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Sunday, November 13, 2011

No Mantle? No Problem!

With the holidays coming, I started thinking I'd really like to have a mantel to decorate.  Problem is, I don't have a fireplace and I have no room for an actual mantel.  In fact, the place I really wanted to put the mantel is way too small for any mantel I've run across.  What to do?  If only I had a sort of tall-ish piece of furniture that is sort of small but has a nice top.... hmm.  Wait a minute!  What about the crappy dresser in the garage?  I bought this little dresser off Craigslist a few months ago for $20.  I didn't look very close when I picked it up, just pulled out the top couple drawers and looked it up and down, said ok and loaded it up.  Not terribly smart.


When I got it home I discovered the bottom 3 drawers were way too warped for everyday use, so I left it in the garage and stewed on ideas of turning it into a bookshelf or something.  Now I'm glad I left it alone.  It took maybe 2 hours total (note to my worrying daughter, I spread the 2 hours over 3 days, so I didn't overexert myself) to sand, paint in ASCP Duck Egg and wax in clear, plus do a stained and polyurethaned top.  It may not be a mantel, but I think I got some bang of of my $20 and a little paint:


So, now I can hardly wait to decorate for the holidays.  Not sure what I'm putting on it  for Christmas yet, but I'll have fun playing around with it.  For now, an all-seasons look:


The bonus to this is that unlike an actual mantle, this has storage capability so I loaded it up with candles, gift wrap, ribbons, bags, tissue, all of which I don't access often enough to be bothered by warped drawers.


I'm linking up at Met Monday and Show & Tell Friday.  Have a fantastic week!

20 comments:

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

What a great find and you transformed it beautifully!! Martina

rachel@Acts of Life said...

This turned out so pretty! I love it!

Rachel~

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Who needs a mantel when you have a gorgeous dresser? I love your white pitcher with the lavender in it. So pretty!

The Inspired Nest said...

Gorgeous and classic! I am super jealous!
Lacy

Anonymous said...

Hi Tracy! Oh, what a great piece and you've transformed it beautifully! Love the color you've chosen and what a great job you did on decorating the top. You're just good! :)
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Michelle said...

You do beautiful work. I love checking your post out. You have great ideas.

Donna said...

As usual, an amazing transformation ... the blue is going to look fantastic all Holiday-ed out :-)

Pat@Life At Lydias House said...

I love your $20 jewel! We think a lot alike! Know what they say about great minds!

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

What a lovely transformation!! I am a new follower, and would love, love a follow-back!!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Great piece, Tracy! Love the Duck Egg Blue and the stained top. I'll bet you will have fun decorating the top of that!

Visiting from BNOTP! : )

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

I looks great, and makes a very nice mantel. I don't have a fireplace either. I create vignettes on multiple surfaces.

akawest said...

Wow, this might my my very favorite piece that you have done. I literally gasped, and let out an, "Oh my God, that is gorgeous!"

Your fan,
Lisa

Mel said...

It's amazingly transformed. I love that it is tall and slender, kind of how I'd like to be LOL.

Great work Tracy.

Steph said...

That looks really pretty for a couple hours worth of work! And that's a good spot for it, too. Now, if only you could find a dresser that we could sit on...

Ivy and Elephants said...

What an amazing find! 20.00?? I need to go shopping with you! It looks gorgeous with that killer pitcher and tray, and all that great storage to boot! I'd say you hit the jackpot!
Hugs,
Patti

Tammy said...

This is gorgeous! $20!!!! that is great! You got my mind going on a mantle piece now:)

Anneke at This, That and Life said...

This looks BEAUTIFUL! I love Duck Egg Blue. Can I ask what stain you used??? The combo is fantastic ~ thank you! :-)

Amy said...

Wow you did a great job! It is perfect!

Tammigirl said...

It's absolutely beautiful!

Atelier be, de Beauchêne et Cie. said...

Lovely, and I just LOVE Duck Egg!

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