The Dresser Makeover Reveal
Take a peek at the dresser!
Here's a look at the dresser in it's original state. Simple, clean-lines.....not farmhouse style.
For those of you who haven't been following my dresser makeover, the above is a picture of how it looked before I got started. It is the Ikea Malm Dresser in Black/Brown. I found two of them on Craigslist for $40 each several years ago after seeing them at Ikea for much more. It worked well in my previous home because my house had that clean-line, upscale look to it. Since moving to this house and renovating it, the bedroom furniture seems a bit out of place. Since everything we are doing here is on the cheap, I had to reinvent my current furniture and give it that rustic, farmhouse feel. I love a couple of pieces I saw at Restoration Hardware and have been wanting to try milk paint sealed with a wax. I L-O-V-E the way my dresser turned out and can hardly wait to finish the room. I am already on the second dresser/nightstand!
Here are some finished pictures of the dresser. Instructions and a shopping list will follow.
If you were to purchase a similar piece from Restoration Hardware, you would pay $1,029! Of course, the quality would be superior to Ikea furniture, but that is simply not in my budget. I must confess that I actually enjoy having to think through how to create a similar look for less. Refinishing this piece has been so much fun and I love the final look.
This project cost me just $9.72 because I had everything except the trim for the drawer fronts. Remember the never-ending wood supply we bought off some guys on Craiglist? Wood from that pile was used as the top. The shiplap sides were leftover scraps from other projects. If you had to purchase these items, the initial investment would cost a bit more because some items only come in 4'x8' sheets, such as the plywood utility board. The utility board is $13.98/sheet at Lowe's. I believe it is called Luann at Home Depot and costs a couple of bucks less. The sheet of the utility board is enough to complete my entire bedroom project with a bit to spare. I had the stain, milk paint and wax on hand. If you had to purchase all these items it would cost a bit more. Although the makeover for all the furniture pieces in my entire bedroom will cost under $200, this dresser redo would cost you more if it is the only piece your refinish. Since I am spreading the cost for the stain, wax, milk paint, and utility board between all seven pieces, it significantly lowers the cost per item. You could choose a different type of trim for the drawer fronts or even purchased furring and used a router on them to get a similar look while saving money. This is one of many possibilities available. Use you imagination to find that unique look in your budget. If you watch Craigslist carefully, people often throw out used trim and baseboards. These could be salvaged and use on this furniture as well.
I didn't have time to get SKU# for you, so I will be adding my shopping resource list and Step-By-Step Instructions soon.
