Before & After Of Mid-Century Dresser (pic heavy)

13 years ago

I am decorating my bedroom in a Hollywood regency/Art Deco style, and it is a work in progress. My mother bought me these lovely mirrored nightstands and I needed something that would cooridnate with them for a TV Stand/dresser,

but were so expensive to buy or just not what I liked. So I picked up this ugly mid-century modern dresser from a thrift store for 30.00 and painted it black.

I then took the drawers to my local mirror company and had them cut mirrors to fit into the little accent slats that were already there.

I then purchased glass pulls off ebay. A set of 12 for 36.00 total. The pictures below the dresser are of my nightstands. You can see how well they match the dresser.

Disregard the ugly shelf full of junk next to the tv stand. Its not staying. Like I said, work in progress.

This is my first attempt and refurbishing a piece of furniture.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (40)

daisy735
13 years ago
Oh that is wonderful!--what a great project with a spectacular result! Congrats!!
lukajoey
13 years ago
Wow! Absolutely fantastic job!!! I'm very impressed - you're first piece? You've definitely got a natural talent! Very nice and very glam!
Related Discussions
Pruning ficus b. after July 9 Repotting. Pic Heavy!
Q
Comments (7)
Randy I have very similar tree, even lopsided like yours. The tree was getting too tall to keep inside, but luckily was not infested. I was looking for info how to prune it & that is how I found this forum. I have followed Al's recommendations to a letter (and I have never even read about root pruning/proper repotting): 1. 'inspection' of roots/flushing thoroughly/proper watering & fertilizing - all few months ahead of proper repotting; 2. then at proper time (July), root pruning (the root ball was a mess)-repotting into brand new soil mix (5-1-1); 3. continue proper watering/fertilizing as recommended 4. pruning branches approx. month later I am very satisfied with results, the tree looks much better and has lots of new leaves growing. An it is few inches shorter (more pruning next year). It took some effort, but if you really want your plant to grow well, it is worth it. I am following similar routine with all my potted plants - it will take some time since I have 'few', but by same time next year all of them will be in new soil mix, root pruned/repotted/branches pruned and I am sure growing much healtier. The info you'll find on this forum is very helpful. Al has many extremely informative threads, and I have save them for reference. Much easier for me to get infor-he does all the hard work of writing it all... Many other members have very good posts and photos too - sorry I can't think of all the names right now. Good luck with your tree. Rina
...See More
Mid Century Modern Kitchen in Texas
Q
Comments (8)
WOW, I just saw this -- haven't come over here much since I did my Ikea Hallarum Kitchen back in '04...but I'm SO glad I did. CONGRATULATIONS on all your remodels. Did you design them yourself or with help? One question re the glass tile transition strips: Did the tiles come pre-'softened', as it were? If not, if there are any sharp edges, you might want to rub a tile stone over them just to be sure none of your little guy's friends get hurt if they're running around in bare feet. I do mosaics and I know that everyone who does glass floors makes DEAD sure that every single piece is completely sanded down to innocuousness. Again, congratulations -- I think I'll save your pics as inspiration. GREAT work.
...See More
My bathroom renovation: Before and after. Many, many pics.
Q
Comments (26)
The paint color on the lower half of the wall is just a very light lavender. The upper half is more purple. I actually mixed the lavender myself, by adding a little of the purple paint to some white paint. The fake tile (sheet vinyl) floor came from Linoleum City in Los Angeles. I looked and looked and looked for that vinyl and Linoleum City is the only place that sells it. I called a salesman there and asked about it. He said they had a unique contract with Tarkett (I think) to produce this product and he didn't think it was sold anywhere else in the country. Their number one client is Hollywood. Set-building people buy it by the roll to use on the sets. The sheet vinyl creates the look of early 20 Century hex tile floor in a jiffy. :) The light fixtures and medicine chest are reproductions. The light fixtures came from Rejunvenation Hardware and the medicine chest came from Van Dykes Restoration hardware. All these years of writing about old houses and I finally got to use some of the resources I've been writing about. Thanks for all the nice comments. Rose Here is a link that might be useful: linoleum city link
...See More
How is this attempted mid-century modern exterior update?
Q
Comments (30)
Hi, the key consideration to work with is that the home is not MCM, but Ranch, and should be treated as such. Unless you want to engage an architect to change the roofline and windows, you should work within the Ranch style. I suggest you step back and reassess the design approach and consider "modern/updated ranch" vs MCM, in order to pull together a good overall design. With that in mind what needs to change first is the front door itself-it is out of sync with the house (color and style). Adapting the front entry to add a sunken patio is intriguing, and in line with Modern-Ranch approach. Minor comments: color, as that is not my strength, but if you're going to live in it vs sell then do what you like. I agree with the suggestions of the landscaping updates. For better or worse you have a huge tree too near the house that you'll have to deal with. The small one should be moved sooner than later as part of the overall plan. You have a huge front yard to work with but unless you're a gardener, I would suggest not doing too much beyond anchor plants and then add potted plants for pops of color-but those minor items alone will do wonders for the look.
...See More
pinch_me
13 years ago
That is faboulous! You have a great eye!
dollfanz
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you all for your nice comments. I am pretty happy with the outcome and how much money it saved me from buying something new.
It had good bones. Dovetail drawers, nice wood. Made in America. No glue or flimsy material. I love old stuff. I just found a great 1920's Art Deco, 52" mirror on Craigs list for 75.00. Just have to figure out where to put it.
I don't want to over-do it with mirrors but I couldn't pass it up.
yborgal
13 years ago
Fantastic job!!! You certainly have the ability to envision the final product.
merrymaryp
13 years ago
Great job, you've tied everything together perfectly. I love the mirrored dresser; what a wonderful job on your first makeover.
shadymeadow
13 years ago
Wow!! Great job. I love the rest of the bedroom too, especially the star bursts above the lamps.
msrose
13 years ago
Great job on the dresser and great job on the whole room. I love how luxurious the bed looks with the fluffy comforter and the way the bedskirt flairs out. Where did you find a bedskirt that was long enough to do that? Also, I'm on the hunt for a great blue/gray paint color, so I have to ask what yours is?

