Cheap chic
5 Oct
This chic was cheap. She was free. My neighbor and I traded…a bag of mulch for a dresser…a no brainer, right?!
She was a honey wood color and I quickly painted her black. No primer. One coat, nothing fancy.
And she looked rough, really rough. I didn’t like the way she turned out but it was better than the original 1970′s wood.
So she sat in our playroom, collecting junk on top and in the drawers. I stored crayons and markers, coloring books and play-doh inside and my dysfunctional brain was completely overwhelmed every time I tried to organize the drawers.
Look how pitiful:
And then I snapped. Could not take it any longer. I emptied all the drawers and started throwing stuff away. I removed the knobs and handles.
I pulled her away from the wall, covered the floors with a drop clothe, and grabbed an old can of Valspar White paint and a paint brush:
I loved her immediately.
A few hours and 3 coat later, she was painted and scratched up with a knife:
I love how the black shows through the white. So simple and clean.
And now she stands, nicely organized and I love her.
And that little round table you see with the pink chairs? The table top had been colored and painted on for many years.
So Sweet P and I got our favorite Valspar chalkboard paint and a sponge brush and fixed her up…and it has been the biggest hit!
Get a paint brush, paint something, and share your makeover with us in the comments below!
I love how the white looks with the distressing!
I love the way the dresser turned out! I’m in the process of collecting things to redo my daughter’s room in a shabby chic theme. I got a honey colored dresser with tacky brass drawer pulls for cheap and have been contemplating exactly how I wanted to make it over. I may go for something similar to yours, it’s great!
Thanks Stephanie! You can even spray paint the brass drawer pulls a fun color to bounce off the white dresser. How cute would that be for your daughter’s room!
So much better, that black was pretty awful. Great job!
Second time’s the charm, eh? Looks fabulous!
yes! much better this time- i love the creamy white against the dark pulls. it looks awesome!
Thanks Cassie! The black was just a fast paint over the strange color wood…the white is definitely much better! We love your blog!
I’m a fan of black in the right setting and when it matches the style of the furniture. For something with such pretty hardware in a more classic design, I think the white is a much better choice. It seems more classic and less modern, which I think when I see black. I love distressed furniture too. Very nice!
Hey Shannon! The white is a much better fit for the dresser…I love black too…but white works perfectly on this piece!! Thanks for your sweet comment! xoxo, Carrie & Angie
What a great job you did on this dresser! I’d love if you’d link this up at Sew Woodsy!
Looks great!! I am refinishing a dresser tonight!! I am so excited, I can’t wait!!
The dresser is gorgeous. I love it white. Thanks for linking to the party. I hope to see you again at the next one too.
Thanks I am glad you like the white! I like it much better too!
Thanks again for the party – we will definitely link again 
Really great trade! I love it in white and so pretty and your chalkboard table sounds like so much fun! Thanks for sharing this at FNF
Thank for the party! We’ll link again this week
nice transformation!
Thank you!!
I love how the black peeks through! I think it gives it charm. I’m in the process of converting an old desk into a vanity and was aiming for something like your dresser, but went with a different idea. Definitely keeping this in mind though!