From One Sister To Another-A Dresser Redesign
by
Traci Heimer
4 Materials
Hi everyone! The hubby and I recently dug a dresser out of storage that was previously painted for our oldest daughter-complete with dirt, spiders, and an autograph. This was not the look the youngest daughter was going for, so begins this dresser's journey to a whole new look.
Here is a side view of before.
And a view of the drawers before. This journey begins with stripping all that paint off. I used Blue Bear Soy Gel Paint & Urethane Stripper and it worked great. I had to reapply several times in some areas, but I did not have to scrape so hard that my arms fell off. It is non-toxic, biodegradable, and has no smell. You would've never known I did this in the garage. I didn't get a photo of it stripped and sanded, but I do have a video on my facebook page.
I stained the frame and sides with a custom mix of Unicorn SPiT Gel Stain & Glaze colors. You will see better pictures of that later on. For the top I started out using the colors above and did the Stain Press Technique as described below.
I sprayed the top with water until it was pretty damp. This helps the colors to blend more easily.
I applied my Unicorn SPiT colors, then sprayed again with water to start the color movement. I then placed some thin plastic over the top, squirted more water on top of the plastic, and used my hands & fingers on top of the plastic to blend and move the colors around.
I then removed the plastic from one end to the other and ended up with this. I thought it was pretty, but my daughter didn't like it. She wanted more colors. So, we compromised and decided to make a sunset. I spray sealed with Rustoleum 2X Clear Spray and then added oranges and yellows to cover up the white.
Here is some of the oranges added in.
And here it is almost complete with the sunset. I used this inspiration photo as my guide. To my surprise, the pinks and oranges were a perfect match. I then drew on the palm trees using a black acrylic paint.
Onto sealing. I used Wipe-On Poly in Gloss for the top and the hot pink on the sides-I think I ended up doing about 6 coats-and the Satin for the dresser frame. I used Rustoleum 2X Clear Matte Spray on the drawer fronts.
I replaced the drawer knobs with clear knobs that I took off of my bathroom vanity. Using a small art brush, I painted on Unicorn SPiT Sparkling Stain on the backs and then sealed with the poly. Love how these turned out. Clear knobs could be made any color this way.
And here are the drawers. I squirted on Unicorn SPiT in White Ning and using a brush blended it on. Then sanded it back so the wood shows through to give it a beachy, distressed look.
The top after multiple coats of poly and the palm trees. And it shimmers (which you can't see in pictures) due to the Unicorn SPiT Sparkling Stain.
My daughter has named it "Where The Sand Ends".
Side view of the hot pink.
And so the journey ends. A new style for the younger sister. This was done using the following colors:
Unicorn SPiT Gel Stain & Glaze-Zia Teal, Navajo Jewel, Pixie Punk Pink, Tuscon, White Ning
Unicorn SPiT Sparkling Stain-Grace C Hummingbird, Finchi Fran, Onry Oriole, Suzy Flamingo
Acrylic paint in black on the palm trees, and yellow blended in on the sunset.
More pictures and videos can be found on my facebook page. Thanks for reading 
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2 of 32 comments
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LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! OMG, LOVE! Favorite DIY dresser I've seen, hands down!
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That is beautiful!! Love it!!!
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looks great! I have a small chest that I want to do this to. I have now worked with Unicorn products. When with stained the stain because so much stain is used, does it form a thick layer? When it dries do you need to sand the top so it is smooth? thanks, can't wait to get started!
Where did the palm trees come from? stencils ? or adhesives?
Beautiful --just one question ---I do have an old dresser that needs a makeover, but I don't have any Unicorn SPIT and would have to buy Minwax wipe on Poly as well --how much would that cost me?