Laurie
barb5
13 years ago
Fabulous!!!
eclecticme
13 years ago
Looks AMAZING! was it very expensive to have the glass company cut the mirror?
juddgirl2
13 years ago
It looks great. I really like how the mirrors reflect your pretty dust ruffle.
les917
13 years ago
Quite a transformation. You should be proud of your hard work!
donnawb
13 years ago
Beautiful! No one would know that it was a second hand piece. You did a fabulous job with the mirrors.
loribee
13 years ago
Wow!!! Love the bedskirt too! :)
pricklypearcactus
13 years ago
Wow! What a lovely dresser and it really looks great in your room. Is it terrible that I actually also liked it in its original "ugly" state?
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
13 years ago
What a gorgeous transformation. And kudos to you for having the ability to foresee what it could look like.
dollfanz
Original Author
13 years ago
Laurie, the bedskirt has an 18" drop. I think as long you buy one that long, any will do. I got mine on ebay for 24.00. It's Waterford Bryanne platinum. The paint is Sherwin Williams Earl Grey.

Electicme, the mirror cost 200.00 It was a lot of tiny cuts and the drilling of the holes for the mirror included in that, cost 8.00 a hole.

I have a question for all you nice people. Should I hang anything over the headboard? Or would it be too much? B&W pictures? One long picture? Or nothing at all.
bronwynsmom
13 years ago
Oh, no, let it be! Your restraint is admirable...like so many other things, the trick is in knowing when to stop.
I love your room. It has that early twentieth century atomic energy with the sparkle of the mirrors and the starburst, but still feels soothing and calm overall because of your color scheme and your resistance to overloading the room.
Less, in this case, is the perfect more.
Well done, you!
snailpace
13 years ago
Nice creative thinking on the dresser, that looks awesome and I love that you reused an older piece. I like the proportions of things on the wall you have now. I would vote with keeping the headboard area open.
dollfanz
Original Author
13 years ago
Ok. Thank you Bronwynsmom. I will focus on some accessories for the nightstands. DH will be happy since it will cost him less..LOL
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
Very nice, interesting choice on the dresser and the whole room. Gives 'mirror in the bedroom' a new meaning ;)

A side question: what did you do with the original pulls? I'm kind of in love with the hinged ones...
dollfanz
Original Author
13 years ago
Flyleft. Sorry, I threw them away. I don't know if you noticed but 3 out of six of them were broken.
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
Oh well, doll...if you're interested, there are folks who actively search out those things, in the future. If there's a Habitat ReStore or s.l.t. in your area, you can donate those ugly old pulls :) and folks will grab them up.

