Refurbished Antique Dresser

 We've been trying to buy a house for almost a year now. That's another story.

While on a walk-thru of a potential home, we took a look in the garage, and it was full of all sorts of vintage goodness. It looked like the owners were continuing to have garage sales until the home sold. My eyes went straight to this dresser. I spotted it and told the listing agent I wanted it. It had a $30 price tag on it, but I didn't take it home with me. A few days later (which happened to be a few days before Christmas) my husband went to see the house, and somehow, someone convinced him to bring this home to me. I was so excited! We didn't end up putting an offer in on the house, but I'm stoked on this find in the process!!

Everyone kept asking me for a "before" photo. I had to do some sleuthing and finally zoomed in and found this in the background of another shot. It's just good old solid wood, and looks hand-made with its simple design. It came with glass knobs, and I just replaced the screws that went down the middle because they were rusty and disintegrating. 

I knew immediately that I wanted to paint it black, but not solid black. It needed character and depth. I thought Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in "typewriter" would be best. I dry brushed a little bit of "shiloh" (off-white) onto the entire thing first, then did the black over it. 

 I love the character of the markings on the raw wood. 

The wood was really rustic and rough, so the depth of the wood and paint colors came out really neat.

It's topped with Miss Mustard Seed Hemp Oil for furniture, and her Furniture Wax. It was my first time using the hemp oil, and at first I didn't like it when I used a cloth to apply it. I later used a brush to apply it on another piece and it looked a lot better. 

  I painted the sides of the drawers in shiloh, because I felt like it needed a slightly finished look on the sides. I left the insides bare wood.

Ivy & I ended up doing a mini photo shoot in front of the dresser with a bunch of stuff from my Etsy shop. Here she is modeling the Sea Shell Head Band, available in my Etsy shop. 

Here's the Arrow Bunting: 

Here's the Farmhouse Scallop Bunting:

After going back and forth for a few days, I finally convinced Kit to let me keep it in exchange for selling my Vintage Vanity. It's actually for his clothes... so I don't know what the fuss was all about. I take that back. I know what the fuss is all about. I have furniture everywhere. I need to sell it! If you're local, check out my furniture and buy it!

A good friend of mine is moving to San Francisco and I made this doily bunting as a going away present. I strung it out on the dresser, and the pics came out so neat. 

Here's some song lyrics from the Broadway Musical "Wicked" that I think are so fitting:

Aloha, Rebecca