Dresser Success!
Mon, December 19, 2011 The DIY road was frustrating and occasionally heartbreaking, but I did it.
I finished the bamboo dresser.
When I purchased the dresser well over a year ago it looked like this ...
After a near meltdown, some serious testing of my patience, and encouragement from my family and a few of you readers, I actually completed it!
One of my favorite details is the original maker's mark located inside one of the drawers:
I also like that the dresser's color can read more grey or more blue, depending on the light.
The bamboo dresser is in the guest room. I want people to be surprised when they open the drawers so I cut some colorful drawer liners from Paper Source's Goldfish Wrapping Paper. (I'm going to get these liners laminated for durability).
I toyed around with the idea of buying new hardware. Ultimately, I decided to just spray paint the original handles (thanks for the suggestion, Jac!).
I think it turned out fine.
On a DIY-six-pack scale, with one beer being "This project is super easy," and six beers being "Oh mylanta, I can't believe I've been in this garage for eight hours ... Is that rain?," this project is a solid sixer (and I'm not talking about light beer).
It probably shouldn't have been this challenging, but I admit that I made a bunch of mistakes along the way. I'm working on a detailed instructions post so that if you're crazy enough to take on a project like this you can learn from my errors.
Anyway, I have two matching nightstands in the garage that need to be painted as well (clearly I'm a glutton for punishment).
But for now, let's focus on the positive.
I did it!
Reader Comments (28)
Awesome job! Looks great and the paper is perfect. I feel so inspired!
Thanks! I'm still patting myself on the back!
I love the idea about laminating the warpping paper. Where do you get that done? I may be stealing your idea someday soon :)
^wrapping paper :)
FedEx Office, Office Depot, Staples -- any of these office or printing places will laminate for a reasonable fee. Good luck!
Thank you. Have a Merry Christmas and may your beautiful home and family be filled with abundant blessings in 2012.
Oh my lanta! that is one beautiful dresser!! over from Serenity Now and so glad I found you!! great job girl!
Thanks! I just checked out Serenity Now. What a great blog!
So I just found your blog! Love it!
I actually just bought this exact same dresser and it needs to be painted, so I'm going to be looking at this blog for inspiration. Right now I'm trying to decide if I pay someone to finish it/lacquer it or of I paint it by hand myself.
Thoughts? With painting yourself, did you find it hard to get rid of brush strokes or did you use one of those black foam brushes? HELP
Hi! If you're going to do it yourself I'd add a paint additive to the paint to minimize brush strokes. Try Penetrol for oil-based paints, Floetrol for latex-based paints (I used oil paint for my dresser). You can definitely do it yourself, but I wouldn't use a foam brush. Go buy a good paintbrush with the appropriate bristle type for the paint.
I'm will try and put together a to-do list this week so you DON'T make the same mistakes I did.
Oh my gosh, I just saw your response! Thank you!
After looking at your blog, I think I might try buying the same compression painter thingy (like my technical term? lol) instead of painting by hand.
Also, how the heck did you cover the laminate? Clearly I am in way over my head.
I'm wanting to paint my i rich purply-plum color. Do you think that would look bad?
I think a rich smoky purple sounds sooooo good. I almost did that!
I think the sprayer was pretty good but I did end up painting much of the last layer by hand.
Also, you need to sand the holy heck out of the laminate or the paint will peel. Then apply a good primer. Let it dry thoroughly and paint it normally. You'll be fine. The laminate part was pretty easy.
Thank you for your help. I may be bothering you about that detailed instruction post, specifically which products you think I should use and how best to tackle this thing. I admit, I'm slightly scared.
What's the worst that can happen? You have to start over? You throw it out? Just go for it. I'm slightly jealous of your soon-to-be purple dresser. What a seriously awesome color choice that will be.
I'd love to hear how you got such a wonderful result! I have a dresser from the same collection that I want to paint for my son's nursery, but am really nervous to get started. I got a quote for painting it from a local cabinet shop, but they won't even touch the laminate top....
Thanks!
I promise that I will post a tutorial this weekend.
Hi there, So I bought the same dresser at a garage sale this past weekend, It came with a desk night stand and a mirror as well. I fell in love with it since it had the look I was going for apart from the paint color. Also price for the set was awesome. Ive decided to paint it high gloss black and do the ridges details in a metallic silver color, I like a modern old style feel!!
Oooh! It sounds amazing! Send photos!
Wow, so gorgeous! I'm really impressed. Such a sophisticated color. Like a few other commenters, I just bought the exact same dresser with plans to paint it. I had been thinking navy blue, but you have me reconsidering. And I think you sold me on spray painting the hardware, which I had been on the fence about. Really, you did such a beautiful job. Kudos! Could I trouble you for the names of your paint colors? Thanks.
Hi Erin! The dresser paint is Benjamin Moore "Wolf Gray." The hardware was spray painted with Rust-Oleum 202719 Designer Metallics Spray in "Aged Brass." Good luck. Personally, I think the idea of a navy blue sounds incredible. I'm sure it will turn out amazing.
I feel like we should all join a self help group for Henry Link bali hai dressers lol.
Thanks for the colors and inspiration!
I think you are right, Mojito Maven. It's not the easiest piece of furniture to paint. Not only do you have the headache of laminated tops, but also there are a lot of curved surfaces, so it takes time and patience. And the paint is so old, it takes a long time to sand.
So I am so glad I finally just started the spray painting process on my mirror for this set. Black high gloss paint is looking good so far. Still waiting for it to dry though. I am going to take it slow but will keep you updated as it comes along. I will email pics.
Yay, Liz! Please email pictures! I've started a Pinterest dedicated to painted bamboo "after" photos. Check it out here: Onestorybuilding Pinterest Board: Henry Link Bali Hai Faux Bamboo After Projects
Love this color!
Could you tell me which paint colour you used? I just love it
Hi Celia: The dresser paint is Benjamin Moore "Wolf Gray." Thanks for the kind words.