Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thinking Outside the Paint

We are suckers for good deals.  If the price is right, we almost always pull the trigger (even if we are pretty sure that the piece could end up in our Re-Dumped files).  Take a look at this one... It was $5.00 at a yard sale!!  We probably should have walked away, but it was $5.00!!!  It was a nice, solid piece but, as you can see, had MAJOR problems.


 We originally tried to scrape the veneer off, and wood fill all of the imperfections.  However, this was NOT working!!  That is when we discovered paintable wallpaper...


We measured all of the drawers (except the one in the middle that wasn't in terrible shape and had beautiful details) and cut the wallpaper to fit each one perfectly.


Then we painted the drawers one of my favorite colors - TURQUOISE!  (And because my sister was begging us to paint something this color!)


We painted several coats on the entire piece... AND...


$5.00 was turned into one of our very favorite pieces!  (Sorry I didn't stage this one, but I really wanted you to see a close up of the wallpaper.)  Also, can you find something else that is missing?!?!  When we took this picture we didn't have the two smaller knobs on the center drawer...  We bought them on the way to the Sleepy Poet and it sold before we could take an official "After" picture.  I'm Sorry!!! 

Now we use paintable wallpaper whenever we can to give our pieces a unique look.  If the price is right, GO FOR IT!!  You can always find something creative to do with your treasures!

Happy junkin'!

Sarah

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Dumped by Sarah at 8:15 AM

62 comments:

  1. Mr. DumpJuly 14, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Definitely one of my favorite projects, to date!

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  2. Brooke @ Inside-Out DesignJuly 14, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Oh whoa! That is by far the rattiest piece of furniture I've ever seen someone makeover and now it doesn't even look like the same piece! I really love the color!!! Awesome job!
    Oh and you're so welcome for the feature!! I'm going to be painting a console table in the next few weeks and reading about your painting projects is making me really excited to get started!

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  3. AnonymousJuly 14, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Love, love, love this dresser. You are super talented. I've featured it here:
    http://decoratinginsanity.com/2011/07/14/wallpaper-dresser/
    Grab a button on my sidebar if you like. Again, great job.
    xo,
    mONICa

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  4. SarahJuly 14, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Thanks so much, Monica! What a HUGE compliment!

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  5. Mary Mollica, Owner & Artist of The Decorative PaintbrushJuly 14, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Hi Sarah! great piece! Love the wallpaper idea, but I actually love the color choice as well! It rocks! I just adore finding people who share my addiction, excuse me, passion, for redoing furniture! It inspires me seeing all your cool stuff. Perhaps you'll stop over some time (http://thedecorativepaintbrush.blogspot.com)and we can gab about paint, finishes, and the ones that got away! LOL! I'm following you by e-mail so I don't miss a thing! Good Luck! PS: I love that you paint your furniture upside down! ME TOO! :D

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  6. LolaJuly 14, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Sarah, this is GORGEOUS and I can't believe you didn't just drive it up to my house! You are a genius for discovering paintable wallpaper - do you know how many veneer-challenged pieces you can save now? You might become the Queen of Veneer! I have to go find more pieces for you.....when are you doing one for my house???? (This is Lola, lurking annonymously because your blog still doesn't like your sister.)

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  7. Pam - @diy Design FanaticJuly 14, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Looks fantastic! The paintable wallpaper was a brilliant idea!

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  8. DeanaJuly 14, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    That looks fabulous!!! The wall paper was the perfect fix and it looks gorgeous.

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  9. BluBabesCreateJuly 14, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Gorgeous! Love that blue! Come see a deck to pergola!

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  10. ChrissieJuly 14, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    So smart! i just finished a desk with this same wallpaper. I love your blue!

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  11. Korrie@RedHenHomeJuly 14, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    This is great! What a perfect solution.

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  12. BethJuly 14, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Very genius!!! Where do you get the paintable wallpaper! Beautiful!
    Beth

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  13. SarahJuly 14, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments! Beth - I got the paintable wallpaper from Lowe's. They had several to choose from and it only cost about $20 (it lasts FOREVER when you use it on furniture!).

    Be sure to "Follow Me" to see new posts! I am relatively new to the blogging world, but plan to consistently add new projects for a long time! :-) I look forward to following all of your Blogs too! Thanks again so much!!!

