Our friend Joanne Palmisano, author of Salvage Secrets, called me a few weeks ago to ask about our glass knobs and pulls for a DIY project she was planning. When she explained she was turning a dated dresser into a dazzling nightstand/make-up station, I asked her to share it with you all via guest blog post. Enjoy!
One of Joanne's favorite venues for antique and salvage hunting
Once again, I was roaming my local recycle center in search of material for a DIY Network project, when I spied this vintage dresser. It looked in rough shape. But as I circled in with eyes narrowed, like a hawk going in for the kill, I knew it had a lot of potential. Without leaving its side (things get snagged pretty quickly there), I hailed a friendly staff person and asked the price. Twenty-five dollars. Well, I could take a chance on this piece for 25 buckaroos. Sold!
Into my car it went. A dear friend of mine helped me carry the dresser down to the basement—where it sat. For months. I worked around it, building coffee tables, twig chandeliers, wedding frames, headboards… Finally one day, while perusing the Rejuvenation site, I spied some gorgeous pink glass drawer pulls and knobs. They would transform my dresser, as Prince Charming saves the forlorn princess! I promptly ordered the hardware and vowed to spend that weekend whipping the dresser into shape.
The dresser awaits its transformation
Fast-forward to Saturday morning. Coffee in hand, I headed down to the basement to say hello to my little dresser. First I took off the old mismatched knobs. Then I sanded the heck out of the piece, wiped it all down, and made sure it was ready for paint. Then I got another cup of coffee.
Next, I started painting. And painting. And painting. I ended up using three coats of white semi-gloss because I was too lazy to put down a primer first (live and learn!). I did, however, let each coat dry properly before I added another and sand in between coats. Then I let the paint really dry, giving it a few days to cure.
Making progress...
The following Friday, a brown paper package all tied up with string arrived in the mail. (OK, it was brown, but no string.) I couldn’t wait a single second before opening it. There, carefully placed on a bed of air pillows, were my Prince Charming(s): the knobs and pulls. So beautiful!
Rejuvenation knobs and pulls, waiting to be put to good use
The next day, with (you guessed it) a cup of coffee in one hand and the package in the other, I headed down to the basement to introduce the knobs and pulls to their new home. Installing them couldn’t have been easier—I didn’t need a single tool!
The dresser was now ready to become my new nightstand-cum-makeup-table. Never again would I have to store my makeup on the windowsill, or hunt for a spot to stow my nighttime reading.
Ta da! Isn't she lovely?
Set in the corner, bathed in southwest light, this old ugly duckling dresser looks like a swan. (I know, I’m mixing fairy tales, but the metaphors work!) I love it. I love the handles. And most of all, I love that I salvaged an old piece and made it new again.