Mid Century Dresser Makeover

Hey Everyone!

Regular posting should resume shortly! I'm all moved in, not settled but at least everything is in here. It may be weeks until all my clothes are off the floor but hey, slow and steady, right? Meanwhile, new apartment means a lot of new projects! So I should have some pretty cool stuff to share soon :)

First up- this mid century modern dresser. I picked the handsome man up from Craigslist months ago with my new apartment in mind. I normally don't go for this style, but lately I've been having an affair with mid century design. Did I mention it was only $35, in perfect condition? Yeah. Baller status.

I liked the original color but decided I wanted to go just a little darker. The top was laminate (sad face) but everything else was either solid wood or real wood veneer (read: stainable).

I tested one to see the difference. Then I finally was able to get outside and do the rest of the drawers.

Because the top was laminate, I decided to paint the outside. I was originally going to go with white...but for some reason I can't recall I decided to go with a medium gray.

Yes... I was watching cash cab. I need to go on that show! I was killin' it!

It just wouldn't be a complete post without an appearance by Liam.

This corner of the apartment is looking a little bare at the moment. But after I finish a couple projects I'm working on it should start to come together.

 

So how do you guys feel about mid century pieces? I'm usually more of a traditional girl but I'm beginning to stray ;)

Sincerely,

Ashleigh

PS:

A Craigslist Rocking Chair

Moving in t-minus 3 days. Ahhh crazyness. I have so much packing/cleaning to do. And there have been some complications with the couch situation. Frustration!

In the mean time...

I picked this number up off Craigslist for $12. I loved that it was mostly stripped. You could tell this poor girl had been quite a few different colors in her day. Yellow, blue, white, green.

I only had to do minimal sanding to get her ready to paint. I skipped the primer because I knew I'd be doing some heavy distressing. I used a Martha Stewart pre-mixed sample in Ballet Slipper. A few bucks and I had more than enough.

It had this weird little seat. It was too small and uncomfortable to sit on. My dad cut a piece of plywood for me to use as a new, more proportionate seat.

The color is a super soft pink. I'm going through my pink phase late in life and needed to paint something pink. Sometimes I wish I would have liked girlier things when I was little, instead of Power Rangers and four wheelers. But then I would have missed out on pretending to be Blue Ranger (he was the smartest) while riding my fourweeler... 

Anyway!

I used drop cloth to cover the  seat. I had picked out some other printed fabrics but kept going back to the plain drop cloth. I wanted the heavy distressing to take center stage.

I used a super fine sand paper to distress. I've found that doing it this way takes longer but gives a more natural worn look. 

TIP: Let your paint cure for a couple days. It will distress more naturally without peeling as much.

Another TIP: Distress an area, paint over it and distress it again. This makes it look legit haha.

Sorry for so many pictures! I just love all the detail of this piece. And all the pink-ness.

Anyone else having an affair with pink lately?

Sincerely,

Ashleigh

PS:

My $3 Vanity Mirror

Hello!

Let's skip the small talk and get right to it! I bought this little vanity mirror and a junk shop for 3 big ones. I know, I know. So expensive ; ) I forgot to take a picture before I got started, but I remembered soon enough to be able to show you what the original finish looked like!

It was black with hints of gold and I really wasn't feeling it. It stayed that way for a little bit while I decided what to do with it. I contemplated a bright glossy color, but decided I wanted to give gold a shot. I looked in to gold leafing but decided that was more money and time than I wanted to invest.

I picked up a tube of rub 'n buff for a few bucks and went to town.

In progress.

This ^^^ was the finish before. Too dark/gothic looking for me. Here it is after the rub 'n buff:

It stayed like this for a while too. I liked it, but I never really used it. I usually stand up at my vanity to do my hair and make up so I never even looked into this mirror.

I still liked the way it looked so I decided, while doing this project, to give it a little chalkboard love.

I considered writing some confidence-boosting-esteem-building-tyra-banks-ish quote on it. 

Like so:

But then I decided to keep it real and write something a little more useful: 

Am I the only one who doesn't notice an annoying stray eyebrow hair until I get into the driver's seat and look in the rear view mirror? No?

 

 

This is crazy! I saw my mirror in a boutique in the Short North this past weekend. Theirs was painted a creamy white... and I kind of like it!

I think, for now, mine will stay the same.

Sincerely,

Ashleigh

PS: