Earlier this summer, my youngest and I were on the way home from a trip to actually drop off a couple of boxes at Goodwill (I know...strange, isn't it?! The thought of actually donating instead of purchasing?!) I had just been lamenting the fact that I really needed more storage space in my studio when, on the way home, we passed a dresser. A long, low dresser, under a tree, near the street, leaning half way into the ditch beside the road. SCORE! Much to the chagrin of my 17 year old, we turned around and hoisted this beauty (yes, I realize that "beauty" is probably a stretch) into the back of the truck.
It got unloaded and shoved to the back wall of the garage. It was then piled high with bins of stuff that I needed to sort and integrate into the studio where it was promptly forgotten. Well, not exactly forgotten. More like ignored because I didn't want to have to deal with it. Until last week when I started the studio remodel. This is how he looked when I started. Darkly stained, having suffered the humiliation sitting at the road for what was probably at least a week (thank heavens we're having a drought so he didn't get rained on) and of having the birds in the tree use him for a bathroom. Yeah, I know, ICK!
The first thing that I did (after removing what were literally over a dozen bars of soap from the drawers) was to remove the hardware and sand the top and the drawer fronts down to the bare pine.
I repaired the drawers. REALLY, People?! Household staples holding on a drawer front!?!?
I painted the rest of the frame with Benjamin Moore Aura in HC-166 Kendall Charcoal so that they would match the other two cabinets that I "de-finished" last week. Finished the pine in the same manner as the other cabinets and installed Restoration Hardware Dakota knobs and pulls in the same finish after filling the holes with dowel rods.
Then, just a little distressing and a coat of clear wax to finish the look.
As you can tell from these few photos, my studio has a cathedral ceiling and I was able to put one of the 7 foot tall shelves on top of the dresser! I put things that I don't need all the time on the upper shelves but don't worry, I also have a ladder behind the studio door!
I'm sure that by now, you're getting a sense of what the studio is going to look like when it's fully assembled. I have a few more projects to finish which you know that I'll share with you as I complete them but, I'm pleased with the results so far. What do you think?
xo,
This post was featured at:
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| Brambleberry Cottage |
Linking to:
52 Mantels
At The Picket Fence
Beneath My Heart
Between Naps On The Porch
The Brambleberry Cottage
The Creative Paige
Coastal Charm
Common Ground
Craft-O-Maniac
DIY by Design
DIY Showoff
Embracing Change
French Country Cottage
Funky Junk
I Gotta Try That
I Should Be Mopping the Floor
Knick of Time
Krafty Kat
Liz Marie Blog
Miss Mustard Seed
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Not Just a Housewife
Nutmeg Place
Primitive and Proper
{primp}
Restore Interiors
Savvy Southern Style
Tater Tots and Jello
The Dedicated House
Thrifty Decor Chick
Under The Table and Dreaming
You are Talking Too Much
Hi! You lucky dog you...getting that for free. You turned it into a million dollar look. I love how you put one piece on top of the other. Even though I have a lower ceiling in my studio...I could do that. That would conserve space. I love how you incorpoate the suitcases for storage as well. Another idea I will borrow from you.
ReplyDeleteHope you will visit my blog and my post that I put on a few blogs (notably Between Naps on the Porch). Mine is the Powder Room Re-Do - which is not far from your project link.
Great job!
Linda
Hi Linda! Oh My Gosh!!! I LOVE what you did. I need to go back and take a closer look but WOW, it's amazing!
DeleteThanks so much! I love what you do as well. Have to explore your blog further!
DeleteI think it looks great! Talk about turning trash to treasure!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brandi!
DeleteWow I love it! I must admit when I realized you were leaving the drawers natural I asked my self what you must be thinking lol but I really love it! lucky you:) congrats on such a great find.
ReplyDeleteRegina
Hi Regina! I know...it's hard to envision but the pine (which I wiped with both a little white and a little ebony stain) is really good with the gray...at least I think so! :)
DeleteI should've known you wouldn't drill pilot holes first! Tsk, tsk! However, the end result is fab! And yes, I'm going to take full credit for the idea of using those suitcases for storing your nine thousand rolls of ribbon! I do love the vintage water color paints inside the lantern...rocks.
ReplyDeleteI'm still on the hunt for two more large cases and a railroad case...don't forget! And thanks AGAIN and AGAIN!!! xo
DeleteThis is crazy good!!!! Im loving the pine and the charcoal AND Im totally jazzed about the piece you put on top of the dresser!!! AWESOME!! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deidre! Pine and charcoal is a new favorite of mine!
DeleteWOW! That is amazing!!! Megan
ReplyDeleteThanks Megan! It's much better than that nasty brown!
Deletewhat a gorgeous finish! it makes this piece look SO much better!
ReplyDeleteHi Cassie! Thanks. I'm happy with how the dissimilar pieces are starting to fit together. :)
DeleteLove the way the two tone turned out and the hardware pulls it all together! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe rescue is happy in it's new home.
ReplyDelete~Bliss~
Girlfriend, this is overthetop gorgeous! The peices look fantastic together! Love the whole vibe of the space, the curtains and the suitcases? Um, yes please. Love it all. xoT.
ReplyDeleteThanks Soul Sister! So far, so good! Today's project...a 12 FOOT LONG CHALKBOARD with a pine frame! As I always say, "go big or go home"...oh wait...I am home. xo, Kimberly
DeleteWhat a great freebie and what a wonderful job you did making it yours. As someone who creates, I know how precious storage space is.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you found it at the side of the road and were able to create more storage space. Love how it turned out.
