Ugly Duckling Thrift Store Dresser Transformation

2 Materials
$100
2 Days
Medium

Hi there, Hometalk Friends! Do you know the story of the “Ugly Duckling?” When I saw this dresser at the thrift store, I was reminded of the children’s tale, BUT I also saw the hidden swan waiting to be revealed. If you have an ugly duckling waiting to be transformed into a beautiful swan, check out this tutorial…


As a blogger with two Etsy shops, I need a lot of storage space and I try to find decorative storage. I had been on the lookout for a sturdy dresser that could double as a sideboard in my dining room when I came across a 1965 Thomasville piece. The price was right, the drawers were sturdy, and it had lots of storage space.

Maybe you’re thinking the “before” photos don’t look so bad. I should have snapped a few close-ups of the unnatural looking color of the stain, and I would have, had I realized my "before" picture would look better in the photographs than it did in person. Trust me--even my sweet daughter-in-law remarked on the ugly color!

One of the reasons I use chalk paint so often is that it covers old yellowed finishes with very little prep. For this piece, I simply cleaned the surface. The insides of the drawers were surprisingly clean. I painted the drawers in no time. Looking for the chalk paint I used? Click here!

The detail work and the inside of the drawers took a little more time. Want to find the same pretty drawer liner I used? Look here!

Resources for this project:
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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