I Found A Dresser In The Alley | Furniture Restoration · Veneer · Refinishing

I found a free dresser in an alley and made the dubious decision to bring it home. It was in worse shape than I had anticipated. Much refinishing and repair ensued including veneer replacement and staining.
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/ dashner_design
www.dashnerdesign.com

[@tachi98lep]

You saved a piece of furniture that looks pretty nice! Save the stray alley furniture!

[@Laura_Brock]

This dresser looks great! Thanks for saving this demur senior lady from the landfill!

[@WilliamEllison]

One of the reasons people are drawn to your channel is because you take items others see as trash and transform them into something beautiful. Don't ever stop doing this. Videos like these should be a key part of your marketing strategy. We aren't interested in the complaints or second-guessing, such as "Maybe I should have left it" or "I'm regretting trying to fix this." Please, just keep making videos like this. They are a major attraction for any woodworking channel. Thanks.

[@lucky-productions]

This dude has the best thrift stores in his area.

[@vanessagarcia7865]

I love the style of your videos! Interacting with the audience and then showing the unfiltered work of it all, no music or nothing taking away or distracting from the work of the pieces, love!!!

[@jbart5260]

It is so comforting that you are so willing to own, describe and find a fix for your mistakes. I love your channel

[@DebKiwi]

Agreed! Showing how the mistakes are fixed is very helpful!

[@bhhenry]

Yo, Dashner Design & Restoration, you're like the superhero of forgotten furniture, man! That dresser was like, "help me, I'm all beat up in this alley!" And you swooped in there like Batman, dude! I gotta say, at first, I was like, "Why'd you even pick that up, man?" But seeing what you did? Mind. Blown. Veneer replacement and staining? Man, you're like the Walter White of woodworking, taking something that's all messed up and turning it into something that's legit beautiful. Worse shape than you thought? Bro, you took that challenge and crushed it. Keep these videos coming, man. You make bad look so good! Peace out, yo!

[@jodilea144]

This! Perfectly stated! 😁

[@luigiseli2552]

Your commentary on dovetails was spot on . . . enjoyed the video, thumbs up, thanks for your time

[@pat_an466]

That's such a difference from how it looked at the beginning! It really seemed an unpromising piece of furniture, but you made it into something that looks really good - and saved it. I always appreciate how you show us your working, and include when you make a mistake or something accidental occurs, and then how you remedy it.

[@chadhilk]

I'm impressed that you found that much veneer in a thrift store! Nice work on bringing it back to life.

[@TheUncleRuckus]

A little tip to make peeling that kind of veneer easier is to steam it first, just take an old clothes iron filled with water along with a wet rag and place it on a section then steam it for a few minutes. The steam will help soften the glue and veneer fibers making peeling much less tedious. 👍👍

[@br6480]

I was thinking there had to be a better way to get that veneer off.

[@erictoddw]

And to think of all the years you kept your handsome mug out of the videos!

[@lonnarheaj]

Thank you for saving a sturdy piece of solid wood furniture from a landfill, a fate it did not deserve. This piece was worthy of your efforts, and it turned out beautifully! I like the gel stain white wash effect. This complement is coming from an old furniture nerd - I'm old and so it my furniture. My Grandson is still using the dresser that I had as a young child back in the 1960's, after his father beautifully refinished it. I believe restoring stable, functional furniture is an extention of the saying "Use it up, wear it out, make it last, or do without."

[@gwenscoggins1]

Another enjoyable restoration that anyone else would have just thrown in the trash . It looks beautiful ! Even more than it probably looked brand new ! Great job Dash great job !

[@barbaracorbell4232]

I ADMIRE YOUR DEDICATION TO PERFECTIONISM!!!!!

[@Flippingdrawers]

Good thing you picked it up👍 nice job 👏

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thanks, Jay!

[@randyattwood]

I was skeptical and I was wrong.

[@jmfrank7034]

The BOB ROSS of furniture refinishing!!!!

[@MrPeteykins]

I really didn't see it at the beginning of the video, but you pulled this one through beautifully. The light finish combined with the massive forms is a perfect balance. Surprising choices that really worked out.

[@chazzyb8660]

"Looks pretty good to me", as someone often says.

[@25Wineman]

Brown paper bags and furniture restoration. Every day's a school day!

[@DragonflyTransformativeFurn]

The final product looked great! I wish thrift stores around me had interesting things like affordable veneer! It would make projects like that one worth the effort.

[@pamsheets632]

Looks really good! Love the color of the white just the right tone! Perfect job! 😊

[@susanwoodcarver]

Oh….that looks great!!

[@tracylamb903]

I’m glad you saved it and beautified it again. I was 11months old when it was built.

[@luisvelasco316]

At the outset, this had all the qualities for a massive time-suck for little return In the end, however, it turned out very nicely and was a very nice primer on how to apply veneer with contact cement and not get a sticky mess, as well as being adaptable to minor setbacks. As always, a pleasure watching your work.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@KACn5582]

At this rate, you will find 3 random legs and rebuild a table for it and the 4th leg. 😂

[@holyek7892]

I love when furniture is saved from the land fill.

