DUMPSTER DIVING | REVAMP. RESTORE. RE-LOVE.

Hi I’m Harry, I like old things – especially old things people throw out. Dressers, shelving, cabinets, lamps, tables, chairs – basically anything that can be refinished or reused in one way or another. I’ll be sharing different pieces I’ve made in the past and some DIY tips, that with a little elbow grease and creativity can help save money and recycle at the same time.

This is one of my favorite pieces; I found this dresser by the Ashmont T stop in Dorchester on trash day. From the beginning I knew I didn’t want to sink much money into it, the veneer was in really rough shape, it smelt bad and there was weave stuck in the top drawer. With that being said I decided to get creative with materials and supplies I already had laying around. Previously I had found vintage over-sized crystal door knobs and ornate pull handles in the trash which were of no use yet. No extra materials were needed for this project, everything from the sandpaper to the stain were all purchased beforehand. Since the veneer was in such bad shape a dark stain was in need. A Minwax product, Polyshades – a polyurethane/stain blend that kills two birds with one stone, comes in a variety of colors including classic black which was what I chose.

Because it is so dark the finish leveled out the variance in color in the different types of wood and hid imperfections well, it was a plus that it also accentuated the grain. Combined with the gold and brass hardware, the finished product displays classic lines with a bold and modern color scheme. The greatest thing about this piece though is that it literally cost zero dollars to create and I saved an old antique from being crushed at the dump.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I’d love to hear what you have to say – for more pieces I’ve worked on check out my website here or search the hashtag HANDYMO on Instagram.