Should I go further with this makeover? Or leave as is?

Question

This piece has been through pretty much every process except a complete rebuild. Is there anything else you think would benefit making it more saleable?

Diane Woods · Answer

I definitely would change the handles. The dresser looks great, but the handles take it back...even if you spray paint them white. 1. You can decopage the top with flea market graphic book pages or wrapping paper 2. Leave the top 2 drawers out, add wood shelf, paint the inside and it's an entertainment center 3. One large stencil that runs across the front of the all the drawers 4. Spray paint the handles or replace them with silver ones and paint a silver border around each drawer. 5. Add a wood medallion or some other wood trim on the fronts of drawers and either paint them white too, or a contrasting color.

Pat Dollar · Answer

I am attaching a picture of a dresser I painted to resemble a marble inlay in the top. Yours could look like a marble slab. I used black to paint a base coat then sponged on random shades of green allowing some black to show through. I used a feather to create veins and finished with 3 coats of water based poly. Kits are available with excellent directions as well at craft stores that could be used. When I had a garage sale most who came by tried to buy it and made some handsome offers that were hard to resist. The attached picture does not do it justice. IMHO the handles you have now are perfect!

ElShegal DiaBendia · Answer

I really liked Pat's answer with his marble work that was great! I might try that myself! I have mixed emotions on the hardware I do like what you have but the first suggestion may work well too! But I think you have done a terrific job on it though.

Rosanne · Answer

I would either paint the handles or change them out.

Cynthia H · Answer

It has a great look, but, I'd replace all if not most of the handles. I painted some with metal spray and added new ones when I redid a dresser and it made such a change!

Jamala W · Answer

Just change the handles.. it looks great

E4lizerd · Answer

I agree, I recently painted my dresser and used mismatched handles..looks great.

Cathy Lothamer · Answer

Is that a 70's French provincial dresser....I was going to say change out the handles, but my daughter and I fixed up 2 of the nightstands and they have odd sized handles and we had to change the holes to fit new ones. With your décor I would try green glass pulls on this....no other changes the top looks really nice!

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

I paint and sell my furniture so I am answering specifically from that perspective. I really like the wooden top as it is-wood with colored paint is very hot right now. Some might like it darker, so a Minwax medium walnut stain is an option. But I don't think the lighter wooden top will keep it from selling. You've also painted the dresser white, a neutral best selling color so you are 'right on' there as well. How do the inside of the drawers look? Are they clean? Are they painted? Do you have pretty paper in them? Are there any odors in this piece that might be a roadblock? Very well finished drawer insides (and a painted back) just might make your piece more saleable. Do the drawers slide in and out easily-that issue sometimes can also be a roadblock for selling. Pretty shelf paper won't cost much....
Is this chalk paint? Have you considered waxing it in a dark wax for a more custom look?
I know just how much hardware costs and how hard it is to get an exact match for the holes and if your intent is to sell it, you likely do not want to invest more money into it. Right? When we furniture painters add another $80.00+ dollars for new pulls, this often puts the piece out of range for the majority of buyers. I personally would spray paint that hardware white to make them recess and that lovely wooden top to really sing. What is your price point? Is it fair for the market you are in? Can you move your dresser to another market to help it sell? I have a 40 year history in marketing and selling and I hope my perspective has helped you.

Jeanette S · Answer

I think if this is a resale, just change out the handles to something more up to date and consider it finished. Any accent in style and/or color might not fit a buyer's likes. It is sort of like a blank slate for them to work with. I would suggest you put a couple of things with color on top just to show that they can add their own color. And WHITE is the new buzz color!

Debra Anderson · Answer

The pulls are very nice. But to pull it all together, I would darken the stain on the top of the dresser, to kind of balance it out. And, make sure the inside of the drawers are darkened to match the top, with a light contact paper on bottom of drawer. And make sure the back of dresser is painted white as well. If you want, you can rub some dark paint or stain on the edges as well, to give it a little more character to go with those wonderful pulls. But, I'd keep the pulls, as they are a seller in my book. Good luck in whatever idea you go with. :-)

Jessie · Answer

stop now it is lovely as is.

Regina · Answer

I think the traditional style handles go well with the lines of the piece. I would paint them in a pewter-toned metallic (silver is a bit too garish for me) or use a dark stain for the wood top if you keep the handles dark. I wouldn't paint any other colors on it.

Janis Hill · Answer

I agree with spray painting the handles. Oil rubbed bronze or pewter or even gold: since it is having a resurgence.
Here is a picture of one with the handles painted white and also a picture of two that are completely different, but are beautiful. The gray stripe is my favorite. I am including the end table so you can see the top. It

Janis Hill · Answer

Beautifully done

Joan @ Nicer Than New · Answer

I sell painted furniture too and I agree with White Oak. Stain the wood top and paint the rest. Also paint or change the handles. Here is a desk I did and I painted the handles Rustoleum Copper coloured paint and they loved it!

Irish53 · Answer

Updated handles. Maybe ceramic with green accent to match decor.Stain top just a bit darker.

Porta Verde Studio · Answer

I love the look of the handles you painted. The ones I installed are actually antique brass though they look very dark in the pic. They are also solid brass which is quite expensive so I would rather not paint them. Maybe I should switch back to the original french provincial pulls and just go for the female consumer.

Coastline Construction LLC · Answer

I agree on replacing the handles. It really does date the piece

Wanda Sheffield · Answer

The handles need replacing. Everything else looks great.

Anna Ibarra · Answer

What a pretty piece, like it, however, I myself would prefer a dark stain on the top piece, it would make the white bottom that much more vibrant. If you do that then I don't see why you would replace those quaint dresser pulls. They work against each other with the lighter top. I like a bit of the something old to stay, again that's my own opinion. Good luck, nice job so far.

Judy Adams · Answer

the piece looks good except the drawer pulls. They are a style i no longer want in my decor . Try something more up to date and save the old ones for something else . maybe glass ,pretty color , or ceramic something nice.

Tegma · Answer

Try it the way it is and see if it sells. If not, then you might consider what the professional said.

Cindy Richter · Answer

A chalkboard top? Then maybe spray paint the handles a bright color like lime green, yellow, or pink? Great piece.

Lad222353 · Answer

I think the light top and white are lovely and I see a lot of remodels online using light colors in wood and paint which seem to be very popular now. I agree about the handles. Needs something lighter like copper or brushed nickel.

Chrissie · Answer

Leave it see if It sells why waste time and energy if it does... It looks good to me ! .

Dee · Answer

Im not a fan of the handle,s but if you change them out i would keep them with the piece. to be sold. i like it you did a great job on it.

Susan Cinelli · Answer

Change handles

Anne · Answer

I would darken the top to match the handles and give it a distressed look...

Porta Verde Studio · Answer

After listening to all of your comments, I decided to do the switch out of the pulls. I painted these vintage french provincial pulls in white and then sanded back the white for the polished gold to show through. It finally sold. And though I tried to appeal to a masculine market, with the heavier pulls, I've found these are definitely better suited to feminine buyers. It was sold and used in a baby girls' nursery. :)

Should I go further with this makeover? Or leave as is?

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Should I go further with this makeover? Or leave as is?

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