DIY Tutorial: Stripping a Painted Dresser

  I’ve inherited another family dresser!

My first refinishing project was a dark stained wood dresser that came from my Grandparent’s bedroom. Although I kept it a dark stain, it took quite a bit of work to get it there! Read more about that here.

We are kind of bureau-starved in this house, so my Mom was kind enough to haul this dresser out of her basement.

Fun Fact: This was the dresser from my Mom’s bedroom growing up (aw!) and one of the drawers is still lined with her childhood bedroom wallpaper!

The first question to ask yourself when refinishing any piece of furniture: is it worth refinishing?

Both my family dressers are solid hardwood, structurally sturdy and were built with the all-important dovetailed corners.

In my opinion, if a dresser doesn’t have dovetailed corners, I wouldn’t bother putting all the work into refinishing it. It’s a mark of good craftsmanship.

Evidence of dovetailed corners seen here:

I started this project in the fall and it’s only half-way done! It got WAY too cold for me to keep working on it in the garage – so that’s where it sits. Soon I should be able to finish it though, it’s starting to warm up!

In this post, I’ll talk about stripping the dresser of paint, which is a different beast than stripped a stained dresser.

I started with this Klean-Strip chemical paint stripper and a plastic scraper.

First, WEAR GLOVES. Then, in a well-ventilated area, brush the stripper on to the painted areas. I used a foam brush so I could just throw it away at the end.

Then wait 15-25 minutes. It will look bubbly like this when it’s ready to be scraped: I quickly learned that the plastic scraper was a waste of time and got out an old metal scraper. (Note: I ruined this scraper, just letting you know.)

Scrape the surface (being careful not to gouge the wood with the corners of the scraper) and discard directly into a trash bag.

I even found an old sticker underneath the paint.

Repeat. Again and Again. The lengthiness of this part of the process will depend on a lot of things – Was there varnish over the paint? How many layers of paint? What’s the temperature outside? etc.

After my first afternoon I was able to take it down to this point:

A weekend or two later I returned to attack the dresser body. To no avail. This is where my problems started! First, I ran out of stripper so I ordered a new type – this kind:

Citri-Strip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel

I applied, waited and… nothing. Now I know – ALWAYS refinish furniture in the summer when it’s warm and you can be outside! Not in a 15 degree garage.

Note: Chemical Stripper won’t work if it’s too cold!

We brought the space heater into the garage to warm up the air and let the stripper work away at the paint – it’s important for you to LEAVE the garage at this point and not inhale all the fumes. This stripper smells like oranges and it’s easy to forget you are dealing with toxic chemicals.

The space heater helped some. So I reapplied and scraped several more times.

Then I brought the big gun out – that would be, the heat gun – I should have done this earlier!

via Home Depot

To use a heat gun, just plug it in, turn it on and hold about 4-5 inches away from the surface. It will start to bubble (similar looking to the paint stripper). Then you can scrap it off with your metal scraper just like with the chemical stripper. It’s just like a hair dryer.

Then the sky opened up and angels sang.

I have no photos of this portion because when my hands weren’t covered in chemical goop, I had a scraper in one hand and a heat gun in the other.

Using the heat gun allowed me to get to this point – now we’re getting somewhere!!

Unfortunately, there are a LOT of gouges in the top that were minimized by the billion layers of paint on this dresser. But I will deal with that when it’s not so cold. Hopefully soon now that it’s feeling spring-y.

I’m eagerly awaiting my dresser upgrade!

The natural wood is a warm reddish hue.

As you can see, stripping a painted dresser is not difficult, it just takes some time.

This particular dresser had 5-6 coats of paint on it, so it took me a bit longer for that reason too.

My only suggestions:

If you’re going to put the effort into stripping a dresser, make sure it’s a solid piece of furniture (look for dovetailed corners).

Also (this is JUST me) but I wouldn’t start with a very curvaceous dresser – flat surfaces are much easier to scrap/sand down!

