Ok sports fans, I am particularly psyched out of my mind about today’s post! Today I am teaming up with a group of very talented DIY bloggers in a
“Re-purpose It” challenge.
For my project I decided to take on the dresser that was banished to our guest room. It has been slowly falling apart and definitely needed a little lovin’ … Let’s dive in, shall we ?
DISCLAIMER: Let’s be real, this is NOT a detailed build plan, it is more of a basic breakdown of the process I went through. HOWEVER… here is general list of the tools and supplies I used.
Tools Suggested:
- Table Saw
- Nail Gun
- Drill
- Kreg Jig
Materials Used:
- 1/4″ wood paneling (4’x8′)
- 1×3″ boards
- Wood Glue
- (3) Ice Box Hardware Kits- Available at D. Lawless Hardware
- (1) Ice Box Sign
- Sandpaper
Alrighty, I started by dismantling that sucker! I kind of took it down to the bones. It had a decent frame, but it needed some MINOR improvements. 🙂
Once dismantled, I started constructing a frame out of cheap-o 1×3’s. (Pretty sure that is their technical term.) I made two of these frames (see image below) one for each side.
I then cut and attached a piece of 1/4″ paneling to the sides. I wanted to be able to give the exterior a nice stained finish. So I slathered it up with wood glue, and then tacked it in place for good measure. I then attached the newly constructed frames to the sides. (On top of the freshly installed paneling.) 
After the side frames were attached, I then needed to make it look pretty. It needed a face frame.
Looking prettier already! 
Going into this project, I knew I wanted to give this dresser some additional height. (Hence the constructed frame.) The reasoning? I wanted to create a lower shelf. I wanted to give it a rustic look AND I am also cheap, so yet again I turned to 1×3’s. 
Now I needed some doors on this sucker. I made shaker style cabinet doors. Its just a little more work and a lot-a-bit of math. The only thing that is different about these shaker style doors is that I needed to route out a lip on the edge to accommodate the specialty hinges.
Pretty right !?
I then added the hardware and a center board that would make it APPEAR as if all of these doors work independently. (Spoiler Alert: They don’t 🙂 )
Now it is time for the GORGEOUS hardware. I got mine from D. Lawless Hardware, and honestly it is the best price point I was able to find anywhere!
(So… you may have noticed in the mean time I stained my cabinet…I ran out of materials and my son was napping… ) Now for the cool part. Time to reinstall the drawers. I spaced my drawers a little differently than they were originally placed.
I then added my drawers. (I did decide resurface the drawers fronts so that it would all have a cohesive look.)
Last step: It needed a top! I scored a 1″ x 12″x 6′ from the 70% off section at Home Depot. Using a Kreg Jig I joined the boards together. I cut them down, and then routed the edge to make it pretty. 
Then I attached and stained that bad boy!
Thanks for reading and Take Luck,
Corey
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gail says
September 16, 2015 at 10:03 amCorey,
That’s an unbelievable transformation of that old dresser! When I saw the teaser image, I was really wondering what this was in it’s former life.
great job!
gail
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 16, 2015 at 1:34 pmA compliment from the Queen of re-purposing. Color me flattered. Thanks so much Gail!
Mindi says
September 16, 2015 at 10:40 amShut the front door!! Corey. Lets talk, not only are you cute and fun, have awesome dance moves, and hilarious in your writing…you are killing it in giving furniture A-MAZE-ING facelifts. You are the furniture plastic surgeon IMHO!!! I can’t tell you how much I love this!! Pinned. Thank you so much for participating in the challenge girl!!
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 16, 2015 at 1:34 pmMindi, you are such a doll, thank you! YOu better stop you are gonna give me an ego trip ;). Thanks so much for hosting, I loved participating!
Kim (TheKimSixFix) says
September 16, 2015 at 11:54 amHoly crap woman! That is amazing.. and I am so happy to see I am not the only one addicted to 1x3s because of their price point!
It is so pretty now! It is like the frog prince of furniture! <3
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 16, 2015 at 1:33 pmGotta love the cheap-o’s! Am I right ! ? Thanks Lady!
Funky Junk Interiors says
September 16, 2015 at 12:08 pmOh my gosh. What dresser? SERIOUSLY….
