Saturday, July 31, 2010

BEFORE and AFTER: The Big Ballerina's Nightstand

The Big Ballerina has never had a proper nightstand. She'd been using a square pillow cube as a stand in. It wasn't practical. Or pretty.  Practical is one thing. But if it ain't pretty. It's got to go.

I posted a few weeks ago that this beat-up old nightstand called my name from the trash heap. 

I loved the bow-front shape of the top and the drawer. And that big honking drawer pull made my heart go pitter-patter. With BSD's help, we dragged it home. 

When I got a good look at it the next morning, I realized it had a lot of issues. There was a huge circular ring mark on the top. The thin veneer was popping off in many places. Missing completely in others. BSD glued up what he could, but it was still in bad shape. It sat in the garage for weeks. Maybe months. I considered sending it back to the curb. But I decided to go ahead and just paint it to see what would happen.


She's definitely not perfect, but she sure is cute! That blue paint is just so happy. 

I was most excited by how cool the handle cleaned up. We were convinced it was brass. If so, I was going to spray paint it silver. BSD took his dremel tool to it, rubbed it with some kind of compound, and when he brought it back to me. Perfection! Satiny and matte.  Just the finish I was after.

Now I just need to change everything else in the Big Ballerina's bedroom to go with it. I've got this super fun fabric to use as inspiration.


Maybe a green color for the walls and a Dash and Albert rug on the floor? Because you know I don't have enough Dash and Albert rugs in my house already.

NOTE: MC, I am working on my master. I promise! I will post about that soon. :)

18 comments:

Gabe said...

i love the blue. . .

I had never heard of dash and albert rugs. . .oh my. . .they are fabulous. . .

Have a great weekend!

Kerri said...

Super cute...great job on the nightstand! I've never heard of those rugs either...I'll have to check it when I have more time!

Amy @ Lucky Number 13 said...

oooh...that is one serious treasure! i love that color!

Lisa said...

It looks great! I love that color you chose! The finished product looks so modern just like you bought it from the store today!

Bring Pretty Back said...

LOVE IT! Isn't it so fun just to add one new thing! It charges me up to organize and clean! I have Never heard of these rugs! I am thinking of either painting the concrete floor in the new little house white~ or hardwood floors. Som, I need rugs! I am going to buy rugs> I am headed there now.
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

What fun fabric - a great inspiration! The nightstand looks darling.

Jess said...

great make over!!! love that blue!!! i think you need to take a trip out here to the Berkshires....we have a Pine Cone Hill store...same designer for dash and albert...and they have great tent sales!!! i don't think you can ever have enough D&A...i am working on filling my house...one rug at a time!!!

{cindy} said...

Ok...I gues I'm a bit in the dark...never heard of Dash adn Albert rugs till I saw it on someones blog about a month ago!!
I am in serious need of some rugs, guess I'll be heading over there! :)

The nightstand is just gorgeous!!
My oldest daughter is in love with that color right now too!
Enjoy the night

sloan said...

WOW, Kim, this is amazing!! I love the shade of blue that you chose ... this nightstand would be a huge hit in our house - nice job!! btw, are your ears ringing? hope you'll stop by ;-)

knack said...

woo hoo! this makes a knack girl really happy!

great rescue!

xo

Jen said...

Hi! Love it! Great job!
Guess what? I recently found a night stand in someone's trash pile too. I got out of my car in my PJ pants...it was early...and loaded it in my car! It is half primed in my garage. You've inspired me to get it finished!

Seizing My Day said...

I love it!~ and I love the fabric!! ;)

Dani said...

She cleaned up well! Very cute indeed.

My Interior Life said...

It looks great! And that handle is perfection. I'm having some trouble rehabbing my most recent find. But, I would say your trash definitely turned into treasure!

Mary Cate said...

Kim, I think you found your calling, that turned out perfectly. Can't wait to see your Master! MC

Paula@SweetPea said...

This looks great! Love the new color!

Stephanie said...

LOVE that color and the stand came out so great! I love it! You are a girl after my own heart. I love to dumpster dive or curb pick. We've acquired so many treasures that way. I just scored an incredible ice cream chair, with arms from what used to be a drugstore in my hometown. This chair is original to the soda shop and was found in the basement. I was thinking of that color for my chair.

I have never heard of Dash and Albert rugs before, but I checked that link out and I'm in love! lol Thanks! :)

uglythenpretty.com said...

Love the simplicity of this project and the final output! Great work! I posted about it on www.UglythenPretty.com