“Farm Boy, Fetch Me that Dresser:” or, a second Fab Furniture Flippin Contest entry

NOTE: This is a sponsored post, but I mean everything I say about General Finishes and it’s all good! 

This dresser was literally in pieces–one drawer was missing a bottom and while the remaining pieces to the drawer were shoved into a different drawer–it was one I could barely open. Like the barrel chair, this piece came from the “Free Place” (read the local dump) and, according to the dump man was slotted for the landfill the next day.  Apparently, it had been sitting there for several weeks, with no takers. Until we showed up and I was all like, (in a sweet voice of course!):

Queen P: “Farmboy, fetch me that dresser.”

Farm Boy: “As you wish.”

// Another NOTE: For a larger image, click on the desired picture //

Since this piece required major repairs to the veneers, the drawers, the top, the drawer slides, and the back, it was the perfect candidate for January’s Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest, themed “A Fresh Start” and sponsored by the UUHMAZING General Finishes. Clearly, this piece needed a fresh start.  Subsequent conversations and plans for the dresser sounded a little something like this:

Queen P: “Farm Boy, fix that dresser drawer.”

Farm Boy: “As you wish.”

Queen P: “Farm Boy, re-glue down all that veneer.

Farm Boy: “As you wish.”

Queen P: “Farm Boy, fabricate a back for this dresser.”

Farm Boy: “As you wish.”

Is the Queen obnoxious or what?  Probably a little…

However, the Queen and her lovely Farm Boy tagged teamed this dresser and while he made structural repairs to the drawers, the top, back, the drawer slides, and the veneers, the Queen patched and filled the re-glued veneers with Bondo and then glazing putty. Given the swaths of missing wood, it took several applications of autobody filler, shaping it with a chisel, sanding it down, and then applying glazing putty to create a smooth, flawless finish.

After all the repairs, I stewed over the design. While I’m a wood lover and try to incorporate beautiful wood into my work whenever possible, I realized the Bondo/glazing putty applications would limit the possibilities. Taking a cue from the curved edges from the top drawers, I repeated the curved motif on the front drawers, as well as the dresser top.  The top required some paint to cover the veneer repair and the subsequent Bondo application, and so I repeated the curved paint application there as well, while maintaining the gorgeous, gorgeous book page veneers. As I hope you’ll agree, the limitations ultimately worked to my advantage.

Once I’d settled on a plan–always understanding that it’s subject to change!–it was time to break out the paint: a quart of General Finishes new Chalk Style paint in Fjord Blue, provided to me as a contestant.  Confession: I’ve never used chalk paint before.  I’ve used milk paint extensively, both in powdered form and General Finishes Milk paint (not a a “true” milk paint, but fabulous nonetheless!), latex, and oil.  So clearly, I’m not unfamiliar with various paint applications, but chalk paint was uncharted territory. Since I’m nothing if not honest, I didn’t love the Fjord Blue color–it was far more purple than I anticipated; however, one of the great things about General Finishes Chalk Paints and Milk Paints is they’re intermixable and playing the mad scientist, I combined the Fjord Blue with Lamp Black to create a color I loved. As with all General Finishes products, the Chalk style paint was dreamy: smooth application, minimal brush marks, a quick dry time. I’m really excited by the other application possibilities as well, particularly spray applications. The user can brush, roll, and even spray the paint.  That, combined with the compatibility and intermix-ability (maybe a word!) equals big time fun for the Queen.

Remember that “subject to change” bit?  Well, I decided mid-process that the drawer fronts required something, and so opted to chalk out a design (a Queen original!), paint it in GF Lamp Black, and then soften the design with the orbital sander–always slightly dangerous!

Ready to see the dresser with its “Fresh Start”?

When I consider where this dresser started, literally in pieces and a day away from the landfill, I’m amazed at the end result. There were times, truly, when I looked at it and shook my head, asked the Farm Boy if this was going to work, and he was always like: “It ain’t no thang.”  We girls know differently–it’s definitely a thang. And while the pictures are decent, this piece is one of those that’s better in person.

Are you a furniture lover, fixer, fanatic, and a blogger?

If so, consider joining the Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest, a monthly contest sponsored by various brands–other contest brands include Minted, Homeright, General Finishes (yay!), and others. And these lovely ladies pull it together every month. Stacy, of Anastasia Vintage and Evey, of Evey’s Creations, and Carrie of 38th Street (all lovely women!) kicked off the contests so to speak, with their respective pieces. For additional information, email info@fabfurnitureflippincontest.com. You’ll be glad you did!

Thanks guys, for hanging in there–it was long post!