Lane Mid-Century Modern Dresser!

This dresser was found in a local garage and was being used as a workbench when we purchased it. There were multiple chips on the dresser, but we knew from the moment that we looked at it that it had a lot of potential to be a showpiece in someone's home once again.  ​

"When deciding on a design, we always consider the dresser's best features to showcase."

​Disclosure: The Sociable Home is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs designed to provide a means for The Sociable Home to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you; this page includes monetized links. Please see The Sociable Home's Disclosure for more details.

When deciding on a design, we always consider the dresser's best features to showcase. This dresser's drawers had an excellent wood veneer in great shape, so we decided that we would use a stain and paint combination to make this dresser pop! 
​
We used the following supplies on this dresser:

• Purdy 3-Pack Polyester-Nylon Blend Angle Sash Paint Brush Variety Pack
• Fusion Mineral Paint - Color (Soap Stone)
  •  You can buy Fusion Mineral Paint from several vendors in various locations, but we have linked to one of our local retailers that allow for online ordering. The paint is a bit pricey, but it provides a really great finish and has self-leveling features that reduce brush strokes.
• Minwax Dark Walnut Oil-Based Interior Stain
•  Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Semi-Gloss Base 11.5 fl oz Polyurethane
  • One of the things that we have learned is that oil-based polyurethane yellows over time. It might not be a big deal for the project that you are working on because it could give it an aged look, but we have transitioned to other finishes. Although we didn't use it on this project you might consider Minwax Polycrylic Clear Matte Water-Based Polyurethane Aerosol Spray, which is a water-based poly. 
• Stain and Polyurethane Brush
  • There are many options for applying stains to wood. One such method is brushing on the stain. Make sure that you have an old rag around to wipe up any excess stain that may have dripped onto areas of the dresser that you do not wish to have stained and any stain that may have dripped onto the floor. Some other methods that you might consider using are using Staining Pad or just a cloth. 
• Minwax High-Performance Wood Filler
• Bosch 2.5-Amp Orbital Sander
  • Just remember, this is a staple item that will continually be used, so you can utilize this on a ton of DIY projects after you make the purchase. We decided on the Bosch sander because of the quality of the Bosch brand; however, you can probably get away with a cheaper option if you don't want to invest in a nicer sander and if you only plan on doing a few DIY projects with it. 
• Gator 50-Pack 80-Grit 5-in W x 5-in L 8-Hole Hook and Loop Sanding Disc Sandpaper
  • Depending on the type of stain that the original manufacturer of the dresser used, you may be able to get away with just sanding down the dresser without using any stain remover (This is huge because stain removers are a pain). Keep in mind that if the dresser is not solid wood, you may want to go with a more gentle approach, i.e., a combination of stain remover and hand sanding. 
• Frog Tape Trim Painter's Tape
  • Frog Tape is a lifesaver if you are going for a more professional look. Generally speaking, it is time-consuming to tape up the dresser, but you will be happy that you did when you see the finished product. 
• FolkArt Home Decor Wax - Clear, 32 oz. 
  • There are many wax options out there, but this may be the most reasonably priced. If you time the sales right at A.C. Moore or Michaels, then you can just about get this wax half off of the retail price, which is a huge discount! The 32 oz bottle will be overkill if you are only planning on doing a couple of DIY projects; however, it can produce huge savings if you plan on doing lots of DIY projects.
• Home Decor 1-3/4 in. Chalk Finish Brush
  • This brush will help you to apply the wax.  This is not a necessary purchase, but it will help you if you have a lot of detailed carvings on the piece you are repurposing.  

---

The first step was to remove all of the original finish. After we sanded the body down, we had to address some of the body's chips. ​ 

---

---

Wood filler has been the best option for us so far in fixing chips.

Once we mixed the wood filler, we placed a good coating of the filler on each chipped area. (Just note: it is good to overcoat the chips with wood filler than to not have enough). Let it dry for the specified time on the label, and then you will be ready to start sanding it down. It will be extremely rough initially, but sanding will make it completely smooth and level with the rest of the wood. ​

---

---

After we fixed the chips on the dresser, we started the staining process. Because this is a mid-century modern dresser, we thought that a darker stain would be better than a lighter stain, so we went with Minwax's Dark Walnut. After the stain was completely dry, we applied two coats of Polyurethane on the drawers.
 
 Poly does two things: (1) it creates a layer of protection for the drawers from everyday abuse, and (2) it creates a smooth finish. We typically apply two coats of poly, but some projects may require more.
 
 After the poly has dried, we use a wet sanding technique with extremely fine sandpaper (think 800 grit) to ensure that the stained areas are smooth to touch. The wet sanding process is really simple, just spray on some lemon oil and lightly sand over the stained areas (you can also do this over the painted areas, but you need to be careful not to sand too aggressively over the painted areas or you will end up with a distressed look). 

---

---

After the staining process was completed, it was finally time to paint the body. It is always important to remember to tape the inside of the body where the drawers will slide in and out of. We will admit that this is unnecessary, but if you want to have a re-purposed dresser that looks professional-grade, every detail matters. 
 
 Once the paint was dry, we added a coat of wax to the body of the dresser. Remember to not overcoat with wax because it will create major streaks, especially with a darker paint color. After the wax has been applied, allow it to sit overnight. It would be best if you took fine steel wool over the entire body the next day, then buff out the wax with a cloth. (Note: Make sure that you are not too aggressive with the steel wool because you may end up peeling back the paint). 
 
 ​After accomplishing this, you will want to let the wax cure for around seven days before putting the dresser into any significant use. Also, until it is fully cured, be careful to touch the wax with your fingers because the oil from your hands may transfer into the wax, giving it a dirty look. ​

---

---