How To Refinish Dark Furniture: Cheap Hacks for a Luxe Look!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

So glad you are here! Do you have dark furniture you would love to flip?👒🔍 Download June’s Journey for free now using my link: woo.ga/2at372co

[@dorothypuntarich784]

This dresser is beautiful!!!! Public Square app is a great way to support local small businesses..American base companies all well..

[@brendalovelace1006]

Finish is unusual. Lots of red tones still there. Would love to see how this looks with solid paint of same wash color. Greatly appreciate your Instructional videos. I’m always looking for your next one!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thanks! I wish I would have done one more good coat! I may sand the poly and see. I just listed it so we will see if I need a redo!

[@emmavik-fredriksson640]

I'm not a fan of tan washes, it always looks blotchy. This is a huge improvement but not my cup of tea. Great handles!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Fair enough! Thanks for watching!

[@dawnwolfe4249]

I can appreciate the amount of work it took to hide the cherry. I'm not a fan of the outcome, however. As others have said, it's too uneven/splotchy. There's no "right" or "wrong" way to handle this situation, but I probably would have primed the living daylights out of it to prevent bleedthrough and then painted it a solid color.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Yea it’s funny how different areas have trends. It’s sold already! It’s rustic and that’s big here in Dallas. If it was painted it wouldn’t have sold for me. I know it is so weird!! But I do wish I would have put one more coat of tan wash on it. Thanks so much for watching!

[@mousiebrown1747]

I like it because it looks to me like what it is: real wood! Decorating possibilities exist based on each hue you identify.

[@fullzoelife]

WOW, you do so much prep work, but you always make it look so worth it. Loved the tips of how to use green wash to tone down the red. Loved the handles with that piece. P.S. Your carbide tool does look pretty small and all that scraping would have really hurt my hands. I want to get that upholstery tool, too.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thanks so much! This was a tricky one but the rustic look to it will sell well here. Thank you so much for watching and I hope to see you next time!

[@staceyremmele561]

To each their own so they say, BUT I like it! It's different & kinda reminds me of the bed frame you did for your daughter which I like as well.. Great tutorial. ❤️ ❤❤

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Oh yeah!! It is like that! She still loves that one! I thought I had it sold already but it didn’t fit her space! I bet it will sell quick here though. Thanks for watching!!

[@annayres9959]

That dresser is so beautiful

[@hithere7282]

Lovely 😊

[@denisemastrostefano277]

Love this! You did a great job.

[@sunflowervalley4145]

Great make over!

[@mousiebrown1747]

I’m hoping to refinish my 60 yr old Bassett bedroom set this year. It “Italian provincial.” It’s much like this dresser in style and I do like your rubbed whitewash style finish! Thanks for the idea & instructions.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

You can do it! Thanks for watching!

[@angelaehr4963]

I commend you; all that sanding and scraping would make me crazy! While I’m not a fan of washing anything, your dresser looks nice and I’m sure someone will love to have it. Great hack on the legs…definitely gonna try it.

[@kitfranzman4860]

So much work, yet worth it in the end. Its beautiful.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you so much!

[@harveydales2402]

I like the tan color.,

[@shellylemons]

I really needed this video. I want to change my bedroom's cherry furniture. I have had them for over 27 years. What is that attachment to your mouse Sander?

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thanks for watching! It is a little "foot" that came with the sander! Just a little piece that gets close corners.

[@bonniebryant3238]

Gorgeous!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mimiaquariusharris6244]

I have a chest of drawer like that however, it’s not real wood. I’ve been trying to decide whether to refinish it or trash it. I will try to refinish it just to do something. Thanks for always teaching us something new.

[@simplyfilms3153]

I really like it. I have a set of cherry antique dressers. Tons of ideas. Thank you for sharing.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

You are so welcome!

[@ROBINstrawBERRYwine]

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT ✨💖

[@CSWells-uq4jx]

I just came into this exact same dresser . So I’m interested to see what you did with it.