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  14. KristyJuly 14, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Love this piece so much, this might be my favorite before n afer EVER! You have inspired me to get brave enough to actually use the roll of paintable wallpaper I bought for one of my projects but have been too chicken to try. Did you use the heavy duty 3M adhesive on this piece, too?

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  15. SarahJuly 14, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Thank you so much, Kristy! That is so sweet!!! I did use the 3M adhesive on this one too! That stuff is AMAZING! Be sure to put it both on the wallpaper and on the drawer (or whatever you are wallpapering!)... Watch your fingers because that stuff is crazy sticky! Also, line it up perfectly because once it's down, it's not coming up! Thanks again so much! Happy to see that you are a follower! :-)

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  16. WhyCuzICanJuly 15, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Darling dresser (I've GOTTA use that paintable wallpaper trick sometime, looks fab!) And I love the name of your blog! :)

    Following!
    Visiting from MMS Linky Party today,
    ~Suzanne in IL

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  17. SkinnyMegJuly 15, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    What a clever way to fix it! I really love the wallpaper and the color!

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  18. the cape on the cornerJuly 15, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    amazing! i love how the pattern comes thru, but is so subtle.

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  19. Lisa Davis July 15, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    LOVE IT!!! And I love a good cheap (or free) find. I believe you can always make it into something beautiful - although it might cost you materials and labor! :)

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  20. BrookeJuly 15, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Such a brilliant solution! I'll have to keep this in mind for the future

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  21. Bethany @ A Fish Who Likes FlowersJuly 18, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    It turned out beautiful! You did such a good job. I love the color!

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  22. Halau O Na Pau KeaJuly 19, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    So proud to have learned this...What a wonderful and inventive idea...GREAT JOB!!!!!

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  23. kathieJuly 21, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    What a fun way to dress up an old piece! Love the color too :)

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  24. Linda LeybleJuly 22, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Great!! I've done that before - sometimes on furniture and sometimes on walls (ceilings etc). Wonderful projects - shows what can be done with very little. Bravo!!

    Linda

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  25. oops!July 24, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Such a great idea! I have passed over many beautiful pieces of furniture, because of a drawer or something that was bad - here is the answer!

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  26. Cat@BudgetBlonde.comAugust 1, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    Whoa!!!! Was not expecting that!!!! LOVE IT! I'm your newest follower!
    xoxo
    Cat
    @BudgetBlonde

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  27. MollyAugust 1, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Nicely done!! Thanks for sharing that tip. I too am a sucker for a deal and thanks to you I will never be across if bad veneer again!!

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  28. Shelly @Crafty Creative StudioAugust 1, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Going to keep this one tucked away in the files in my head..... bound to come out some time!! Great results!

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  29. thriftytickleAugust 1, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Coming to you from Better After. I love this!

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  30. AnonymousAugust 2, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    Fantastic!! New follower from Better After :)

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  31. Kat's Purrfect BoutiqueAugust 2, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    This is amazing. I have a ruined veneer Danish Teak Table and am thinking of ideas to fix it. Embossed wall paper probably won't work, but I'll think of this for something else. I used embossed wrapping paper on my old book shelf back. I saved the rest to do something else with it. Thanks for sharing your project.

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  32. Marianne & ClaytonAugust 4, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    Paintable wallpaper. You have just rocked my world. Awesome job. I'm pinning it as I write.

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  33. Marianne & ClaytonAugust 4, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    Sorry, but I just had to double comment so you know how much I freaking love this. When I saw my first comment it looked like I was being sarcastic. It needed an exclamation point or something. Anyhow, love it! Thanks!

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  34. Jackie ZimmermanAugust 9, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Thank you SOOO much. I have a very similar dresser that is beautiful and has original AWESOME lion head pulls on it...but the veneer is cracked all over and I'm terrified of it. I am TOTALLY going to use this idea.

    Reading the comments I see that you may have some hints on this though.

    Can you tell me how you did it? I saw something about a 3M glue? Did you do anything special to make the corners stay down? Thank you so much!!

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  35. Jackie ZimmermanAugust 9, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    oh also...do you go over it at the end with anything? Like a sealant or something?

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  36. KatieAugust 10, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    OH WOW! This is amazing and is exactly what I'm looking for! I'm itching to refinish a piece of furniture for my master bedroom revamp project! I'd love if you joined us over at Sew Woodsy to link up this project!

    *I'm your newest follower.

