Most of the Craigslist ads I see are pretty much the same. The seller posts a photo or two of their furniture piece, a brief description, maybe the dimensions and that’s about it. There doesn’t seem to be much emotional attachment to the piece. The seller just wants it out of their house (or garage) and life.
The ad for this waterfall dresser was different. The young man had posted it for free, but rather than just saying “free dresser – come and get it,” his ad was detailed and compelling. He described at length how the dresser had been loved by his mom, how his cat had caused the scratches on the top, and how he had to get rid of it because a change in life circumstances was forcing him to move. I sensed that this was not just an object he wanted out of his life, but rather, he had a real emotional attachment to the dresser. I love vintage furniture and I can totally relate to that.
I emailed him right away and explained that I lived nearby and that I would love to restore the dresser. The next morning, he responded and let me know that numerous people were interested in the dresser, but that he was letting me have it because he felt I would take care of it. I made arrangements and picked it up later that day.
Here’s how it looked.
And the top. Check out those scratches.
Structurally this dresser was in good shape, but the finish was very worn. True to the CL ad, this dresser looked like it had been well loved by a cat! I’m a cat person, so I completely understand. The scratches on the top and front were pretty bad, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get them out. I love the veneer on the top and drawers and I was really hoping to be able to save it.
Spoiler alert – the scratches came out. Here it is all done.
Art Deco style waterfall dressers have a very masculine feel to me and I wanted to create a very handsome look. The veneer on the top drawer had a lot of black tones, so I decided to highlight that with General Finishes milk paint in lamp black on the sides.
I started by stripping the top and drawers with Citristrip. I let it dry overnight and then carefully sanded with 220 grit sandpaper. I did not want to sand through the veneer. Luckily, I was able to sand out all of the scratches and save the veneer. I stained the top and drawers with General Finishes gel stain in candlelite. I love how this color looks with the black paint. I sanded the sides smooth and then painted it with 3 coats of GF lamp black milk paint. I sealed the entire piece with 3 coats of General Finishes High Performance topcoat in satin, sanding lightly between coats.
I shined up the original hardware with Brasso. Only a few of the original half circle pieces were still intact, so I decided to use them on the top drawers.
The finish on this piece is so smooth, and the wood grain is just amazing. After I brought the dresser into my home, I literally sat on my couch and stared at the wood. It’s that pretty.
Even though the man who gave me this dresser was a complete stranger, I felt a responsibility to take care of his dresser. I really hope I have done it justice.
Thank you so much for reading my blog.
Susan
Linking with Miss Mustard Seed and The Painted Drawer
Hi Susan, I’m usually just a sticky nose and don’t comment on blogs very often. But I just have to say that this is such a beautiful dresser and you have done a gorgeous job. I hope that you have sent photos to the previous owner, although he might just want it back in his life. Thanks for Sharing.
Wow! What a transformation! It is so rich looking! I agree with the above comment, you should send him a picture, because one wouldn’t believe it’s the same piece. You really nailed it!!!
I did email a photo of the finished dresser, but haven’t heard back. I really hope he likes it!
That is gorgeous!! I love the color of the stain!
Thank you Kelly! The stain really made the wood look lovely.
This is beautiful! I have a waterfall desk in my garage, waiting to be refinished, but I can’t get up the nerve to start. You just gave me some serious inspiration!
Thanks Colleen! This was my first makeover of a waterfall piece. You should definitely go for it!
This turned out stunning! What a transformation. Great work!
One of your best transformations yet! Love it and how you styled the piece as well w/ that hat and photo – very classy. 🙂
Thank you so much! I saw that hat at the Goodwill and thought it would be fun to use for staging that dresser.
Yes, I had to chip in too, one of my favourite pieces you’ve done. Though to be fair, I love everything you do!
oh thank you for redoing that great wood in front! The black on the sides looks amazing. what a score for free!
Wow! This is a gorgeous transformation! I’ve never done an art deco piece before….but I have a feeling there just might be one in my future! Thanks for sharing and inspiring me!
you did a great job.
I actually have never liked the waterfall pieces but you have totally changed my mind! Gorgeous! Sharing tonight!
Thank you Suzanne! Waterfalls have never been on the top of my list either. I decided to give one a try and I fell in love. The wood can be really pretty on these handsome guys.
I have never seen a revamp of a piece of furniture turn out so well. I’ve been rehabing furniture for fifty years and you are certainly the best I’ve seen so far. This is a pat on the back \\.
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for the kind words. Do you have a website? I would love to see your work.
Very good job. Congratulations from Brazil. This is my favorite one, because I do like to see the wood.
Thank you so much Priscilla! I love to see wood, too, especially when it is as pretty as the wood I found on this dresser. Thanks for visiting my blog from Brazil!
Outstanding — jaw dropping — wow — I did one in yellow and pink and thought it was so cute but — Bah! Forget it! Yours is AMAZing!
LOVE it. I am wanting to copy your take on a piece that was my mother’s. I live in Montana where General Finishes products aren’t familiar to me. I can order online or sub something. What do you recommend? Is there a sub out there? Is a pint of the black enough? Thanks!!
Thank you Nancy! You can get GF products on line. I have ordered from Amazon and Rockler in the past. There are also other on line retailers, if you search. The lamp black milk paint I used has great coverage, so for one piece, a pint should be enough.
I’m in love with your site! I have a matching waterfall dresser & vanity and now have the inspiration and motivation to get cracking on these projects. Thanks!
This is simply stunning! I have a lovely Art Deco cupboard and some of the veneer is missing on the base at the back and right side, I have been looking at it trying to decide how to bring it back to life without painting it completely as its so lovely and looking at what you have done has given me some ideas. You’ve done a really fabulous job.
Thank you so very much. The veneer on these waterfall dressers can be so beautiful when refinished. It’s great to be able to save at least some of it. Good luck with your project!
This is so beautiful. I inherited 2 full bedroom sets of vintage waterfall bedroom furniture. This truly inspired me. I hope the sets come out as beautiful as this piece. Thank you for sharing.
I am planning to redo a waterfall this weekend. I can not find the brand, General Finishes milk paint in lamp black, in our area. Do you know of another similar brand or location that sells General Finishes? Is the milk pain more of a stain than paint?
Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi! Amazon sells General Finishes lamp black milk paint. General Finishes milk paint is really an acrylic paint and not a true milk paint that acts like a stain on raw wood (the type that comes in a powder and you mix with water).
Ah, thank you!! Since I just wanted to grab something local at the store, the description of what “milk paint” helps a lot. I looked everywhere for old fashioned milk paint and wondered how milk paint can be so shiny and black. Thinking is hard work sometimes.
Thanks again.
I loved what you did with it . I so want to do the same with the 5 piece set I have . My mom loved her set , up to now I’ve only care for but seeing yours I feel I can make it my own . Thanks for sharing
That is so great, Rubymarie! Fixing up a family piece so that you can treasure it in your own home is such a wonderful way to honor the past. Good luck with your project. Susan
Beautiful! I’m about to revamp a Waterfall dresser and vanity I just bought. Yours turned out perfect!
Thanks so much, Karla! Good luck with your project. Waterfall furniture is really fun to makeover. That wood veneer can be gorgeous! Susan
Okay. You sold me with this story, especially since you are a cat person.
What a beautiful piece of furniture you did a wonderful job to restore it!
Maria