I picked this dresser up off of craigslist this week. The owner no longer needed it and wanted it out of his garage. It had been his grandmothers (who is now 102), but he had no attachment to it. I was happy to take it off his hands!
I knew when I first saw it that is was bird’s eye maple. I had hoped to just paint the frame of the dresser and leave the drawers and top wood alone. When my dad and I went to pick it up I found that it was not in the condition I had hoped. The finish on the top was ruined in spots (white marks). It was like something hot had been splattered on it.
The drawers also had some trouble spots in the finish. There was no way I wanted to paint over that wood, so I tried to revive it! Since it appeared to only be in the top coat, I used 150 grit sandpaper and sanded it out (not down to the finish on the wood) and gave it a coat of polyurethane. That worked and the wood was looking much better!
One of my favorite colors to paint with is navy blue, so it should be no surprise that I used it again on this dresser! I recently did a similar look on this mid century nightstand (paint a portion and leave some natural wood). Click the link to check it out.
Here is the dresser all finished. I can’t get over the claw feet. Love, love, love them!
Hi! Stopped by from DIY Showoff. I LOVE your dresser. Birdseye Maple is my favorite and I love the knobs that you used with that blue paint! Very nice!
The dresser looks great!!!
Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
http://www.usscrafty.blogspot.com/2013/02/submarine-sunday-17_2.html
Thanks so much! The knobs help pull it together with the blue they have in them.
This is sensitively done and a beautiful job you did. The bird's eye maple is a treasure. You did save the knobs, didn't you? Just in case someone in the next couple of generations wants to use the authentic knobs…….
This was one lucky find. I love the legs too…..
This is lovely! Good job and thanks for sharing. Found you via Project Inspire.
I'm so glad you could save the bird's eye maple! She looks lovely all spruced up.
Stopping by from Elizabeth & Co. I love how you did as much as you could to preserve the original wood. It's absolutely lovely!
~ Cassandra from Renaissance Women
I love the lines on this dresser, and those feet! I'm happy you were able to save the wood and highlighting it with the navy blue. It's gorgeous, enjoy it.
That is beautiful!
Love this combination!
Wow! you balanced the color so well, really beautiful job! and I can't believe sometimes how much one person's trash in another person's treasure. Little Bit from http://www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com
I know! I was surprise how unattached he was to it… especially considering it was his grandmothers! There are some great pieces on craigslist!
Thanks! I love navy and wood. It is a great combination!
Yes! The feet might be my favorite part. They are so so cool! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Ahhh! That just makes me happy! I love painted peices, but love when beautiful wood is brought to it's former glory, too! Way to go!
Yes, I am so glad I could save it! It has such a cool look.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thanks! It is a great mix and paint and wood 🙂
An interesting idea on what to do with an old dresser. I never would have thought to paint only part of the dresser. I will have to think on this for some of my own projects.
Reuzeit Emporium Blog
Reuzeit Emporium
Following from miss mustard seed!! You have wonderful stuff!!
I am so glad I found you! I have two antique bird's eye maple dressers that are in dire need of refinishing. I was too scared to attempt it but you have shown me how to do it with this post. Thank you!!
Loved this! I have my grandparents complete set of this Birdseye maple Bedroom set. The bed frame is a sleigh bed that is only a full size so I do not use it (stored in my folks attic) But I have the 2 dressers end table and 2 chairs. I am looking to refinish it as I want to buy a new bed frame, but not sure if I need to match the new bed frame or if I can have it different? I just don’t know where to start. wish I could attach a photo