Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

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Friends, French, and Freebies! (Shaklee Winners!)

February 11, 2011 by Cassie 70 Comments

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Sorry, but Shaklee just didn’t fit in with my “fr” alliteration I had going on!
Before I get to the winners though, I want to share a new piece and also comment about friendships.  Earlier this week, I did a guest post at The CSI Project, and one person decided to leave a not so nice comment for me, pretty much accusing me of losing it due to using bold colors lately.  I want to thank every single one of you who stood up for me and supported me by leaving positive comments and emailing me with your thoughts and kind words as well.  I admit it stung a little because the commenter was someone who I had considered a longtime blogging friend.  But the sting was over quick as I was overwhelmed by warmth from you all.  And the bottom line for all of us bloggers… because I know there are sometimes anonymous negative comments on our blogs…. don’t ever let it get to you.  Be positive and stay true to you.  The negative comments usually come from people who are unhappy with something in their own lives, or maybe unhappy with themselves, and just need an outlet and need to make someone else feel bad for a bit.  If you let it get to you, you continue the chain of negatitivity.  So don’t.  Be strong.  Be happy.  Be bold.  But most of all, be you.  Again, thank you for all your friendships.  They mean so much to me.

Now onto the French part of my title.  I picked up this dresser for free last week… you will understand why it was free when you see the picture….

EEK!!!  It was pretty awful.  And the top wasn’t prepped properly for that horrible paint.  It has a laminate top, which can be painted as long as it is sanded and primer, just like any old wood dresser.  Neither of those steps had been taken, so it scraped right off in sheets- no stripper needed.  I planned on painting it a very dark gray with white handles, but then I saw this image all over blogland last week and changed my mind.

I found this via House of Turquoise

I gave it all a good sanding to smooth it down, primed, it, and painted it in “platinum gray” from Ben Moore.  I also removed the hardware, primed it with an oil-based spray primer, and painted that with a gloss enamel in white.   And here it is now!  I looove this one….

Much better than the faux-marble-sponge-paint look, huh?

And NOW… the moment you have all been waiting for…. the winners of the Shaklee giveaway.   The envelope please….

Sharon at Elizabeth & Co
Catherine
Emily
At Home with Michelle
Kyra
Miranda
Another Emily!
Andi at Jane of All Crafts
Lauren
Jenna

Winners please email me with your mailing address at [email protected] and I will forward your information on to Kristina!
I have the day to myself and need to get some work done before I head off to volunteer some time teaching tonight at 9 pm in a 24 hour spinathon!  My ride is themed “80’s ballads” and includes classics like, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”, and “Amanda”, and “In the Air Tonight”.  I can’t wait!!!  It benefits the Maryland food bank, so if you are local, looking for something fun to do anywhere from 6pm tonight to 6 pm tomorrow, let  me know and I will be happy to get you the information!!  I will be back tomorrow with POWW faves and one more sponsor highlight!
Linking here:
Photobucket Tickled Pink at 504 Main Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for  the weekend wrap up party!UndertheTableandDreamingThe DIY Show Off

mmm button http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/Making

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Comments

  1. Chrissie says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    It is gorgeous! Certainly better than the sponge paint, amazing transformation!

    Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    Love the dresser now! It’s a lovely color and super pretty!

    Reply
  3. Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    I only wish I had your gumption to step out of the color box once in a while. 🙂 Loved the honeysuckle dresser, and love this gray french beauty as well.

    Reply
  4. Ali Richardson says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    SOOO much better! that first pic of it was making me a little queazy!
    How dare someone say something negative about my friend! Shame on them! You are the best!!!!

    Reply
  5. mapleandmagnolia.com says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    Oh boy…I was scared for a minute. I looked at the first picture when it popped up on my screen and thought it was the after. Yikes. I should have known better but it was funny for a minute there…absolutely stunning in gray and 5 million percent better!

    Reply
  6. Cathy @ The Far Fifty says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    My high school boyfriend’s house was entirely sponge painted. It was not a good look then and it’s not a good look now. Great job saving this piece and making it so beautiful. And great score for free!

    Reply
  7. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    Good for you for not taking some comments seriously. If we all liked the same things, then it wouldn’t show our personalities at all. Stick with what makes you happy. Love the new dresser and your paint redo is stunning. It looks fabulous. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  8. Erin says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    OOOOOOOHHHHHH, I LOVE THAT!!! Great job!

    Reply
  9. Katelyn says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    ohh that is so beautiful! it would go so perfectly with the nightstand i bought from you guys a while back! wish i had a house and not a tiny little studio!

