Project: Refinish - COMPLETE!

We finally finished the dresser and bookshelf! It's been a pain in the butt project, but both Todd and I agree that we would do it again. It's been fun to learn how to refinish furniture. The final steps that have kept us busy the last month or so have included learning how to remove the Formica laminate top on the dresser and replace it with a new one- which required two different special orders through Lowe's. After trying to sand it, chisel it piece by piece, we finally resorted to using a blow torch to remove the old laminate. It worked like a charm! All you have to do is heat up the glue and chisel it away.

We also had to stain the furniture and varnish it. We chose a dark Walnut finish since the cradle that my Grandpa made us is also a Walnut finish. We are really happy with the color.

The reason why we had to order two different pieces of laminate through Lowe's is because the first one turned out to be a bad match in color. They didn't have any selection that matched the Walnut finish. So, we chose a completely different top that is a nice contrast to the Walnut color.

Then...applying the laminate turned out to be a pain in the butt too! However, it finally got done...with just a little Sharpie marker involved.

The last step was spray painting the drawer handles. We didn't want to foot the expense of getting a bunch of new handles, so we just spray-painted the old ones to a nicer color.

We finished it all last night and even put some stuff on the shelves and in the drawers! YEAH!

I handled the blow torch and Todd chiseled the laminate away.

An up-close look at the new dresser and new laminate top.

The dresser and bookshelf in the baby's room with baby stuff on and in them!