I also vote for nothing over the headboard, btw. Remember what Coco Chanel said, get all dressed up and then take one thing off--that would be a perfect 'one thing', IMO. The eye needs rest.

(this is coming from an art hoarder of sorts, so you *know* I mean it!)
msrose
13 years ago
I agree. Nothing above the bed.

Laurie
nicole__
13 years ago
OMG!!!! That's BEAUTIFUL!!!! What a spectacular transformation! Serious WOW effect!!!!
oceanna
13 years ago
Oh my gosh I love it! What a talented lady you are! This is my favorite kind of decorating, where we find a sad old bargain and re-purpose it to be a knock-out piece, and you sure accomplished that.

Something more over the headboard? Nah, I think it's perfect the way it is.

Your bedroom has elegance and bling, bling, bling. The mirror thingies above the nightstands are perfect. The whole thing is a definite wow. Way to go! Haha -- I expect Dinah Shore to walk in there at any minute. :)

Now, in the master bath do you have a white "fur" rug on the floor? I can see that at the foot of the bed, or somewhere nearby.

Did you attach the mirrors yourself? How did you glue them down? Did they drill the hole in them for the handles?
swickbb
13 years ago
What a unique way of redesigning it. And it came out beautifully! Great job.

This may sound weird but I have to ask the question, did the dresser smell of old wood then was it ok after you painted it? I'm only asking because I'd like to attempt something like that with an old retro piece if I can find something nice like yours but I'm freaky about the old smell of stuff.
texanjana
13 years ago
Wow, that is stunning!
cooperbailey
13 years ago
simply perfect
gsciencechick
13 years ago
It turned out fantastic and looks awesome with your other pieces!

I agree, nothing else over the bed. It looks perfect as is.
dollfanz
Original Author
13 years ago
Swickbb, the drawers did have a slight smell to them but I took each one and sponge washed them out before I painted them. And now they're fine. I did consider putting a clear coat in them but decided against it, thinking I would never get that smell out.

Oceanna, I had every intention of attaching the mirrors myself. I even purchased the mirror mastic. But to my surprise the mirror company did it for me for no extra charge.
The drilling of the holes is what's expensive. They charge 8.00 a hole. But I didn't even want to attempt it. I could just see me ruining a lot of mirror.
oceanna
13 years ago
Thanks for the info. You are very clever and you did great!
caroline94535
13 years ago
Wow! Wow!! Wowzer-Wow!!!
calicocat1967
13 years ago
Love.....love.....love everything. You did an awesome job on the dresser. Love the starburst mirrors. Great job on the decorationg !!! Where did your mom get the night stands?

Kim
dollfanz
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Kim,
She ordered them from IVGstores.com. They are called "Chelsea." I think they are made by the Bassett Mirror company.
dogitnice
13 years ago
Really nice creative solution. congrats.
vampiressrn
13 years ago
You did a fabulous job on the dresser. Your room truly looks Hollywoodish!!! Gorgeous colors of gray and a wonderful headboard and lamps. GOOD JOB :-)
dazzlemewithcolor
13 years ago
That is so beautiful and inspiring!! Did you put the mirrors on yourself? Would you share what products you used? Also, are the edges of the mirror blunt cut or are they beveled?

LOVE IT!! Great job!!
denali2007
13 years ago
WOW
dormacyn_aquinas_edu
13 years ago
I know it's been awhile since you posted your dresser, but I just bought one almost exactly like it that has the same original pulls (handles). You didn't happen to save the old ones, did you? I need three to replace some that are missing.

I'm going to refinish mine and use it as a buffet. It's a perfect size for that.

I love what you did with yours, it just wouldn't work with my stuff. What a transformation.

Please let me know if the pulls are available.

Before & After Of Mid-Century Dresser (pic heavy)

Comments (40)

Related Discussions

dollfanzOriginal Author

dollfanzOriginal Author

dollfanzOriginal Author

dollfanzOriginal Author

dollfanzOriginal Author

dollfanzOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

dollfanz
Original Author

dollfanz
Original Author

dollfanz
Original Author

dollfanz
Original Author

dollfanz
Original Author

dollfanz
Original Author