    Reply
  10. The Frosted Gardner says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    This is stunning. I love the white hardware contrasting the grey. Beautiful Cassie. Glad to hear you didnt let the harsh comment get to you. I certainly have had my share and admit it does sting a little bit. 🙂 But then you move on and your friends step in for you and let you know you are all right! And you are even better than that – you are amazing!

    Reply
  11. Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    Hi Cassie!

    I’ve enjoyed your blog from day 1. I don’t think it’s possible to please every taste and style. Just keep doing your thing.

    This dresser reminds me of a house we looked at. All the walls were faux sponge painted. Not in a good way, either. Great job on restoring this dresser! The grey with white hardware is really pretty!

    Have a nice weekend! hugs, Michelle

    Reply
  12. Kyra says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    Woohoo my 1st blog win! Can’t wait to try my new cleaner out!

    Btw, I LOVE the dresser!

    Reply
  13. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Oh Cassie, that dresser is so you – seriously gorgeous! Love the gray and white! That is quite a before picture! Sorry to hear about the negative comment. Definitely not something to give even a moment’s though to, just let it go! And Yippee, I won! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  14. [email protected] says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    Oh my gosh…I can honestly say that the “before” on that dresser is the ugliest I’ve seen to date. You made it gorgeous!

    Reply
  15. Kendra @ House of Ficek says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    That before is disgusting!! Great transformation, I love how it turned out.

    Some people never learned that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. You can’t please all people all the time, or teach them good manners.

    Reply
  16. Kari @ fresh paint creations says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    Good for you to see the beauty under all that ugly. Great transformation!

    Reply
  17. Sarah AKA The Thriftress says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Oooh I love! I have been scouring CL for something for my daughter’s room. I would love to get lucky and find a great dresser for free!
    Sarah

    Reply
  18. Between Blue and Yellow says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    I saw that same pic and loved that dresser!
    You did a great job recreating it. Happy Friday!

    Reply
  19. Lynda says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    EEk is right! Whoa…but look what you did, love it…see everybody you gotta look beyond the yuck…a very inspiring post!

    Reply
  20. Erika . . . with a K says

    February 11, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    You did a beautiful job, I love the gray!!

    Reply
  21. Pretty Unique Furniture says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    I have never seen a piece of furniture more in need of a makeover! 🙂 love the grey! x

    Reply
  22. Artichoke Alley says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    What a huge difference! Wonderfully clean and fresh!

    Reply
  23. MommaHen says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    thank God, the sponge technique died in the 90’s!

    Reply
  24. Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures/Treasured Moments says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    First I will make you laugh. I sponge painted my walls in my first rental to look almost exactly like that ugly dresser. What was I thinking???? Second, the new improved dresser is fabulous, but all your stuff is. Third, I am glac you mix it up and use colors from white to orange. It is fun to see what you do with all the furniture. It always comes out amazing when you are done with it.

    Reply
  25. Meg says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    What a great dresser! How could someone do that to such a great piece? you SAVED it! I love the color you used…so beautiful. I’m sorry you had a negative comment…those are the bane of my existence, but there are so many wonderful people out there that outweigh the bad. Just wanted to let you know I think you do WONDERFUL and beautiful work! Keep it up!

    Reply
  26. Emily says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    lol, i just emailed you about the dresser and then notice i was a winner = ) i forget i can just comment here :-/

    Reply
  27. Serendipity Chic Design says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    First and foremost, the dresser…Yes, EEK to the before, but wowzers to the after..(not even sure if that’s a word, but I think it means wow with an exclamation LOL!!)

    Second, I saw that comment that was left for you at CSI. Although we all have our right to our opinion, that comment was just outright mean. I was stunned when I read that. Good for you for being able to blow it off and know you are amazing at everything you do…..

    Have fun tonight with your spin-a-thon….

    Take care,
    Lisa

    Reply
  28. Emily says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    Wow, you did an awesome job!

    Reply
  29. Amy ~ "A Perfect Tin" says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    Wow! The dresser looks great! I saw it on craigslist and considered calling about it for our basement, but I was afraid it would be too much work. Maybe I should just buy it!

    Don’t let the negative things people say bother you. I have been a fan of yours for years and you have inspired me to paint a few pieces for my own home.

    Reply
  30. Andi @ Jane of all crafts says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    NO FREAKIN’ WAY!!!!!! I won? so cool!!! Thanks!! And I’m sorry to hear about this negativity from another blogger, I had no idea that had happened. I agree with everything you said. You have definitely taken the higher road. And now the dresser…holy cow that was ugly before but FABULOUS after, great job as always!

