Wake Up Little Dresser!

Someone left this at my house after a Man Who Came to Dinner  kind of situation. Long story. Let’s stick to the little dresser or side table or whatever it was.

This was a sturdy little piece that seamed hand-hewn. I didn’t need it and didn’t want it... an absolutely ideal situation to experiment with chalk paint, and a great excuse to buy a quart of Annie Sloan Cream. None of my three rules (Use what I have, Keep what I need, and Have Fun) would be broken. Onward!

The knobs were weird, similar to paper fasteners. 


I had used to use these little babies to hold together handwritten school reports on loose leaf paper. Nowadays I think they're used mostly for scrapbooking.

Anywho, off came the knobs and on went the paint, followed by clear wax. Fairly easy stuff.

 

Headed in the direction of shabby chic, I had the bright idea to apply waterslide decals and bought some pretty ones on Ebay.


You cut them out, soak them in water until the image slides off the backing and then smooth them on the surface you're decorating. First problem: they don't stick to a waxed surface. I removed the wax on the top with mineral spirits and applied a new decal. It stuck! I waxed the top. Second problem: you can't wax over a waterslide decal. It will slide right off. I gave myself a day to breath then used the back as a test space, and found the solution. Apply the waterslide decal to a bare chalk-painted surface. Let dry. Apply rub-on varnish. Let dry. Done.

I sanded the edges for more of the shabby chic look. I sanded the inside edges of the drawers to help them slide more easily.



Then I found the cutest knobs on Ebay. It's difficult for me to stay away from Ebay.



I had the hardest time pushing the screws into the holes for the knobs. I gave myself an imaginary smack in the head. The holes were smaller because they were made for those weird paper fastener pulls. Duh! I drilled holes big enough for the new knobs.

I already had the contact paper to line the drawers but I'd spent $10 for the decal and $30 for six knobs. This baby was going to someone I really really liked.

  

What I learned:

• You can apply waterslide decals to chalk paint, but not over or under waxed surfaces. 
• If the knob holes aren't big enough, use a drill to make them bigger.
• Don't let anyone stay in your house more than a month. After that, even if they don't pay rent, in New York State they have tenant rights and it's hard to kick them out.

Next week:

"Another Cup of Java Please"