Wednesday 1 August 2012

Ebony and Ivory

I've been working on two dressers and finished both in the same day :) 
I'm calling them Ebony and Ivory. I'm not sure which I like more. They are just so different but equally beautiful. 
The light one started out looking like this...
 It had all it's original hardware (which I have saved for a future project)
 And it's top was covered in mac-tack.
Over all it was in GREAT shape. When I say that I mean structurally. On the back was the manufacturers tag. So I know the maker and the age. Then as a bonus inside the top drawer was the original price tag and where it was bought. It was sold from Eatons and the original price tag said it sold for $4.95!! 
WOW...can you imagine picking this up today brand new for that price? 
No way did I pay that for it now..wish, but didn't happen...lol
I ended up staining the top then sealing it with a new wax that I wanted to try out. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the results. The body was painted, distressed and waxed. It's now as soft as butter. I added glass knobs that I ordered from Kennedy Hardware. You really do have to go check them out. I love their glass, and I've also ordered a lot of replacement parts to fix pieces. 


I picture this one going to a little girls room. Maybe it's the glass but it screams "girl" to me :)

The Dark dresser started (well to me) white. 
 These pictures don't seem to be in order, but you get the idea. Lots of paint to strip off but so worth the effort.
 The paint job wasn't bad, but after researching the manufacturer online I realized that I probably had a solid walnut dresser on my hands (yes again the tag was still on the back...I LOVE that)

And sure enough it was solid walnut. :) 
So back to natural it was. 
 I love the rustic look of this.
 The handles that came gold handles from somewhere in the 80's that were just not right.
 These handles came off a piece I redid last year. They are probably about the same age at the dresser.
 The locks work and the keyhole covers are from this piece. I painted them a matte black.
 It all came together and fits the look I was going after, probably better than I hoped for.

So two very different dressers done. Hopefully off to enjoy new homes with new lives very soon. 

Sharing here:
36th Avenue 
The Shabby Creek Cottage 
Miss Mustard Seed 
Elizabeth and Co. 
Doodles and Stitches 
2805 
Natasha in Oz 
Funky Junk Interiors 
My 1929 Charmer 

28 comments:

  1. I love these. The walnut one is fabulous! Great job!

    Holly

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful job on both of them - don't know which one I love more
    ( which is a good thing lol )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trust me I keep trying to decide as well, and I just can't..lol

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Thanks..I'll text you tomorrow with measurements :)

      Delete
  4. I agree I love them both, the handles on the walnut dresser suit it perfectly, good choice. $4.95 can you imagine? Great job on both dressers, bet that mac tac was fun to deal with lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The mack tack wasn't all that bad really, it's the sticky glue under it that I hated.lol Thanks :)

      Delete
  5. Both look fabulous but i am leaning toward just he wood. Ah, so lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and my husband, if he could he would force me to just do everything with a Walnut stain..lol Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  6. Both of your dressers look great! I love that you took them in completely different directions!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you...I thought it was funny that I took the dark to light and the light to dark...strange how that works sometimes :)

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Thank you..Love what you did with your plant stands :)

      Delete
  8. Hi, it's Sarah D. from Apartment Therapy! Can you shoot me an email when you get a chance? sarah (at) sarahdobbins.com

    Thank you!

    S.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Both are beautiful! It was a good idea to leave the contrasting top on the white one since it has such a pretty grain. Thanks for showing off your project at Potpourri Friday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, and thank you for hosting a great party :)

      Delete
  10. Came over from Natasha's. Both are equally appealing. I think they complement each other well. Love glass knobs on white furniture. they will find new homes quickly!

    Distressed Donna Down Home

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh WOW! I love both of these. I'm so jealous... I want both of them! I will be featuring you next Friday at our Fabulous Friday Link Party. Thanks for linking up at Doodles & Stitches!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh wow, thank you so much, can't wait to share more on your wonderful blog :)

      Delete
  12. Both look great! I like that you stripped the walnut one. I am like you in that I like to know a bit about the age or history of the pieces I find.
    I am a new follower over from Funky Junk Interiors
    Donna G

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you..I just started following you today...great blog!

      Delete
  13. I love them both, but I lean towards natural woods. It would be hard for me to pick, so I'd have to keep both. I love the glass knobs on the white. Very nicely done! So glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – your creativity helped make the party a success! PS - following you on Linky!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think I have the exact dresser (walnut one) sitting in my garage waiting to be refinished! I snagged it for FREE out of my neighbor's driveway over a year ago, and just haven't had time for it yet. It's currently painted black, but I'm pretty sure there are a few other colors underneath that. I was planning on painting it after stripping, but I guess I'll see what it looks like underneath all that paint before I decide!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great before and after pics. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey! Great work. I have a question- how did you paint the keyholes and the handles that wonderful matte black color? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Talia, I clean my hardware (vinegar is my weapon of choice) then I used a flat/matte black spray paint. :)

      Delete