Transform an old chest of drawers into a new treasure

A chest of drawers can be remodelled with new paintwork, handles and stripes -

This project can be simplified if you keep the top row of drawers instead of the bottom as you won’t need to fit shelves, assuming the existing base looks good without drawers.

You will need

● A solid wood chest of drawers – this one came from a thrift shop
● Screwdriver OR claw hammer
● Wood filler

To strip the drawers
● Sandpaper OR paint/varnish stripper
● An old 50mm paintbrush
● Fine and medium sandpaper (for finishing) OR dispense with the stripping and try no-preparation paint that doesn't need primer

For the shelves
● MDF cut to size
● small screws
● Hammer
● PVA glue

To paint the drawers
● Low-tack masking tape
● 250ml matt paint
● 25mm paintbrush
● Small fine roller and tray

To finish the striped and painted areas
● Wire wool
● Beeswax with lanolin – wax
● Soft cloths for applying and buffing
● Printed gift wrap paper – preferably stripes, or craft paper  or even wallpaper can be used
● 2 x 25mm paintbrushes
● Fine file
● Clear Lacquer Spray
● Drawer handles – try chrome D handles

Original Chest

To make

Remove the drawers and back of the chest, if possible, using a screwdriver or claw hammer. If fixed with nails or panel pins, tap out fixings from the inside first.

Remove the runners for the drawers you’re going to discard and fill the holes with wood filler.
Strip all surfaces with sandpaper or paint/varnish stripper, or a combination of both. Go over the entire area with medium and fine grade sandpaper for a smooth finish.

Measure the areas for the new shelves; a tight fit will help when fixing them. Match the thickness of the new shelves to the sides or top of the chest. MDF comes in different thicknesses and many lumber merchants and DIY stores offer a cutting service.

Replace the drawers and make a pencil line along the drawer tops inside the unit. Remove the drawers and mark points 2/12" in from the front and back on both sides, 3/8ths"  above the line. Partially screw in  the small screws,( making sure they don't come through the wood on the other side) into each mark, leaving about 1/4" protruding. These will support the shelves and allow running space for the drawers.

Apply PVA glue to the edges of the shelves and fix into position by sitting them on the screws, making sure they are flush back and front. Run glue into the joints with a finger and remove the excess with a damp cloth for a seamless join. If you decide to keep any areas of natural wood, mask the areas off.

Paint the rest, ideally with a fine roller on large flat areas, with at least two coats for a good dense colour. Sand and finish with wire wool between coats; you may find you can achieve a better finish by thinning the paint and applying more coats. If you’ve removed the back, paint it separately and refix.

Measure a horizontal line on the back to fix through into the new shelves with panel pins.
Rub over with fine wire wool before applying wax and buffing with a clean cloth.

Remove existing handles from drawers and fill holes with filler. Strip any varnish/paint on the fronts and sand smooth.

Cut the gift/craft paper to size, allowing 20-30mm extra all around. Mix some PVA glue with equal parts water. Apply undiluted PVA glue to the drawer surface (try not to go over the edges) and coat the back of the tissue paper with the 50/50 solution. This is easier with an extra pair of hands: align the first short edge and stroke flat with the wet 50/50 brush, then gently and gradually lower the paper down and brush flat, pushing any bubbles to the edge; don’t wrap the paper around the edges, leave it hanging over. Repeat on the other drawer.

Allow to dry – any slight imperfections in the surface should tighten when drying. Carefully file off the excess overhanging paper at a constant 45 degrees around the edges.
Spray with two coats of clear lacquer, following the instructions. Leave to dry before measuring and fitting the new handles.
Look what you made. You are a flippin Genius.