It all started with this sad $6.00 mirror.
I saved her from a thrift store in town.
She is 4 feet tall and had a past life living along side an outdated dresser.
I loved her immediately, fake wood frame and all.
After a good wash and following the tips I listed HERE for taping off a mirror, she got a coat of glossy black paint. Then she started to take on a new look that begged one to take a second look.
She started a new life where she ditched the old 70’s dresser and was on the hunt for a new best friend.
A few weeks later, I walk into this solid wood dresser at the exact same location where I picked up the old forgotten mirror.
Priced for a run away steal at $25.00!!
I knew she would fit right into our entry way and her drawers would be a great help in stashing away keys, mail, hats and mittens and anything else that needed a place to hide.
By sprucing up the hardware with some matching glossy black paint, the dresser and the mirror would be a match made in furniture-companion-heaven.
That is until I figured out what colour to paint my new entry-way-catch-all.
I thought about it for a long time.
I really loved this dresser.
Its height was perfect and it fit beautifully between our front door and our garage door.
It had to be a statement piece.
I thought about yellow, but until we refinish our golden-wood-banisters I didn’t think those warm tones would mesh well together. White was not the statement colour I was looking for, but initially was my fist thought.
Finally, I decided on a bright blue (a “whoops” paint I bought for $3 at Home Depot) and a glaze finish for interest.
I took her apart and washed away all the dirt and grime.
Sorry for the glaring sun!
I sanded her down with some 100 grit sand paper and wiped her clean again.
Then I sprayed each drawer and the dresser itself in the best primer ever! I had read a lot of tutorials claiming Kilz was a reliable product to use and I wasn’t disappointed!
I was smitten by the idea of simply spraying a coat on and waiting 2 hours for drying time.
I sprayed a second coat on in my well ventilated garage.
TIP 1:
Remember to put down newspaper or your significant other might not like the primer hue all over their golf clubs and power saw.
TIP 2:
Remember to shake the can well every few minutes AWAY from your project or you may get unwanted drops of paint on your surface!
Boo!!! If this happens to you like it happened to me (see above picture) simply wait the needed drying time and sand down the drips. Apply another smooth coat.
Primed and ready for paint!
After a coat of my “Whoops paint” I mixed one part glaze with one part acrylic light blue paint from (shhhhhh!) the Dollar Store. I wiped it on quickly and wiped it off. It leaves a subtle depth to any piece and I love the quiet layering affect it has.
I threw the two together in the middle of an entry way overhaul this past winter. Notice the red bow on the door to draw in Santa Claus…
Hubby was busy adding new trim to the door ways and floors and I was busy figuring out how to accessorize the little blue dresser to meet guests and family alike.
After some fresh new paint, and some new moldings the entry way is ready to greet guests!!
(Note, the door on the right is still awaiting a nice shiny coat of white on its brand new trim, thank you for not staring too long ;))
It is the right amount of boldness in our otherwise neutral space.
The dresser top has a mercury lamp to light a quiet ambiance at night time.
The nesting baskets hold sunglasses and sun lotions and items you may need in a moments notice but things that you don’t want to keep displayed.
A little plant pot suggests a play on words.
The plant is “sprouting” and so must we as we come and go every day.
Candles from Bath and Body works add a nice colourful touch and an inviting scent when someone enters the house.
This green candle smells like “Coconut Leaves”! Yummy!
This little green bowl was originally a planter. I found it for two dollars at a little junk store and gave it a coat of paint, now the two little love birds guard our keys and sunglasses.
The vibrant carpet was found at Home Sense.
I love that it doesn’t slip and that you cant see dirt on it! Two great requirements for a front door rug.
All the things we need to help organize our Little Estate.
We went from this…
To this. 🙂
Thanks for having a look today.
I love that this little blue entry way dresser serves a purpose and looks cute while doing so.
Its partner, the little black mirror, reflects the rest of the house which I love to have happen in such a confined place.
Now to tackle the four flights of stairs and those golden spindles…
Should we paint or stain them?
What colour do you think would look best?
Help! It is a huge job and we need all the input we can get!
Don’t you love that you got a preview of the entry way before I even posted what updates we have completed on the house?! That’s cause I like you.
xo
Anonymous
October 5, 2012 at 2:58 pmBrilliant job on the mirror and dresser…great colours, like your little bits and pieces on the dresser too. Thanks for the tips I wonder if I can get that primer here in Adelaide…??? I'm not very patient when it comes to priming and like you have discovered the hard way the importance of priming ( the right way) opps.
Jojo 🙂
bethanygier
October 7, 2012 at 1:26 amJojo, I love how the internet makes the world a small place. I am glad you found our new little blog all the way from Australia! I hope you can find that primer. If not, I love the Krylon paint and primer in a spray. I hope that helps with taking the impatience out of a product for you! Thanks for following along!
Kathryn Ferguson Griffin
October 5, 2012 at 11:11 pmLove the blue!! So pretty paired with the black. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Redoux. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-17.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
bethanygier
October 7, 2012 at 1:28 amHi Kathryn, thanks for the compliment. I would love to visit on Monday. It is Thanksgiving here in Canada but I take a break from indulging in too much food and visit the party. 🙂
Craftberry Bush
October 8, 2012 at 5:39 pmBethany…what a great transformation…love how you are making a house a home…:) thank you for sharing with us… wishing you a great week…xo
Lu
Susan at Cherish Home Everyday
October 10, 2012 at 5:27 pmWhat a beautiful entry! You did an amazing job! Your little family is so darling – love the family pic! I found you via Chic on a Shoestring – your project pairing a mirror with a dresser is similar to mine! So much fun – keep up the great work!
Kammy's Korner
October 10, 2012 at 8:12 pmlooks GREAT – I love it!
cathy@my1929charmer
October 11, 2012 at 1:01 amYour entryway is so beautiful, and a great transformation. I love the chest and mirror, the blue is simply gorgeous, and the hardware black does join everything together. The rug makes the colors pop. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
bethanygier
October 11, 2012 at 2:43 amThank you for all the encouragement ladies! So nice of you to take the time to visit and to comment! May you all have a great week. I love getting inspired by YOU! 🙂
Elaine - Visual Meringue
October 29, 2012 at 4:39 pmwonderful job! Just saw you featured on Better After – new follower alert 🙂
Reenie
October 29, 2012 at 6:55 pmHere from Better After ~ very cute. Love it all 🙂
Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs
October 29, 2012 at 8:35 pmCute! Nice job on the overall look.
About the railings…my vote is white to match your doors and trim. It'll brighten up that space more than you can imagine.
(Visiting from Better After)
Diane
October 29, 2012 at 9:51 pmWOW, I ♥ how your foyer turned out! And that mirror and dresser are perfect for that spot. Great eye for design. Love that they are different colors.
bethanygier
October 30, 2012 at 1:50 amThanks for all the positive feedback and for visiting and taking the time to comment! xoxo Hope you are having a great week!
Yasmine Allen
February 18, 2013 at 3:58 amLove your dresser and entryway! What's the height of your dresser, by the way? It really does seem like the perfect height for that space. I'm looking for something similar.
Thanks!
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