Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Sleek Retro Dresser

Ok, this is one really cool retro dresser! But believe me, it took some serious time and effort to look like this.



I picked this one up at a yard sale. Well, I couldn't really pick it up, as this is probably the heaviest dresser I've ever worked on. Whew, good thing I go to the gym!



It was a really weird dirty looking cream color and had a very rough finish. My husband said it looked like it had been painted with a whisk broom. And surprisingly, the gentleman who helped me get it in my car said he had just painted it. Really?





Well, I sanded till my shoulders hurt. I went through so much sand paper. It kept getting all gunky. I wasn't totally happy, but finally decided to move on. After two coats of primer and three coats of paint, I ended up right back here. Yup, I broke out the sander and started all over! I knew I just wasn't satisfied. My husband heard the sander and stopped what he was doing to come and investigate. He took one look at me and asked if I wanted some help. Yes please! Thank goodness for a husband who enjoys sanding!



And here is the final result. I'm thrilled! Thrilled to be finished and thrilled with the result!





Just look at those cool curvy drawers.





I kept the finish clean and modern, no glazing and no distressing. Nope, not even a little bit.



And the hardware reminds me of an adornment from a vintage car.







Yup, I really love the hardware and the sleek retro vibe. The color is one of my favorites, Sherwin Williams Network Gray. And lesson learned, do not move on to the next step until you are totally satisfied!





And check out this great sign! It arrived just in time to join the photo shoot.



It was custom made for me by Andrea of Signs by Andrea. Feel free to pay her a visit and say hello.







Andrea specializes in one-of-a-kind personalized signs on gorgeous weathered wood with a great vintage feel.





Andrea has generously offered to do a giveaway of one one of her signs right here at Elizabeth & Co. Watch for all the details coming up in June.





In the meantime, you have until May 28th to enter our Burlap and Ruffles table runner giveaway. And did you know our first blog birthday is coming up on May 30th? We should have a party!




As always, thanks so much for being here!


I'm linking to...



Designer Garden Funky Junk Interiors
Photobucket Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

The Shabby Nest 504 Main




vif187

It's a Keeper Photobucket
Catch a Glimpse Button

Beyond The Picket Fence

Very Merry Vintage Style Blog Button

Domestically Speaking Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden



The Pink Postcard


42 comments:

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

oh my sharon! that's a lot of work! :)
I'd like to say I've never been there, but yep, I have!
The chest of drawers (that's what WE call them in these parts) looks great!
bravo! for sticking with it till you loved it!
gail

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Huge amount of work - but the finished result is absolutely beautiful, so sophisticated. Love your new sign.
- Joy

the cape on the corner said...

love that color and the sleek look. you are totally right about the retro handles. and happy early blog birthday!

the cape on the corner said...

ok, officially your newest follower!

Stephanie said...

I'm not very patient--I hate when sanding takes forever :) Looks great though!

The Painted Parlor said...

Looks great! I HATE sanding, wish I had a husband who loved it...I just have small kids who love it, let's just say you don't get much off with a four year old!

julie :)

Emily said...

LOVE.THIS.DRESSER!

Cassie Bustamante said...

i love it! the color is perfect for that style. lately i am so loving modern style furniture... vintage of course!

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

LOVE the dresser and your labor of love you put into it! I especially also like that you chose to paint it a soft grey, vs. the HW that seems to be all the rage! The hardware is awesome! EXCELLENT job! Can't wait to see it in its new home (especially with that great sign!!) or will you be selling it? xo

:D Lynda

Christa @ Stories of a House said...

That is one VERY cool dresser, and you chose the best color for it! Your hubby's definitely a keeper if he'll help you sand :)

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

You poor thing! It looks marvelous, though! I love the hardware and the color! What an awesome husband, too!

American in Bath said...

I had an image of you using a sheet of sandpaper rather than a mechanized sander. What a relief!

Rachel said...

That's quite a transformation! Makes me want to go get one from a thrift store or something and fix it up myself!

kathie said...

