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June 21, 2015 · 37 Comments

Ugly Bird Dresser to Beautiful French Dresser

Paint/Wax/Stain

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How I transformed this ugly bird dresser to a beautiful French dresser with just a little paint and lots of love.

Dresser in bedroom with French vibe.

You probably don’t remember this dresser when I showed it to you last week.

Because it was ugly. I called it the Bird dresser.

All it took was some paint to reinvent it.

I’m now in love with my ‘new’ French dresser.

You have got to see what it looked like before. You won’t believe the transformation!

Dresser with one drawer open painted a subtle white.

So here is the Bird dresser that I posted about HERE last week.

Yikes, right?

I didn’t feel bad about painting it all since it was already half painted.

Dresser that is brown with a bird motif on front.

And now the after!

Dresser painted a soft white the bird motif gone.

Unfortunately, most of the handles broke. They were very fragile. I think someone left it out in the rain for some time because there are parts of it that are very warped.

Broken handles on the dresser.

I did my best to repair it before I painted it but some of the imperfections add to its charm.

White trim around the dresser.

We found it curbside!

Just look at the details that pop out. I painted it in Linen with Fusion Mineral Paint from the Michael Penney Collection and the white I painted with Champlain freehand.

The dresser missing knobs with wooden crate on top.

I need to look for new handles as most are just sitting in the holes, not screwed in. Most of the backings have broken off completely.

I couldn’t wait to show you how it turned out though.

White and gray dresser with French details.

It’s truly amazing how just some paint can transform an entire piece.

It’s gone from an ugly Bird dresser to a beautiful French dresser.

I’m so in love!

Ugly bird dresser to beautiful French dresser / So Much Better With Age

Ugly bird dresser to beautiful French dresser / before and after picture - So Much Better With AgeSharing at these link parties & Coastal Charm & Mod Vintage Life & The Scoop & The Shabby Nest &  Thrifty Decor Chick

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life says

    June 22, 2015 at 4:23 am

    Cannot believe that is the same dresser! WOW! I love the colours you chose to paint it and that you did the details in white. This is just simply stunning now!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      Thank you so much, Gilly. I love the finished result too.
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  2. Shawnna says

    June 22, 2015 at 5:57 am

    Oh I love the dresser !! It looks so much better!!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      Huge transformation, right? Thanks Shawnna!
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  3. Eva says

    June 22, 2015 at 6:23 am

    That smokey gray color is perfect with the white. I love furniture transformations, and this one is stunning!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      I love a good furniture makeover too. Thanks so much, Eva!
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  4. April says

    June 22, 2015 at 8:06 am

    It’s beautiful Jamie! I can hardly believe that’s the same dresser Amazing work.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:37 pm

      It is hard to believe! Thanks April 😉
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  5. Jamie | anderson + grant says

    June 22, 2015 at 8:27 am

    I knew getting rid of the bird would make it pretty, but this looks amazing! A perfect French look and I love how you painted the turned feet.

    Too bad about the handles. They look like they were pretty…and it is such a pain to want to get a project done and then not have what you need to finish it right at hand.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:38 pm

      I know, the hardware part sucks. But I couldn’t wait to photograph it! lol. Thanks so much Jamie 😉
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  6. Debbie says

    June 22, 2015 at 9:41 am

    Looks much better…beautiful! Freehanded the white? You must have VERY steady hands LOL Great job!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:38 pm

      Thanks so much, Debbie 😉
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  7. Jane says

    June 22, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    You did a fantastic job …what a transformation! I love those colors.

    I just finished a dresser and am looking for some vintage-like pull rings. Home Depot has over 200 but each is a different size–it’s very confusing. Any tips?

    Jane x

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:39 pm

      I usually order from Lee Valley but I’m in Canada. Not sure if they deliver to the US. They have a great selection of hardware!!
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  8. Danielle says

    June 25, 2015 at 4:46 am

    So pretty, Jamie x

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:39 pm

      Thanks Danielle 😉

      Reply
  9. Mila says

    June 25, 2015 at 6:09 am

    This dresser is gorgeous! I love the pale greyish paint you chose and all those cute white

    touches :)I hope you will share it with our Link Up – Idea

    box: http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/06/idea-box-thursday-link-party-16.html

    Hugs,
    Mila

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:39 pm

      Thanks Mila 😉
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  10. Susan Homeroad says

    June 26, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    Beautiful colors!!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:34 pm

      Thanks Susan!