Next steps: Sanding this monster smooth!

Have you ever stripped a piece of furniture?

Did you have wallpaper in your room growing up?

I went through three different wallpapers over the course of my youth – two different yellow striped wallpapers and one wallpaper with pink/blue flowers!

Day Trip to Marblehead, MA

This winter I traveled up to Marblehead, MA for work and was able to explore the area for a bit. This visit (and this post) are more than a tease than anything else!

Marblehead is best known for being a peninsula with lots of coast and ocean views, being the birthplace of the U.S. Navy and the yachting capital of the U.S.  It’s also the filming location for several popular movies, most recently Grown Ups 1 and 2.

Like most of our favorite towns on the North Shore of Boston, it has a village full of shops, lovely window decorations and countless art galleries.

We were there on a cold afternoon in February, so life there was quiet. So I’m told, it gets very busy in the summer.

I had lunch at Haley’s – there is a cafe inside the wine & spirit store.

We sat next to this AWESOME painting, which I took several photos of. I’m determined to try and DIY one just like it, because I still can’t stop thinking about it. It’s also my iPhone background. <— such is the life of a nerdy art  major.

For lunch I had the Vegetable Chili and the Chicken Arugula Sandwich.

I hope you know I’m not exaggerating when I say that the sandwich was the BEST one I’ve had in years. Maybe I was high on cold air, or the dullness of February was going to my head but… it was kismet.

I won’t lie. I hardly shared because I wanted to eat the whole thing myself. YUM.

One of our favorite things about the North Shore of Boston is looking at all the buildings and architecture. When my husband and I started dating it was, and still is, one of our favorite things to do.

Marblehead is no different and full of interesting, old houses to check out.

I definitely will be returning in the summer with my bike!

And of course ocean views were inescapable.

The ocean looked mighty, mighty cold that day.

We headed up to Chandler Hovey Park, home of the Marblehead Lighthouse.

And it was COLD so we didn’t stay long!

While we spent only an hour or two checking out town before we had to move on, I definitely hope to return to this lovely seaside town.

And you can bet I’ll be bringing my bike. And a swimsuit. And a picnic basket for the 18 Chicken Arugula sandwiches I will be eating all by myself.

Have been to Marblehead? Seen the movie Grown Ups?

Fun fact: A friend and I saw and met Maya Rudolph shopping in Salem with her newborn son while she was in town filming for the second movie!

I ‘ve also heard a few stories about people meeting Adam Sandler when he was in town filming. One fun story was that he stopped at a kid’s lemonade stand and gave him a one-hundred dollar bill for a cup of lemonade. Not sure if it’s true, but cute nonetheless.

Cross Country Skiing in the Berkshires

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The first of [February] was covered with snow
So was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
The Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go.

While some parts of the U.S. are blooming with flowers and sunshine-y afternoons allow *gasp* a pair of sandals, it’s still snowy here in Boston.

As we celebrated the vernal equinox last week, it’s technically spring. But today I’m going to talk about snow and my new hobby – cross country skiing. I should post on this topic before we (finally) catch up to the rest of you!

The last few years I’ve wanted to buy cross country skis. I have no winter hobby, and one can only watch so many movies when the world is covered in snow for months at a time. Cross country skiing was going to be that hobby.

This year we finally did it! We waited until the end of the season and snatched up all our gear at L.L. Bean for 50% off. If you’re lucky they might still have a pair. Plus, you will get ski passes for local trails with your purchase. All in all, the cost for everything was less than a one-time downhill lift ticket for just one of us!

We purchased Classic Touring skis. Classics have “fish scale” texture on the bottom of the ski for gripping. Touring skis are best for beginners and for use on groomed trails, as opposed to skate skiing, which is a motion similar to ice skating. Touring skis are a bit wider, therefore steadier.

You will want to get fitted for your skis and poles, as there are several varying factors like weight and height.