My arms are sore just thinking about all that sanding!! Great work ~ it looks brand new!!

Amy Chalmers said...

the dresser came out great, I love the color!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Sharon, The dresser looks fabulous now and I love the paint color. Your new sign is great. Do you live near the Chesapeake? I am in the Richmond area. Thanks for joining my party.
xo,
Sherry

Unknown said...

Just gorgeous. The finish is so crisp and the hardware is divine.

very merry vintage style said...

It's beautiful! That hardware is very glamorous and the curves.... love it! Thanks so much for linking to my Share the Love Link Party!
Mary

LV said...

A great find and makeover. It is solid wood is why it was so heavy. You do not find many like that anymore.

NanaDiana said...

Sharon- sometime syou just have to start all over! I like this clean lined look and I don't think every piece has to be distressed. As a matter of fact, I have been seeing more and more pieces that aren't so heavily distressed. It's funny how things/fads/fashions come and go, isn't it? I think your dresser has a kind of late 30's or 40's look, don't you? It looks like a well made, heavy old piece. Maybe the guy DID paint it with a whisk broom!;>) Hugs- Diana

Chrissie said...

Your dresser looks great.You are smart to keep the look fresh! Worth the work!

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

That came out just great! Thanks so much for linking this up to our Wicked Awesome Wednesday link party!

Deb said...

Looks great Sharon...love the color! Love your sign too and will definitely be checking out the shop! ~Deb~

Decor & Harmony said...

Wow! Nice transformation I love the grey :) Until the next time keep on painting!

Carri K said...

Oh Sharon! I love that you left it sleek. And the hardware definitely makes a statement. A LOT of work but VERY nice. =)

Miss Charming said...

You did a beautiful job! I'm currently working on refinishing a painted piece myself and it's a pain trying to remove all the old layers of paint. I like that you used the original hardware. Lovely.

Miss Gracie's House said...

One of *those* kind of projects...the ones that are supposed to be easy and then take forever...making the profit to be, oh about $2/hour...but then there is the satisfaction when it is done...and done right! It is a great piece and love the hardware, too.
Rene

Unknown said...

that turned out beautiful, love the color .
my mom used to have that style dresser when i was growing up..love the redo

Ashley said...

WOW..looks awesome, big project and it turned out great

Debra@CommonGround said...

It turned out beautifully!!! great style, and thanks for linking up with VIF! xoxo Debra

Mimi said...

Love the color you used and the lines of this dresser. It's a real beauty - and good call on keeping it fresh and not distressed (I do love distressed furniture but it's not for everything)
I think I saw a dresser similar to this at Restore the other day and loved it - now i need to go back!

Love the Decor! said...

Oh I love it and the hardware is perfect!!

kluless said...

It turned out beautiful. I do love a good rescue!

Kate said...

Love it!

knack said...

looks great! love that color....and good for you for not taking the easy way out! :)

best,
barb

Steph @ Birdhouse said...

Great find, and great makeover!

Noble Vintage said...

wow, good for you on starting over! I'm not sure if I would have had the stick-to-it-iveness to do that!!! It looks fantastic, I love the hardware too. Thanks so much for joining in at Transformations and Treasures this week! :)

GardenOfDaisies said...

There is something so satisfying about taking an old beat up piece and breathing new life into it!! Good work! I like the curves in the handles, because they mimic that curve on the front of the dresser.

Ali said...

Wonderful job. We just did a similar project on a big dresser so I know how much work it is. Have a great weekend!

ritajoy said...

I applaud your perseverance...and your arm muscles!!! Good work...and I love your new sign, too. Beautiful! www.harbourbreeze.blogspot.com

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Wow- this turned out wonderful! Your hard work paid off !! Love the color and your new sign is darling. Thanks for sharing this at FNF this week~ have a great weekend! :)

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

Your persistence paid off, Sharon. The finish is gorgeous! And you're right, the hardware is fabulous. Your customers just don't know how lucky they are to have your perfectionist nature behind all those lovely projects. lol

Thanks for linking to the party.

Blessings,
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/