Remember a million years ago when I started overhauling a dresser I found on the side of the road?  Fast forward seven months of rain, wind, and busy weekends and it was pretty much in the same state that you saw it in back in April.  But then my dad, still enjoying his newfound retirement, stepped in and saved the day by taking the dresser home and giving it the time it deserved.  We used this reno from Young House Love as inspiration, and I love the result.  Behold!

Before:

After:

Amazing, right?  The butterfly decals are gone, the original brass handles shine with a new luster, and great bones of this thing are finally visible.  That’s what many rounds of sanding, some nice stain, classy shelf paper, and a dad’s free time can accomplish!  It fits perfectly in my room and isn’t falling apart (unlike the Ikea piece it replaced).  Thanks dad (and belated thanks to the dude at the bike shop who drove this to my house when Laura and I couldn’t fit it in the back of her car!).

Now I just have to think of something for dad to make next!  Dining room table, please?