Weekend Project Part 2 - Old Dresser Makeover and Art

The master bedroom makeover continues! I started with this headboard and decided to turn on my dresser. Before I painted it, this dresser was an ugly duckling to say the least. It was scratched, the drawers were falling out and it had been well loved by quite a few previous owners. But me, being the crazy hoarder that I am made my husband bring it with us in the move and to show him that it wasn't just going to be yet another project in the garage waiting to be done, I've actually been  using it as my dresser in our bedroom. Even though the drawers sagged every time I opened it and the scratches were sad to look at, I knew some day I would make it pretty. And that day was finally here. Joy of joys! 

Here she is before:

(sorry, I only remembered to take a picture after I had already removed the drawers)

And here she is after:

*sigh* I could stare at her all day. And since she's now located on the wall directly across from the foot of my bed - I can! Here's some pictures of how I got'er done with some sweet narration to go with them. You're welcome. :) 

First, I sanded it like crazy. And I did it by hand with an old school hand sander. Call me crazy, but I love getting a good workout in with a hand sander. 

Next, I painted it. A lot. Like, 3 coats and then I put a clear glaze on the top to protect it from people throwing keys and whatnot's on it. I bought just a sample sized thing of paint (less than $5) in "Canary Yellow" and when I got home I hated how bright it was so I added some white to it - which was great because that made it go further and I still have a lot leftover. 

Next, I spray painted my handles in brushed metallic (which I scored for only $1.35 on clearance!)

Here they are back on the dress. And yes, they will hold up great - I've used this spray paint on other projects and it works perfectly. 

Last, but not least, I'm sure you noticed my sweet art piece above the dresser. Yes, I did do it myself. :) That was a fun surprise for my husband because this is the first "real" piece of art I've done since before we got married and I got to sign it as Bennett! Pretty pathetic that it took me that long to do something this big, but that's what happens when you have 2 kids back-to-back, right? :)