Our first foray into our new hobby drove us out to the beautiful Berkshires a few days after a snowstorm (hence the James Taylor quote above). I’ve been driving through the Berkshires for nearly ten years now, but this summer when we went to a James Taylor concert at Tanglewood, was the first time we actually visited. It’s a beautiful area.

Canterbury Farms

Canterbury Farms of Becket, MA was our snowy destination.

“With 22 Kilometers of groomed and tracked ski trails, you will ski alongside beautiful brooks, beaver ponds, stone walls, lakes, fields and mountains where nature abounds. Our trails meander through old wood stands which gives you the feel of being in the wilderness.”

Sounds lovely, huh? As the say, a picture says a thousand words:

The trails were well-groomed and very pretty.

Trails were easily marked, and you are well warned of difficult hills ahead if you want to stick to flatter trails.

We saw a few other skiers, but most of the time it was just us. As evidenced by the strong sun, we went in the late afternoon.

Don’t Own Skis?

If you don’t own skis, they have all the equipment available for a day rental.

Canterbury Farms also has an inn and kitchen. Eat something hearty – XC skiing burns lots of calories!

What to Wear

Don’t be fooled into dressing for downhill skiing. Cross country is a WORKOUT and you will warm up right away. I was happy in leggings under thin waterproof exercise pants (falling happens to every snow-bunny), a fleece, sunglasses and my trusty felt earwarmers. I didn’t even wear gloves I was so warm from the workout.

I also wore a small backpack that held an unneeded scarf, my camera and a bottle of water (we definitely needed that!).

For a Weekend in the Berkshires

Next year we plan to rent a small cabin and make a weekend of it.

In that case, I’d also like to spend my time in the Berkshires exploring some of the following:

• Exploring the lovely town of Lenox, MA (home of Tanglewood)
• Arrowhead, Home of Herman Melville
• Norman Rockwell Museum
• The Clark
• The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home
• Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
• MASS MoCA
• And if you’re into shopping, the Lee Outlets are nearby

I can truly say I’m a bit sad to see the snow go – I want to go skiing again!!

Have you ever tried cross country skiing? What’s your winter hobby?

Amazon Prime for the DIYer

I am sitting in our brand new family room as I type this post. That is a sentence I never thought I would write! : ) Well, maybe not never, but it was hard to picture it becoming a reality. We have a few more bits and pieces to do before I share an “after” post, so I hope you can all at least pretend to share my excitement!

We, obviously, do a lot of projects around the home. Today I thought I’d talk about a place you wouldn’t necessarily think of for your DIY needs….. Amazon.com!

We are Amazon Prime members, which means we get everything shipped to us for FREE.

Returns are easy too (not that we have had much experience there). We review products fairly rigorously before we buy anything, and I love reading the reviews on Amazon before buying anything – they are usually pretty reliable.

There is a surprising amount of home items available on Amazon. Things you might never consider purchasing online, much less Amazon.

Like our fireplace doors.

They sell these same doors at Lowe’s and Home Depot, we but saved $40 by ordering them through Amazon instead!

PLUS, if we ordered from either of the “big box” stores they were going to take several weeks to arrive. We ordered from Amazon and … a few days later, there they were! It doesn’t get better/easier than that.

When we finally got rid of the beast above the stove we were left microwave-less for some time. We looked around at microwaves, and finally settled on this (perfectly sized) Panasonic micowave from… you know it… Amazon!

We have the Panasonic Compact 0.8 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave and I love it! It’s big enough for our dinner plates and it’s SO quiet! Again, the microwave was less expensive through Amazon than the bigger stores.

We even bought yard tools like our ax and chainsaw through Amazon.

Additionally, we’ve purchased many other home DIY items through Amazon – from inexpensive things like paint stripper and flood lightbulbs, to tools (like our table saw) to big items like the vent for our bathroom ceiling.

Next time you’re shopping for your DIY/renovation projects, check out Amazon!

Note: We are Amazon Prime members – which is a yearly fee service.

Other note: Amazon is not paying to brag about their wonderful deals. We just love them and get some of our best deals there! I hope you will too!

