I have a backlog of projects to show you, and I am starting right in the middle with this dresser, which was my husband's before we got married, and still is:
This is not our bedroom. |
It is unfinished pine, well-used, serviceable, but really Nothing Special. I have been trying to find him a dresser more befitting the Man of the House ever since we got married, but have not yet come upon that elusive Handsome Chest of Drawers in My Price Range.
It was rather beat up, as well-used unfinished furniture tends to be (especially after you move it around a few times), and I confess that when I last rearranged our bedroom, I had stuck it in the closet:
This, on the other hand, is our bedroom. I just looked too hard at the odd door/doorway situation and got very confused. The closet door is behind the other one. |
It's a big closet, and he didn't really mind, but still. I felt a little bad about that.
Someday, I told myself, I will find him a nicer dresser, and that can go out in the room. And then I'll paint this one and use it for Pippo.
But of course, that hasn't happened yet, and he's been making do with this dinky little dresser in the closet.
Lately, though, I've been trying to just get things done. (It's more like Get Things Done, actually. I'm trying that hard!)
I usually tend to sit on ideas and mull them over and plan them in theory and wait for just the right moment… it's DIY committment anxiety. I'm trying to get over it, since the perfect circumstances rarely come together (especially with an energetic toddler in tow) and a mostly-good project is better than no project at all! (On those occasions when that isn't true, the good news is that most projects can be undone, or at least redone.)
So as soon as I put Pippo down for his morning nap the day the Lt left for the field a few weeks ago, I marched into that closet, dumped out all the drawers into a laundry basket, and hauled the dresser downstairs and into the garage.
Apparently I didn't take pictures of the process, but believe me: it was nothing special. I sanded the whole thing down (it didn't require too much, since there was no finish on it to start with), slapped on a coat of pre-stain (since it was raw pine — it helps the stain absorb more evenly), another of stain, and then a few coats of polyurethane. I just got a little bit done every naptime, and it worked great.
I don't have “in progress” photos, but I do have a picture of my baby napping! |
(The most confusing part was figuring out how much of the drawers to stain, which required some googling, consulting of the insides of the drawers in our other furniture, and asking my sister-in-law. In the end, I stained the fronts, sides (which you see when you pull the drawer out) and top edges of the inside. But not the inside of the drawer where you put the clothes. I am happy with my decision.)
The most exciting part was that I did it all with supplies I already had in the garage! That's right, world: I have done enough projects that now I can refinish a dresser without buying anything new. I have arrived. (And I am a nerd.)
Actually, the most exciting part is the knobs. I am inordinately proud of these knobs.
A long time ago I came across this post, in which she described making homemade decorative knobs by painting a ceramic knob with acrylic paint, then finishing it with some glossy polyurethane. (You should click through the link and see the pretty blue and white knob she made — it looks like Delft pottery!) I've been wanting to try it ever since, but haven't had the opportunity. This was it.
Trouble was, I took inventory of our paint, and here's what we had: white spray primer (almost empty), bright green and bright red spray paint, and gold acrylic. And zero dainty little paintbrushes. I couldn't figure out how to make that work, and I was determined not to go to the store.
I did a quick phone consult with my mom, though, and she suggested decoupaging some paper on them — brilliant! I dug through my pretty papers, and found the perfect thing. It's wrapping paper left over from last Christmas (I got it at World Market), and it had these fancy ornaments as part of the design that were just the right size to cover the top of the knobs.
I whipped out that gold acrylic paint (perfect!) and used it on the entire knob. Then I carefully cut out the ornaments and Mod Podged them on. A few topcoats of Mod Podge, a few of polyurethane, and we were good to go.
Applying the polyurethane and letting them dry was a little tricky, but this worked well. |
They remind me of those beautiful knobs you find at Anthropologie, but they didn't cost $8+ each.
Ain't she a beauty? |
Banished to the closet no more; it's now the first thing you see when you come in the room!
This is not the view from the door, but it is the view that disguises the very bare wall behind the dresser. It's on my list. |
And of course, it's not perfect. I'm not entirely happy with how the stain turned out: it was gel stain, which I hadn't used before (it was from a project of the Lt's that is also on my list of things to show you), and I think I left it on too long. I put on a coat and wiped part of it off after a few minutes, but it wasn't as dark as I wanted it to be so I decided to leave it on a little longer. But then the baby woke up and it just never got wiped off. It could be more even (not that you can really tell in this picture).
And the dresser is still really not a Man of the House Dresser — for one thing, he needs more room for his socks! (Men who wear thick boot socks every day need lots of room in their sock drawer.)
But you know what? It's great! I Got It Done, it's so much better than before, and my husband loved it. I hadn't told him I was going to do it, so I got to surprise him when he got home. His reaction was most gratifying: he opened the drawers one by one, declared it “absolutely perfect” and asked where I had found it (he didn't recognize his old dresser). Then he asked where I had bought the knobs. And then he oohed and aahed in a very appreciative way. He's a good appreciator.
Someday, maybe I'll come upon that perfect Man of the House dresser. But for now we're making do with something a little more special, and I am continuing to chip away at my DIY commitment anxiety. Do you suffer from it, too?
