DIY Craigslist Dresser

since january i have been reading and discovering some many wonderful blogs by DIY'ers out there.  my obsession has gotten so bad that i have almost completely stopped reading and posting onto facebook.  this is very hard to believe i know but i think this has been a good move for me as facebook while very social and allows me to chit chat with friends and family has not exactly motivated me to say paint and redo my own dresser!  well these blogs did and after 2 months of looking on craigslist for the right priced (under $50), right size (the dresser was to be put in my daughters closet) and in the right location (i didn't want to drive more than 45 minutes from my home) i finally found a nice oak dresser which was in pretty good shape and just needed a paint job to go in the bobcat's (that's our 4 year old's nickname..more on that later) very pink girls room.

i have to thank Censational Girl for all of the great post and inspiration. i simply LOVE LOVE her site and she is so talented and it is so wonderful that she is sharing all of that experience.  here are a few articles which inspired me and also guided me on how to redo my dresser:

Inspiration - love this http://www.centsationalgirl.com/tutorials/furniture-makeovers/
This was what i had in mind for bobcat's dresser: http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/04/how-to-paint-furniture/
I wanted to do charlotte's in white and pink.

well i found my dresser and after following censational girls how to steps on this page i am very happy with my first attempt at refinishing a dresser.  i unfortunately did not take a before picture.. i know i could just shoot myself! but the dresser was basically just brown and in pretty good shape with brass handles. 

the whole process involved, sanding, then priming Zinsser Cover Stain primer, sanding again, painting 2 coats and 3 coats on the drawers and then added a protective coat of Minwax Polycrylic.

then i my daughter and i picked out those lovely crystal handles at our local Home Depot.   both my daughter and i were very happy with the outcome.  there are definitely some things i learned.  if you get close to the dresser you can see a ton of brush marks.  i did use the paint conditioner, Floetrol, so i am not sure if i should spray the furniture next time or not but i will probably try in order to eliminate the brush strokes.  also, the whole process took like 5 days and most of the time i was painting the bobcat was right there with me "helping".  next time i might try to paint some by myself so i can focus on the painting because i ended up with a few paint drips when i was trying to prevent her from "helping".  

overall i am very excited about my first DIY furniture makeover.  hopefully this will not be my last!