The chest of drawers and I have finally brought our long-held idea to fruition. I decided that it would be a perfect addition to our veranda, where it could serve to conceal the accumulated clutter and complement the shoe rack that had already been repurposed there.
I began the process of revitalizing the chest of drawers by stripping off the old finish using Fae and a metal sponge. Since the plywood and pine were of little value and some drawers were missing, I opted to paint the chest. While some may disapprove of painting wood, I believe that each situation and the overall style of the interior should be taken into consideration.
To start, I smoothed out any wood imperfections and cleaned the surface thoroughly before applying paint. The inner shelves were painted with leftover paint from the shoe rack project, as they were made of plywood.
For the exterior, I selected a shade called “Green Moss.” Although the paint was labeled as acrylic enamel, it behaved more like alkyd paint – thick and odorless, but it provided excellent coverage, requiring only two coats. To conceal the imperfect joint at the top of the dresser, I used a wooden skirting board attached with liquid nails and secured with thin nails. I then filled in the joint with wood putty.
To replace the missing drawers, I intended to craft doors using molding purchased at the market, along with glue, corners, and a stapler. However, my plans were hindered by the fact that the wood, bought in August, had dried out and caused slight warping in the doors.
For the door fronts, I opted for a metal mesh found in the countryside, which I painted in a gold hue. I affixed the mesh to the door frame with a stapler, bending the edges beforehand.
Finally, I attached vintage brass hinges and handles from my collection. And now, the revitalized chest of drawers is ready for use!
Given its new look and functionality, it may find a place beyond the veranda.