Tips from a Nervous Flier

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For someone who hates to fly, I find myself on an awful lot of airplanes.

Whether it’s traveling to see family, friends, seeing new places or traveling for work, last year I found myself on a plane about once a month. We just booked our plane tickets to Italy for our trip this spring, so I’m officially starting to dread the flight. Yep, I’m a nervous flier.

I know the facts. Regardless, when I get in that tin can with wings I kind of freak out. So like any sane person, I’ve developed a few coping mechanisms. I’ve looked around online for tips on being a more relaxed flier, but I haven’t found much. So, hopefully this will help the others out there like me!

Gimme the aisle

While you may not always have the first choice of your seating, determine what seating arrangement you prefer. I’m an aisle girl. I shut the window if I’m stuck by one. I’d prefer an aisle seat towards the back of the plane rather than a middle seat towards the front! Like most people, I try to avoid the back of the plane – typically it’s louder (engine noises) and a bit bumpier.

Eat something time-consuming:

This helps me focus on something that isn’t a book or a screen. The variation helps. While most people eat IN the airport, I’ve learned that I like to save my food for the plane. Something cold, like a salad, is my preferred food of choice. The crispness of the lettuce, and cutting up various vegetables or chicken require a lot more effort than cramming a bag of chips in your mouth. Plus it’s healthier and doesn’t leave you with greasy fingers and in need of a mint.

Dress the part

I don’t swear sweatpants on planes, mostly because it makes me feel grubby. I try to dress comfortably, but especially try to wear easily removable shoes with warm socks. I also usually bring a scarf with me. Airplanes can be a bit cold, but I don’t always want to wear a bulky top (feeling even more squished into my seat).

Entertainment

Getting through a flight is all about pre-occupying myself with something else. I was recently on a flight next to two people who had no music, no books, no computers, no magazine and no entertainment! (Here’s looking at you Delta). I am the opposite. Over-stimulation city. I bring magazines, books, e-books, my iPod and usually print out work articles and go through them with a highlighter.

Also, in my opinion, this is not the time to be high and mighty with your entertainment choices. I usually like to get into something easy and entertaining, not tedious. (Example: Harry Potter for plane rides. Save heavy Dostoyevsky for when I’m safe on the ground.)

Rock the Beats

I always bring my iPod – Drowning out the sounds of the plane helps me. If I don’t want music, I usually leave the earbuds in anyways to drown out the sound. Earplugs work too. Music with slower beats or easier listening is what I choose – no need to get my pulse racing.

Eat Pray Love

I’m definitely a pray-er on airplanes. There are key moments when I panic the most (like take-off). Usually I will pick one person during takeoff and focus on praying for them. While I usually say a quick prayer for the plane ride as well, it doesn’t help me when my prayers focus on the plane – I’m trying to get my mind OFF of the plane!

Where everybody knows your name

I always listen for the pilot’s introduction over the speakers. For some reason knowing their names helps put real people in charge of the plane and makes me feel not so out of control.

I also frequently look at the flight attendants. If things are feeling a little bumpy, I look first to the attendants. If they are just chatting or serving food, it reminds me that the bumps are NORMAL. Someone once told me you need to think of the turbulence like potholes in the road. It just happens. I’ve also read to close your eyes and imagine you are on a bus. Surprisingly, the sensation is the same!

Have a chant

Maybe this sounds crazy, but I have a particular song I sing in my head when things get bumpy. Somehow it just became my go-to. It helps to ground my nerves when I’m feeling panicky – so I sing it at the top of my lungs… in my head that is. : ) Again, it’s about distraction until your nerves calm down.

To my fellow nervous fliers, you have all my sympathy. I hope some of these tips help you on your next flight. Obviously I’m not a therapist, psychiatrist or anything of the sort – these are simple techniques that help me – a nervous flier.

What do you do to preoccupy yourself on an airplane?

