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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Drexel Mid Century Dresser

       I came across two mid century pieces (well 3 actually) that were fantastic finds! Craigslist of course! This is a Drexel "Biscayne" series. I googled this model and found it for sale at a vintage furniture store for $1900!!!
      The guy told me his mom had been using this dresser as an ironing board/sewing center!!! 
ACK!
Why do people do this to furniture???

As bad as it looked, it felt even worse!
You can't tell from the pics, but the top was very concave.
No way this top could be saved. I'm good, but
I'm not Houdini!
























Here is what it is supposed to look like. This is the one that's going for $1,900.


I tried to save the top. Sanded and even attempted to glue down the veneer. But it was too bowed to save.
I got a solid piece of pine, cut it and routed the edges. Plywood would not have worked unless I wanted to band the edging. Too much work since I was painting. 
Ended up scrapping the entire top and getting a new piece. I would have done a cool top with some nice wood, but I had already decided I was going to leave the drawer fronts natural and I had no idea what kind of wood it was. Even the guy at the lumberyard was stumped. I have seen this type of wood before, or since.  No way to match it. So, I figured I would do everything else a gloss white. The new top is a solid piece of pine.  (No need to spend a lot of money on premium wood that is going to be painted). The edges were routed, much like the original one.
After a bunch of sanding and staining,,,,,

Ta-Dah! 

This was my first time using the HVLP sprayer that I've had (for almost 2 years!!)
Normally I brush, but I wanted this to be extra smooth.  I like it. But it is a pain having to tape
off and prep and cleaning up afterward. I used a Sherwin Williams enamel. I so wanted to use a
paint lacquer, but not here in Calif. Can't get it. I really wanted the glossy smooth glass-like finish.
I used the Command Max Sprayer. Simple enough to use and decent results.



                                      Those are natural light areas in the wood that you see.
The hardware was cleaned and polished and sprayed in a soft gold. The hardware and the 
drawer fronts got a coat of spray lacquer for protection. 




 This is a really cool piece and can be used so many places in the home.
 Hopefully not as a sewing center.



Featured on Apartment Therapy!!!


Linking up at my fave parties!! :
Kammys Korner - Trash to Treasure Tuesdays
Domestically Speaking - The Power of Paint Party
The Shabby Creek Cottage - Transformation Thursday
Miss Mustardseed - Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Night Special
Knick of Time Interiors - Knick of Time Tuesday
My RePurposed Life                                        

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8 comments:

  1. Your piece turned out great! You definitely save it from being used as a sewing station. I love the hardware also. I have been contemplating a paint sprayer. Would you use it again?

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  2. Wow! I love this piece! MCM is so popular now. I've picked up a few gems for cheap but it's getting more difficult. Your post just gave me an idea that perhaps I should just replace the damaged top. Thanks!
    Joan from NicerThanNew.com

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  3. Gorgeous and although original condition is worth so much, you saved this one from landfill!

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  4. It looks REALLY great! I usually don't like mid-century pieces painted, but this totally works. LOVE IT!

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  5. I looooove this look! you saved this piece!

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