When I asked you all on Facebook if I should share my DIY fail, the response was overwhelming! I believe you all have a case of Schadenfreude… a German word for pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. So, here is my sad, sad story.
As you may know, my hubby and I moved apartments three weeks ago. Our new place has lots of hanging space but no drawers or shelving for clothes. Ever the thrifty picker, I spied this neglected dresser behind a locked gate in a nearby apartment complex.
I immediately could see the beauty in this piece. The detail in the feet, the curve of the drawers, the original handcut joints. This was a winner! The next day I asked the Doorman of the complex if I could have it. He rang the Super and they both said it was mine – YAY! I filled up a bucket of warm water, grabbed a sponge and ran back to the dresser to start cleaning it up. I took out each drawer and SCRUBBED the entire thing! It had been sitting there for over six months so it was filthy.
My hubby Matt, was at work and I couldn’t carry it by myself, so I decided to at least bring the drawers home (did I mention I’m impatient?) We had two nights to pick up the dresser before Matt went to India for a work trip, but we had a friend staying with us, plus Matt was wrapping up loose ends so we were unable to collect it before he flew overseas. I told the Doorman and the Super that we would be back next week to collect it – not a worry they said!
While Matt was in India, I got to work! I unscrewed the old, un-matching handles using a screw-driver. I decided to use the left-over milkpaint I had used for my side table.
I wanted to paint the exterior of the drawers blue and the interiors of the drawers and outer frame of the dresser, white.
The paint went on like a gem and it was looking beautiful. I pulled out the old lining that someone had installed in the drawers, and painted all the insides white (I didn’t get around to taking a photo of that unfortunately).
All in all, it took me 2-3 days to paint all the surfaces and it was looking wonderful! When Matt arrived home after a week, he loved the drawers and we both excitedly went over to collect the frame of the dresser…. BUT IT HAD GONE!!!
I quickly found the Doorman, who rang the Super, who rang the PORTER! What the hell is a Porter anyway??? Apparently the Porter had thrown it out! It had been sitting their for 6 MONTHS and he decided to throw it out THAT week?! I put on a brave face in front of the Doorman then began the sad walk home. I may have bawled my eyes out – crying for the loss of 3 days of work, 2 packets of milkpaint and 1 gorgeous vintage dresser!
Moral of the story? Never trust a Porter.
– Penny xo
