how to paint a striped dresser

I was thrift store shopping before thrift store shopping was cool.

That sounds just like a song. šŸ™‚

And my favorite part about the whole thrift store shopping this…..

….is the thrill of the hunt.

There’s nothing like it.

When you are a thrift store shopper…..hope always springs eternal.

Truly.

You sift through random tea cups and old clocks and swag curtains from 1970 and blue ducks wearing straw hats…..

….and you almost give up hope.

Almost.

Until suddenly….the skies part and the sunshine pours in and as twenty-seven angels sing the Hallelujah Chorus…..and you find it.

You….know….IT.

An IT like this small dresser I recently found for only $2.50. Ā It was dark brown and dingy with extra dings and dents and spider webs thrown in free of charge.

And here’s how I transformed it into a striped dresser with a little paint and FrogTapeĀ®.Ā 

how to add feet to a dresser

Step 1: Ā Prime and paint and add feet to the dresser

I lightly sanded the pieceĀ (after removing the spider webs)Ā and primed and painted the dresser white.

I removed the drawersĀ (we will meet up with them later).

Then feet were added to the dresser. Ā These are old curtain finials from another project. Ā Simply add them into the bottom of the dresser…..

…..and welcome it to 2014.Ā 

painting stripes on dresser

Step 2: Ā Tape off stripes on sides of dresser

Using the edge of the dresser as a guide…taped off a stripe on the top of the dresser as shown with FrogTapeĀ® Delicate Surface.

Continue taping down the front.

painted dresser

Here’s how the tape looked on the front of the dresser before I painted it.

stripes painted on a dresser

Step 3: Ā Paint your stripe

I painted this with simple blue acrylic craft paint. Ā This is the first coat.

Because craft paint is thinner and the blue is so dark….you will want to paint at least three coats to get proper coverage.

Let dry.

house numbers

Step 4: Ā Add drawer handles

You want to install the numbers on the drawers before you paint.

Prepare to be amazed. Ā These drawer pulls are actually house numbers that we float mounted.

Can you believe it?Ā Ā Who knew house numbers could look so glamorous?

I kept looking at the numbers and pulling the drawers out again and again and telling random people that they should use house numbers for drawer pulls.

painted dresser with stripes diy

Step 5: Ā Tape the stripe on the drawers

Replace the drawers in the dresser.

Using the stripe on the top as a guide….tape off the front of the drawers.

Paint with blue acrylic paint.

Let dry.

painted dresser with stripes

Here’s how the finished dresser looks in the room.

And to think it all started with a bargain hunt at the thrift store.

Who knew $2.50…..

…..could end up looking like a million dollars?

I received compensation to complete this project for using FrogTapeĀ® products. Ā  All opinions, projects and ideas are based on my own experience.

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Comments

  1. Image for Eileen Eileen

    What a transformation! The curtain finials for feet take this piece to a whole new level. The house numbers as pulls is just brilliant! Beautifully done.

  2. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    What a project!! It looks fantastic -- I'd love to go bargain hunting with you -- somehow you find the greatest treasures. Then you take it up several levels to lah di dah glamorous! And - is that the cottage wood wall I see on the left?? Pure genius!

  3. Image for Christine Christine

    Karianne, Curtains finials, but of course! You have a permanent thinking cap under your crown! Signed, Grandma Christine! Hehe

  4. Image for Annette Deardurff Annette Deardurff

    OMG! That looks phenomenal! Love the idea of using house numbers for drawer pulls - pure GENIUS!!!!!

  5. Image for Karen Karen

    I am in awe of your creativity! Curtain finials and house numbers! So clever. I love it. And the blue stripes...And the $2.50 price. You can create something out of nothing.

  6. Image for Mary Mary

    Love the look, just wondering what the total cost of this project was? (for those of us who don't happen to have a stash of finials and such)!

  7. Image for Nelda Johnson Nelda Johnson

    Very clever!!! I don't know what it means to float mount the numbers. Could you explain that for me? Thanks!

  8. Image for Shanna Shanna

    Love it! I wish we had a before pic though. I have trouble figuring out what pieces of old junky furniture can be a masterpiece.

  9. Image for Erin Erin

    I am soooo lovin' the numbers! Such and idea! (Please say this in a Yiddish accent. My daughter just finished her summer school production of "Fiddler on the Roof" and I'm sorta stuck in the zone.)

  10. Image for Deborah Wilkins Deborah Wilkins

    Love, love, love this, KariAnne! If I were teaching, I would have one with numbers and one with the ABCD in my classroom! You are too clever! Deborah

  11. Image for Melody, My Passion For Decor Melody, My Passion For Decor

    KariAnne! This is so cool!!! I am in love with the house numbers for drawer pulls!! How did you do that? I read the 'we floated them' but how did you go about doing this? I'd love to hear more....one of the coolest ideas I've seen in a long time :-)

  12. Image for Joanne Boulter Joanne Boulter

    Awesome idea KariAnn. You have an amazing blog. I'm a new blogger HELP! Any ideas to get followers? Anne's Attic- Design https://fulcolbaxia.wordpress.com Thanx Jo

  13. Image for DEBORAH BURKE DEBORAH BURKE

    OMG KariAnne,I love this!!!!!!You must lie awake half the night,coming up with this stuff.I cannot believe the things that you come up with!!!!!!!Love this $2.50 dresser WOWand LOVE what you did to it,LOVE the drawer pulls,who would've ever thought(except for you)it looks absolutely beautiful(LOVE the finnials too)You never cease to amaze me,I'm telling you girl,you were a designer in a previous life,a highly popular and sought after designer(oh and a very RICH designer)!!!!!!!!! :-)

  14. Image for Shirley@housepitalitydesigns Shirley@housepitalitydesigns

    When I first saw that gorgeous painted dresser, I thought, how great that you found a piece with "pretty feet"...and now I know...genious!...and those house numbers?....super genius...the MENSA group of geniuses would definitely be impressed!!!

  15. Image for sharin sharin

    I can't believe no one has asked yet where you got the numbers. I'm imagining these to be about 6 inches tall; am I close? I've looked at both Home Depot and Lowe's and neither of those in my neighborhood had them. Can you point me in the right direction, please. Many thanks! Oh, and how tall is this piece now?

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