[@CSWells-uq4jx]

Oh that’s so funny! We picked the same exact hardware .

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Love it!

[@janice5108]

I think that chest of drawabsolutely gorgeous. I love the color.

[@MelindaHolman-q6n]

I love it!! You do great work. Love seeing your great work

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you so much!

[@kathyrobertson4493]

The hardware at the end made the piece. Nice work.😊

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you! 😊

[@christhompson3655]

You do great work!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@cindybunker4918]

It is beautiful! As is may be someone's cup of tea. I'm excited to see what happens!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

I think so too! I think I have it sold!

[@kathleenellison6869]

Very nice. I sure remember hiding tannins… nightmare. You did a great job updating the dresser. It’s fun watching your vision come to life. Quick question, are you a fan of General Finishes topcoats? They have one that is called Flat out Flat. It was always a dream finish for me when doing a Matte finish.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you! 🤗 appreciate you watching! I have never tried them but hope to some day!

[@enochpage1333]

Was the finish a cherry color? What kind of wood was underneath?

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

it was cherry wood underneath as far as I could tell. It was so red and very tight patterned. So with my semi-minimal experience telling wood species apart...I would say it was cherry. Thanks so much for watching!

[@chadbugg3416]

Love the shoe stretchers!!! I need some!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

They’re for sale!! 😂

[@AngelaKSellsHomes]

Great video, very informational, thank you!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@flaminbird1]

A lot of work you had to do to remove all the finish which deserves an award but i agree with the majority of comments on the end results . You can use two part bleach to remove the red tones and it works really great. It may have been a lot of work to do the whole thing with it though so maybe a combo of that and paint would be nice. Another method to remove the red tone is green dye stain. General finishes makes one and it works pretty well. I used it on a mahogany top of a dresser and it made it a nice brown tone. You can add it right to shellac as well as any water or oil based product. Another note is you did the green paint wash on the poplar wood which already has a green tone so makes it more pronounced .

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

I love all of these tips!! Thank you so much! Really great!

[@flaminbird1]

@@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture you’re welcome! 😊

[@jneve2340]

This is by far my least favorite finish. I would almost have liked you to have painted it completely one color with the newer knobs. It’s just too many different colors happening at once

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Fair enough! But in my area fully painted furniture just doesn’t sell anymore. This one already sold. Rustic looking is a bit down here. Thanks for watching!

[@dao8805]

Great result and love that you have such a darling little helper. Is he/she a rescue?

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

He sure is! We are rescuers all the way

[@dao8805]

@@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture That's wonderful and he is really, really cute! You deserve a gazillion subscribers for that alone :)

[@robinmoore5298]

Odd question: where do you wash your paint rags? If it’s in your washing machine, do you have a recommendation for keeping the smell/residue from remaining in the tub?

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

I do just use the wash. If if use harsh chemicals on them like mineral spirits I just toss those

[@robinmoore5298]

Thank you! Last question: by “lint free” do you mean microfiber? Or do you have another type of rag you use? My husband is a wood worker and he stains with old t-shirt rags.

[@karenbutcher5921]

I know your pieces are beautiful but I’m wondering how you get so much for them? Great video!

[@cathrinmueller986]

A vast improvement!

[@robinh8416]

The tack cloth is sticky. Do I need to clean again if use something to remove any of the residue left from the tack cloth?

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

No it’s fine. You shouldn’t need to clean again after the tack cloth.

[@tabithatierney6512]

Ok I’m confused why don’t you strip it? Also why do you use the tool? Is it to avoid stripping? Sorry dumb questions

[@earnestineanderson2118]

How much did you get for this beauty?

[@higheraltitudeyoga]

Turned out really nice! So what did you sell it for?😀

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Just listing it today! I’ll keep you all posted!

