Cassie Bustamante

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My “New” Java Gel Midcentury Dresser and a Shiny New Animal (Half Marathon Recap)

December 16, 2014 by Cassie 64 Comments

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Happy Tuesday!  I hope your week is off to a fabulous start!  I spent yesterday catching up and relaxing, which was much needed after this weekend. (I’ll fill you in later in the post).  First, I want to catch you up on a dresser I’ve been hiding from you!  When I shared my photo painting, you got a little sneak peek…

painting1

Well, I promised you’d see it soon, and here we are a couple months later and I’ve finally had the time to photograph it properly for you!  Our bedroom gets most of its natural light from one dormer window (it has another window but it faces west), so the wall of the room this dresser sits on is a challenge with shadows and lighting.  I needed to take the photos on a sunny day at exactly the right time which is why the delay. 🙂  But I’m excited to finally share it with you!

Java Gel Midcentury Dresser with Lion Head pulls

I was so excited when I found this dresser at my local thrift shop for $30 as I had been on the lookout for a long low wooden midcentury dresser for our master bedroom.  This piece was perfect!  (BTW have i introduced you to Ruby, my new used flex?  My kids and I love her!  Emmy named her. She has a cute butt, as you can see below).

IMG_0954

The dresser had a very glossy top with a few deep scratches, and it was missing much of its hardware.  I began by removing all of the hardware and drawers, and giving every surface a light sanding.

IMG_0957

Once it was sanded, I wiped it clean with a dap rag and allowed it to dry.

I used a rag to apply General Finishes Java Gel stain to all surfaces, working in sections.  I love this type of stain because your piece only has to be lightly prepped by sanding- there is no sanding to the bare wood or stripping involved.  I let the gel sit only for about 3-5 minutes before I wiped it off.  The can recommends longer, but I didn’t want this piece to be as dark…. I wanted darker edges, and more of a patina warm look.  I wanted it to maintain its vintage look.

Once I finished applying and wiping all of the gel, I applied a General Finishes Satin Wax.   I wanted to keep it to a low sheen, and I knew I could apply their topcoat, but I figured I would give this a shot with the gel stain.  I ended up really loving the final result.

As for the hardware, I loved the brass backplates that the original hardware had, but it only had half of them.  I searched all over ebay and etsy and restoration stores and was not able to find anything similar within budget.  I decided to give this piece a little bit of a quirkier look and keep the plates on the bottom drawers, and I used lion head pulls to complete the look.

And here it is now, in my bedroom!

java gel midcentury dresser in  navy bedroom

midcentury dresser in master bedroom

I love how the warm wood tons of this piece now works with everything else in the room, adding an organic feel. master bedroom with midcentury dresser

As you can see up close- it’s not perfect, but I love it just as it is!  It has the patina and charm I love still in a new richer tone!

wood tone of midcentury dresser

And the hardware really makes it for me, too- I love the quirkiness!

lion head pulls on dresser

And the three backplates on the botoom row make me happy.  It sort of has a sequential hardware affect…. bottom row with lion and a backplate, middle with the lion, and top with nothing! (Well, the wood is the handle, but no brass!).lion head pulls

And speaking of shiny animals, I want to introduce my latest in the collection, which comes in the form of a bobcat.

half marathon bobcat medal

I am proud to say I completed my very first half marathon this past weekend!  The bobcat is the Kiawah Island animal, so it was put on this year’s medal, which was perfect for me!

Chris and I headed over to the race at 6 am to be ready for an 8 am start.  He was just coming along with me for support and to take my bag (and keep my nerves calm!).

I ran it alone and unfortunately there was no place for my family to get in to see me except at the very end.  (Although Chris snuck up to see me at mile 1, but I didn’t see him!).  There were a couple of tough moments for me, but I thought of all of my friends and family at home cheering me on.  My mom had given me a special token of luck that had belonged to my Godmother who had been a runner.  She’s no longer with us, so I added the charm to my earring post and wore it during the run, and I thought of her, my own guardian angel.  I listened to music, and at the two hardest moments, the two songs I needed to hear came on….. “Heros” by Alesso, and “I Lived” by One Republic.  This songs inspire me to keep going, be the best I can, and live my life to the fullest.

All in all, it was a great run- mainly flat, and a very well marked route and there were so many runners that I was always with a lot of people.  I felt very good right up until about mile 10 when my feet really started to hurt, but I knew I was only a few miles away at that point, and I kept going.  As I ran the 12th mile, a man who had finished was on the side cheering and he told me I was doing great and only had a quarter mile to go.  Shortly after that I saw Chris, Sawyer, and Chris’ brother, Travis.  Chris yelled “Only about a half mile to go!”  I just looked at him and say “NO!  That man back there just told me a quarter!!!!”  I don’t know who was right but I chose to believe the first man. 🙂  I rounded the last corner, and I saw the finish line.  I knew that my mother in law, Pam; my sister in law, Jill; and Emmy would all be there waiting for me and I looked for the posters I knew they had made.  Once I spotted them I ran to them, slapped their hands, and ran and crossed the finish line….. the feeling was AMAZING!  I felt great at that point, even though my feet hurt and my legs were tired, I felt really terrific otherwise and recovered quickly.  And I’m signing up to do it again next year.