    Reply
  31. Erin says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Wow! What an outstanding makeover! Beautiful

    Reply
  32. Michelle @ Ten June says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    whaaaat someone was mean to you? i’ll have to take them out back… you’re my girl, Blue! (name that movie)

    ps. i love love the dresser. this is EXACTLY what i want to do to my bedroom dresser one day. one day- like when i fly you down to Georgia so you can do it for me 🙂

    Reply
  33. Allison says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    I saw that dresser the other day and loved the color. Your dresser is stunning! Great job, Cassie. I so remember my days of sponge painting. Have fun tonight!

    Reply
  34. [email protected] says

    February 11, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    amazing! I can’t believe the before! oh my gosh! what were they thinking?
    thanks for linking to catch as catch can and linking back. you rock!
    gail

    Reply
  35. [email protected] Road says

    February 11, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    Oh, Cassie, I had no idea someone said such a mean thing. I love your style! I love the bold colors you’ve been using~they’re so fun.

    And this dresser is so pretty! From sponge painted horror to that? Amazing! My daughter sent me that photo last week, and told me that’s what she wants in a nursery. She’d absolutely freak over this dresser!

    Reply
  36. [email protected] Present Life says

    February 11, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    O..M..G..that dresser was hid-e-ous! Seriously awful. But you did what you do best…you turned something that most people would’ve run screaming away from into something B.E.A.UTIFUl! Love it! And it would look super cute in a nursery like the inspiration picture.

    Reply
  37. [email protected] says

    February 12, 2011 at 1:44 am

    the dresser turned out fabulous, great job and you
    picked the perfect color

    Reply
  38. Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top says

    February 12, 2011 at 3:12 am

    Wow! It was SO ugly before. Yuck! I love it now. It turned out beautifully! I can’t believe someone left you a mean comment. I love everything you do. And I especially love your bold and unique color choices. You are inspirational.

    Reply
  39. [email protected] eco friendly homemaking says

    February 12, 2011 at 3:22 am

    Oh wow what a transformation! I love the color you picked. It is so pretty. You really did an amazing job.I so admire how you handled the bad comment situation. You are a class act for sure!!

    Reply
  40. Danielle says

    February 12, 2011 at 3:29 am

    Absolutely amazing…it’s sooooo gorgeous!!!! And awesome you got it for free!!!! I’m picking up some bamboo lovelies tomorrow, can’t wait!

    Reply
  41. Kim @ Second Time Furniture says

    February 12, 2011 at 3:30 am

    Holy smokes, that was one ugly dresser! You turned it into a beauty!! The white pulls are really pretty!

    Reply
  42. A Vintage Vine says

    February 12, 2011 at 5:40 am

    Great job! That dresser really needed a Cassie makeover! Keep up the great work…you always inspire me!

    Reply
  43. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says

    February 12, 2011 at 5:50 am

    That was some before and after! Bad sponge painting gives me hives. You rescued it.

    I missed your post over at CSI. I can’t imagine someone would leave a mean post just because you deviated toward something different. I think it turned out great and I love the little stencil on it. We should all step out of our comfort zones once in awhile and try something new 🙂

    Reply
  44. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says

    February 12, 2011 at 6:04 am

    GORGEOUS!

    Reply
  45. Jannet ~ Simple Matters says

    February 12, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Thnk you for saving that piece! The before was SAD!!! you ROCK!! as usual!

    Reply
  46. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    February 12, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    WOW, that dresser before almost makes me dizzy 🙂
    The after!!! It’s amazing, you did a fabulous job, so very pretty!!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  47. Coordinately Yours says

    February 12, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Beautiful! Gray is a favorite of mine and it make a powerful statement with this piece!

    Reply
  48. michelle says

    February 12, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    Hi Cassie! Wow, I missed that post, I love your pink dresser, it is so pretty and the chandi on it is perfect!! I am sorry that that happened to you but know that you are so creative and so talented and keep on being you my friend! I LOVE this dresser too! The color you chose is so beautiful and it fits with the shape of the dresser, beautiful and elegant! I really like that you contrasted (is that even a word) with the white handles! Beautiful!!

    Reply
  49. [email protected] Black's Best says

    February 12, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I don’t know how you get all of these beautiful pieces done so quickly. This is so classy looking and elegant!