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm so thankful for the space and I really couldn't justify spending the money on more storage for this room. Thanks for your kind comments!
DeleteUH MAY ZING!!
ReplyDeletereally - that is spectacular!! nice work!!
you do have that bookshelf attached to the wall, right??
breida
Girl...of COURSE NOT...it's sitting firmly on a dresser. Don't worry, no one is gonna touch it. Heck, no one goes out there except me (and sometimes the dog). I may put some 1x2 braces behind it and screw it to the dresser. Still deciding if I need to move it down the wall a bit first.
DeleteLove it! Good job sweet pea! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jill! Thanks!
DeleteI love this idea! I have to remember this! What a great find and it looks fabulous now! ~ Judy
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy!
DeleteHmmm - it's a new thought for me leaving the wood fronts bare. Love the look of the the pieces stacked! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Love the bare wood fronts. I'm currently creating a studio space in what used to be my living room. I'm rounding the bend to the finish line! Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party!
ReplyDeleteHolly
I can't wait to see it! I just hopped over and followed you! The signs that you create are GORGEOUS! xo
DeleteWow - this turned out absolutely awesome - love the dresser and love love love the shelving unit you had to place on top of it -
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job
Suzan :)
Thanks, Susan! I've been slowly finishing/refinishing several pieces of roadside rescue furniture for my studio. The entire room is being furnished with either free or Goodwill finds!
DeleteThe piece alone is obviously very pretty, but what really makes it amazing is the stacked shelf on top. They just look like they were made to go together! Absolutely beautiful work. Ummmm ya, the stacked suitcases...the lantern....the glass jars....those lamps....oh my gosh, I can't wait to see the entire room! Great job on the dresser, beautiful work on putting your items together, & a lovely eye for detail in your staging/decorating.
ReplyDeleteThanks StaceyAnne! It's going more slowly than I would like but I'm making steady progress! I still need a couple of more suitcases (they are holding my ribbon stash) but I hope to find some this weekend. I had two that I thought were on hold but there was a misunderstanding and they sold them :( Ah well...the thrill of the hunt is back ON! xo
Deleteholy moly! love this dresser! just another confirmation- always look beyond what you see! (can you tell I just watched Lion King 1 1/2?) I'm your newest follower and would love for you to come check out my new little baby blog1 feathersandsunshine.blogspot.com. Cant wait to see the finished studio!
ReplyDeleteHi Stacia! I'll do that! I've only been at this for 10 months myself! xo, Kimberly
DeleteOh my goodness, I'm loving this makeover so much! Thanks for sharing it with us at 52Mantels party. Helen
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen! I love 52 Mantels! :)
DeleteWow! I am always looking for furniture that's been "dumped" but somebody is always one step ahead of me :) this looks so pretty. I like the two-tone.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn
Hi Joann, I feel the same way. I work during the day and it seems that by evening most of the "good stuff" is gone. I had a very short run of success but now, it's back to finding nothing again. It's okay for now though, I'm out of space in the garage! ;)
DeleteAmazing, love the finish! What an awesome job. I am very jealous that you have a "space" to work on. My corner of the dining room just isn't enough! For now I just gather ideas for...someday...
ReplyDelete~Gay~
Thanks Gay! I'm trying to learn to confine my "projects" to the space that was built for them...I find that the dining room and kitchen tables are my favorite places to work! I continue to collect ideas for this space, it's always changing! :)
DeleteLove your blog! I became your newest follower! :) Erin
ReplyDeleteWow I love this! Awesome job. Thanks for sharing on "I Gotta Try That" Have a great day Kimberly.
ReplyDeleteMarcie
Hi Marcie! Thanks! :)
DeleteOMGosh! How fantastic! Beautiful job!! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Krafty Kat. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-9.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteHi Kathryn! Thank YOU and consider it done! xo
DeleteThat looks amazing! I'd turn around and pick up something like that too - what a find! Can't wait to see your whole studio. New follower!
ReplyDeleteOh, my! I know you're glad you rescued that beauty now! I love how you put the shelves on top to create a "custom cabinet". It looks gorgeous with the "unfinished" pine drawers and love the hardware you chose. Great job! Can't wait to see the whole studio! Thanks for linking up to Gettin' Krafty With It!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathie! Thanks!
DeleteWhat an incredible find. I will be featuring this tonight at my Sizzle into Summer party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOHMYGOSH! Thank you so much Judy! I'm thrilled and honored to be featured on one of my favorite sites!
DeleteGreat job, Kimberly! I love roadside rescues! Some of my best finds have been others' castoffs. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Hope to see you each week. Be sure to stop in tonight to see yourself featured.
Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Hi Liz! Thank YOU for the feature! I appreciate it a bunch!
DeleteI love it! Your studio looks awesome :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's coming along...more slowly than I'd like but progress is progress!
DeleteI featured your amazing dresser makeover at Gettin' Krafty With It! Thank you so much for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteOh My Gosh! THANK YOU! I'm headed over there now!
DeleteJust wanted you to know I featured your amazing roadside transformation on my blog today-Have a lovely weekend-Claire
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful surprise! Thank you SO much! Have a wonderful Sunday!
DeleteI love how you recreated this dresser and added extra storage cabinet on top. I recently purchased a dresser very similar to yours at a thrift store. It was half-off day, so I only spent $37 including tax. You truly found a winning piece of furniture for free. Thanks for sharing your idea. You did a great job.
ReplyDelete