[@thebigone6071]

I love your video my ninja!!! You’re the 🐐 of wood working!!! The greatest of all time!!!!

[@frelnc]

The guru of wood.

[@jglow8337]

Awww! What a nice comment!

[@kaycox19]

Beautiful! Love watching craftsmen!

[@doomprophet]

You are a magician.

[@GingerPeacenik]

The final results are beautiful!!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@martihurford]

I like it’s freshness! 🫶

[@awr2217]

Hi, Really nice job giving the piece new veneer. I usually really like the end results of all your projects. This time I think the white formica top would have complimented the piece better with a darker stain or finish reminiscent of teak or walnut. For me I think there are to many finishes (legs, top, sides and front, and exposed pine). Either way you saved a piece from the landfill. And I thank you for that!

[@paulsmodels]

It looks great!

[@sharonromer6606]

Great job 👍

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you.

[@eamonanthony6767]

Lovely job Dashner from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan, but pity about the legs.

[@nachointhecloud]

Your videos have given me so much confidence to repair everything from wood chairs/tables to even thresholds that were damaged at my new home, giving them a second life. Thank you.

[@jarjar0653]

🤩. I love it - never would’ve guessed it would turn out so well!!

[@Greenacres1958]

Yes! I been watching!

[@Greenacres1958]

I don’t normally like light colors but that’s so pretty! Maybe I need to open my kind a bit. Great job I’d have given up! Lol.

[@melissataylor5494]

Nice work!

[@janice5108]

It looks beautiful

[@loismaddux4800]

You never disappoint! You have an amazing eye for detail and great skills!!

[@sunnycadwallader2873]

Ready for another 60 years! Terrific job!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@Thepourdeuxchanson]

I really like the subtle ash blond finish. Very attractive and understated.

[@storeytwinb]

That turned out beautifully ❤

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you.

[@varinaxoxo4213]

Gorgeous as always. What a beauty💕💕💕

[@ldianehigley3287]

Love the subtle white stain with the white laminate top. Looks so much classier, and I so look forward to your videos.

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you.

[@kateshawk5141]

Enjoy seeing how you detail your work and your commentary as to why and how you do things

[@1954JDR]

It's absolutely beautiful. So glad you didn't leave it.👍👍

[@carolynward5567]

I like the whitewash effect. It neutralizes the yellow tint the veneer has.

[@ca6177]

You turned a project you were regretted taking on into a success! Nice work!

[@caroltanzi29]

Nice job. It looks like a new piece of furniture. Carol from California

[@RRRRRRP]

Every bit of old furniture that makes it to your workshop is truly blessed ❤

[@troon5488]

You saw the potential. I was skeptical, to say the least. I think the pairing of the white gel stain with the white top was an excellent idea.

[@cannedangel8550]

It turned out fantastic!! Great improvement to this old well built piece!

[@katharinatrub1338]

Oh-my! You are so courageous to undertake this piece of furniture! By the Time you put the white Gelstain on the drawer fronts, I was so anxious to see 'it' all finished!! And there it was. Thanks for giving different Angles, kind of nice to have time... to watch the finished Product, It has become a Beauty !

[@TheTalonts]

I want your thrift stores! I've never found something as cool/useful as veneer sheets.

[@elainehiggins7544]

Actually the drawers are made with dovetails. It seems that each drawer has a sliding dovetail on each side of the front. Even so, I agree with your comments about dovetails: if nicely done by hand on an old piece, they can indicate craftsmanship. But machine-made dovetails are merely one option for drawer construction, and not in and of themselves, an indicator of a high quality build. Thanks for the continuing to release videos which show what can be achieved by a person with skill and the determination, and not a ton of dough.

[@denisegeorge8381]

Your opening cracked me up…pondering your choices. Great job as always!

[@christygaffney5814]

I love what you did! Not your typical, staining it white…but it turned out amazing!

[@xxkairixxchan]

I like that you went with a light color look this time. You seem to go with medium to dark a lot, which is also beautiful, but this was a nice change of pace

[@Alexandra-Rex]

It looks very nice and clean when it's so bright. Great job! It feels more modern for some reason. I like the same bright look on homes with a lot of wood paneling. Instead of removing it to update the look, paint it with white paint that lets you see the wood grain through it.

[@jtsholtod.79]

For me, using oxalic acid is like playing roulette. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose, and it often feels like random chance. Great save on this one!

[@cynthiafisher9907]

I haven’t ever used it myself, but I have wondered if it would work to only put it on a stain and not the whole surface?

[@elliepascoe5954]

If you apply it locally, you get a light stain. Not pretty either. I tried it😂

[@cynthiafisher9907]

@@elliepascoe5954 Thanks!

