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DIY Dresser Makeover with Paint and Paper

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A little bit of paint and some pretty wrapping paper gave this DIY dresser makeover and extra-special touch. The dated wood dresser went from meh to beautiful in no-time flat!

A side view of the DIY dresser makeover featuring blue and pink floral gift wrap decoupaged on the sides of the drawers.

The Story of a DIY Dresser Makeover

Once  upon a time there was a dresser that came to a house with a newborn.  The dresser was very happy to hold all the lovely baby clothes, first of one little boy and then of a second little boy.  It housed overalls and little jeans.  

An old dresser before,  The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    A few years later, the dresser (along with the boys) went on a very big trip across the pond, to a new place, an unfamiliar place.  And the dresser was happy again, because now it was housing pretty little pink dresses…. first for one little girl and then for another. The dresser was very happy to have been a part of the lives of four children.  

Scratch marks on the dresser The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    After a while, the two boys were not little anymore, and left to go across the pond again. And so the dresser was left alone with the girls now, who were not so little either. But that dresser worked hard to keep the clothes in line. Of course the clothes were much bigger now and very unruly.  The dresser was getting old, it was full of scratches.  And yet it was still a strong, solid  dresser fighting to keep all those frilly clothes in.

scratches on dresser, The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    Something had to be done to save this poor hard working dresser!  It was going to be placed in a freshly painted room, and it needed a new look!  The room was to be blue with black and white accents.  

Before The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    After 25 years of hard work it was time for a DIY dresser makeover!!!  The poor dresser had been neglected for too long.  

Painting the Dresser

What’s this??  Chalk paint??   Easy to use, and no need to prime??  My kinda stuff!

first coat of chalk paint The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    The dresser was happy with the new coat….   Until the paint  ran out!  Now normally that would not be a big deal… Just go to the store and buy some more.  But, but… I live in the boondocks … there is no such thing here!  

chalk paint on dresser top and sides,  The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    Quick.. to the internet… blog friends will save the day!  Ahhh… homemade chalk paint (2 tbs. plaster of paris, 2 tbs. water,  then add 1 cup of latex paint) – let’s get this show on the road!  

Chalk paint on dresser The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

Adding a Contrasting Black Accent

    Just a bit more… a little black to go with the black and white vibe in the room.  

Black paint on dresser The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    And we seal it with some clear varnish.  The dresser is happy now, it feels as if it has been cared for ….

front, The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

Finishing with Decoupaged Gift Wrap

    But wait, there is more… Let’s give a little more TLC to this refinished dresser!

Mod podged paper on back The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

A little mod podge and some pretty gift wrapping paper and our DIY dresser makeover is done!

mod podged sides The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    And now for the little wow!  

Mod podged sides The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com
top view The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    From this:

Before The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

    To this:

The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com
Wrapping Paper The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com
Refinished dresser with chalk paint , The Story of a Dresser www.theboondocksblog.com

And that is the story of the hard working dresser. It has lived a very full 25 years and with a little love is ready to go another 25!  But please enough with the frilly clothes!

Additional DIY Dresser Makeover Ideas

For additional creative DIY dresser makeovers, check out this IKEA Malm dresser makeover , this refinished pine dresser and this fresh French country painted dresser.

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  1. Keri says:

    Mary,
    I like the clever way you told the dresser’s story!! The makeover you gave this dresser is awesome…so beautiful!!!!

  2. I love this story, if only our furniture could really talk, the stories we would hear! The paint job looks great, what an improvement! And I love the surprise floral print on the back and the sides of the drawers. So cool. What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing with #WAYWOW!

  3. I’m so glad the dresser is finally happy! It looks beautiful, by the way! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Talented Tuesdays!

    • Mary says:

      Amy I’m so happy you like that old dresser. It is very happy!! I’ll see you today at the link party, thanks for visiting!

  4. Rebecca says:

    I love the wrapping paper detail you added! Very clever, and it gives it so much personality. Also, great story-telling, in this post and all your others.

  5. Love this! Looks great! Thanks for coming & joining in with #frifree4all – was great to have you 🙂

  6. Mary, congratulations on the feature at Friday Five! Well deserved my friend ♥

  7. Chris says:

    I loved reading the tale of the little dresser, you have made it look beautiful, great makeover. Xx

  8. Emily says:

    You did a fantastic job with the dresser. I love the black and white!

  9. Mary, you did a fantastic job transforming this dresser! I love the gift wrap you used for the drawers and the back. Very fun. Thanks so much for sharing your dresser at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link, I hope you will join us again tomorrow night! Take care, Tara

    • Mary says:

      Tara, thanks for visiting and I’m glad you liked the dresser. I will be seeing you tomorrow night as well at your link party!

  10. DIY Just Cuz says:

    Thanks for linking this up to the Welcome Home Wednesdays link party! This is such a sweet post! I loved reading about the story of this furniture! Thanks for sharing…we hope to see you again next week!

  11. Larissa says:

    What a lovely story with a fantastic ending, Mary! Love the paper addition and the spunk it adds. Great job!

  12. Karen says:

    What a great makeover! Using the wrapping paper was so clever and I love that you have had the piece for so long!
    Thanks for sharing at Something to Talk About!
    Karen

  13. Melinda says:

    Such a good, loyal dresser deserved a pretty new outfit.
    Here from 2UsesTuesday.

  14. Betsy says:

    The dresser is pretty darn cute… but my favorite part is the story! Such a beautiful story of how a piece touches many lives. Thanks for linking up with us at Welcome Home Wednesdays… can’t wait to see you next week!

  15. lisa @stylesofcooking says:

    Wow,wow, wow what a transformation. I love the whole process and the end result is so modern, and inspiring. I am now looking closely at all of my old furniture. Found you through simple and sweet fridays.

    • Mary says:

      Lisa, I have the same dilemma. I look at all the furniture in the house and am totally not satisfied now… ah the conundrum of a blogger!

  16. This is so cute! Love the transformation. I’m trying to think how to ‘do up’ my house cheaply at the moment so upscaling furniture could be the way forward! Thanks for the inspiration!
    If your looking for another link up party to join, I’d love to have you over at #frifree4all 🙂

  17. I enjoyed this post.
    Certainly, dressers are not made to last anymore, so if you’ve got solid ones, give them a second or third life.