Before and After: Tall Dresser and Side Table

I'm not sure what's going on with Blogger lately, but a few days ago I wrote up this post and now suddenly it's gone. So let's try this again...

This dresser was saved from the curb (along with a few other items) a couple of weeks ago when my neighbors moved out. It had some scribbling, a random wooden heart at the bottom and no knobs, but it was solid wood and the drawers worked fine.

I had several ideas for how to transform this plain-Jane dresser, so it took me a while to decide on which one to try. In the end, though, I decided to do something a little out of the ordinary for me.
After rolling on a good primer, the dresser got a coat of a custom mixed grey paint.


The numbers were an image I found online, then used this easy pencil transfer technique to trace them onto the drawer fronts. I filled in the pencil lines with a few coats of black craft paint.

The dresser got distressed, then I used some walnut wood stain to antique it.

The whole thing got a coat of wipe-on poly for protection and some simple and rustic rope pulls to finish it off. Like I said, not my typical style, but I really like how this dresser turned out and seriously considered keeping it for my boys. Sadly, I can't keep 'em all.

This little table was a thrift store find and was a pretty good deal.

The top was in terrible shape with deep scratches, water damage and drips of wax all over it.

Paint to the rescue! With sanding, priming, painting and distressing this table now has some character.

Add to that a little hand painted detail using the same transfer technique that I used on the dresser and now it's even a little bit special.

I traced on this scrolly flourish then filled it in with one of my favorite shades of blue. Some came off with the distressing, but that's what I wanted.

A coat of polyurethane to protect the top and the table is now ready for its second life!
So, do you have an idea for a project that could use a little hand painted detail?

I'm linking up with Miss Mustard Seed this week!