Cassie Bustamante

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Because My 3 Yr Old and I Have Equal Levels of Patience….

December 16, 2010 by Cassie 54 Comments

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I finished a dresser… I feel like I have been lacking in inspiration, motivation, and work ethic lately!  So I finally finished something and I was going to show you at next week’s POWW, but I just can’t wait that long!  I love it to much to hide it in my closet.  Nobody puts baby in the corner.
I bought this dresser earlier this week.  I busted my rule of $40 or under and paid $50 for it, but as I said I was lacking in inspiration and this piece just spoke to me.  So it had to be the one to get me out of my rut.  Here it is after I had sanded most of it.

I got to work by hand sanding the areas I couldn’t hit with my orbital, and then used Benjamin Moore’s Aura (paint/primer in one) in Wedgewood Gray (a bluish gray).  I had just enough left on hand to give this piece the two coats it needed!
I had planned on painting the hardware white and maybe giving the top some sort of design in white, but once it was all painted, I wasn’t sure.  I gave the hardware a coat of white, and wasn’t happy with how it looked.  OOPS.  Now what… It’s been primed and painted with oil-based primer and paint, so how do you get back to the brass?
I lined a pot with aluminum foil, filled it with water, and added 2 tsp of baking soda.  I turned it on and got it to boil.  Once it was boiling, I added my hardware pieces to the concoction and let them each sit in there for about 3-5 minutes.  I used tongs to remove them as you never want to stick your hand in boiling water to pick up a scalding piece of hot metal.  (There’s my smart tip of the day for you!).
As I pulled each out, I used 0000 grade steel wool and rubbed each piece so that it shined again.  I didn’t rub too hard because I wanted the patina left in the crevices to give them more dimension.  Once they were cleaned,  I added them back to the dresser, and loved it like that!  They gave the right amount of shine against the eggshell finish paint.  I also liked the modern look without being distressed.  I really love this piece, and hope it finds a good home as I will be sad to see it go.  Here it is now!

And guess what!?!?!  It is snowing here!  We’re only supposed to get a couple inches, but it’s so pretty!
Linking here:
A Little Knick Knackcalm+breeze+banner+friday.jpgFurniture Feature FridaysCatch As Catch Can 504 MainJoin us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!UndertheTableandDreaming Its So Very CheriPhotobucketmmm buttonThe DIY Show OffMaking

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Comments

  1. Sixty-Fifth Avenue says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    Love that color! Great tip using the baking soda, thanks!

    Reply
  2. Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat. says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    It’s beautiful Cassie! You never know when the inspiration will hit so you just have to go with it! I’m sure that will get snapped up right quick…

    XO
    Lenore

    Reply
  3. Between Blue and Yellow says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:10 pm

    I love it, those are the exact same handles I had on this piece http://btweenblueandyellow.blogspot.com/2010/09/lovely-in-green.html

    Reply
  4. Katelyn says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:10 pm

    it looks great! you definitely made the right choice with the hardware!

    Reply
  5. The Frosted Gardner says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:10 pm

    I love the color as well. The dresser has nice straight lines and then the extra detail on the three top drawers! It is just wonderful! It looks like it belongs over in the Knack Studio!

    Reply
  6. Chrissie says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:31 pm

    I love the color, it is absolutely beautiful! Great work!

    Reply
  7. mapleandmagnolia.com says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    STOP inspiring me! 😉 I’m trying to slow down for the holidays and everytime I read one of your posts, I just wanna paint something! 🙂 Gorgeous work, as usual.

    Reply
  8. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:46 pm

    Cute shape and pretty color! And the hardware looks perfect! It’s snowing here too, which is why I’m on the computer when I should be Christmas shopping!

    Reply
  9. The BS Bunch says

    December 16, 2010 at 5:46 pm

    Love this piece! Awesome work!

    Reply
  10. Jannet ~ Simple Matters says

    December 16, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    I love the color! and I can see how keeping the hardware the original color was the best thng to do. I’ll have to remember the boiling water baking soda trick.

    Reply
  11. [email protected] Present Life says

    December 16, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    The color is beautiful and the hardware turned out perfect (a happy accident!). It looks very colonial and the detail down each side really pops now. Love it! And I have to say that you cracked me up with your Dirty Dancing quote. I use that quote all the time!