      Reply
  11. Meg @ Green With Decor says

    June 28, 2015 at 10:04 am

    This looks great!! Love a good furniture makeover!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:34 pm

      Thanks so much, Meg 😉

      Reply
  12. Jane Pollard says

    June 29, 2015 at 6:44 am

    LOVE the transformation!!! did you find the Fusion paint ‘self leveling’ sufficiently to eliminate brush marks? been having that problem…

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:33 pm

      Hi Jane,

      I find more of a problem using a roller than brushes. I used a fairly good paintbrush and it seems to work fine. But when I’ve used a smaller paint roller, it seems to bubble up more. I took a foam brush and brushed it lightly over the roller marks. What furniture did you paint that you find that problem?
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  13. Virginia Fynes says

    July 2, 2015 at 5:12 am

    Beautiful transformation! I bet you could find similar hardware at Lee Valley, they have a timeless collection that would probably be a good replacement!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Thanks Virigina! Yes, Lee Valley is my go to for hardware.
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  14. Dezignable says

    July 16, 2015 at 7:35 am

    Wow! What a transformation! Can’t believe these two are the same object. Can’t wait to see the finished product!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 19, 2015 at 5:32 pm

      Thanks so much! I know, crazy transformation!!
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  15. Betty Baker says

    July 28, 2015 at 8:06 am

    Hi = I have just subscribed to your blog and look forward to reading more. This dresser is absolutely wonderful what you have done to it. I love old pieces of furniture but am not fond of some that are painted and then etched all over to look old. You have done a wonderful job. Betty from Ontario . Canada.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      August 22, 2015 at 9:58 am

      Thanks so much for being here, Betty! A fellow Canadian, I love it. Thanks for your sweet comment.
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  16. Jennifer says

    August 13, 2015 at 11:46 am

    What a wonderful transformation! The paint combination you chose is just gorgeous. It’s an inspiring upcycle.
    I’m a die-hard dumpster diver & curbside picker (is that even the name for it???) and will drag just about anything usable into my truck. I’ll also remove hardware from pieces that are too far gone and add them to my stash (much to my husband’s dismay, “Honey, where do you plan on storing that until you get to it? With the other 14 pieces of furniture you have waiting for you to work on?” or “Do you really need another 8 knobs/hinges/pulls???”). 😉
    Lee Valley is also my go-to place for hardware, tools, etc. If you can’t find the handles you want or ones that only screw in you could try the following, which I’ve used with much success: Take as many wooden toothpicks that you can fit into the hole where the handle goes, push them into the hole, mark the edge of drawer on the toothpick bundle and cut them down to size (I usually leave a little extra and sand off when finished. Now, put some good wood glue into the hole and around the toothpicks, smearing the glue well into the bundle. Insert the toothpicks into the hole, wiping any excess glue that comes out. Check it periodically (more frequently in the beginning) to make sure no glue has seeped out. Let it dry for a few days. When you’re sure it’s dry carefully sand the toothpick bundle so it is even with the drawer surface. Next, choose a drill bit slightly smaller than the screw on the handle and drill into your new plug. Don’t go in too far, just enough to let you get the screw to hold, then screw it in fully with a regular screw driver or by hand. If the hole goes through the wood, use the same process, just make both front and back even with the surface. This has worked like a charm for many pieces I’ve worked on.
    Anyway, I just love your work. Such a good eye!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      August 22, 2015 at 10:00 am

      Hi Jennifer,
      A fellow curb side shopper, I love it! I too love Lee Valley for handles. It’s the greatest place. And thank you so much for sharing that invaluable tip. Such a great idea!! So glad to have you here.
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  17. Jolene says

    August 25, 2017 at 5:15 am

    You are amazing and have so much vision. The dresser is beautiful!

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      August 25, 2017 at 9:49 am

      Thanks so much, Jolene!
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply
  18. Margaret says

    October 6, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    You did such a good job. I love it.

    Reply
  19. Jan says

    July 18, 2018 at 4:03 pm

    I love this dresser. You did a wonderful job.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      July 24, 2018 at 9:29 pm

      Thanks Jan!
      Hugs, Jamie

      Reply

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