    Reply
  50. Erin says

    February 13, 2011 at 4:11 am

    Love the color choice for this piece, Cassie! The sponged-on green paint is horrifying! LOL

    A few weeks back I picked up a bedside dresser in this style off the side of the road. (My first free piece of furniture *ever*–my adrenaline was seriously pumping as I whisked it into the back of my Jeep!) It was supposed to have three drawers, but only the top and bottom drawers were present. I’m thinking I’ll lose the third one and make a skirt to work around the missing middle drawer! Anyway, I’m blabbering…point is, I thought the piece would look nice in gray, but I couldn’t narrow down the choices at Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams! Platinum Gray looks perfect and I’ll be picking up some this week.

    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Erin

    Reply
  51. Madigan at madiganmade says

    February 13, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    That is one baaaad before! 😉 Love the gray… simply stunning!

    Reply
  52. Mel says

    February 13, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    lOVE the colour!

    Reply
  53. Leslie @ goodbye, house! HELLO, HOME! says

    February 13, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    W
    O
    W
    !
    !
    !

    Reply
  54. KATHY says

    February 14, 2011 at 11:04 am

    I love the dresser. The french gray is gorgeous!!

    Kathy

    Reply
  55. knack says

    February 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Wow! ….you made this so happy……and the story is absolutely wonderful! you are fantastic!

    xo

    Reply
  56. The DIY Show Off says

    February 14, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Yikes at that before but still…free?! Awesome! The after is stunning. I just love painted furniture. Remember when we get together? I want you to come here. I could use your professional help on some furniture! 😉

    Happy Valentine’s Day, Cassie!

    Roeshel

    Reply
  57. Laurie Jones says

    February 14, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Worse before picture everrrrrrr!!! Lol! You’re dresser turned out fab!!!

    Reply
  58. Scribbler says

    February 14, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    Your dresser looks elegant and fancy now! I have some furniture that is very similar, and I too have been toying with the idea of repainting gray.

    Reply
  59. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    February 14, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    Your metamorphosis is absolutely fabulous. I so hope that you enjoy every bit of it.

    Have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Reply
  60. Magali @ The Little White House says

    February 15, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    Oh my! It looks amazing! I love the shade of grey you chose.

    Reply
  61. Trisha @ The Sweet Survival says

    February 16, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    I love the grey! Where are you going to put it?

    Reply
  62. I Play Outside The Box says

    February 18, 2011 at 11:28 am

    The previous ‘painter’ needs to be whupped with a wet noodle. lol Beautiful transformation!!

    Reply
  63. Kristi says

    February 18, 2011 at 11:42 am

    I’m so sorry that you got a comment that made you sad. Maybe she was just having a bad day. Most of the time when people are feeling critical, they keep it to themselves.

    Anyway, this dresser was hideous before you worked your magic on it. HIDEOUS! oy

    It looks amazing now and I just love the color you chose. I’ve been using a soft gray on a lot of my pieces lately.

    I’ll be featuring you today. 🙂

    Reply
  64. Margaret says

    February 18, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    Looks GORGEOUS! As soon as you listed the color I wrote a gigantic note to myself and googled the nearest ben moore. I have to have this shade in my arsenal!

    did you ever consider glazing it?

    Keep up the great work!

    xo
    Margaret
    http://www.sugarandspackle.com

    Reply
  65. Claire says

    February 20, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Really beautiful dresser well done. You have inspired me.

    Reply
  66. Amanda says

    February 22, 2011 at 2:16 am

    The dresser came out beautiful Cassie! I will include it on Craft Gossip next time I do a furniture round up 🙂

    Reply
  67. Holly says

    February 24, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    I think I painted that dresser when I was 13! SCARY! Of course you made it shine and sparkly with complete and utter chicness!

    Reply
  68. Amanda says

    March 18, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    I’ve put together a round up of pretty dresser revamps on Craft Gossip today and included your project. 🙂 You can see it here
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/6-beautiful-dresser-make-overs/

    If you would like to share the Craft Gossip love and show your visitors you’ve been featured, you can grab a button here!
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

    Reply
  69. Lacey says

    October 13, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    Hi, this dresser is almost exactly like a pair I just painted. I’m having a hard time with the hardware. It was attached with prong like inserts that have a jagged piece around it to keep it in the hole. I got the handles out just fine and painted. I can not get them back in and I can’t find any info about them online. If you also dealt with this type of handle I would LOVE some tips!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 14, 2014 at 9:19 am

      hi lacey! have you tried just drilling your holes for the hardware slightly bigger so they can slide in easier?

      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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