I’m popping in today with a quick before and after makeover of a sweet vintage 2 drawer chest using Amy Howard One Step paint. Before spotting this piece while out thrifting, I was on a major dry spell in terms of finding good pieces of furniture to refinish. I was regularly visiting my favorite thrift shops, but just wasn’t seeing anything great. I’ve also noticed that the prices for the good pieces has gone way up. Is that happening in your area, too? It was making me a little bit nervous about the furniture flipping market.
Things have definitely turned around this past couple of weeks. Thank goodness! I am again finding some great pieces. My vintage furniture drought was broken when I spotted this little guy.
Before
I don’t normally buy previously painted pieces, but the paint job on this one wasn’t terrible, and it is a small and simple enough piece that I could sand it down without too much trouble. I love these low chests. They are so versatile and can be used as a coffee table, night stand, entry bench, toy storage, etc. With nice deep drawers, they work great pretty much anywhere a little extra storage is needed.
The color needed a little freshening up. And those pulls just weren’t doing this piece any justice.
After
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I removed the old pulls, and gave it a good inside and out cleaning with Krud Kutter. I used my orbital sander to smooth out the prior brush marks. The original keyhole covers were missing, so I glued on some wood covers that I had in my stash. I think the little extra detail makes the piece look more finished.
I painted it with 2 coats of Amy Howard One Step Paint in “Luxe Grey,” lightly sanding with a 220 grit sanding sponge after each coat. I love this color! It is a very soft warm gray, and almost a perfect match to my wall color which is Benjamin Moore “Balboa Mist.” This paint is really nice, too. Great coverage and it goes on so smooth. It does not require a topcoat, and has a very matte chalky finish. I like a little bit of sheen, so I applied a coat of Magnolia Home clear wax, and then buffed with a soft cloth.
I added these bin pulls in oil rubbed bronze. I love the look of the pulls, and they are practical, too, with these big drawers.
I’ve got a few more great pieces in my stash that will be coming up soon.
In other exciting news, my friend Angie from Postcards from the Ridge is featuring a tour of my home on her blog today! I am so honored and would love for you to stop by and see it.
Have a lovely weekend!
I love the new look. I do like to work on pieces with a bad paint job. It feels like I’m rescuing them. 🙂
You did a great job. Beautiful as always!
You are so right about rescuing pieces with a bad paint job. It’s actually kind of satisfying to strip paint and watch it peel off. Ha! I just wish it wasn’t so messy. Thanks so much for stopping by.
This piece looks lovely after you gave it the “Saw, Nail and Paint” treatment! I noticed the added character of the “after” on the keyhole first thing. I did notice the jump in prices at the thrift store at the first of the year, for example, I saw a few IKEA things were being sold for more that their original price! Looking forward to your next before and afters!
Thanks so much, Julie! I’m always amazed when I see IKEA pieces at a thrift store priced more than the original price. It does happen quite often. By the way, I recently found an amazing antique dresser through the NextDoor app you told me about. I really appreciate you sharing that great tip with me! Susan
Your new piece looks beautiful, especially with adding new keyholes.
I recently purchased a large old knotty pine dresser 69″ long, and wanting to paint or whitewash or something. Lots of drawers and detail around them. Associate in home depot told me i would have big problem doing that, because of knots etc. Now I’m not sure what to do. I was excited before, but now confused as to which way to go! Any advice will be much appreciated. I did purchase stp to get gunk off. Thank you in advance. I love your work.
Thank you, Linda! Painting over knotty pine can be tricky, but I have been able to successfully seal pieces with knots using BIN shellac based primer. Sometimes it takes a couple of coats to stop the bleed through. You can also use plain shellac. Good luck with your project! Susan
I feel the same way about the market, I am sure unrealistically so. The second I have no more room in my shop or my garage…… it’s raining $50 buffets :(((. You’d did this one up right, already painted or not. Nice job!