[@KathDunne]

Looks great. Haven’t used my sprayer yet. Can I ask with your sprayer between coats do you leave it loaded and do something with the nozzle so doesn’t dry out, or it’s it okay to leave and it’s good to go for 2nd spray after 2hrs??

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Hello! I leave it loaded unless it is going to sit overnight, then I'll rinse it out.

[@staceyl8903]

What a labor of love! I really hope you get what you deserve on this piece.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you very much! Thanks for watching!

[@danamacdonald4470]

i think it looks a lot better -- a lotta work-- but still reddish & I def dont like the copper handles-- again enhances that orangey vibe-- i think Black would hav look more modern! Its still a big big improvement but not my style!😂

[@shelleydelapouyade2392]

Kara, this is beautiful! How long altogether did it take you to do this?

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

About 5 days but it was on and off. It was a big project but it’s very doable. I felt more rushed due to filming and video due. I would have liked one more coat

[@annettabaker2862]

I agree it looks a little splotchy you can still see a lot of the green through it and it’s not very uniform. If that sells in your area that’s great but that would never sell in my area

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

that's funny how that works huh! Yea I think I have it sold on the first day. Lots of interest. Thanks for watching!

[@ReneeLacey-e3v]

Still lots of red showing. Thats a sign of good wood. I think it would look better just painted in a dark cream. With the new knobs looks very good!

[@flowersflowers5070]

Me neither. I think if you paint it that pretty green would make it beautiful. I think the wood has to many variations in color.

[@lalathebenificent1335]

Not a fan of the tan wash on this piece, but I do like your choice of hardware

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you for watching! I wish I would have done one more coat after it dried!

[@Pennyhasnofarthings]

Did you use anything to soften the finish before scraping? I might have missed it but I’m wondering if you used a stripper of any kind?

[@xxx-il9dv]

No, she just used the scraper to keep the mess to a minimum.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

no just the scraper. the blade is strong enough to cut thru that thick factory finish.

[@1111lizzard]

Could you have left all that cherry on it? Could you have sanded it and primed it then chalk painted it and top coated it???

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Yes it could have been painted

[@kamhart]

As I try & start my first project, I keep thinking of you & …. HOW CAN YOU WORK IN THIS HEAT?..ugh

[@candacewalsh8726]

It still looks like it has a green tone to me 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@angiesmith9181]

Oh, that wash is really blotchy and still very red. I think doing the green wash wasn’t a good idea either, especially on the lighter wood on the edges. You should have done a bleach on the red wood if you wanted to get the red tones out. But I think it would have been better painted. I think this will be a tough sell as it looks so blotchy on the camera I can only imagine how blotchy it looks in person. I would definitely paint over it and then post it for sale.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

It has sold, but thank you for watching Texas goes for the really rustic look so even though I would’ve liked to do one more coat of tan wash, I had a sneaky feeling of would sell. Thanks for being here.

[@roswithakeil7619]

I don't like this color. I prefer painting dark blue or black- or stained with a dark brown.

[@MM1-lospinos]

BONITO❤

[@willieverusethis]

I'd leave it for five years until it comes back into fashion.

[@user-xj1cp7lm2c]

I love your videos but you don't show the end result long enough and you need to zoom out more, love your flips though, thank you.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thanks for the tip!

[@rosagutierrez8112]

Not fan of the wash still too reddish .

[@jillb7234]

So sorry but it’s too green and red for me.

[@cindyoverall8139]

If you refinish a real period piece, you are ruining its market value. Never ever change an antique. Those pulls are beautiful. What a shame

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

these cherry pieces are all over the thrift stores. they are just not desireable at this point. They either get made over and sell for a profit or they end up in the trash...which is even more of a shame. to each their own as far as taste goes. But this is what people are buying and that's the business I am in.

[@cindywallace6902]

This too blotchy for me.

[@aprilshields2993]

I love cherry wood. 10 years from now people will be restoring painted furniture and lamenting that such gorge wood was ever covered up.

[@SweetSassyBull]

Not everyone. I really really dislike cherry wood. I would paint over it any day.

