Home / Before and After / Shabby Chic Dresser – From Blah to Ooh-La-La

Shabby Chic Dresser – From Blah to Ooh-La-La

This was a dresser given to me by my grandmother. It started out as a chipped creamy yellow and I remember she had it loaded with sewing scraps and materials like for-ev-a. Take a look at how this old, tired piece of furniture will transform from blah to oh-la-la shabby chic dresser.

Shabby chic dresser close up

The dresser before its transformation

It was pretty damaged, but I convinced my dad to repaint it in crackle paint for my kids rooms. I never had to worry about it getting damaged or destroyed.

Dresser before this quick update

The dresser fit well dressed up in my girls rooms and then rustic looking later in my son’s.

Anyway, somehow when my kids got new furniture I inherited it again and just stuffed it in my closet. Point is that she was free to me and SHOULD have been left out on the curb many times over. But I have rescued it thinking she would have some potential.

Here is the candidate. She really was shabby and boring and was in need of a makeover real bad! I didn’t even take pictures of the sides where my children have decided to scribble their names beautifully monogram with their own personal touches!

Up close and personal dresser before

Finding dresser inspiration

I found some dresser inspirations on the web and these were my favorites:

Dresser inspiration - pictures found online

And then this…from Twice lovely

Damask dresser from Twice lovely

I like the damask stencil dresser the best!

I am pretty good at stenciling, but not too patient to put in the work to sand, repaint and stencil. Plus I only have time to work during Buttercup’s nap-time, so it would involve much more time than what was allotted to me.

Stencils for painting on wood

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So, I put on my thinking cap and ModPodge came to mind and I came up with this. I just printed the typography out from my computer, cut out and glued right onto the dresser. I am in love. It has the perfect element of shabbiness that I like but glammed up a little.

And Now… The Shabby Chic Dresser – From Blah to Ooh-La-La

Ta-da! I love it!

Ooh la la!

Here is the top of the dresser that holds my jewelry box, inspiration frame and necklaces.

Top of the dresser with my jewelry on it

I read this framed quote every morning when I get dressed! It definitely encourages and inspires me.

Sentiment - I love reading this every day as I prepare for what's ahead

Colossians 3:12

34 thoughts on “Shabby Chic Dresser – From Blah to Ooh-La-La”

  19. That is so cute! Great job and a wonderful way to dress it up. I love how you mixed in the Spanish "pantalones" with the French text. I need to do this for my daughter. That damask dresser is amazing too.

    Reply

  21. What an great way to dress up drawers. You have given me such a great idea to use. Thank you so much for sharing. I will follow on my way out so I can revisit. I hope you can find the time to come visit me and do the same. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Cheers SpecialK XoXo

    Reply

  29. Tami, this is just so beautiful and I can't believe you did it with mod podge, that is super! Just found your blog through Embracing Change and am now following you.

    Happy New Year,

    Julie

    Reply

  30. I'm reading the chain of comments and now I am wondering if I am a no reply commenter as well? I'm scared. Please let me know when you have a chance.

    Amanda @ mommy is coocoo

    PS fan freaking tastic job on the dresser. Brilliant idea about the printer.

    Reply

  31. Very pretty Tami! And here I thought I was the only one who had a dresser in a closet! Thanks for linking up for the favorite furniture makeovers of 2012!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

    Reply

  32. I've seen this floating around pinterest and I didn't realize it was you piece. I almost used it as inspiration for a similar dresser I redid, but I didn't realize it was just mod podged on…so smart. It looks fantastic! 🙂

    Reply

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