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  37. Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.comAugust 10, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    This is such a great idea! I have a piece with horrible veneer that I keep putting of working on, but you gave me some inspiration. Where did you get the wallpaper? I have a linky party that will be up this evening and I would love to have you join in. I can't wait to see what else you do!

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  38. AnonymousAugust 26, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    I absoulutely love this piece. I am new to refinishing furniture, but am trying my hand at it. I only had one question, did you sand the top since you did not put wallpaper on it?

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  39. Jen Lossing, Artistic Abode DesignsDecember 27, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    This looks amazing. What a transformation. I had no idea there was paint-able wallpaper! Now I am dying to try it!

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  40. Kathy Owen, Petticoat JunktionDecember 27, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Hi Sarah, found you through Primitive and Proper. I have some of this wallpaper and I use it as drawer liners. I have wanted to cover furniture with it but always forget! Thanks for reminding me.I love the blue. I'm your newest follower, Kathy, Petticoat Junktion

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  41. Cassie BustamanteDecember 27, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    this dresser looks amazing! i love eh color and that paper! it is awesome!

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  42. Alissa@CraftyEndeavorDecember 29, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    The paintable wallpaper was genius! I would have thought that piece to be a lost cause, it would be hard to paint that thing. But paintable wall paper covers it up beautifully! I'd even put it on a piece that I COULD fix with paint or stain.

    I'm pinning this ;-)

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  43. Perfect Imperfections by JeanneDecember 29, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Beautiful transformation! I have a couple of rolls of this stuff that I got from the clearance rack for $2 or $3 a roll. Can't wait to try it! I've only used it for lining drawers so far. Enjoyed my visit. I'm a new follower.

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  44. UnknownDecember 29, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    WOW! What an awesome makeover!! You did an amazing job!!

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  45. Something Nice and PrettyDecember 29, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    Wow, what a treasure and I just love what you did with it, great job on it! The wallpaper is a fantastic idea!

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  46. JenniferDecember 30, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    That is awesome. The color is so bright and cheerful. I'd love something like this in our playroom to hold games. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  47. Liz @ Here's to Handy AndyDecember 30, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    The transformation is amazing! I would love for you to share at our link party http://herestohandyandy.blogspot.com/2011/12/pinteresting-link-party.html
    Link up quick - the party closes in 2 hours!

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  48. My DuongDecember 30, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    I see the 3d effect, not sure if it is. Love it! Thank you for sharing this at Best of 2011 Made Up & Loved party. My

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  49. BluKatKraftDecember 30, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Very cool! I do this with miniature dollhouse furniture but why not my own!

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  50. Melissa (Melly Sews)December 30, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Nice save!

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  51. Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com}December 31, 2011 at 1:33 AM

    I would have never thought of the wallpaper!! great job!!! we are having a project party on my blog if you want to join.. http://www.bubblynaturecreations.com/2011/12/project-party-weekend-link-up-your.html

    Hope to see you there! Happy New Year!
    =Rachel

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  52. The Artful DivaDecember 31, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    Happy New Year. I hope yours is filled with love, joy, peace and creativity!

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  53. JillJanuary 1, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    $5!!! That is amazing! what a fabulous makeover - and I love the colour!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  54. Honey at 2805January 2, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    Beautiful transformation!
    Thank you for for sharing at Potpourri Friday. I wish you a healthy, prosperous and sparkling New Year!

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  55. Michaela @ coveredinmodpodge.blogspot.comJanuary 3, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    This is a brilliant idea! I love the end results. And the color is spectacular!

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  56. UnknownJanuary 4, 2012 at 6:54 PM

    Inspiring transformation-the color is fabulous-I'm your newest follower- stop by for a visit!

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  57. Hayley @ On A Country RoadJanuary 7, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    WOW!!!! My jaw actually dropped to the floor in amazing delight. If only today wasn't Sunday I would be off hunting for an old cupboard yelling for a spruce up! Very inspiring, so glad I found this! Keep em coming!

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  58. SJ @ Homemaker On A DimeJanuary 9, 2012 at 12:47 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  59. UnknownJuly 7, 2012 at 6:52 PM

    I recently bought some paintable wallpaper but lost the instructions....can you help me understand how to apply it?? I would SO appreciate your help!!!

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  60. AmyOctober 6, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    Really beautiful! I have never even touched wallpaper before, can you tell me how to attach it to the dresser drawers?

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  61. CindiMay 7, 2016 at 6:15 PM

    How did you attach the wallpaper?

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