Dress up dresser

I have to say this is my FAVORITE pinterest idea I have gotten to date and it's the most time consuming.  This project took me about 2 weeks to complete just because between sports and extracurricular activities I  didn't have time to sit down for an hour at a time and put on layers.

I'm sorry in advance in there isn't more detailed pictures, I wasn't planning on this project working or making this blog so I took the pictures for facebook purpose to show off my work, not for a tutorial :(

When you start this project you want to make sure you have a complete hour to put on each layer.  Once you start a layer you really don't want to stop.

Items you will need:

VERY CHEAP dresser
paint color you want
matching/coordinating scrapbook paper
modge podge
hammer/screw driver
paint brush
knobs (optional)
shower curtain rod (the twistable kind)
X acto knife
matching baskets (optional)

Here is my VERY CHEAP dresser.  I found this dresser at a yard sale for 5.00 (figured if I messed it up, I only lost 5.00 in the process).

and my supplies

To start I took all the drawers out of the dresser and took off the side rails (this is where you need the hammer mine were buggers).  You can throw the drawers away just make sure to keep a few knobs! 

 

yes, there is a hole in the bottom, it will be ok we will fix it later.

Paint the dresser whatever color you are wanting.  I chose black because I have a boy and a girl so I wanted it for BOTH of their dress up clothes not just one.  Gotta have somewhere to put all that fire/police/army gear too!  

If you're going to add knobs this is when you want to do it, I learned this the hard way and got sawdust all over the bottom (which is NOT easy to clean up).  Drill a hole in the side of the dresser and put the knobs on.

To make the knobs pretty and match your dress up dresser, you are going to tear up a piece of scrapbook paper in about 1 by 1 inch pieces.  DO NOT CUT, tear them if gives it a nicer look.  You are going to hold the knob in your hand and apply modge podge to the knob, then put the scrapbook pieces on the knob wrapping it around.  Once you have the scrapbook paper on how you like it, modge podge over top of it.  I would put AT LEAST 2 coats of modge podge over top of the knob.  Once dry, put the knobs on the side of the dresser.

Sorry no picture for the next step :(

Here is where you want to add your bottom board.  I had my husband cut me a square out of a piece of plywood (actually it was the bottom of an old crib).  He measured the bottom and cut me a square to fit in the hole.  I then painted it black and now I have somewhere to set my baskets

Next, you are going to modge podge the top.  I learned this the hard way, WORK IN SECTIONS! The first time I tried to cover the entire top the modge podge and lay everything down and it started to bubble and was an EPIC FAIL! So, learn from me, work in sections!!

TIP: Rip your scrap paper into strips before you start and put them in a box so all you have to do is grab a strip and keep going.

What you want to do is with your paintbrush put a layer of modge podge down, lay a strip down and then put a layer of modge podge on top of the scrap paper strip to make it smooth.  Then put modge podge on the dresser, add a strip and more modge podge on top.  Keep repeating until the entire dresser is done.

I put the scrapbook paper criss-cross, horizontal, vertical and every way possible.  When you are near the edges just fold the scrapbook paper around the edges.  Once it's dry you can take your X acto knife and clean up the edges.

I also put the scrap paper at the bottom of the dresser also to give it a little pop.

Once you have all your scrap paper down and it's dry.  Put TWO coats of modge podge over the paper.  Paint a layer of modge podge over the scrapbook paper, let it dry and apply another coat.  It should be shiny and VERY hard!

Once it's dry add the shower curtain rod , add your baskets and hang your dress up clothes.

This project is VERY time consuming but it's worth it in the end, the kids now have somewhere for their dress up clothes (besides the floor) and it looks nice too!

Next week...tile photo frame!

If you have ANY questions about how to make this project please ask!