The $5 Dresser That Tried to Kill Me! DIY is not for Whimps!

September 11, 2018

When I bought the $5 dresser at the All-City Garage Sale I thought it just needed to be cleaned up.

I was so naive! No stupid was the word.

This dresser took way more work than I anticipated. On the happy side it sold right away when it went into the book so on some level worth it? Maybe?

The dresser unfortunately had the funky smell that only a piece stored in a barn could accomplish and I think it was covered in chicken poop.

Sometimes I’m surprised I don’t end up with some horrible disease like the Hantavirus or something equally as terrible. Considering some of the really gross places I’ve gone picking.

I always make sure before I sell anything that it’s been thoroughly cleaned. I was asked once what I did for a living I glibly said, “I’m a cleaning lady.” because that’s how I feel some days.

After and all city sale I have to spend about a week washing everything. Consider that a pro tip for any of you asspiring vintage sellers. Get ready to clean! Make sure you have Dawn dishwashing liquid, Un-Du adhesive remover (the only product that removes the Goodwill tags), and plenty of Goo Gone so you’re ready to go!

Ultimately I think this dresser turned out cute. You can be the judge.

See how this pretty little dresser tried to kill me.

If you want to see all the thrift hauls on my YouTube Channel click just click this link!

If you want to be a vintage seller check out all my posts on selling on Etsy!

Fixing a Hole in the Side of A Dresser

December 30, 2017

The Down A Dirty Repair Method

Fixing a Hole in the Side of A Dresser

So when I spotted a 1930’s waterfall dresser it was already being perused by two other shoppers. I was contemplating just grabbing the ticket, running to the register, and leaving them with their mouths hanging open. But no I was good. I did the pee pee dance in the corner and waited (and they took so long).

Finally, one of them spotted the dreaded hole in the side panel. That was too much for them. A deal breaker.

No one tell them to read this blog! I can show you (not them ?) how to repair the hole the quick way. It’s easy too but again don’t tell them.

If you thinking it’s easy to fix a hole in the side of a dresser, just fill it with wood filler. Yeah, you can try that but with a hole that goes straight through you’re applying the filler to the bare edges of a 1/4 piece of wood. Maybe it will hold and maybe it will pop out like a cork. I wouldn’t risk it.

Instead here’s what you do.

Find a piece of paneling or a thin strip of balsa or a thin piece of plywood. Cut the wood with a craft knife slightly larger than the hole. Use paneling adhesive to attach the piece to the inside of the dresser where it will not be seen. Let it dry completely.

Now it’s at this point that you can use wood filler to complete the repair. The wood filler now has a large surface to adhere to and there no danger of it popping out.

Sand prime and paint as per usual.

Once the dresser is painted you can even see the repair. See. And the small patch doesn’t interfere with the function of the drawers. Here’s an image of what the repair looks like on the inside.

Their loss is my gain!

Stay tuned to see the complete dresser project!

If you want to see all the thrift hauls on my YouTube Channel click just click this link!

If you want to get some other quick and easy DIY repairs check out my DIY posts here!

Something Bad Happened to The Waterfall Dresser

December 10, 2017

Sigh! It’s hard not to fall in love with the art deco lines of a waterfall dresser. For those of you who just said, “A what now?” Waterfall is the term given to the dressers, nightstands, armoires, or any other piece of furniture with that rounded top edge. These were popular in the 1930’s and in my mind, they have remained popular ever since. [su_pullquote align=”right”]Of course I forgot to take a before picture but that was not the only bad thing that happened with this one.[/su_pullquote]

I went picking with my sister one winter day last year and found an amazing deal on one of these beautiful dressers. Only $30!

Of course, at that price point, it needed some love but it was is great shape. And then something bad happened. My sister slipped on the ice while taking it out of the truck. Don’t worry she was okay. Nothing but bruised pride (I did tell her we should move the truck off the ice after all). Unfortunately, the dresser unglued itself. And when I say unglued I mean it. It came apart at

every seam like a jigsaw puzzle. It could have been worse. No, I’m not being sarcastic. None of the wood was damaged so the puzzle could be put back together. If it had splintered in any way the dresser would have been toast.

So it was glued and clamped. It was probably a fortune accident because if the glue was that precarious it would have fallen apart eventually. Better with me than after I’d sold it to someone. Imagine getting something home and having it come apart.

I don’t believe the handles that were on it were original. They aren’t deco at all so I filled one of the holes so I could use some jewel knobs I had instead. I wanted full on girly for this one!

I chose Junk Gypsy Buttermilk Biscuit for this. Yes, that is my daughter doing some of the work. Junk Gypsy paint is perfectly safe for kids to use even my daughter who has asthma. We are able to paint inside all winter with no problem.

Then something bad happened. The stain bled through bad! Anyone who has ever tried to paint a piece from the 30’s knows what I mean. The tannins in the stain are drawn to the water in the paint so it will continue to bleed. No problem Junk Gypsy primer to the rescue! It’s fantastic at blocking these stains without harsh odor.

[su_pullquote]I had planned to decoupage a cherry blossom poster to the front of the drawers . . . Then something bad happened.[/su_pullquote]I had planned to decoupage a cherry blossom poster to the front of the drawers. I got as far as decoupaging one drawer when something bad happened. The poster shrank and wrinkled when I put it on. This has never happened to me before. I wish I had taken pictures. I didn’t think about it. To be honest I just cried. I thought the piece was ruined. The hubby to the rescue!

I don’t cry over pieces so he must have been distraught to find me weeping in the basement. Somehow he got every last piece of glue and paper off the drawer. I didn’t see it because I was curled in the fetal position crying. It was a miracle. I love him so much.

Still, after all this, I didn’t want just painted front drawers. This piece deserved something special. I turned to decoupage again and this time I used Paris themed burlap.

Then something bad happened. Here’s what people who decoupage burlap forget to mention. It gets stiff and sharp. Imagine if you will covering your drawers with 80 grip sandpaper.

Yeah.

Imagine grabbing the knob to open the drawer of a dresser covered with 80 grit sandpaper.

Yeah.

I had to fix that. I took a sanding block and knocked down the sharp pieces and then coated the drawers with Junk Gypsy clear coat. The surface was still rough but not sharp.

Once it was put together it was gorgeous. It looked so amazing in my both for about one day until someone fell in love with it and had to take it home with them.