Waterfall Dresser (Chest of Drawers)
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If you don’t like painted waterfall dresser furniture, you may want to look for another furniture makeover on my site.
This waterfall dresser (chest of drawers) was headed to the dumpster when I saved it. Not only was it headed FOR the dumpster, but the owner was about to beat it up and break it apart so it would take up less room in said dumpster.
You can see that it was really in rough shape. It had been stored in a damp shed building for years.
The first layer of veneer came right off very easily. The second later needed a little more elbow grease.
After removing the layers of veneer, I could see the damage done from years of storage.
I patched the cracked wood with spackling.
Because this was a quickie makeover, I didn’t attempt to patch this missing piece at the bottom.
Most of the drawers were rickety and not sturdy. I used my new Ryobi Airstrike Stapler to secure the sides of the drawers.
After a good cleaning, the chest of drawers heads to the paint booth for the HomeRight Max Pro Sprayer treatment. I used a light coat of flat white paint as a primer all over the piece, with the drawers in place.
After the light coat of primer, I used Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint all over.
Then I got busy mixing some paint to change the color. The gallon can of blue is Tiffany Blue, and the White is the Behr that I used for a basecoat. I mixed the paint in one of my Homeright cups to shake and store it.
Painting drawers is pretty straightforward, so I used a brush on them. This is after one coat. I decided the color was too light, so I added more Tiffany blue for the second coat.
This picture shows a better real-life color than the pictures below.
While the chest of drawers was drying, I got busy on the hardware. Some of the hardware was very rusty. I used a wire brush to remove some of the rust.
Then I washed them off with the hose.
I reached for my Krylon Rust Protector Spray Paint. Gotta love that it dries so quickly and has the EZ Touch 360° dial spray tip.
I was a little impatient and did a lot of coats—the hardware was a little tacky to the touch, so I laid it on a piece of scrap wood so it could dry better. It’s best to read the directions on the can, many brands vary on their dry times.
Then I reinstalled the pretty white hardware! Do you love the white handles against the pretty blue color?
This vintage waterfall chest of drawers is far from perfect. It’s been through a lot in it’s lifetime. Some may think I should have restored it. I wish I could have, but I didn’t have it in me to take on such a project. At least it can still live a nice, long, purposeful life instead of being chopped up and thrown into a dumpster.
Should I call it done? Or would you do a stencil or some distressing on it?
gail
Related Content: Navy Blue Waterfall Dresser
I love it! I think you did a wonderful job! If you wanted to add something, you could do a white “Lacey” pattern, maybe using doilies as your stencil . Maybe a subtle one that doesn’t take over the piece. But I think it’s great just the way it is!
I agree with Shirley but I would accent those inset lines with your white paint.
Beautiful save!
I almost skipped this due to the warning. I dislike when people see a few scuff marks and decide to paint something that could be gorgeous with a little effort. This would NOT have taken a little effort. You made a good choice and I think it looks good but a cute stencil may be cute as well.
Thank you Mariah for your comment on this waterfall dresser. You are so right, it would have been a huge undertaking, and probably beyond my skill set. 🙂
gail
Excellent job on the waterfall dresser. My wife found one nearly identical to it today in a thrift shop. One of the handles is missing and I was wondering if you have any idea what the brand is or where I might locate one. I have your site bookmarked and we will continue to enjoy viewing your projects.
No, I’m sorry. I know very little about that sort of thing. If I had a spare, I’d send it to ya!
gail
This is just beautiful! The only thing I would do to this, if you haven’t done something already, is bring out the existing cut lines that are already on the chest with just a little bit darker paint in the same color.
I love the chest of drawers that you did. I am getting ready to start a chest of drawers myself. Could sure use some help with the painting. Also, going to paint my storm doors this spring. Beautiful work that you’ve done.
After cleaning out my husbands grandparents house, the one thing I requested was their waterfall bedroom set,only if no one else wanted it~~ Well, we are now the proud owners and I love it. My Mother had one when she married my dad and I just loved it!!
This one is in wonderrul condition. It is now in our guest room!!! how fun!!!
I am new to the blogging, but found your page while on a google search for turning an old dresser into a tv stand. Love your projects, this one is really great! I love old furniture and I can see why some people would not have wanted this painted, but with the damage that was already done to it I think this is the best alternative. How cute would that be in a baby’s or little girls room? If you did that I think a vinyl decal of a name or a monogram on one of the drawers would be sweet.
Hope – http://sittingonmydockofthebay.blogspot.com
I’m so glad to see this. I have a bedroom set that I love but cannot restore. Now I have an idea of how good it will look ‘fixed’ and repainted. Can’t wait to get started.
Hi there.. I had an all in one waterfall amoire with drawers a secretary and closet that the veneering was rotted, splitting, falling off and just plain terrible. I spend days working on removing the horrible veneer. My father called in the middle of my challenge and I told him what I was doing. He said dont touch it I will be right over. He came over and said to boil water in my tea kettle.. LOL when the kettle whistled he took the hot water and start pouring it over the the veneer in an area wear it was splitting and falling apart .. with in minutes he took a putty knife and the veneer lifted off like butter!!! He said that is because originally the glue used is called hide glue and that is how you remove it. If I would have known this from the beginning I would not have had those nasty gouges to fill in. anyhow I finished stripping the veneer off in a couple more hours with his technique then waited several days for the would to be totally dried prepared stained and gold gilded the piece of furniture .. It looked beautiful!!! I since gave it away.
Hi Gail
You should not feel that you have to apologise for what you do. You saved something that was destined for the dumpster & did a fabulous job repurposing it again & most importantly, it looks lovely & has a new lease of life. Well done on a great effort & for sharing it with us ….
PS – I wouldn’t even think of “distressing” this piece. It looks great just the way it is!