Today I’m sharing another Craigslist freebie I scored a couple of weeks ago. I saw the ad for this Art Deco style waterfall dresser and it was pretty close to my house, so I decided to check it out. When I went to pick it up, the owners were clearly pleased to see it go. It had been left behind by their home’s previous owner. Poor thing. It just looks so depressed here, doesn’t it?
My 10 year old daughter often assigns human characteristics to inanimate objects like her dolls or stuffies. I do the same thing with furniture. This forgotten old dresser looked so unhappy to me. But not any more. Here it is all finished up.
Am I right? Much better. Doesn’t it seem to be smiling now?
The veneer on the bottom three drawers was chipped and in rough shape so I removed it. It practically fell off. Luckily, I was able to save the veneer on the top drawer – check out that awesome chevron pattern. The veneer on top was in good shape, too.
I sanded the entire piece and painted it with a custom charcoal gray I mixed with (affiliate links) General Finishes Milk Paint in Lamp Black and Queenstown Gray
All of the original hardware was still on, which is fantastic. I cleaned it and shined it with Brasso. Some of the original brass finish was worn off, so I applied a coat of (affiliate link) Rub ‘n Buff Wax Metallic Finish in Antique Gold. It was a really close match to the original brass finish and evened out the worn areas.
All of the original red plastic inserts were still intact, which is also lucky.
Now this happy dresser is ready for a new home.
Thanks for stopping by!
Susan
Linking with Finding Silver Pennies, Refresh Living and Thirty Eighth Street
Stunning!
Gorgeous!
On my computer, it looks like the top is stained a lighter color than the top drawer and I really like that! Plus, I always like combining the original wood finish and your color choice was brilliant!
Please post this on your Pinterest page. I have a bedroom set with similar veneer work and might want to do it in a combination like this.
Thanks! I LOVE this piece!
Hi Becky! Thanks so much. The veneer on the top is different from the veneer on the drawer, which was pretty common on these pieces. I used the same color stain for both – antique walnut.
A CL freebie!! What a great find. You did a wonderful job with this. The 2 tones of wood and black paint really suit the Art Deco style of this waterfall piece.
Yes, FREE! This is the second waterfall dresser I have picked up for free from CL. These pieces have a more masculine feel to me, so I like to refinish them with colors and wood tones to compliment that vibe. Thanks for stopping by!
Lovely job. The combination of charcoal and wood is excellent. It’s got a very masculine vibe to it. The handles are probably Bakelite which was common on waterfalls. It’s actually very sought after by collectors. I think the handles on waterfalls are usually the best part.
Thank you Cathy. I was thinking the handle inserts could be Bakelite, which as I understand is a type of plastic. I’m really not too familiar with it, though, and don’t know how to identify it for certain. I think this particular style of furniture does have a masculine feel to it, and I like to refinish it with that in mind. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
I can’t believe you got this for free!! (Although it was in a sorry original state!) I love that you refinished the star drawer and the top highlighting that beautiful veneer. I have never been a huge fan of the waterfall design, but your interpretation and color choice has me rethinking that stance! Such a stately piece – nice work!
Thanks Jennifer! I never used to be a fan of the waterfall style either, but I’m developing something of a soft spot for them! The wood veneer is so beautiful refinished. Hey, and you can’t beat free 🙂
ALL your work is gorgeous Susan…I love this… and I’m not a huge waterfall dresser fan! x
Thank you so much! I was never a fan of them either, but after refinishing a couple, I’m starting to change my mind. The wood veneer is so pretty on these dressers.
Oh My! Beautiful! I love the way you styled it and carried the pattern on the drawers to the pattern on the throw rug! Brilliant! … and lovely pictures!
Smiles!
Terry
Thanks Terry! I began styling the dresser and realized the pattern on the rug matched the pattern on the drawer. I think it was subliminal!
This is so handsome! I love that you left one drawer in its natural state. The hardware looks amazing and your photography and staging are amazing! Thank you for linking up to Friday’s Furniture Fix! I hope you’ll do so again really soon!.. Carrie, Thirty Eighth Street
Absoultley stunning! You always have the best furniture makeovers! Thank you for continuing to share them with us at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link! I’ll be pinning and sharing!
Thanks so much Cat! I really appreciate it and of course I will continue to share at your link party!
love the film reel, so cool, thanks so much for sharing this on Dream Create and Inspire.
Maria
beautiful. thanks a great job.
Love the dresser redo! Waterfall dressers are tough to do much with, but you made this beautiful!
How did you fix the chips in the dresser before painting it?
Hi Brandy – The veneer on the bottom 3 drawers was in very poor condition. It was missing in spots and peeling off, so I removed it, then painted. You can re-glue veneer that is peeling up and fill in missing veneer with wood filler or Bondo, if you are planning to paint. Susan