From Code Blue to Silver Fox

This antique 4 drawer dresser is finally done and I am so happy with the results.

To say this dresser needed a little TLC would be an understatement.  This fella was a total Code Blue.  Yep, this guy was going to need full on CPR to bring it back to life.  Here’s what I mean. I saw this dresser listed on Craigslist with the typical poor photos.  I emailed the seller expressing my interest and learned that there was already a buyer lined up.  The seller told me she would let me know if the deal fell through.  The next evening I received a call from her saying I could have it – but I needed to pick up right away.  I guess I got caught up in the excitement of the chase, because I headed right over to claim the dresser.  When I arrived, the dresser was on her porch, pretty much in complete darkness.  I inspected it as best I could, loaded it into my minivan, and was on my way.

The next morning, I finally got a good look at it when I moved it into my shop.  That “oh gosh what have I done?” feeling came over me.   I knew it was going to take a lot of work, but I was up for the challenge.  The dresser is solid wood but had a funky cherry? mahogany? veneer on just the front.  The wood on top was completely dull and dry and felt like an old wooden spoon.  It actually looked like it had a coat of flat brown paint on it (but it did not) because it was so dried out. I got to work on it right away with patching, sanding, and making repairs.  I sanded the top down and could finally see the wood grain.  I stained the top with Rustoleum dark walnut stain and then applied about 6 coats of Minwax wipe on poly in a satin finish.  The top now has a beautiful luster and depth to the wood.  It feels spectacular, too.

The panel on one side was a bit wonky.  I needed to stabilize it, so I used some furring strips (on both sides) to secure the panels and to create a paneled effect so common on antique dressers.  I also added a piece of molding under the ledge created by the top drawer to ease the transition and add a bit of detail to the piece.

I wanted to paint the body a light blue grey color.  I chose a Valspar color called Silver Fox. The color is very true to how it photographed.  (Valspar also makes a spray paint called Silver Fox, but it is a different color, I believe.)   I added knobs and pulls in a satin nickel finish and this guy was done!

So there you have it.  The story of how this Code Blue became a Silver Fox.

Linking up with:

Miss Mustard Seed

House of Hipsters