When my inlaws moved a month ago they gave us an antique dresser that had been stashed in their attic. It needed quite a bit of love but we decided it would be perfect for our daughter’s room once it was fixed up!
Take a look at the dresser before it got a makeover.
It had beautiful veneer but a lot of it was in terrible condition. We decided to leave most of it and work with the ripples by distressing but I had to rip the veneer of of the 2 little drawers. Some of the edges had a run with with some wood filler but they didn’t mind!
Before I go into all the details I’d like to introduce you to Elise’s “new” silhouette dresser!
I can’t get over how much I LOVE how it turned out! And, I think it is safe to say the little lady was equally excited especially since it is her silhouette adorning the front!
Now for the details.
As you can see the veneer on the small drawers was replaced with vintage sheets fabric. It’s a pretty simple process which if you have been following along for a while you’ve seen me do before. Measure, cut, Mod Podge the furniture face, lay your fabric, Mod Podge on top! I did the same for the frame around the silhouette but since it was a difficult shape I layed tissue paper over top to trace and make a pattern.
To create the silhouette I first took a side profile picture of my daughter, printed it out as is and cut out the shape. Then I colored around the edge (on the back) with pencil.
I used a wad of gum tack to stick the silhouette onto the correct part of the dresser, then I laid the sheet of paper in the background over top so I could do a pencil transfer without falling over the edge.
Here you can see the silhouette paper under the cover paper. I scribbled all over the outline of the silhouette to transfer the pencil I had drawn around the edge. What’s left when you remove both pieces of paper is a nice pencil outline of your silhouette.
I used a sharpie to outline and then a black paint pen to fill it in.
The entire piece was painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Pure White. I distressed the places the veneer was wavy, the edges, and in all the beautiful details on the dresser drawers. We left the beautiful antique hardware as is.
The last item to tackle was the mirror. It was a foggy mess. Not a nice, old, antiqued looking mirror just a foggy mess.
So my husband removed it from the frame, sprayed it with Zinsser BIN Shellac-Base Primer, and then 3 coats of Valspar chalkboard paint! It will be a great place for Elise (and us) to leave messages!
Love the little built in storage cubbies too!
One last peek!
Come back next week to see my son’s antique dresser redo! My husband says it is his favorite piece that I’ve done to date!
wow! so lovely!
This looks so pretty Jessica – feminine and sweet just like your little girl. Just a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing!
Stacey of Embracing Change
this is simply fabulous!!! found you on the pin party and that is where i am off to now…to pin you!!! hugs from your newest follower! : )
Hi, I found you over at Debbie's. This is an adorable dresser you have created for your little girl! That silhouette is PRECIOUS! I am heading over to pin away…yes you followed me…but I would have pinned this anyway! It's amazing, and I am a new member!
Sharon
this looks FANTASTIC!!!!just pinned it!
LOVE IT!!! That turned out fabulous!
This is the perfect little girls' dresser! I love it!
Thanks so much Alicia! My little lady is pretty pleased!
Your daughter now has an heirloom piece she will tresure forever I'm sure. Nice job! Dee from My Painted Stuff.
That is so creative! I love what you did with this piece and I'm gonna have to try it myself. I'm pinning this and found you from Debbiedoos. You are not before or after me…I just liked what I saw and pinned!
This is so so beautiful – fantastic makeover!
Your newest follower – would love to have you visit and follow back!
🙂
It's so beautiful…you did a great job of reusing everything that dresser had to offer, even if in a different way!
Thanks Rebecca! It was definitely a challenge! I wanted to keep all of the lovely designs but since the veneer wasn't in the greatest condition I had to make it work with me. Even though I did have to cover over the old mirror and rip off some of the veneer I love how it turned out and think I maintained the antique feel and beauty of the piece while giving it a fresh look.
this is darling and so special!
stop by if you have a moment as i just posted a giveaway:
http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-sale-giveaway.html
smiles to you.
michele
Gorgeous! Just came over from Under the Table and Dreaming and am in awe over this dresser. pinning!
Sue
pretty, pretty, pretty.
beautiful! So unique, I love how you used the fabric and silhouette
Thanks so much Susan. :)So glad you dropped by to check it out.
So very cute! Great job, the silhouette is perfect
so cute!!! what a special piece. 🙂 So many fun details!
