dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge

Bedroom Furniture Upcyle Project & Spread The Kindness Link Up On the Edge #777

October 10, 2025 / 18 Comments

A few months ago, my neighbor had an old dresser that she was going to throw away unless I wanted it. Of course, I wanted it! One of my favorite things is to give new life to unwanted junk. You know the old saying…one person’s junk is another person’s treasure? Well, I have found that there are always treasures to be found amongst the junk. With a little bit of care and some creativity, you can transform old broken furniture into beautiful new functional one of a kind pieces.

When I accepted the dresser, I had no need and no room for another piece of furniture so I decided to fix it up and give it to a friend who is moving this weekend and needs basically all the things one needs to furnish a new home.

I was so excited to start working on the dresser that I completely forgot to take before photos. When I received it, the dresser was painted a very pale shade of blue. Once I started sanding it, I discovered that the dresser was originally white with gold trim, a style that was very popular in the 1970s. In fact, the manufacturer stamp on the back of the dresser indicates that it was made in October 1970.

dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge

Other than a big hole in the side of the dresser, it was in really good shape. I have found most furniture that was made before the 1980s is generally very sturdy and well made. The hole didn’t really affect the functionality of the dresser so my husband repaired it with some wood filler and I got to painting.

Following the Japanese philosophy of kintsugi, which views breakage and repair as an important part of the history of an object, I decided to draw attention to the patched hole instead of trying to conceal it. Since I was repairing and repainting this dresser with much love for my friend, a heart seemed like the perfect way to patch the hole. I patched a small hole on the front of the dresser in the same way.

dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge

When I paint a piece of old furniture, I do Reiki to remove any bad energy that it may have absorbed throughout its life. Then I ask my creative muses and spirit guides to give me ideas for the makeover project. They guided me to go green!

I still had all of the green paint colors mixed into chalk paint from my dining room set makeover so this seemed like the perfect project to use that paint before it dried up on me. I used all the colors and created a similar green patchwork effect as I did with my dining room table.

dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge

I had planned to replace the drawer pulls which were painted in the same light blue as the dresser. But I also like to be frugal and not spend more money on a project than necessary. So I decided to strip the paint off and see how they looked. Another neighbor loaned me a bottle of goo that I soaked the handles in until it completely dissolved all the paint into a big sticky blob that was super easy to scrub off with a wire brush. Then I polished them with some brass cleaner and reattached them to the drawers. I absolutely loved the gold hardware on the green drawers so I stuck with the original handles. Actually, I absolutely loved the completed project so much that I am feeling a bit sad about giving it away! But more importantly, my friend absolutely loves the dresser and was so surprised by the gift.

dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge

While she was still apartment hunting, I went on a thrifting adventure with my mother-in-law and found this sturdy wooden end table for $6.99. It has a manufacturer stamp indicating that it was produced on January 5, 1989. I know I just implied that furniture made after 1980 is generally poor quality, but this piece is an exception to that generalization. It is very well made and totally worth $6.99.

dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge

While the end table is 19 years younger than the dresser, it does have a similar style as well as a similar gold drawer pull so it seemed like a suitable match for the dresser. I set to painting the end table using all the same green paints plus one or two new colors that I added in. When it was completed, I may have squealed with joy at the end result. When I showed the completed pieces to my friend, she also may have squealed with delight!

dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge

The dresser and end table have been stored in my garage for the last few weeks but they will be delivered to their new home tomorrow. I can’t wait to see my friend’s new apartment all decorated!

I also upcycled a kitchen table, four chairs, and another end table for her. I will try to share those projects with you soon. Until then, happy junking, my friends!

dresser and end table makeover, junk upcycle projects, chalk painted furniture, green dresser, green end table, Shelbee on the Rags, Shelbee on the Edge
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Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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