Top o’ the Morning: St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

I think I’ve finally decided that I just don’t like corned beef and cabbage, and I won’t be making it again this year.

I think this year I’m going to try my hand at this delicious sounding soup from The Skinny Fork.

Crock Pot Guinness French Onion Soup & Irish Cheddar Crouton

And we may or may not have purchased some Lucky Charms cereal to celebrate the holiday.

source unknown – lost in the vortex of Pinterest. If it is yours please let me know!

and don’t miss these adorable St. Patrick’s Day printables from My Sister’s Suitcase:

And how cute is that rainbow fruit kabob!

And if you’re looking for a magical movie, try The Secret of Roan Inish

or the old classic, The Quiet Man.

Here are some highlights from several St. Patrick’s Day posts I’ve shared through the years:

A Vintage St. Patrick’s Day

A collection of inspired vintage St. Patrick’s Day images.

Recipe: Homemade Crasin Scones

Yum! Make them. With the honey-butter. NOW!

My favorite St. Patrick’s Day songs

Haha! The Muppets version of “Danny Boy” cracks me up EVERY time!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

Do you have any special plans?

House Tour & Second Floor Update (Both Long Overdue!)

I have finally posted an overall house “tour” of before and progress photos!

See our overall house progress here: Our DIY House Tour

This month is 2 years since we put an offer on the house. Yes, TWO – I can’t believe it’s been that long. I posted an update on the first floor in the fall.

In all honesty, we’ve pretty much just patched and painted here, and it still needs a LOT of surface work help. We also have some big plans in our head to help make our bathroom larger (as it’s currently the only one upstairs), which would mean knocking down walls in a number of rooms… so we aren’t exactly inclined to perfect what is going to be torn out.

Bedroom:

Since this is an older home, there is no true “master”, so we chose this one. After a beastly battle with a few layers of wallpaper I spackled the walls and the ceilings and painted. Although you might not be able to tell from photos, we have quite a bit more spackle and caulking work ahead of us. We took down the mammothly heavy (70lb!) closet doors, which will sometime we replaced with new doors. We also took down the ceiling fan and installed new lighting. (You will see this is a theme in every room I’m about to mention).

Bathroom:

This bathroom is like a wounded man limping to cross the finish line… constantly moving, but painfully slow. As we have plans to completely gut this bathroom, we’ve made minimal updates. We replaced the vanity (the original was broken on the side), tore out the double glass shower doors, took down the medicine cabinet (the mirror finish was literally peeling off) and installed a new light. You would think that with all that replacing this bathroom would look pretty good – but with our gutting plans – we went for the cheapest temporary pieces we could find. When we bought the house, the entire ceiling in the bathroom and hallway was peel-city. This was because there was never any venting system installed!!! We installed a vent and heater, and worked on the ceiling. This room has been painted a few times, for now it’s gray.

Hallway:

As I mentioned, the ceiling in the hallway was peeling like crazy. We’ve had to go back a few times and re-touch (and you can see we are currently in progress of that in the photo below). The vent has certainly helped a lot with this. The peeling problem could also be because this house was winterized and de-winterized a lot in a short period of time since it was a foreclosed property. More paint and spackle in here. We’ve also added runners – the original hardwood up here is a rough in certain spots.

Guest Room:

Aye. There’s not much to tell about this room – it’s been minimally updated. We painted the walls, tore down the ceiling fan and closet doors and installed new lighting. That’s about it! This room needs love!

Guest Room:

Same story here! We did a bit of painting and took down the ceiling fan. We’ve also rewired all the bedrooms upstairs. Also, this closet is insanely wide, so the doors are still here. I have no idea what we’re going to do with them!

Office:

This is a weird room. It has so much potential and so many limitations due to it’s really awkward shape. The peaked portion of the room was added at a later date and was refinished poorly – drywall seams show everywhere.  We’ve painted in here, and that’s about it. We have some big dreams up our sleeves for turning this room into a master bedroom, but we have enough projects on our hands! Maybe someday….!