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Sunday, September 7, 2014

Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree

One of my favorite things is a good DIY project.  It's just finding the time to do them!   So for September's resolution, Katie and I are checking off some of these projects from our Pinterest to-do list.  I am so excited to share this first one with you!

DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

You've seen the pictures before on Pinterest: an old dresser with a beautiful hand-painted design on the front.  (My inspiration specifically came from this beautiful turquoise dresser from I Can't Stop Crafting.)  I just loved how these dressers looked, and I knew I wanted to do it for our kids! 

My Project: I wanted to turn an old, ugly hutch into a beautiful (baby changing) dresser.  The perfect DIY project for our kid's bedroom.

My Piece:  An old hutch rescued from my grandparent's garage.  It had water damage at the bottom on one side, and it had a really bad stain job.  Its knobs were awful - too big and in the wrong places.

But it was perfect because it had tons of storage, the top part of the hutch was removable...and it was free!

DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
It was just crying to be rescued!

I didn't get a great "Before" picture, but here's the hutch pretty close to the beginning stages.  In this pic, we had already sanded it and removed the top part of the hutch.  And the old knobs aren't pictured (the new ones are on it in the pic), but they were wooden and very large.  You can see their old location because of the large white patched areas.

DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

My Plan:  Use the base of the hutch as a baby changing dresser (for now and just as a dresser when the kids get older).  I wanted to paint it white, hand-paint a tree on the front, and add new, fun knobs shaped like birds.  The water damage would need to be addressed as well.

Thankfully, the water damage was limited to one side, only near the base.  We (as in my husband ;) cut out that area in such a way that it made it look like the hutch had legs.  We did this to the other side as well for a consistent look.  It looks like it was always meant to be this way!

DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

After a good sanding, I got to painting.  We used white paint that the previous homeowners left behind (you can't beat free!) and gave it several coats.

DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

After it had been painted white, I started designing the tree.  First, I roughly sketched out the tree shape I wanted on a piece of paper:

DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

After that, I sketched it out lightly in pencil on the front of the dresser.  Finally, it was time to paint!

DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

We laid the dresser down on the floor on its back because that way, I could paint from any angle - which made it much easier!  I also used an outdoor garden knee pad to kneel on to save my knees.

For the dark brown paint for the tree, we got a sample of Behr paint (my favorite brand) in the color "Aging Barrel" ($3-4).  I also needed special, smaller paint brushes, so I got those at Hobby Lobby (for around $6).


DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
Almost there!

 
For the handles, we decided to put bird knobs on the top two drawers (Hobby Lobby, $3 each - when their knobs were 50% off) and oil rubbed bronze knobs to match the tree for the rest (Lowes, around $4 each).  The birds add a nice touch, don't you think?


DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com


This is definitely the most ambitious DIY project I've ever done, but it has also been my favorite.  It turned out better than I ever thought it would.  I am beyond thrilled with how it looks!


DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com


I still can't believe that just a short time ago, this hutch was just a cast off in a garage.  Now, it's a beautiful showpiece in our kid's bedroom.  What a beautiful transformation!


DIY Furniture, Dresser Makeover: Hand Painted Tree - www.sweetlittleonesblog.com


This was my first "trash to treasure" project and my first DIY furniture re-do.  It was definitely hard work, but it was so worth it in the end.  It is just beautiful.  Now, I'm really looking forward to doing some more furniture makeovers.  Thanks, Pinterest, for the inspiration!

What furniture projects have you done?  Or do you have plans for one?

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Are you on Pinterest?  Leave your link in the comments, so we can follow you too!


This project was featured on:

I'm linking up with these awesome parties!

37 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, I'm SO impressed! You did such a great job. It doesn't even look like the same dresser!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! It was a lot of work, but it was so worth it! My next furniture project is a makeup vanity...I hope that one turns out as nicely as this one did! -Jess

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  2. I adore this!!!! Stopping in from the link-up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm so happy with how it turned out! -Jess

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  3. That is so beautiful! I thought the tree was a decal because it looked so perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! A big project, and it turned out so great. What a transformation! Thanks for linking up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! It's a proud Pinterest moment for sure :) Thanks for hosting! -Jess

      Delete
  5. This is adorable. I love how it turned out and the added bird knobs are just too cute!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! The bird knobs were the perfect find from Hobby Lobby. And thank you for visiting our blog! -Jess

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I just love how it turned out! -Jess

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  7. What a stunning piece this turned out to be! I featured this beautiful transformation on out Get Your DIY On features post today! October's theme is Falling for Fall. I hope you'll come back on the 5th and share something amazing with us again! XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I can't wait for the next link up! :)

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  8. LOVE it! Beautiful job sketching out the tree and the nursery is so sweet!

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    1. Thank you! It was a lot of work, but it was so totally worth it with how it turned out! Thanks for stopping by! -Jess

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  9. Wow, it's beautiful! Great job and thanks for sharing at Think & Make Thursday :-)

    Leigh Anne
    Houseologie.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! And thank for hosting the link up so I could share this piece! Have a great weekend! -Jess

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  10. Where do I begin?? I am in love with this piece of furniture! I mean the tree, the bird knobs, it is just lovely. You did a really great job! I'm stopping by from the Make It Monday party!

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    1. Thank you so much! It was a lot of work, but so worth it after seeing the result! I just love it! Thanks again, and thanks for dropping by from the link up! - Jess

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  11. Terrific transformation! Thank you so much for sharing this on Make It Monday. I am loving and pinning this makeover.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I am beyond thrilled with how it turned out...and the kids love it too! Thanks for hosting the link up! Have a great weekend! -Jess

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  12. This is so awesome! Doesn't it feel great to turn something that everyone else would put to the curb into a true Cinderella story. You did a great job and it shows.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words...about me and the dresser! ;) Thanks for visiting and have a great day! -Jess

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  13. Simply lovely and makes such a great interest piece in the room. I am sure this will be handed down for generations to come.

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    Replies
    1. The kids sure do love it! I hope they will pass it down to their children someday. That would be such a beautiful gift! Thanks for stopping by! -Jess

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  14. Stunning work! Love it!
    Hope you have a wonderful day!
    Hugs from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the compliment! Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for visiting our blog! -Jess

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  15. Hello gorgeous! What an amazing job. Stinkin cute! Pinned. We hope to see you at our party tonight at 7 pm. It is so fun to party with you! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
    Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words! Thank you! Have a beautiful day! -Jess

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  16. Love this sweet dresser, how perfect for a nursery! Happy to feature you at our party this morning. Thanks so much for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh, thank you so much for featuring my project!!!! I am so honored! Thank you for hosting too! Have a wonderful day! -Jess

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  17. The Jenny EvolutionMarch 6, 2015 at 8:39 AM

    Congratulations! You've been featured over on The Jenny Evolution's
    Friday Flash Blog linky party. Be sure to grab some swag for your post
    that says you’ve been featured. You can get it here — http://www.thejennyevolution.com/grab-button/

    Jennifer @ The Jenny Evolution

    ReplyDelete
  18. So perfect for a nursery! I would love for you to stop by my blog and join our link party Something to Talk About link party Monday's- Thursday
    Have a great weekend!
    Karen @ Karensuponthehill.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you so much! I'm so honored that my dresser makeover was chosen as a feature! Thank you! -Jess

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  20. Thank you so much! And thanks for the invite! I'll be checking it out for sure! -Jess

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow!!! That's impressive! Love it! Thanks for linking up with Waiting on...Wednesday! Hope to see you back tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments - it makes my day! :) Thanks for dropping by!

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