Drab to Fab: A Dresser Transformation

So part of being a working parent is having to pay for child care. Lucky for us, my sister, Amanda, needed somewhere to live while she continues taking classes at DMACC. The deal is she watches Cailyn for us 2 days a week and she can stay here rent free. This seems to have everyone coming out on top because we only have to pay for part-time child care and my sister gets to spend time with her new niece (although I'm pretty sure with grocery and utility costs included, my sister is getting the better end of the stick). So her room in the basement is done being constructed, painted, and carpeted and we were looking for new furniture to put in there. My mom happened to have a small dresser they weren't using at their place anymore- as she put it, "It needs some work, but it's functional."

I love a challenge, and I especially love free stuff so I asked her to have my dad haul it out when he had a chance (which thanks to his wonderful self was the next day). And so begins the transformation of a beat up, markered-on bureau....

I wish I had a taken a picture of the ugly gold/white handles that were originally features on these drawers- but here is my canvas. Each drawer and the dresser itself were sanded lightly, primed, and repainted with white spray paint. Also painted were some 8 foot lengths of pre-finished molding, but they were sprayed a nice turquoise-y color.

Do not think for one second that I spent time stenciling anything on these drawers- this was accomplished with wallpaper, my friends. It was so easy because the adhesive is already on the back- it's water activated. So after cutting each piece to my liking (a job my sister got to help with since this whole thing is for HER room) it was as simple as rolling up each piece lightly, dipping them in water for 10 seconds and smoothing onto each drawer front. If you ever try this and notice that it still looks bumpy even after you've gotten all the air bubbles out, have no fear- is just the adhesive, and it smooths itself out as it dries.

With the help of a miter saw (thanks Dad), I was able to make perfect 45 degree cuts to build frames for each drawer out of the molding. The new handles were about 2 bucks each at Menards.

The beautiful final product- I usually don't like to toot my own horn, but in this case: "HONK, HONK!"