[@piper_lori-williams-tudhope]

@@SweetSassyBullSame.

[@kathyrobertson4493]

Most of us have been through that faze.

[@papabravo21]

I will just be happy if people still appreciate wood furniture

[@tammydugas9527]

I loved the way it looked before the tan paint.

[@kathygreer2097]

Love cherry furniture. Always thought of it as timeless and rich.

[@nancyholmes1140]

Much better than the cherry, but not a fan of the final result. Too much green and red coming through, but love the handles.

[@nesaclark1059]

Usually I really like your flips but cherry wood is just naturally beautiful! My mother would be aghast if I did this to her American Drew solid cherry bedroom set! Think I will let Mom rest easy! 😊

[@kathygreer2097]

Just thinking the same.

[@ruthadejesus7838]

The natural colored wood looked so much better than the ‘wash”. Very disappointing.

[@BarbaraSteed-c6y]

I like the cherry finish better!

[@darlenebrooks3409]

Looks blotchy still! Cherry looked way better!

[@Linda-un6xm]

The piece itself is beautiful. It looks so much better with the curves cut off the bottom. The hardware is pretty. Just not a fan of the final (color) look of it. But that's just me. I enjoy your videos!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thanks for sharing! I wish I would have done just one more coat but it has sold pretty much as soon as it was listed so I won't pick on myself too much! Next time though! lol thanks for watching!

[@Linda-un6xm]

@@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture That's great that it sold quickly!! Everyone has different tastes. It was a beautiful piece. I look forward to more videos!

[@dawnchristine1344]

It came out beautifully, I really liked how you updated the base just by reshaping. A much more updated look all together. I like the paint wash love seeing the natural wood show through.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you so much! I think this will sell well for me. Thanks for watching!

[@Tootsie55]

Girl that is some real manual labor stripping that way. Looks great.

[@cassandrasmith5517]

Seems so long ago the cherry was in style😄 But what a beautifully done upgrade❤❤❤

[@kimpm2117]

I would have kept the pulls all the same.

[@simonamichaels232]

I would have kept it without the tan wash. Looked gorgeous before.

[@janicealley5033]

I appreciate all of your hard work. For me, this seems blotchy. Idk, maybe it's my phone. Thank you for sharing

[@janetrodriguez914]

Great job Kara. You know I’m a huge fan. Looks great.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

thank you Janet! I am a huge fan of you too! lol

[@MARYBOORMAN]

Greetings and Happy New Year Kara and Chris from Georgian Bay, Ontario! I really am impressed with your tutorial style and how thorough and simple your instructions are. :-) For me, I would have kept all the handles the same on this piece and used a similar tan colour chalk paint rather than the tan wash. And you did a fabulous job on this piece. It turned out beautifully. *I would like to know how you clean your microfibre cloths?

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you for watching Mary! I just wash them with all of the shop rags. I don't do anything different. I just make sure they are not in with our regular towels or it all smells like my shop! lol learned that the hard way!

[@janhaley1212]

I love the new look! Amazing job! Happy New Year!

[@markshaw5711]

Another winner, Kara❣️❣️. And loving your hair, too. … 😉❣️😘 - Jill

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

@markshaw5711 Thank you! I appreciate you watching as always Jill! Happy new year to you!!

[@ingeborgbryce4197]

Happy New Year to you and your husband! Thank you for the first 2024 video. Big fan of yours! I do have a cherrywood dresser and would like to refinish it.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Happy new year! I am so happy to have you!!

[@rockshot100]

LL, the copper colored hardware was a great idea.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

lol I just emailed you to wish you a happy new year!

[@piper_lori-williams-tudhope]

Cherry wood yuck! Lol.. 😂 Batwing hardware and that much of it, even more yuck yuck! 😝

[@lydiakinnaman3679]

Yes cherry furniture is ugly. Great I have a free cherry peice .WOW I LOVE IT.. THANK YOU HAVE BEEN AVOIDING THAT RED PEICE. BEAUTIFUL.

