This project was built and designed by Kelley from Waterfall Woodworking. It’s a creative flip of an old Facebook Marketplace dresser, updated with modern hardware, bold color, and a warm stained top.
What started as a simple makeover quickly turned into a hands-on lesson in materials, technique, and adapting when things don’t go exactly as planned. Kelley’s persistence paid off with a stylish piece that’s both functional and eye-catching.
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Starting the Furniture Flip
Kelley began by finding an affordable dresser on Facebook Marketplace. She chose a solid piece with good bones, even though it showed signs of wear and tear—making it the perfect candidate for her first full furniture makeover.
Before any painting or sanding could begin, all of the hardware was removed using basic tools. The entire surface was then cleaned with a mix of water and dish soap to remove grime and create a clean base for refinishing.
Sanding Down to the Details
Kelley’s original plan was to sand and stain the top and drawer fronts while painting the rest. To begin, she used 80-grit sandpaper to strip away the old finish and expose the wood grain underneath.
But as she sanded, she ran into her first big lesson: the drawers were made from wood veneer. Unfortunately, she sanded too aggressively on one drawer, removing part of the veneer by accident. This mistake forced a rethink of her original idea and taught her how important it is to identify materials before sanding.
Patching Keyholes and Shifting Gears
Each drawer also had small keyholes that Kelley had hoped to fill and stain. However, after testing wood filler, she found it didn’t blend well when stained—it stood out awkwardly against the wood.
Rather than fight the limitations of the materials, Kelley pivoted. She abandoned the two-tone look and decided to paint the entire body of the dresser, leaving only the top with a stained wood finish.
Choosing the Right Paint
For the painted finish, Kelley selected “Deep Sea” from Dixie Belle’s Silk line—a rich, deep blue that added instant personality to the piece. This paint includes a built-in primer and topcoat, which makes it especially beginner-friendly.
Before applying the paint, she scuff-sanded the dresser with 150-grit sandpaper to remove any lingering sheen and improve paint adhesion. This small step ensured her coats would go on evenly and last longer.
Painting and Perfecting the Finish
The first coat of paint covered well, but Kelley took extra care to smooth it between coats. She used 240-grit sandpaper for a light finish sanding, removing any texture and prepping the surface for a smooth final coat.
The second coat went on beautifully and required very little effort to get a professional look. Once the paint was dry, Kelley peeled off the tape protecting the top and turned her attention to staining.
Staining the Wood Top
Kelley chose Minwax’s “Early American” stain to highlight the wood grain on the top of the dresser. This medium-toned stain paired perfectly with the deep blue body and gave the piece a balanced, refined feel.
The stain soaked in evenly and brought out the natural patterns in the wood, adding warmth and texture to the final result.
Hardware and Protective Finish
With the finish nearly complete, Kelley chose modern gold drawer handles to tie everything together. These were adjustable hardware pieces sourced from Amazon, allowing her to match them to the original drawer hole spacing without needing to drill new ones.
For extra durability, she sealed the stained wood top with Walrus Oil Furniture Butter. This finish is food-safe, easy to apply, and enhances the wood’s tone without making it too glossy. It also adds a layer of protection that helps preserve the piece over time.
Lessons Learned from the Flip
While the project didn’t follow her original plan, Kelley came away with several valuable lessons. She learned how easy it is to oversand veneer and how important it is to adapt when things go sideways.
She also discovered how small design decisions—like switching to paint or changing hardware—can completely shift a piece’s personality. In the end, the dresser became a cohesive, modern piece that feels brand new.
A Beautiful Result and a New Skill Set
The transformation was a complete success. The blue finish, gold accents, and stained wood top all work together to give this old dresser a new life.
For Kelley, this project was not just about furniture—it was about learning, problem-solving, and trusting the process. It’s a great example of how anyone can turn a dated item into something stylish with patience and the right techniques.
Please support Kelley by visiting her website: https://www.waterfallwoodworking.com/.
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
This project hits on something I see a lot in the shop — the importance of knowing your materials before you start cutting or sanding. Veneer can be tricky stuff, and it’s usually much thinner than people expect. A good rule of thumb is to start with finer grits (maybe 120 instead of 80) when you’re not sure what you’re dealing with. You can always go coarser if needed, but you can’t put veneer back once it’s gone.
The pivot from a two-tone finish to painted base with stained top was smart thinking. Wood filler really does show through stain differently than natural wood — it’s one of those things that looks fine until you put the stain on. When a project starts fighting you like that, sometimes the best move is exactly what Kelley did: step back and reassess rather than force the original plan.
That light sanding between paint coats with 240-grit makes a huge difference in the final result. It’s tempting to skip that step, but taking the time to knock down any brush marks or texture gives you that smooth, professional look. And using adjustable hardware is a great way to avoid new holes — especially on a piece where you’re not sure what’s solid wood versus particleboard underneath.