Such a gorgeous, rustic, high end piece now! Love the idea of doors on the outside. So stunning Corey! Beyond anything I’d even comprehend…
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 16, 2015 at 1:32 pmWhoa, coming from you I will take that as a HUGE compliment. Thanks so much Donna. FYI your pictures came out stunning!
Kathy Cano-Murillo says
September 16, 2015 at 12:46 pmYou are so talented and skilled, I’m blown away. GREAT job!!!!
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 16, 2015 at 1:31 pmThanks so much Kathy!
Merethe says
September 16, 2015 at 12:51 pmYou are my DIY hero!!! What a beautiful job you just did, and what an inspiration! I got a similar job in Denmark, can’t wait to show you!!
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 16, 2015 at 1:31 pmI can’t wait to see it! Please make sure you send it over once you finish it !?
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Diena Cameron says
September 16, 2015 at 4:48 pmWow, Corey, beautiful job. I just know that had to take alot of math at which i am not good at. ) = I just can’t get over the fact that that was a dresser ! Amazing, just Amazing <3
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
September 16, 2015 at 9:32 pmOkay…so i just picked myself up off the floor so I could type. AMAAAAZING, AMY!! 😀
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
September 16, 2015 at 9:34 pmOkay…so that was supposed to say OH MY, not AMY…thank you to my toddler. Well, you get the idea.
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 18, 2015 at 8:43 amHaha oh Larissa, you flatter me! Thank you so much lady!
Amy says
September 16, 2015 at 10:55 pmCorey you are something else, how do you even think of these things!?! The new dresser is amazing and beautiful. I love the choice of hardware, it really pops.
Tali says
September 17, 2015 at 8:17 amWow! I am Speechless! what a great transformation! You are so awesomely creative!
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 18, 2015 at 8:42 amThank you so much!
Becky says
September 17, 2015 at 8:38 amCompletely and totally STUNNING.
Lucy @ Patina Paradise says
September 17, 2015 at 3:57 pmThis is a pretty amazing makeover! I am in awe and would love it if you would link it to our furniture only party Friday’s Furniture Fix, tonight at 9PM EST. Hope to see you there! http://www.patinaparadise.com/2015/09/fridays-furniture-fix-8.html
Alison says
September 18, 2015 at 5:38 amWow, that is just stunning, love the stain/finish you’ve used.
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 18, 2015 at 8:19 amThanks Alison! I used Jacobean by Minwax!
Katie @ Little House of Four says
September 18, 2015 at 9:04 pmGirl, you are so incredibly talented! This makeover is AH-mazing and probably one of my favorites! Great job on another fantastic repurpose!
Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza says
September 18, 2015 at 11:09 pmHoly transformation, Batman! That is AWESOME! I love it. I more than love it. Really gorgeous.
Tone says
September 22, 2015 at 3:25 amThat is insane!! Nothing more, nothing less! Love it!
coreydecker@gmail.com says
September 23, 2015 at 3:57 pmThanks so much!
Glenda says
October 12, 2015 at 11:01 pmThis is amazing, you are so clever! Would love to copy your creation but unfortunately I can’t purchase the hardware or anything like it in Australia. 🙁 I’ll either have to come up with a creative solution or wait till my next trip to the USA. Thanks so much for sharing your creation.
coreydecker@gmail.com says
October 16, 2015 at 10:45 pmOh I am sorry to hear that! If you search “Ice box hardware” you might have more luck?
Michelle says
October 20, 2015 at 3:08 pmUnbelievably amazing! Just gorgeous and I’ll bet this will be flooding Pinterest!
coreydecker@gmail.com says
October 22, 2015 at 9:20 pmThanks Michelle! Fingers crossed 🙂
Nancy says
October 21, 2015 at 3:23 pmI can’t say anything! I’m speechless! You must have a genius mind.
coreydecker@gmail.com says
October 22, 2015 at 9:19 pmThank you so much Nancy!
Samson's Mom says
November 14, 2015 at 9:54 amCould you pretty please include a more detailed tutorial of the cabinet doors? I want to make this so bad, but can’t seem to figure out the doors. If not, still a fantastic tutorial and drool-worthy piece of furniture!
coreydecker@gmail.com says
November 15, 2015 at 9:41 pmI would really like to at some point, BUT if you are looking for something a little more immediate, there are some great tutorials available. I would suggest using a “shaker Style ” door. Here is one such tutorial. http://www.remodelaholic.com/shaker-cabinet-door/ best of luck!!