[@deawallace3584]

To prevent so much red showing, you could have Mixed a thicker tan wash for just the insets of the drawers or just wipe off less of it from those areas. Also I would have put same handles (they are not knobs) on the long drawers and the heavier looking ones on the small drawers. Lots of work there. Glad you sold it.

[@melaniej.roberts206]

Oh my goodness that's exactly what I have and cannot stand. So dated but mostly its just so DARK. Thank you for this!

[@wingingit3833]

Why do flippers always clean the piece with tsp or whatever if they are just going to scrape the entire finish off anyway? I understand cleaning inside but the outside … seems like a waste of time and energy.

[@abbyiyer2011]

I loved the tan wash but so many handles is taking away the beauty. If the old handles were given golden polish and attached would have been better than the present boring handles. Just my thoughts not being negative. I love your work.

[@pompommania]

Idk...i can see the red and green cominh through. The handles remind me of an office cabinet. I think after all that work, Id have liked to see it painted instead wih nice handles. Good tip on reshaping the feet.

[@judy1345]

I was wondering if you didn’t do a paint wash but rather a solid white paint do you have to do all the step that you did?

[@kathymoore4932]

Great job. Would like to see it with the top natural a d the bottom painted solid

[@cathyjackson5959]

Kara!!! What a Beauty you did!! I must be listening cuz I was thinking green wash too!! I Love your low tech style-besides your paint sprayer and compresser😢. Love that you go to Lowes!! She’s a Beauty now with your hard work and dedication!! Loved the leg trick too with designing from a paint can!!!

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you so much!! I really like this one! Thanks for watching!

[@CS-bu9kd]

Wow, that's amazing. Looks so high end now .

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you! I like it too! I think one more coat of paint wash would have been better but we are always our worst critics!

[@pmmm8440]

Not liking this finish.

[@tamibretz3753]

Where can I get that mouse sander

[@kaycox19]

WOW - beautiful transformation

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ourindulgences]

link to the tool please, can't find it

[@juliebeebe34]

Kara ♡♡♡ YES!!!! You've TOTALLY inspired me!! I HAVE to refinish my MCM Sewing Cabinet, but the Cherry finish, UGH!! Thanks for the tips! 🎉❤😮

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

You can do it! If you get bored or over whelmed just take a break for a bit or flip it and work on another part. Hope it turns out fantastic!

[@bethtori2640]

I have a cherry table and 6 chairs that I need to finish. This summer I stripped the table top with citrus stripper and then bleached it. It looks super light, almost white, but I’m afraid to put anything on it for fear it will bring back the red tannins. I don’t know why but I just kind of froze with deciding on what to do with it and now the winter is here(cold Michigan) and I don’t have a heated space to work on it 😞 I wanted a stained look, semi light to medium dark finish table top with black chairs(which I’ll,have to reupholster the seats)but I’m not sure what’s going to happen to the top once I apply stain. I’m not a fan of the tan final finish of this dresser but so one will love it. Any suggestion’s on what I should use on my table top 🤷‍♀️

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

You can stain it with an oil based medium color stain and not have much to worry about. Once you get into the lighter ones you will always battle the tannins in my opinion. I just look for ways to tamper them down like shown and know that it will just have some “character” as for as a tinge of the reds. I just do all I can to prevent the big bleed spots bc those are not attractive. Hope that helps!

[@marynapier2007]

Unfortunately the tan wash doesn't do it for me. The red wood and the first green paint wash still coming through. It would have looked so much better with a solid paint job. You put so much work into this piece and I love your videos, just not this dresser.

[@LemonstoLemonadeFurniture]

fair enough! Thanks so much for watching!

[@lauralake7430]

Would love a followup to know if it sold for your asking price! Great job on updating the legs!

[@ToniaAlex13]

She responded to another comment it was sold