just the right touch of class and interest. Wishing lots of love, happiness and thrifty makeovers in your new home
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. Stay tuned to see those wishes come true! ❤😊
DeleteVery pretty! I love the gray and the white :) Thanks for sharing the project with Creatively Crafty #ccbg :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lydia. Come back again soon for more projects!
DeleteWhat a beautiful job, Ann! Love it! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm--pinned!
ReplyDeleteThank you - always a pleasure to party at Vintage Charm!
DeleteThis piece turned out great. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vanessa - Always a fun time at Dishing It & Digging It!
DeleteThis dresser is beautiful. I usually am not a fan of painted furniture, you may have converted me. Thanks for sharing with us at #CCBG
ReplyDeleteThank you Janet. I go back and forth - stain/paint. You'll notice I did both on this one!
DeleteI hope you'll come back again soon to see more projects.
Love the dresser. I used to do these kinds of things. LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. Maybe you should start doing them again. 😉
DeleteGlad you stopped by, come back again soon!
This is exactly what I needed to read today, thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteVintage Coffee Table Sideboard Buffet
I love it when someone is inspired!
Delete