    Reply
  12. [email protected] TALES FEATS says

    December 16, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    It looks great! Glad you like the snow. Here we’ve had more than enough already. The last storm was around a foot! More due tomorrow.

    Reply
  13. The Thriftress says

    December 16, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    Looking good! You found your inspiration for sure! Snowing here too!
    Sarah

    Reply
  14. Renee @ where the grass is greener says

    December 16, 2010 at 7:26 pm

    Gorgeous color. One day I’m going to have to write down all those colors and keep them in a file.

    Reply
  15. Michaela says

    December 16, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    Such a wonderful color. I adore what you’ve done. The hardware stands out so much more now!

    Reply
  16. oneoff says

    December 16, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    That’s definitely an icy beauty – love your choice of colour.

    Reply
  17. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says

    December 16, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    I love the size of this piece. The color came out great. I will have to try the baking soda/boiling method. Did it come off pretty easily?

    Reply
  18. Cathy @ The Far Fifty says

    December 16, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    I carried a watermelon.

    Reply
  19. Jenna @ The Wannabe Cottage says

    December 16, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    I love the color and I love the brass hardware! It makes it so much more interesting and unique! Great job!

    Reply
  20. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    December 16, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    It looks fabulous. Love the color and the piece has such great character. Beautiful. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  21. [email protected] Road says

    December 16, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    Well worth the $50 price tag! It’s really pretty, and I love the hardware.

    Enjoy the snow!

    Reply
  22. gail myrepurposedlife.net says

    December 16, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    so pretty! I love the hardware and the blue!
    I was wondering why there was no snow in this picture. Apparently you got the pictures just in time!
    gail

    Reply
  23. Christa @ Stories of a House says

    December 17, 2010 at 1:12 am

    It is so pretty, Cassie! You were wise to spend the extra $10, although having a limit is equally as wise. I’ve done the foil/baking soda with silver, but never hardware. Great tip!

    Reply
  24. Andi @ Jane of all crafts says

    December 17, 2010 at 1:29 am

    As usual this is AWESOME!!!! Love the style of this dresser and what you did with it. Stop tempting me to buy stuff I don’t have room for 😉

    Reply
  25. [email protected] says

    December 17, 2010 at 1:32 am

    I’ve got a question–when you do an eggshell paint, how do you seal the piece without giving it a glossy shine? My hubby is about to build me an armoire and I don’t want it to be ultra shiny but I’m not sure how to protect the paint. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    Reply
  26. Kim @ Second Time Furniture says

    December 17, 2010 at 2:35 am

    It looks so pretty!

    Reply
  27. Shaunna says

    December 17, 2010 at 3:32 am

    oooh, it’s sooo beautiful and dreamy. If I had room for another dresser…
    🙂 And every time I see wedgewood gray it’s a different color…that’s a magical color, I’m telling you. Hope you have a great night! -shaunna 🙂

    Reply
  28. Keswick Country says

    December 17, 2010 at 3:38 am

    Thanks for the lovely comment on my blog today 🙂 I’m going to follow you right back – great site!!!

    Reply
  29. Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack says

    December 17, 2010 at 4:48 am

    Boiling baking soda…wow, never tried that! Great tip, Cassie. I had some hardware awhile back that wouldn’t accept the primer even after I cleaned it. I’ll have to try this!

    Beautiful color and smooth finish! I can see why you were ready to reveal this piece! Nice work! xx

    Reply
  30. Corn in my Coffee-Pot says

    December 17, 2010 at 5:47 am

    I like the hardware, the detail on the dresser and that little medallion on the legs. So sassy looking but grown up!

    Reply
  31. Allison says

    December 17, 2010 at 7:51 am

    That is a stunning dresser, Cassie! Beautiful color, sleek design and perfect detail and hardware. Wow! You did a fantastic job. I would buy this in a heartbeat. Just think if I lived closer…I’d have several “Cassie Originals”. Great tip on the concoction for the hardware. Happy Friday to you!

    Reply
  32. [email protected] says

    December 17, 2010 at 1:38 pm

    Nice! I love the color you used and the hardware is perfect. Love it.

