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Originally purchased from JA Booth and Co Furniture Store in Newcastle.
The mirror was in good condition. Cleaned the mirror claws and
The handles could not be removed without damage so individually cleaned and polished these the best I could prior to taping them for protection. Replaced the base of one of the drawers as rotten.
Lightly sanded and cleaned the dresser.
I wanted a smooth finish so used a spray gun (for the first time) using a black art paint for furniture. Once painted, I then applied a protective satin clear varnish.
Bucket
Chux wipe and warm soapy water
Marine Plywood 4mm for draw base
Vernazza design leftover wallpaper for inside draw base
New brass screws to replace broken originals on mirror claws
Scotch Blue Masking tape
Brasso for handles
Brush n Leaf Interior gold leaf liquid metalic paint for mirror claws
180grit sandpaper and cork block
Folkart One Decor Paint Classic black
Leni Boyle Clear Satin Varnish
Screw driver
Steel ruler
Stanley knife
Soft Paint brush
Art brush for mirror claws an corner brackets
Spray gun
Protective plastic sheet for paint overspray
1. Cleaning.
Wipe it down using warm soapy water to access damage marks as well as clean the glass mirror and the old claws and corner brackets. Removed the mirror and unscrewed the claws and corner brackets as tainted. The draw handles could not be removed without major damage.
Tried to then oak the old claws and corner brackets in a solution of vinegar with warm water, again with lemon with warm water. Although clean some of the taint remained so decided to paint them instead as did not want to replace them.
2. Replace bottom draw.
One of the draws had a damage base so the was measured, cut to size and replaced with plywood, 4mm so it could slide back into the original grooves of the sides of the draw
3. Finish the handles, claws and corner brackets
Once these were clean and dried, I applied gold paint to the claws and brackets and allow them to dry until ready to install.
The handles could not be removed as it appeared to be nailed in with very fine nails. These where polished with Brasso, then masked with tape to protect them from sanding and painting.
4. Sanding
I used a180 grit sanding sheet and a cork block and rolled pieces to sand back the scratches and the old paint throughout the dresser. Also to ensure any dry splittering areas where also smoothed back. This included the mirror frame.
Once sanded, this was dusted then wiped over with warm water and left to dry prior to painting
5. Painting
Using an compressor spray gun, I watered down the paint and tested the consistency so it was not too thick or watery where it could run. I applied one light coat and allowed it to dry, then applied another. This was repeated, so three light coats where applied to build up the application without the paint running.
6. Varnish
I used a soft brush to apply the varnish using a thin application (to avoid brush marks) and repeated the application once dried.
Once dried the masking tape was removed from the handles of each draw.
7. Inside Draw
I decided to wallpaper the inside bottom of all the draws with some lovely leftover wallpaper I had which suited the black design.
8. Completing the Dresser
The mirror was put back together with the freshly painted gold claws etc. The movable hinges were also placed back onto the mirror supports which enable the mirror to be tilted.
Hi @LindaN,
A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.
Thank you for sharing this fantastic dresser upcycling project.
What a wonderful restoration you've done. The black paint has given the old dresser a fantastic new look and the gold hardware really compliments the paint well.
The hidden gem for me is that wallpaper inside the drawers. Did you take some inspiration from it before choosing the style for the dresser? I ask because it just works so well with the colour scheme.
Congratulations on a fantastic job that I hope you are extremely proud of.
Jacob
No , the wallpaper was an after thought. I wanted to match the Art Deco dresser with the modern furniture in the bedroom which was dark. The wallpaper I had left over from our (my husband and I) house build in our powder room. I do love some aspects of Art Deco and thought this wallpaper complimented the dresser:)
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