Pardon the horrible picture of me, but I wanted to share it because I am hoping you can see the JOY on my face.  I had just run 13 miles, the sun was beating on me,  and of course I had no makeup on….. but I felt nothing but happiness!  It’s an amazing feeling to push yourself harder than you ever have before.

IMG_1945

In 2015, I am hoping to push myself even harder.  I can safely say I won’t be running any marathons, but I would like to challenge myself to run faster and harder.  I know I can.  The truth is, you really can do anything you set your mind to.  It just takes perseverance and belief in yourself.  What will you push yourself to do?

 

 

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Filed Under: bedroom, Dresser, furniture transformations, making our home, Master Bedroom, Midcentury

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    December 16, 2014 at 6:39 am

    What a beautiful piece! And congratulations to you – that is such an accomplishment!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:13 pm

      thank you so much, elizabeth! i am so happy i did it!

      Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    December 16, 2014 at 6:49 am

    You are so inspiring and I’m so unbelievably happy for you. I have also known many people who started the way you do and said they’d never run a marathon but they just kept pushing 😉
    And the dresser is so so gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:13 pm

      HAHAHA! i hope that isn’t me! 😉 thank you!

      Reply
  3. Megan @ Our PInteresting Family says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:23 am

    Congrats on the wonderful run!! Your dresser looks gorgeous in your room, and the new hardware is perfect.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:12 pm

      thank you so much, megan! i am so happy!

      Reply
  4. Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek says

    December 16, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Congratulations on that 1/2 marathon! I’m impressed that you ran it BY YOURSELF! GREAT JOB!

    And I want you to post your running playlist someday. I struggle to find good music.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:12 pm

      thank you so much, katie! i can’t believe i did it!!! i will definitely share some of my favorite running tunes- that would be a great january post when people are trying to get motivated!

      Reply
  5. kathleen says

    December 16, 2014 at 8:33 am

    Love the dresser, that wood tone is so lovely. Some pieces never need painting and this is one of them! Way to go on the race!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:11 pm

      thank you so much, kathleen! yes, it was perfect in wood- four or five years ago i never would have thought that!

      Reply
  6. Patty Day says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:20 am

    The dresser is gorgeous! Love how you did the hardware.
    Congratulations of your RUN!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:10 pm

      thank you so much, patty!

      Reply
  7. Pam @ Simple Details says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:23 am

    I was so excited for you when I saw it pop up on IG, I let out a big, YES!!! You are beautiful inside and out, and truly an inspiration! And, you’re pretty good at making over furniture, too! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      thank you SO much, pam! that means so much to me!!!!! knowing that people were out there pulling for me really helped me when at mile 10 and mile 12 i was over it! 😉

      Reply
  8. Breanna says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:23 am

    This is such a beautiful piece and what a steal for $30! I love how easy gel stain is to work with and it brought this guy back to life. And those little lion heads are awesome! Congrats on your first half-marathon too! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      thank you, bre! 🙂

      Reply
  9. gwen says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Congratulations! ! You’re amazing and totally inspiriing!

    The dresser is awesome too… reminds me a skinny gold belt with a lion’s head I had in the first grade. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      thank you so much, gwen! i am so happy! and i wish i had that belt.

      Reply
  10. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:47 am

    Cassie, that dresser is fabulous. I think I’ll try the same think on an armoire I have that I would like to darken the stain up on. Love the lion head pulls, too! I’m so proud of you for running your race. What a great accomplishment!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:07 pm

      thank you so much, jennifer! i really appreciate it! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Charlotte Smith says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:48 am

    $30! What alternate universe do you live in?! At our bleeping Goodwill a blazer costs $30. On a half off day. Regarding the half: woohoo!! I’ve always said that distance running is mind over matter… TONS of work for sure, but the hardest thing is convincing yourself that you actually want to be out there for that long! CONGRATS!!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:06 pm

      i know, right?!?!? you should come visit me in my alternate universe. :)and i agree about running! i always tell myself, it’s just a couple hours of my day…. now a marathon is another story and i just don’t have the time to be running for 4-5 hours!!!!

      Reply
  12. Carmel says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:57 am

    It’s so beautiful and I love the way it looks with your wall color!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      thank you, carmel- i think anything looks good with navy, right? 🙂

      Reply
  13. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:59 am

    Way to go Cassie! I knew you would do great. You have such determination!

    Love the photo of you. There is nothing more beautiful than pure joy!

    And that dresser is just so perfect for you!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      thank you so much, sharon! it was hard, but i am so glad i did it! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Haley says

    December 16, 2014 at 10:13 am

    I love the dresser AND your 1/2 marathon story!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      thank you so much, haley!