    Reply
  33. Rene says

    December 17, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    Cassie, I think the extra $10 was money well spent because it is gorgeous now. Thanks for the brass tip – had no idea you could boil it this way. Wedgewood Gray might be my new favorite color.

    -Rene

    Reply
  34. Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont says

    December 17, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    Hey Cassie! I meant to comment on this yesterday when it popped up in my Reader, but got distracted. Then I saw it again at Frugal Friday and just HAD to say this dresser is BEAUTIFUL!! You do some amazing transformations lady! 🙂

    Reply
  35. Anonymous says

    December 17, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Love the way the dresser came out. The paint color is fantastic.

    Another way to polish brass is to soak it in ammonia and scrub with fine steel wool. I never heard of the baking soda/boiling water before.

    Reply
  36. Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas says

    December 17, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    This is gorgeous! LOVE the color and the hardware is perfect!!

    Your inspiration and motivation is back!

    Lou Cinda

    Reply
  37. megan @ homemade ginger says

    December 17, 2010 at 7:15 pm

    love this, love the color. it’s perfect!

    I have a giveaway going on right now that you might be interested in!

    Reply
  38. Ruth says

    December 18, 2010 at 1:06 am

    It looks great. I love that color.

    Ruth

    Reply
  39. [email protected] says

    December 18, 2010 at 3:39 am

    This is one of my faves by you! Love it!

    Reply
  40. Shannon says

    December 18, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    I love the post title! I don’t have patience either. However, this is a gorgeous paint job.

    Reply
  41. Mandi @ Vintage Revivals says

    December 18, 2010 at 6:35 pm

    Cassie,
    You never cease to amaze me! Also, I sort of really love tarnished brass right now. I know that everyone else is orb-ing it up but we should start our own trend….and call it Kiss my Brass.

    Thanks for linking up!!

    love your guts
    mandi

    Reply
  42. banclothing says

    December 19, 2010 at 9:02 am

    What a lovely colour choice. I really like the idea of finding old pieces and giving them a new life. Also congrats on getting it finished in record time!

    Reply
  43. Steph @ BirdhouseFamily says

    December 20, 2010 at 12:37 am

    It’s absolutely gorgeous! I love the color, and I think you made the right choice with the brass hardware. Great work!

    Reply
  44. Sherry says

    December 20, 2010 at 1:59 am

    How pretty. That is a really nice redo on the dresser and a great color.
    Sherry

    Reply
  45. dogsmom says

    December 20, 2010 at 2:53 am

    I wish I had room here!

    Reply
  46. Erin says

    December 20, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    Wow Cassie!! That turned out gorgeous!! LOVE that color. 🙂

    Reply
  47. Meg says

    December 20, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    They just don’t make handles like that anymore. So much character! I’m glad you were able to save them. Is your rut officially over now? 🙂 Great re-do!

    I hope you can join my vintage tag giveaway going on now! alittleknickknack.blogspot.com

    Reply
  48. DANA says

    December 20, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    I found you through cottage Hill and I love this! I wanted to invite you to enter my $50 American Express gift card giveaway that is going on for a few more days, and I also have a linky party happening! Keep up the good blogging! -Dana

    http://danajeanward.blogspot.com/2010/12/50-american-express-giveaway-ends.html

    Reply
  49. gena says

    December 21, 2010 at 2:00 am

    Very cool ! Reminds me of my childhood furniture – but this looks much cooler in the blue !
    thanks for sharing,
    gena
    http://www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

    Reply
  50. Mary says

    December 21, 2010 at 7:03 am

    I love your makeover, what a difference paint makes! Merry Christmas, Mary

    Reply
  51. [email protected] says

    December 23, 2010 at 2:19 am

    THE DRESSER TURNED OUT GREAT. BEAUTIFUL COLOR..

    Reply
  52. [email protected] says

    December 23, 2010 at 2:21 am

    GREAT DRESSER. LOVE THE COLOR

    Reply
  53. Cassie says

    December 28, 2010 at 1:52 pm

    Oh my good heavens. If only I could have this dresser for my bedroom! Beautiful work.

    Reply
  54. LuLu says

    January 8, 2011 at 4:37 am

    Great job! Will you find a dresser for me please?

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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