Dresser Top

[HappyHunter]

I received this dresser from a Jumbletowner, thank you.

The dresser-top was a dark wood and I discovered woodworm, which I treated with Neem Oil. I then used paint stripper to remove the varnish that was on the dresser. It took four days for me to finish the varnish removal. I then sanded and wiped the unit over with white spirits. I used wax on the wood to enhance and preserve the wood.

The plates with the blue rim and the one in the centre on the shelf below were received from jumbletown as was the glass bell, all other items were bought in charity stores or received as gifts.

I have beautiful lace also received from 2 wonderful jumbletowners which I will add to the dresser top in the coming days and take another photo and post it.

The brown unit underneath was also received from jumbletown. The dresser is only temporarily sitting on it until we decide where it will look best.

Thank you to everyone who made this beautiful addition to my home possible.

HH

[Chris P]

Evidence of plenty of hard work there, HappyHunter -- splendid job!

Regards
Chris P
Admin

[durran]

Wow thats beautiful well done.

[Linn]

Fabulous job Happy hunter. Its a beautiful piece of furniture.

[bluecurlygirl]

Wow, lot of work and the results are fantastic. Well done.

[Tootsie]

Looks fab!

[unapam]

Magnificent! ...and aren't those plates gorgeous? I got some of them too. I have them on my dresser. Well done!

[HappyHunter]

Thanks unapam and everyone, yes Shamrocklady shared the plates among a few of us. They are gorgeous. I am very proud of how the dresser turned out. Now I just have to find time to add the lace :)

[Bettybooboopbedoop]

I don't envy you that sanding job. It turned out fabulous, very natural looking. Perfect with the plates.

[lemencass]

I put dresser tops over radiators,mount a shelf over with a supports behind radiator and affix dresser to shelf and wall with L brackets. You could staple gun some fabric on underside of shelf to cover radiator. Great job,I do not have the patience to strip wood,me and the paint that will paint everything are bust buds!!

[HappyHunter]

Hi lemencass, yes I intend to put the unit over a radiator, thanks.

I have come to enjoy stripping (wood ;) ) I do use a chemical paint stripper though, so not sure how eco friendly I am doing that. One should be very careful using chemical paint strippers as they burn the skin and will damage other surfaces if they are spilt. Wear protective gloves and avoid splashing, keep children and pets away from the work area.

I have removed white paint from teak windows and recoated them with wood protector outside, will post a photo of the finished product soon.

I use sanding blocks like these to do the sanding and I find them easier on the fingers and the wood:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41T3WEATBTL._SS500_.jpg

and this is the wax:

http://www.lenehans.ie/lenehans/Images/DB_Detail/228100.jpg

If only I'd known about the wax last year I might have saved myself a load of heartache varnishing skirting boards and door frames.

Also there are some great tools to assist with stripping paint like this shave hook:

http://www.arro.ie/31239.jpg

Also it is advisable to use a lint free cloth or cloths for doing the waxing.

Thanks Mags - It was really easy and I enjoyed doing it.

[HappyHunter]

Hi Joan

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I would love some Nicksers ;)

Unapam sent me some beautiful lace but I never say no to an offer, thank you.

Thanks to the wonderful network of people here on JT and in my circle of friends that obtaining such wonderful items is possible.

I'm not sure if the persons who started JT ever though that starting such a service would provide much needed friendship and restore ones confidence in human nature as well as protecting Mother Nature.

Bless you all

[Ronkie]

What can i say that has not been said, But well done the dresser looks fab,

[HappyHunter]

Just thought I'd sing my own praises here LOL. My sister and her partner were home from UK for a few days. They had seen the dresser top last year before it was restored. Sisters partner does professional restoration and also makes furniture.

When he saw the dresser last year he did not hold out much hope for it because of the woodworm and the state the piece of furniture was in.

Anyway, I never said anything about the dresser top as we sat in the kitchen on Sunday, suddenly he jumped up off his seat and headed towards the dresser. "Is that the thing that was in the shed last year" he said. When I said yes he was totally amazed at what I had done with it. He stood admiring it, feeling the finished work and commenting on how I brought out the grain.

This meant a lot to me to have a professional woodworker praise my work of art :)

Whoohoo

[Chris P]

Just thought I'd sing my own praises here LOL. My sister and her partner were home from UK for a few days. They had seen the dresser top last year before it was restored. Sisters partner does professional restoration and also makes furniture.

When he saw the dresser last year he did not hold out much hope for it because of the woodworm and the state the piece of furniture was in.

Anyway, I never said anything about the dresser top as we sat in the kitchen on Sunday, suddenly he jumped up off his seat and headed towards the dresser. "Is that the thing that was in the shed last year" he said. When I said yes he was totally amazed at what I had done with it. He stood admiring it, feeling the finished work and commenting on how I brought out the grain.

This meant a lot to me to have a professional woodworker praise my work of art :)

Whoohoo
Hi Happyhunter,

Many thanks for the feedback on your feedback (if you know what I mean).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, that's a dresser to be proud of!

Regards
Chris P
Admin

[Bettybooboopbedoop]

Fair play to you, you deserve the praise, as you worked hard on it. You did an absolutely great job, as i'd say your poor fingers can testify to. Well Done.

[HappyHunter]

I doubt I will ever want to give it away in my lifetime, plan on having it like a family heirloom :) I will be known as the family restorer :)

[gillo]

Fair play to you, it is really lovely, and it sure would make a lovely family heirloom

[magiceight]

'Tis gorgeous... I love how the grain came out, just lovely :)

[Chris P]

Admin bump^

[Eily]

Happyhunter the dresser top looks absolutely stunning.
I love the finish - well done - well worth all your hard work.
Eily