Did you see the hall cabinet I made a while back? Well, being a glutton for punishment and really enjoying the creative process, I picked up a small dresser from Marketplace for $20, full of dust and spiders... Ew. Since doing this piece, I'm a little obsessed about it, searching everywhere for something free I can fix up and bring new life to. In this post, I'm moving on to talking about how I did the drawers and top, what varnish I used, and how to get rid off that yellowed pine look.

We decided to put it in place first to see what it looked like. IWe took off the old backing, washed it, and took the brass plates off the pulls so they featured the strong brass teardrops. It fit exactly where I wanted it to. I thought it might take me a few months to get to it - ha, who am I kidding. As if I can let something sit there begging for some love.

Funny, the old glass tubular lampshade had broken last week. Jamie hated it as it was too bright and was going to chuck it. Then I recalled the rattan shade from the spare room that was too dark, and thought I'd try it on the base. Voila! Perfect!

Within a few days I'd pulled it out under the gazebo to sand, sand, sand. Thank goodness for the orbital sander. It only actually takes an hour or two - 80 grit, 120 grit, and so on down to 240 smmmoooooth. The sides only needed a rough sand because I used Fusion mineral paint in coal - no primer is needed.

Now I really love the raw wood look but it's hard to keep it that colour. As Jamie said, that's just what wood does. I could have tried a varnish but I wanted a reallyIn the end I didn't really lose the yellowy look, but it is a warmer, deeper orange instead, featuring the natural lines of the wood. I particularly like the bottom drawer.

The black took three coats to cover, but in the end, I am really happy with the result! I think it looks quite dramatic and stylish, and at the very least, refreshed. I went over the whole lot with beeswax as that helps protect the paint too and deepens the colour. To be honest it would have been nigh on impossible to return it to raw wood all over as the ply inserts on the side were blackened with mould - I used vinegar to get what I could off but I think the paint and beeswax should keep it hidden now!

I've also saved something from landfill, and have somewhere to put my placemats and other things. I don't have a lot of storage in my house so this is a really lovely addition.