Lorraine says
Anthropologie was just what I thought of! I love them!
Kerri says
What a satisfying project… fabulous knobs!
Emily says
I totally have DIY anxiety. The trouble is, every time I decide to Do Something, it ends up taking 10 times longer than it ought to and I am reminded once again that I'm not particularly good at this! (My last project, a 6ft book/toyshelf for the boys' room, was begun in January and completed in June after much frustration and ignoring of the 6ft elephant in the living room!) 🙂
Rachael says
I really enjoy these DIY posts. They inspire me. I'm also one to mull over the project for a long time, trying to think through it, for fear of forgetting something or getting into something too big, etc. I think I just need to get over it and get on with it!
Ashley says
Your family is SO inspiring! I've learned so much from you. As a fellow military wife, it's so neat to read your posts! Keep up the good work!
Lisa G. says
How unusual those knobs look – good for you!!!! Very pretty. Cute sleeping boy, too.
Hollace says
I love your phrase “DIY comittment anxiety”. I so identify! I especially appreciate your conviction to make do with supplies you already have on hand. Our kids have decreed this a “Handmade gifts only” Christmas, so I am procrastinating as we speak…
Betsy M says
Those knobs are just beautiful! The stained dresser as well – good for you! I hear you about debating over DIY projects. I come up with all these great ideas while nursing the baby (searching the internet) and then they never get done. Well, the our new parish priest is coming to dinner on Friday so all of these half finished projects are all of a sudden getting finished. Hopefully mine turn out half as nice as that dresser!
_Rosie says
Oh, I know that feeling well. There's nothing like guests (or, even better, houseguests!) to encourage us to finish up those projects!
maggie says
it is lovely rosie! bravo!
Lindsey in AL says
GORGEOUS KNOBS!! I was in awe of your mad painting skills (but not terribly surprised since one of you ladies makes those gorgeous Pah-whatsit eggs) so imagine my delight when I saw it was actually modpodge! I will be looking at clearance gift wrap with a new eye from now on.
And I totally suffer from your disorder, although I refer to it as “research-induced paralysis.” I read myself to death over something and have so much information that I can't possibly decide anything. And the condition of my house makes it very obvious that I seldom accomplish an entire project. If I actually do a project, I do it so spur-of-the-moment-ly that I drop everything else in my life (except nursing the baby, obviously) and everything goes to pieces while I am in a creating fury. It's fun while it lasts but the crash back into the earth is tough.
_Rosie says
Haha, Lindsey, what you describe is exactly how I do things these days. That's why I get so much done while my husband is in the field — I drop everything else and make lots of messes, and then clean it all up before he gets home!
Habou says
I so love the knobs. My kind of colors. Never would have thought to get a design off of a Christmas wrapping. The dresser looks fabulous.
_Leila says
Rosie, I think getting the design off the wrapping paper is EXACTLY what Habou would do, don't you??
_Rosie says
Yes, I do. Except Habou would probably have used the wrapping paper as inspiration and hers would have been hand-painted (since she obviously would have had the paint lying around).
CarlynB says
I just mentioned somewhere the other day about my “perfection paralysis” which I think is akin to “DIY commitment anxiety.”
Pippo looks so sweet while he's napping!
justamouse says
Gak, those knobs are perfect! the whole thing is gorgeous!
We moved into our big and old fixerupper last year and yes, with your mother's encouragement, I've been whacking tings off my To Do list. It's quite gratifying, and I *love* not having to go buy this and that to get the jobs done!
Ashley says
This dresser is beautiful, and makes me want to decoupage all the knobs in my house. (Don't worry — I think I can overcome the urge). Such a scathingly brilliant idea! Your knob-drying system is pretty ingenious, too.
I definitely have project paralysis. I ordered the supplies to make cold-process soap a couple months ago, and they've been sitting in the box ever since. It's supposed to be relatively easy to do, but sitting down with my knitting is oh-so-much easier and more familiar. I did take the plunge head-first into quilting recently though! (Inspired in no small part by all the quilting goodness I found here!)
Lori says
I am impressed with your creativity and determination to use what you had. Good girl!
Dawn says
I love it! Wonderful!! I bet it will have a happy place in your home for many years.
Blessings,
Dawn
LJ says
What a triumph! Those knobs are fabulous! And now you know more about staining for when you have an even more precious item.
MaryBeth says
Absolutely beautiful!!!! I LOVE the knobs =)
ayearinskirts says
Oh my goodness that is a decorating first for me for sure. Such a creative way to decorate the knobs!! Great job!
sarah says
Yes, argh, I do have DIY anxiety and now I have a whole house to DIY ~ the idea for your dresser drawers has helped with my bathroom sink cabinet redo, as it is simply hideous, but could be turned into something Interesting with the right paint and redoing the knobs! Ha! Inspiration!
Tee-hee says
I confess I read all the comments to see if anyone would warn you about stuffed animals in cribs. Then I remembered that most – if not all- the commenters here are sane and kind. love the dresser!!!
