My friend Cathy and I had a yard sale. Cathy had this dresser at the sale, it didn't sell. While we were cleaning up, I asked her "garage or shed". Which means where were we going to store it. She said "curb". I was like "huh". She said I'm tired of messing with it. I told her I would take it, you know I love a good curb find! This was a huge curb find! I loved the legs. It had really nice bones, and was a very sturdy piece. It was painted a really pretty brown, however the top was not in the best shape due to it's age, and being in the weather.
I brought it home, painted it with some oops black! Can you believe I got a one gallon can of Behr oops (black) for $5.00? Talk about the right place at the right time! Okay, back to the story. I painted it black, and did the brown paper bag technique on the top, sides and drawer fronts.
After doing the brown paper bag technique on it, I diluted some of the black paint and did a "wash" over the brown paper. I then sealed it with a couple of coats of polyurethane.
Check back at a later date, to see another brown paper bag technique project. Same yard sale, same response from Cathy "curb, I'm tired of messing with them".
Hi, there! I’m Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!
Karen @ http://scarlettbegoniasfancy.blogspot.com/
Very nice!!! do you have a tutorial on doing the paper bag technique. I've not seen it before but it's gorgeous!
Deborah March
Oooohhh, YUM!!! Great makeover!!
Bella
Your blog is full of fun furniture makeovers, I just love it. I am your newest follower for sure, and have just found one of my favorite places to come too for inspiration, on my ugly furniture, and how to not curb it, lol. I am host to a VERY new party, and if you have a chance do try to swing by linking up some of your incredible makeovers. I would soooo LOVE to have you. Thanks again!!!
Shanarun
I really like this!!! It reminds me of a piece of furniture that my dad made for my mom't office many years ago... He cut pieces of leather in a random patter and lined them up against each other until the side table-with-glass-doors was completely covered. None overlapping pieces. Then he covered it with clear resin. I will have to ask them if they still have it. 🙂 Thanks for posting!
Anonymous
I like the concept but not the black! too morbid a colour. I would have gone for a light tan or cream finish for the paintwork and applied a wash of the diluted finish to the brown paper but then again I live in a flat with white walls!
Best Wishes
Nigel London UK
Lisa
I like that technique although I've never used it on such a big project. Looks great!
Jennifer
How wonderfully unique! Fabulous work!
Chari
Hi Gail...
Soooo happy to have you join in with us for Sunday Favorites this week, my friend! What a great post to share with everyone again...although it's brand spankin' new to me! I just love reading about refinishing furniture! I've done a little of it and have always been so interested in the process and all those great transformations!!!
Now...this old dresser is just awesome! I just love how it looks...love that brown paper bag technique! I have often wondered how to fix a piece when the wood is really "past" repair...this is a grand solution and it looks soooo pretty! Like Keetha said in her comment...it gives it a look of leather...absolutely gorgeous!!! Girl, you did GOOD...and so nice of your friend Cathy to let you have this piece!
Thank you so much for sharing your creativity and talents with us today for Sunday Favorites! I'm definitely comitting this idea to memory! In fact, I'm saving a few of your photos to my computer for future reference!!!
Hope that you're having a super Sunday!
Chari
Keetha Broyles
Very interesting brown paper bag faux leather finish!!!!
Glenda/MidSouth
Great redo - gotta love black paint. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Audra
I love what you did to this dresser! What a makeover! I have a non-assuming dresser I picked up from my daughter that might work perfect for this type of treatment. Thank you for inspiring me and countless others!
Lisa
Love the dresser.. Great Job ! Thanks for dropping by my blog Gail. How did I miss yours??? Very creative!
~Lisa