      Reply
  15. Corinna - For My Love Of says

    December 16, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Congrats on the half marathon! You rock! Love what you did with the dresser, those lions head drawer pulls are really cool!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      thank you so much, corinna!!!

      Reply
  16. Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says

    December 16, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    I love the color of the wood on that dresser. It is gorgeous. And congrats on your half! You did great!!! You should feel very proud of yourself 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      thank you so much! and i am. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Catherine says

    December 16, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    I love the dresser Cassie – I’ll have to check out Java Gel, I’m not if it’s available in Australia but it sounds great.

    And congrats on the marathon!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      thank you so much, catherine! hopefully it will be soon if it isn’t!

      Reply
  18. Katja | Shift Ctrl Art says

    December 16, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    Cassie, I am pretty sure this is my most favorite furniture make-overs by you. That dresser simply ROCKS 🙂 I love the lines and the color of it and most of all, you picked the most perfect hardware for it. I am totally in love. If it goes missing don’t panik, I am just borrowing it. Permanently 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      thank you so much, katja! it’s heavy and up the stairs and across the country…. so good luck to you. 😉

      Reply
  19. Julia @ 551 East Design says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    I bow to you Bobcat master!! You’re amazing!!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:01 pm

      thank you!!!!! i can’t believe i did it!

      Reply
  20. Amber @ Wills Casa says

    December 16, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    Congrats on the half marathon!! That dresser is super sexy. Dare I say as sexy as a Cassie that has just ran a half marathon?? 😉

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:01 pm

      i am not sure the dresser can compare…. let’s see how it looks after running 13 miles.

      Reply
  21. Gretchen says

    December 16, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    The dresser is gorgeous, and HUGE congrats on your bobcat run!!!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2014 at 10:01 pm

      i was one with the bobcat.

      Reply
  22. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:04 am

    Congratulations, Cassie!! My sister and I ran one a few years ago and oh that mile 10 is a killer! But it’s such a great feeling to cross that finish line — way to go!
    And… I have GOT to try that GF Java Gel Stain! THAT’s on my list to do next year!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      thank you, heidi! it really is a great feeling!

      Reply
  23. [email protected] says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Woohoo Cassie! That dresser rocks and so do you! Congratulations!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:12 pm

      thank you, brynne!

      Reply
  24. gail says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    first, congrats on your big accomplishment! That’s so awesome.

    next? $30? how fabulous! What a great dresser for that space! You did a wonderful job Cassie!

    gail

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      thank you so much, gail! i appreciate it!

      Reply
  25. sarah dorsey says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    Love the dresser!! Great price too!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      thank you, sarah!

      Reply
  26. Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    Gah love both of your new wild cats 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      thank you so much, trina!

      Reply
  27. [email protected] says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:03 pm

    Congrats on your half. You are such an inspiration.

    And I’m loving the legs on that beauty.

    On the dresser. THE DRESSER.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 17, 2014 at 9:08 pm

      yeah, trust me, mine aren’t looking great now…. swollen and maybe a little hairy.

      Reply
  28. Kristin @ Bliss at Home says

    December 17, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    That turned out gorgeous Cassie!! I hope to find something similar for our master! We need more clothing storage so badly. And congrats again on the half!!!! xoxo

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 19, 2014 at 1:54 pm

      thank you so much, kristin!

      Reply
  29. Bliss says

    December 19, 2014 at 11:03 am

    The dresser and the bobcat are both well deserved.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 19, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      thank you so much, bliss!

      Reply
  30. Nicola O. says

    January 16, 2015 at 1:37 am

    Hi! just found your blog. Love Sharon’s comment above, “Love the photo of you. There is nothing more beautiful than pure joy!” — it’s perfect.

    I’m always curious about these dressers that you guys (diy and makeover bloggers) find — how well do the drawers slide? The ones I find in thrift stores are either $300+ or the drawers move like crap.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 19, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      aaaw, thank you so much!!! some dressers that are older don’t have the glides of modern day and they can be tricky, but sometimes just gliding soap on the sides works. and the midcentury piece slides beautifully- all of its glides are in tact!

      Reply
  31. Faye says

    February 19, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    I too have a mid century dresser. and although I am warming up to the idea of painting some pieces of furniture, I would never in a million years would I paint a piece as beautiful as mine. And thank God that you saw the beauty in yours and decided to highlight that beauty and not cover it up. You did a great job.

    Reply
  32. Mrs B says

    March 4, 2015 at 6:19 am

    What did you use on bottom row for the circle pieces? I have those same lion head pulls.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      March 4, 2015 at 8:30 am

      they were original to the dresser, but it was missing three of them, so i just used on the bottom drawers.

      Reply

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  1. Framed Family Photos: Adding Weight, Color, and Texture to My Nightstands with Framebridge - Cassie Bustamante says:
    February 15, 2017 at 7:33 am

    […] On the adjacent wall sits our darker wood midcentury dresser. […]

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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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