Margo says
you are brilliant! The get-it-done mentality, the decoupaged knobs. . . .it's just great.
Joy says
Fabulous! I love these DIY posts. I have no time right now but they inspire me for the future.
Carlie says
What a brilliant idea! Moms are invaluable, right?
I also really love your beautiful creche! It has great colors and detail.
Becca A. says
You did a great job on giving that dresser a face lift. Nothing we ever DIY will ever be perfect but I know the items always fit better into my home if they have a touch of me in them, even if it is my imperfections. Although, I think those knobs are the exact opposite of imperfect, they are lovely and gorgeous. I love the idea, especially because the painting could have gotten stressful, trying to keep them “identical” but instead you used what you had and they are wonderful! The Lt is one lucky man.
womanofthehouse says
You did a great job, Rosie! Your mom was so smart about the decoupage and you were so smart to pull it off! And I'm glad you inserted that picture of Pippo. I'm always happy to see baby pictures. 🙂
crafty p says
gorgeous job and wonderful at MAKING DO!!! the knobs are beautiful!
Maria says
Great dresser! The knobs really are fantastic…I am inspired (I have a little toddler dresser than needs attention). I am very much a fan of Getting Things Done, and your post is an excellent reminder to put it into practice.
Kathryn says
What a beautiful dresser! I have severe DIY anxiety coupled with a fear of finishing anything. I'm always afraid that once it's finished, I won't like a project nearly as much as I thought, so my house is full of half finished things and I keep searching around for new projects. Oh yeah, and I procrastinate like crazy – I have three pairs of pajamas and a Christmas dress to finish, so why am I on here:-)
Melanie B says
Those knobs are amazing!
Deirdre says
So cool!! When I first saw the knobs, I thought maybe you'd bought them at World Market – just the right look! Well done, Rosie!!
Jodi says
LIke your first commenter, I thought they were from Anthropologie. They're terrific. Great job, and very clever.
Brenda says
Actually, you can be very proud of your efforts. The look of this dresser is so much improved…and the fact that you stuck to your guns & didn't head to the store for anything new gains you extra points! Well done! :o)
Kristin says
The dresser is great, and the knobs are really beautiful.
I have to admit that when I first read this post, I assumed it was written by Leila, and when the post read that you had been searching for a proper dresser for the Man of the House since you were married, I did think 'gosh, haven't they been been married for like 30 years? That's one elusive dresser.' Haha, it was only when I got to the part about using it for Pippo that I scrolled back up and saw this post had been written by Rosie.
Anne Marie says
Very inspiring!
Oh, that DIY commitment anxiety! I have it too! But I have noticed that we creatures, as distinct from the Creator, manifest our creativity within parameters. Rather than flourishing within a wide-open field of possibilities, which can be daunting and paralyzing, we do our best work when we are limited by outside forces, eg. using only what we have or by a budget. It's really where we feel most comfortable, despite what we might think.
Amanda says
I think it looks lovely! It's got my mind considering possibilities around here too. We are sorely lacking drawer space but Ikea has this unfinished wood dresser that I could do something similar with. The pretty knobs really give it some pizzazz 🙂
Mrs. Pickles says
That dresser is a-MAZ-ing! Good job! You have inspired me. We have exactly the same situation here — my poor husband has to house his manly clothing in a cheap little dresser (which isn't nearly as nice as yours, even in the “before” pictures). We've been married for over 10 years — I'm thinking it's time we started looking for a real bedroom furniture set, don't you? 🙂
Sue says
Yes, starting any of my dozens of planned projects is just overwhelming- I keep telling myself, “When the kids (3, and 10 months) are a bit bigger,” or “When the new house is a bit better organised,” or some other nonsense. Really, I just expect, based on experience, that what is in my head will not work, and I'll end up cross and tired and needing my husband to help me get to a point where I can put things away!
I really want to paint and then decoupage a big ugly 70s Welsh dresser, which is wonderful storage, and was cheap from a charity shop. Scary. Maybe in the summer, when it'll be good outdoor weather. Love your posts, Rosie.
Lorie says
Hello! I realize I am a little late to this post and for that I apologize. I was wondering how these knobs stood the test of time? I am researching diy knobs for a dresser turned kitchen island which is painted white. I have a beautiful salvaged piece of soapstone for the top. Now… I need knobs…..and to be honest these are absolutely beautiful!!!
Rosie says
Hi Lorie – we always love comments, and especially compliments – thank you! 😉 The knobs have held up very well – they look as good as new, really. The dresser spent the last few years in the kids’ room – so not quite kitchen island-levels of wear and tear, but still, it’s been in use. And they look great!
Lorie Blasky says
Thank you for your quick reply. I am always refinishing or rethinking furniture and this helps a lot!! I didn’t use it on the kitchen island, but I am using it on a little 1930’s hutch that I am reworking and I think this is the pop that this cute hutch needs!! Thank you for the inspiration!!
edith says
These are gorgous! Do you think you could use fabric instead of paper?
Rosie says
I don’t see why not! As long as it’s not too thick and you seal it up well, I think it’s worth a try.