Classic Black Dresser Before and After

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Classic Black Dresser Before and After

Hello!  I have been so very busy this summer and have only been able to post about once or twice a week.  It will pick up again after fall begins and I will have more of my own time to devote to my projects and the blog!  My site is in desperate need of help and hopefully it will get resolved soon.

In between softball tournaments, beach trips, teaching my teenager to drive (yikes) and planning my son’s departure to college and my upcoming youngest’s birthday trip to Disney, I have been able to carve out some time in the garage!

Let’s start with the “before” pics.  I found this beauty at the thrift store.  Obviously a classic beauty that had aged gracefully but needed help. It was missing bits and pieces of its veneer on the drawers and the top was very scratched up and needed refinishing.  It also was missing one of its original drawer pulls.  I thought I had taken a few more “before” pics but I can’t seem to find them on my phone.  Here are the few I can find.

Product list for this project:

  • Woodfiller
  • Orbital Sander with both 80 and 120 grit paper
  • General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain
  • General Finishes Oil Based Gel Urethane Topcoat (Satin)
  • General Finishes Lamp Black Paint
  • General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat (Satin)

The top was sanded back using my orbital sander.  I started with 80 grit and finished it with 120 and applied the gel stain using a foam brush.  After it dried for 24 hours, I sealed it with the gel urethane topcoat.  I also used the topcoat over the little middle drawer and the legs to give them back their luster.

The body and the other drawers were given two coats of Lamp Black milk paint.  After the paint dried for 24 hours and using a foam brush, the paint was sealed with the High Performance topcoat.  I added true vintage wooden drawer pulls that I had salvaged from a previous project.

I am so very happy with the result!  This lovely dresser has its classic beauty back!
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Just a quick pic of Tilly for you all to see (a little dirty from digging in the backyard).  She is gaining weight and all recovered from the internal parasites that she had when we got her.  She fits in perfectly 🙂Tilly

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  2. OMG!!! LOOOOOVE this Suzanne! it’s gorgeous- I love the mix of black and original wood! Such a creative idea. and your dog….whatta cutie! I have a party-colored Schnauzer that I rescued and he’s my little sidekick 🙂

    • Hi Stephanee! Thanks so much! We also have a miniature schnauzer but he is ten and doesn’t run around like he used to! He is still my main guy though lol! Thanks again!

  3. Love the beautiful job you did on the dresser but getting annoyed at the Target ad cutting off the viewing of it. it is very frustrating.

    • Hi Deborah, Yes, the ads are a bit cumbersome but a must have for me if I am to continue this work vs going to get a “real” job lol! If you click on the little “x” in the corner, it will disappear. Thanks!

  5. Suzanne: GORGEOUS! Yes, classic! Maybe better looking than its original incarnation! ~ First of all, what a choice piece (and great thrift store you must have)! Second, you had knobs in advance–vintage, real, knobs–this foresight providing an advantage in the Big Mo(mentum) and incentive to finish? Third, your vision was spot-on. I think the General Finishes Lamp Black has produced a better outcome than would have ASCP Graphite, though I like Graphite a lot (to look at, I’ve never done a large piece using it). And the lower legs and middle drawer left in their natural wood state – well, wow. The whole thing glows! I love it and am inspired.

    • Hi Louise! Thank you so much! Yes, the GF Lamp Black definitely gives a sharper look compared to AS Graphite (which honestly, it isn’t a true black). I wanted to give this one a more modern edge against the older wood feet, drawer, etc. I was SO lucky that I had those drawer pulls in handy! I always keep all of my old pulls and have a big bin full of them. I was originally thinking glass but then realized that the wood pulled it all together nicely 🙂 I do have a decent thrift store not too far away but honestly all of the prices have shot up. Oh, well 🙂 Thanks again!

  6. IIt is gorgeous. I love your work and your blog. Are you keeping it or going to sell it?

  9. Awesome dresser. You have a great eye for what will look great! Love reading your blog and getting ideas from you. Tillie is adorable.

  13. Very handsome and classic appearance. So many of the upcycles I see feature white or pastels. Your use of black with natural wood highlights is innovative and a welcome relief. The result is a knockout!

  14. Just about my favorite piece of yours! What a find!

    Also, love your new pup. He’s a rescue, right? Which rescue?