What you're looking at is a solid piece of furniture made by Gordon's furniture, with beautiful brass hardware and awesome burled veneer. Unfortunately, one of the brass pulls is missing. Let's take a peek at the top...bummer.
That's some fantastic veneer, but a whole lot of damage. Thankfully, the old finish comes off easily, but I wasn't so hopeful for being able to refinish the top back to wood. As you can see, there are a couple of rings that look like something hot was burned into the wood. Plus, there are chemical stains that could not be removed.
DIY TIME
Initially, I use my sander to knock it all down. Unfortunately, that damaged I mentioned couldn't be fixed as it went through the veener. grrr... I sincerely wanted to save it. Then, after much debate with myself, I decided to use this striking blue to dress this piece up.
First, my goal was to showcase that gorgeous brass hardware and make it shine. Then, while I waited for my first coat to cure, I began my search for a replacement teardrop pull. Let me tell ya, it's rare I can't find what I'm looking for and doggone I was beat on this one. My solution, however, was to find a different way to make it all gel. Hang with me...
CLEAN UP
Meanwhile, I began to polish the hardware. Also, did you notice it has etchings of birds and blooms in it? I love it! At first, my favorite Bar Keepers Friend came to the rescue again. Not only does this stuff works awesome on most metals, but it totally helps me with all my porcelain and stainless steel in my home too.
Let me just say, that hardware was DIRTY!! It took me longer to polish that stuff up than it did to paint. In spite of the time, it's so worth it. Just wait until you see the after.
Then, one more thing to do before I show you the finished product. It pays to have a stash of all kinds - seriously. One that I have tapped into endlessly is two office paper boxes full of vintage wallpaper samples. Not only do I enjoy using this paper for drawers, but also as dollhouse wallpaper, notebooks and journals, book covers, etc. Further, when I saw those birds and blooms on the hardware, I knew I had to line the drawers with some vintage goodness.
WHIMSY
Typically, I tend to find only one sample of each paper. It's fun to line drawers with similar papers as surprise in each drawer. However, as I was digging, I came up with these two samples. As a result, I may have squealed out loud!
However, before I could line the drawers, they needed cleaned up with a bit of elbow grease. In any event, I felt sorry for this thing and how rough it had been treated over the years.
Finally, I completed my work on this nightstand. happy dance! Not only did it take two coats of paint, but also there is a surprise inside the cabinet, as well as lining the drawers and polishing the brass. woot!
With that dark blue paint, the vintage brass hardware is sure to take center stage as it should. Likewise, see those beautiful hand-crafted details?
Incidentally, those birds and blooms are what inspired me to use the vintage wallpaper samples I showed above. It makes it fun to peek in and see.
PEEK-A-BOO
Last, for added contrast, I decide to add some color fun using a soft peach color in the cabinet side of this vintage chest nightstand.
I've completed my DIY and hope you enjoyed my makeover adventure. This vintage chest nightstand is now available in my online shop along with many other home decor items for you.
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In addition, make it easy for others to find and learn by pinning and sharing my vintage chest nightstand makeover. It's the best way to inspire!
Up next, I'm ready to confess a bit on how this wooden circle became a broken wooden circle - ahem. But, I didn't give up on it - HEAD HERE to see.
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MORE FUN
Now, check out this fantastic collection of furniture makeover to inspire you!
- Just the Woods
- Girl in the Garage
- Confessions of a Serial DIYer
- Interior Frugalista
- Petticoat Junktion
Additionally, more furniture makeovers like my vintage chest nightstand:
