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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Nice Chest

| By Sherry Petersik | May 30, 2009 | 62 Comments

Reader Redesign: Nice Chest

When we saw the magic that Mindy worked on an old dresser we had to share the eye candy. Here’s her letter:

I love your website and eagerly look forward to reading it everyday. I just thought I would show you my dresser re-do! The hubs and I really needed a dresser but didn’t want to spend a lot. We like things that are solid and made really well. So, after finding this antique dresser on Craigslist I decided to fix it up. I took the handles off and filled the holes in, sanded the varnish off, primed it, then painted it with two coats of Behr’s “lime light.” Then I drilled the holes for the new knobs and lined it with contact paper. It was fun to do and I did almost everything in one afternoon (but left it to dry for 24 hours before putting the new knobs on). The dresser was $20, paint was $17, knobs were $19, contact paper was $5 which brings the total to around $60! Thanks for all your inspiration! -Mindy

Here’s the seen-better-days before:

img_3892

And the amazing after:

img_3937

img_3918

Anyone who knows us knows that we like a crisp new paint job. And anyone who knows us well knows that we’re actively drooling over this fabulous transformation. Mindy, it looks absolutely amazing! You did a lovely job and the fun contact paper is the icing on the DIY cake. Thanks so much for sending the deeeelicious pics our way.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for BlayneBlayne says

    May 30, 2009 at 9:33 am

    Wow! Love that. I am always inspired by other people’s Craigslist finds, but I feel like I have never noticed anything fabulous on there. I don’t think I would have recognized the potential in this piece though. Great eye!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for reneerenee says

    May 30, 2009 at 9:35 am

    WOW! Mindy you’ve got the magic touch. It’s beautiful and looks like a very expensive piece. Nice work; thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
  3. Avatar for AlisonAlison says

    May 30, 2009 at 9:43 am

    Beautiful! What a transformation.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for KateKate says

    May 30, 2009 at 10:11 am

    Does anyone know where to find contact paper like that? Everything I find is dull and boring.

    Thanks! =)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 30, 2009 at 5:54 pm

      Hey everyone,

      We’re so glad you’re digging Mindy’s dresser makeover as much as we are! As for where the contact paper is from, we believe we’ve seen it at Target so that’s our best guess. Hopefully she’ll drop in and confirm (and see all the praise she’s getting). Gotta love a quick and painless paint makeover!

      xo,
      Sherry

  5. Avatar for abbeyabbey says

    May 30, 2009 at 10:26 am

    Great job! It looks like a completely different dresser! Off to Craiglist to find a dresser…

    Reply
  6. Avatar for FrugalChickFrugalChick says

    May 30, 2009 at 10:31 am

    Amazing–it doesn’t even look like the same dresser!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for SaraSara says

    May 30, 2009 at 11:04 am

    That looks great!

    J&S~You guys are in first place! Yay!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    May 30, 2009 at 11:22 am

    LOVE THIS!!!! After checking out all these AMAZING finds and finishes….I am off to check out craigslist! actually…I am off to vote for you all on hgtv, and THEN to check out craigslist! :)

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Elle R.Elle R. says

    May 30, 2009 at 11:35 am

    I love seeing redesigns like this! When my friend moved into her first apartment during college I helped her paint an old dresser her dad had been keeping in their garage. The result was absolutely stunning and I was even jealous of her “new” dresser in comparison to the furniture I had just spent a hefty amount of money on. Needless to say, seeing rehabs like this are such an inspiration!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for MarthaMartha says

    May 30, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    Beautiful, Mindy. where did you find that cute contact paper?

    Just voted, you are in first place!!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for MaryB in RichmondMaryB in Richmond says

    May 30, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    I agree with Blayne — I’m not sure I recognize the potential in such “finds” on Craigslist and elsewhere…but keeping up with this blog is at least helping me to think about it!

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the polka dot contact paper; what a fun and unexpected surprise.

    WONDERFUL!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    May 30, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    Oh that is just adorable! I actually just did my first redesign last night, it was quite fun and I love the results!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for foobellafoobella says

    May 30, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    I think the new paintjob really makes the nice lines of the dresser stand out more. Great job.

    Reply
  14. Avatar for heather s.heather s. says

    May 30, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    It looks great! I’m jealous of everyone’s Craiglist or Goodwill finds. The pickings around here are slim. (I have that contact paper too in my hall closet!)

    Reply
  15. Avatar for BenitaBenita says

    May 30, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    Hey you guys! I just voted and you’re in the lead again!!!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

    May 30, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    What a wonderful rehab! I’m totally jealous!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Anna OAnna O'Reilly says

    May 30, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Love it! It turned out gorgeous.

    Reply
  18. Avatar for psps says

    May 30, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    Truly amazing! Simple changes can have such a big impact!!! I, too, would have looked straight past this chest in its ‘before’ avatar ;)

    Reply
  19. Avatar for ChristinaChristina says

    May 30, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    If you ask me, I think this is WAY cooler than buying a new dresser. You dont get character like that anymore- at least not within most of our budgets. Awesome job!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for RowanRowan says

    May 30, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Wow. Just Wow!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for MeganMegan says

    May 30, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Beautiful work! Looks like I need to do some Craigslist hunting myself :)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for AmberAmber says

    May 30, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    I love that contact paper! Where did they find it? It’s so cute!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for katiekatie says

    May 30, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    Wow this is GREAT! Where is the contact paper from?

    Reply
  24. Avatar for PaulaPaula says

    May 30, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    Gorgeous! I kept going back and forth, amazed that it is the same dresser. Nice job!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for JessyJessy says

    May 30, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    I’ve been trying to remember to vote everyday (including weekends) for you guys, and I did so today and I noticed you are now leading the race! Congrats, I hope you win, it would be totally deserved!

    love. love. love the dresser make over. Mindy (you) did a fantastic job!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for JenMJenM says

    May 30, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    What a difference, it looks amazing. I especially love the little touch of funky paper inside the drawers.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for KristalKristal says

    May 30, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Great makeover – I saw that contact paper at Target the other day! :)

    And I just cast my daily vote and saw you’re back in first place. Woohoo!! I’m dying for ya’ll to win!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for HollyHolly says

    May 30, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    AAAUUUGHHHHH 1st place baby!!! {on BHG!}

    Awesome dresser makeover, I love it!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for Jaime @ Project [Casa de Ayala]Jaime @ Project [Casa de Ayala] says

    May 30, 2009 at 4:40 pm

    Nice Chest!

    OMG OMG OMG – You are in first place!!!
    11316 vs 11193

    KEEP VOTING PEOPLE!!

    :D

    Reply
  30. Avatar for jodijodi says

    May 30, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    I’m new to your blog – my sister sent me your link and now I have ALL kinds of ideas for our house. Any way – I’ve been voting and after I voted today I saw that you guys are in first place!!! Woo hoo! Just a congrats :)

    Reply
  31. Avatar for :::Lyzz::::::Lyzz::: says

    May 30, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    Love it!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    May 30, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    Just voted and ya’ll are in the lead! Good Luck!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for rebecca Pricerebecca Price says

    May 30, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    Sherry and John,

    I just placed a vote for you guys at BHG.com and you guys are AHEAD BY 123 VOTES!!! Woo hoo!!!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    May 30, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    That looks absolutely *fabulous*!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for TawnyaTawnya says

    May 30, 2009 at 6:35 pm

    Very inspiring. Great job, Mindy!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Ashley PAshley P says

    May 30, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    I have the same contact paper in my kitchen cabinets! It is from Target. I bought some in February, and it is still in stock at the store I shop at.

    Reply
  37. Avatar for MarciMarci says

    May 30, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    Please please tell us where the drawer paper is from!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for MindyMindy says

    May 30, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    Hey everyone! Yes, the contact paper is from Tar-jay!!! Thanks for all the feedback! :)

    Reply
  39. Avatar for RoeshelRoeshel says

    May 30, 2009 at 9:03 pm

    Great job Mindy! It’s so pretty!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for KatrinaKatrina says

    May 30, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    I love that contact paper! I really like seeing old pieces become new with a little bit of labor. Some of my favorite pieces in my home are renewed goods. It makes them that much better!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    May 31, 2009 at 1:29 am

    Lovely! Wish I could find a dresser with such nice lines and style like that one!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for organizemehermiorganizemehermi says

    May 31, 2009 at 5:13 am

    Great job! The contact paper is from Target. I’ve used it to line all my bathroom drawers and cabinets.

    Reply
  43. Avatar for MissyMissy says

    May 31, 2009 at 8:47 am

    This is totally awesome… I’ve got some old furniture that could use a modern update like this!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for MariaMaria says

    May 31, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    the dresser looks fantastic! do you mind sharing where you got your knobs? thanks!

    Reply
  45. Avatar for MindyMindy says

    May 31, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    I also got the knobs from Target. I believe they are an oil rubbed bronze and then come in a packaged set of 10. Thanks!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for antonetteantonette says

    May 31, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Thanks for posting… this is so inspiring. This has really made me consider repurposing some older funiture pieces I have.

    On a side note, Sherry and John are still in the lead on the BHG contest!!! Keep voting everyone!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for jenjen says

    May 31, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Love it.
    and how can we send you something we’d like to share?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 31, 2009 at 11:42 pm

      Hey Jen,

      On our sidebar we have a button that says “click here to contact the youngsters” which will take you to a submission page with some extra info. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      Sherry

  48. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    June 1, 2009 at 8:29 am

    Hello,
    Where did Mindy find the new knobs? They are EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for!!

    Thanks,
    Shannon

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 1, 2009 at 9:42 am

      Hey Shannon,

      Both the contact paper and the knobs are from Target. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      Sherry

  49. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    June 1, 2009 at 9:13 am

    Awesome job!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    June 1, 2009 at 10:01 am

    D’oh! Thanks Sherry! I should have read all of the comments before I posted – but I just got so excited!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 1, 2009 at 10:03 am

      Hey Shannon,

      No worries! We’re just glad they’re exactly what you’re looking for. Happy shopping…

      xoxo,
      s

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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