Better After reader Shandy sent me a dresser makeover with the following note: I acquired the dresser for $50 on Craigslist. Some paint, stain, poly, antique glaze and lots of elbow grease later, I had a cute dresser with a squid on it.
Shandy, I think we could be friends. Anyone who paints a squid on a dresser and names him Paul is better than OK in my book. And how about that fabulous blue knob serving as an eyeball? HA! I love this and must find a reason to paint a squid somewhere.
26 Comments
Yo-yo Mama
April 18, 2011 at 11:54 PMI have no idea why I love this so much, but I really, REALLY do!
The design planning, which might appear so simple at first, really required a great deal of thought in order to use the different handles. She wouldn’t be able to repaint and start over since it’s the original finish that makes up the sea creature.
Christina
April 19, 2011 at 12:06 AMHaha this is so bizarre…extra points for creativity! 🙂
Prudently Painted Vintage
April 19, 2011 at 12:39 AMok so when I read your post about it, I was thinking squid….on a dresser….ooookkkkk.
Now I’m like squid on a dresser…Awesome! I really love this!
The Studes
April 19, 2011 at 12:49 AMthis look amazing! and I don’t think she actually painted the squid it looks like it was outlined and then stained.. either way.. A MAY ZING!
Laraine Eddington
April 19, 2011 at 1:06 AMI think my grandson would actually put his clothes away if he had a squid dresser.
Belinda
April 19, 2011 at 1:35 AMI think it’s awesome! What a talented person you are!! It’s really cool!
Katy
April 19, 2011 at 1:44 AMi agree– that’s some crazy talent there! and Patience!!
Chandra Chinnis
April 19, 2011 at 2:04 AMI really like this and can’t help but wonder where in the house it sits.
Shandy75
April 19, 2011 at 4:12 AMThanks for posting my dresser, Lindsey! We can totally be friends. 🙂
And another huge thanks to the people who commented.
In answer to some comments:
1. It sits in my bedroom. Even tho’ I live in a landlocked area (Atlanta), I’m obsessed with the ocean so, as odd as it seems, it kinda fits in.
2. First I sanded everything, then I taped out “Paul”. After that, I painted the dresser. When I removed the tape, I “filled in” the wood-grain squid shape with stain using a smaller artist’s paintbrush.
Teacho Suzanne
April 19, 2011 at 7:06 AMR is for “Random”
++:Jessy~G:++
April 19, 2011 at 7:43 AMThis squid is VISCIOUS!!! I love it! So creative and crafy!
I’m bummed I live in a smaller area…craigslist deals are few and far in between to find!
Kymberly Foster Seabolt
April 19, 2011 at 12:32 PMI love this. I have no idea why and would have been sure I would not – but I do.
Kath
April 19, 2011 at 1:53 PMI was thinking “Why a squid?” but then “why not?” LOL
Jil Casey
April 19, 2011 at 2:12 PMReally nice design – I like the way the squid was done and how the piece retains some of the original wood grain instead of painting it all.
Dharma
April 19, 2011 at 4:08 PMBrilliant. Weird.
mapleandmagnolia.com
April 19, 2011 at 5:29 PMAwesome. And WILDLY creative! Love it.
craftyashley
April 19, 2011 at 10:28 PMI love that dresser more than any one person should.
Martha
April 20, 2011 at 6:23 PMHey, Shandy! This IS so cute and it’s a fantastic homage to your love of the ocean. I love how you’ve taken advantage of the missing knobs and put included a star-shaped pull.
BTW, wasn’t ‘Paul’ the name of that German octopus who was always right on the winner of many elections?
Thanks for sharing and please keep on creating!
K-Sue
April 21, 2011 at 11:54 AMThisd is one of the coolest redo’s I have ever seen.
Tirzha
April 22, 2011 at 6:47 AMI’m sorry, but I can’t NOT say something! That cephaloph on the dresser is an octopus, not a squid! Whew, okay. I feel so much better now. Now I want to make one!
Laz Shamsudin
April 22, 2011 at 10:55 PMLove the detail of the squid ‘eye’…
Good job!
Laz Shamsudin
April 22, 2011 at 10:56 PM@Tirzha
It is an octopus! But squid sounds better…
Shandy75
April 25, 2011 at 5:56 PMHeh. “Squid” has a certain ring to it that can’t be denied.
Coasting Anon
September 12, 2011 at 6:08 PMHey there…so tickled you found my reverse stencil dresser (originally posted at FLOR) over at John and Sherry’s Babycenter Momformation site. Why tickled, you say? Because back when I had the idea in my head to do the dresser…and had already committed to purchasing the decal and everything…I was looking for more reverse stencil inspiration on Pinterest and found YOUR dresser. I wrote about some of my reverse stencil findings here:
moniqueb
January 22, 2012 at 11:43 AMI love, love, love this idea and would like to do something similar in fabric or paint on bedroom curtains for a boy. Would you mind sharing where you found the image or did you freehand it?
Thanks!
moniqueb
January 22, 2012 at 11:44 AMI love, love, love this idea and would like to do something similar in fabric or paint on curtains for a boys bedroom. Would you mind sharing where you found the image or did you freehand it?