Monday, January 3, 2011

Wisteria Inspired Dresser

To start off: AHHHH! I've finally finished this dresser! I started working on it way back in August, and it kept getting put off, having complications and being forgotten about so I'm very relieved to be done with it!

I drew my inspiration for the dresser from one particular piece of furniture on the Wisteria site:

I love the muted tones and the faded, washed sort of look it has.

I knew going into it that I wasn't going to be able to strip the dresser down to bare wood like the wisteria dresser for the very simply reason that the sides weren't real wood. So I had to compromise. I ended up doing multiple layers of paints in different colors in an attempt to emulate wood grain.

I started by painting the entire dresser with a basic sort of light tan color that somewhat matched the color of bare wood. I then thinly and evenly washed over a very dark brown color. After that was dry I finished by washing a lighter gray color over top of the brown color. I'm pretty pleased with the result, I hope you all will be too!

Before I show you the dresser I think I better show you the before picture.


Charming, isn't it? I'm not sure when this sort of look was in style but...yikes!


Okay, so now, without further ado, here is the after:



Doesn't look like a months long project, does it? :P

Honestly, the only reason it took so long was because of my tendency to get bored with a project and just let it sit around unfinished.




Although the hardware isn't particularly "wisteria-ish" I kept it because I didn't have the money to spend on new ones and I thought they looked fairly wonderful anyways. Of course, I did freshen them up a bit by sanding them down so you can see the shiny metal on parts, which I think helps tremendously.

I also did away with the double handles on each drawer and just put a single one in the center.





These little wheels are one of the things I really love about this dresser.





As I said above, I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out, it doesn't look a whole lot like the inspiration photo, but it has the same sort of feel, and that's really all I wanted.

I also wanted to thank you all for your incredibly kind comments! I was surprised at how many of you said you were inspired by my work. For me, inspiring people is the ultimate compliment and truly humbling, so thanks! I hope some of you will send me the links to any projects I may have inspired, because I certainly love to see them!

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Thanks a ton for reading, and don't forget to check out these awesome link parties!

http://todayscreativeblog.net/

32 comments:

  1. The dresser looks wonderful!!! Keep having fun!

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  2. The dresser turned out great - I love the variation in tones. Excellent design choice to use only one handle in the center, totally loving the look, gives it a more updated modern feel.

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  3. WOW! You did a great job. I am impressed that you layered the paint to get the look you want- brilliant!

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  4. Great job! I have been looking for handles like that....I have two broken ones on my antique dresser that was my Dad's. You wouldn't want to sell the extras you didn't use would you? Let me know. Thanks so much!

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  5. Wow, it looks great! I love your winter display too! Now I wish I hadn't passed up that pair of ice skates I found a few weeks ago!

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  6. I actually like yours better than the Wisteria one... I like how yours looks cleaner.

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  7. It turned out lovely. Has very much the same vibe as Wisteria, which is pretty hard to do with a different style of furniture. Your finish is beautiful!

    And you're not alone with getting bored with projects, believe me. Hey, at least you finished yours. I have tons of stuff I've totally lost interest in.

    Would love for you to stop by this weekend and link up to Passion for Paint!

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  8. Very cool! I think you did a great job! :)

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  9. The dresser is so beautiful....I love browsing Wisteria online...I need to get over there to visit..Thanks for sharing

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  10. The dresser looks wonderful! Great job!

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  11. Wow, nice job! Are you really just 17?? I almost don't believe you! You have an awesome future in design ahead. I wish I had been redoing furniture when I was 17!

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  12. It turned out great. I think your version retained that rustic look but would still look beautiful in a more modern room. You have a great eye!

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  13. Holy Smokes - you are so talented! I will definately click to follow. Thanks for leaving me a comment about the Ice Candle Holders, let me know when you make them.

    Selina

    www.creativejuicesdecor.blogspot.com

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  14. I get bored with projects too!! And then they sit... like my garage full!

    Love this! Glad you finished it!

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  15. I think yours is prettier than the Wisteria one. Your glazing is phenomenal! Love it!

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  16. Hello! I was browsing around to find some great new people to join my linky parties, and I am now your newest follower! I would love for you to come join in and don't forget to enter my $250 giveaway while you are there!
    DANA
    http://danajeanward.blogspot.com

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  17. You did a terrific job on that dresser, it is beautiful. I enjoyed looking around at your blog, you are a tlenated person!

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  18. Great job! Love that you only used a center pull! Can not believe you are only 17...so talented!

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  19. Fantastic job! I honestly think yours looks much better than the original!

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  20. This is a great job! And, I really love the ice skate on top. I hope that you will post this onto my Show and Share Sunday linky party. http://craftygeordi.blogspot.com/2011/01/show-and-share-sunday.html

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  21. The transformation is well done. Can you tell us the colors or products you used?

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  22. Robby,
    I'm new to your blog and I just wanted to say thanks for inspiring others with your passion and talent! What a gift God has blessed you with! Keep on keeping on! :)

    Jamie

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  23. Hi Robby!

    Your blog is an inspiration. I love your style. I live in Indiana too. I'm slowly but surely remodeling our 1965 ranch home. Nice to see a fellow Hoosier on the web:).

    Amanda

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  24. Love your wisteria inspired dresser....you know I love these as well. ;) Thanks so much for linking it up!! -shaunna :)

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  25. It's beautiful. I love what you did with it. I loved the suitcase as well....can you share on my Friday link party? alittleknickknack.blogspot.com

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  26. Hello from a fellow Hoosier! Your dresser is gorgous. You certainly are very talented! I'm looking forward to checking out your blog.

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  27. Normally I hate distressed or faux "old" looking furniture, but this is superbly done. Love it!

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  28. Gorgeous! I *love* what you did with this dresser. I even love the old hardware, but only one in the middle... brilliant! I also love your vignette on the top... you've got style! ;-} Keep up the great work!

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