[@gailgrisham7643]

Shoot. That looks good. Nice!❤

[@Restorology]

Never pass up a good trash find!! Well done. 🖖🏾

[@jodidavis6595]

You are so lucky to find stuff being discarded. I really liked the white gel stain. Nice redo 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼

[@janetd4862]

Back in the late 70s, early 80s, my husband was working for a custom cabinetmaker. Because they didn’t do their own finish work, my husband start a side business doing all their finishes. I spent a fair amount of my time helping “sand” between coats of lacquer with brown paper bags. Seeing you “sand” that way brought back memories. The piece of junk you started with today surprised me. I wasn’t sure you could pull it off! It looked like the blonde furniture I remember my parents having - not my personal taste, but it really did turn out nice.

[@leewood729]

I like that you kept the white melamine top. Good choice for what to do with the rest to make it blend together nicely. Always interesting to watch something discarded turned into gold...

[@donnaer]

I appreciated this because I’m considering veneer for a pine table that was intentionally distressed with routed board seams across the top. It has a curved edge so I was encouraged to see you bend the veneer. Thanks. Your channel is always informative.

[@ckm-mkc]

In 10 years someone is going to come along and say "found this piece in a thrift store and I'm going to strip the white stain off and apply a walnut stain as it would had from the factory".... Not a criticism, it's the cycle of life....

[@thelexkex]

Yeah, good vid.

[@indie825]

I'm not sure if your regret for picking up the stray piece turned into satisfaction or just relief. Great job! Very much appreciate your should the ups and downs of the restoring process.

[@Art-Glass-London]

Well done on a very creative restoration. I like the way you took your cue from the white laminate top and followed that through with a white stain. I’m glad you saved this piece as it was very entertaining to watch and a lovey piece of furniture, well done! 👍

[@peterhenson6303]

Another one saved. I love your dedication to saving furniture!

[@karenstimson2683]

You certainly disproved the old saying "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!" What a transformation--it's a real classic now. Brilliant work, as usual!

[@DashnerDesignRestoration]

Thank you!

[@Yoshikaable]

The hard fill sticks are magic.

[@frelnc]

I think it's very cute. I love watching you figure things out. BTW, is that waxed paper? I didn't know that stuff was still available out there in the world. Great use for a very old material.

[@pattyaguirre3103]

I love it, this is my favorite piece!!!!

[@pou618]

Great save. It lives on!

[@elliepascoe5954]

Oh wow! I'm usually no fan of white gel stain BUT: this is so beautiful! I realise that I have a mid century vanity that absolutely needs white stain. Thanks for the inspiration! ❤🇳🇱

[@royceaxle5749]

Oh that was amazing, the entire time I was thinking it was going crazy, but when you showed the end I was like... huh, I know exactly where I'd put that in my room. 😂

[@ondadevapor]

the best channel in whole youtube

[@adamfitch965]

Bra-vo, sir! Re-veneering the whole piece was a bold move unto itself, but going with a whitewash on a mid century piece is sometime never seen you even consider before. It looks amazing!

[@marciabradley7660]

I love the results. It’s hard to think about anything other than dark stain. I have some white stain and now I’m feeling more confident about using it.

[@scattygirl1]

I just bought a Van Gogh coffee table. I know it's genuine because it's got a bit of veneer missing. Thank you Popbitch

[@bfranklin1052]

Nice new life for this little dresser. I think the little pine parts that show at the sides of the drawers would benefit from the same whitewash, too. They seem a bit overlooked.

[@heyhope326]

Didn't think I would like it, love it!

[@katenickels617]

different but beautiful

[@MSKCCooke]

I love your work! Especially the "found by the side of the road" stuff! It is so transformative!

[@Birdie252]

AMAZING …. What a great vision & follow through !!!

[@franceswright8277]

It is just beautiful! Great job!

[@Vikingwerk]

Surprisingly, I like it! White stain/paint is usually not my thing, but this time it looks great!

[@eternalfizzer]

Gravity works 🙂Finally found someone as optimistic as me about diving into questionable projects. I was thinking oxalic acid before you said it - because, well, pigheaded. The problem is now my crazy ideas are not only reinforced, you've raised the bar to beautiful craftsmanship that's waaay beyond my current skills. Dam. At least the pieces I'm working on were free, so it's just my time. (I thought I'd be lazing about in retirement...) I may not be any better at handling a can of spray paint (yet), but you've taught me a bit about patience. Thank you! (love the peak-a-boo wood edge)

[@lrmickam]

Thanks for inspiring me to save more pieces!

[@jannamarie3990]

Great job 😊 can't believe it was on the side of the road. You did have to put money in it with that veneer, but I think it was totally worth it. It's now a very nice piece. Thanks for sharing as always. Found you not long ago. So I get to watch your other videos you have available. 😊

[@savannahsmiles1797]

ooh la la..I think it was a great SAVE!!!!

[@thewomble465]

honestly that's really nice . I would buy it and I think that's the whole point saving it for someone else

[@michaelhenderson5683]

Excellent work again 👏👏👍

[@suecox2308]

Your work is always impressive, but this is more like a resurrection than a restoration. Lovely result.

[@julieclem8116]

This would make a great baby changing table. Don’t usually like white wash, but it looks great with the white top