Seriously I am in love with your makeover! Lucky little girl you have! 🙂 I believe I am going to follow along to see what other amazing makeovers you come up with! 🙂 Three Mango Seeds
This is such a beautiful piece of furniture!
that is too sweet! i love the fabric added- so pretty!!!
Absolutely adorable! Nice work! Very creative!!! Thanks so much for sharing the details with us!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda
SO pretty!!! what an amazing change!
Thanks so much for linking up and grabbing a button. Good luck!
Jocie@TheBetterHalf
Thanks so much Jocie 🙂
Very cute! Great job!
This is adorable! What an amazing transformation!! I am your newest follower!
This is so beautiful! I love it!! Thanks for sharing it!
My name is Elise too 🙂 I love this transformation, the fabric is so beautiful and I love the blackboard on the top! Way to go, I'm a new follower and would love if you followed back at http://www.iheartpears.blogspot.com
Wow! I love this so much! I have an old dresser I'd like to redo, and I never would have thought to paint the mirror with chalkboard paint, but it's such a great idea! I just love the addition of fabric and your daughter's silhouette. It's beautiful!
It turned out so perfect. Thanks for sharing at Shabbilicious Friday.
I love the fabric and chalkboard what a great twist! It's very chic and shabby! We'd love it if you'd share this at our Home is Where the Heart is! http://www.homesteadsimple.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is-link-it-up-wednesdays-1/
and any other posts you'd like to share that have to do with homesteading and homemaking!
Holy Cow! This is just beautiful. The chalkboard is so fun and the fabric and silhouette make it so sweet. Now following!
P.S. If you get the chance, please share this at my party:
http://kraftykat76.blogspot.com/search/label/Gettin%27%20Krafty%20With%20It
Very sweet! The little silhouette was a charming idea! You know, you can fix that veneer by putting some Gorilla Glue under there and clamping it for a day, or putting some heavy weights on it after you glue it…that takes out all those ripples. We do it all the time. Sometimes we strip the veneer all the way off, sometimes we cover it with backer plank board.
Holy shi* gurl! You have got some cojones! I never would have thought to chalkboard the mirror..now, to be honest..I'm not cray-zay about the fabric but I understand the thought behind it…the paint job looks fab and THAT SILHOUETTE How friggin' smart are you?! Overall I think I lurv it!
Good job momma! That sucker should last her foreva'!
So pretty! I love it! Great job!
I absolutely love this piece! Featured you tonight. Thanks for sharing with my textile party! xo Jami
What a beauty–thanks for sharing!
That is amazing – so pretty and unique!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! I love the fabric on the drawers, the silhouette and the chalkboard! Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
Rachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com
C'est vraiment une réussite. Bravo
Merci beaucoup!
Featured this darling dresser this week! Stop by and grab a featured button and link up any other projects you'd like!
Featured you this morning! Thanks so much for joining us!
Thank you so much for sharing at my party. You are the belle of the ball, or this dresser is! I am sharing at my party which starts today 5 EST!
Wow. This is such a stunning transformation!! I love that you used your daughter's own silhouette!! I'm pinning this for future inspiration. Found you at Redoux. Now happily following your amazing blog!!
Would love to have you stop by sometime!!
Kathryn@uglyducklingtransformations.wordpress.com
Thanks so much Kathryn!
This looks awesome! Great job! 🙂
You're killing me with your talent!! I love silhouettes – and on a dresser – I'm having heart palpitations (deep cleansing breaths Kelly)!
Whew, I'm better now. But seriously, this is fabulous!
When I read you stuck a wad of gum (at first I thought you used some chewing gum)!!!
Pinning this too!
Kelly
another beautiful project!
I've been lost traipsing around your blog here. So much fantastic stuff you've done. I'm definitely going to be following you!!! I absolutely ADORE this dresser. I've been working on some silhouette things, too. I love silhouettes!
Another super cute dresser project. Love how you framed that silhouette. And, of course the dresser drawers look fabulous! Thank you for sharing on the Vintage Sheet Blog Weekend Link Party.
this is a stunning piece…just beautiful! i love thinking out of the box…the chalkboard mirror is perfect ♥ loves to you
Looks beautiful!
Oh my word, that is beautiful! You did an amazing job. 🙂
This is my most favorite furniture idea I have seen in a LONG time. I have my silhouette from my childhood and my imagination is going to be running with this idea. I absolutely love it.