Some furniture pieces arrive looking rough — damaged veneer, dull finishes, and outdated details — but underneath it all, there’s often a solid, well‑built treasure waiting to shine again. This mid‑century Kroehler dresser was exactly that. Ugly, worn, and forgotten… yet full of potential.

With a little patience, some creative problem‑solving, and a whole lot of love, it became a gorgeous statement piece ready for a brand‑new life.

Step 1: Deep Cleaning & Assessing the Damage

I started with a thorough clean inside and out using TSP Alternative. Once the grime was gone, the real issues became clear — especially the top.

Several spots of water damage had lifted the veneer. I tried pressing it back down, but the MDF underneath had swollen, making it impossible to flatten. So I cut out the damaged areas and filled them with wood epoxy. After everything dried completely, I sanded the repairs smooth and applied a coat of BIN primer to even out the surface.

The rest of the dresser was in great shape — solid wood construction with a beautiful cedar bottom drawer. A true mid‑century gem worth saving.

Step 2: Scuff Sanding for Perfect Paint Adhesion

The original finish was shiny, so I scuff‑sanded the entire dresser with a sanding block. This quick step helps paint adhere beautifully and ensures a smooth, professional finish.

Step 3: Restoring the Wood Accents

The drawer handles were a delightful surprise — solid wood! I sanded them down and stained them in Walnut Stain & Finishing Oil, bringing out their natural warmth. I stained the wooden legs in the same Walnut tone to tie everything together.

These rich wood accents add gorgeous contrast against the paint color.

Step 4: Painting in Midnight Blue

I chose Fusion Mineral Paint Midnight Blue, a deep, dramatic color that suits mid‑century lines perfectly. After two coats, the dresser looked elegant and modern. To protect the finish, I sealed it with Flat Ultra Guard, giving it a durable, matte look.

Step 5: Adding WoodUbend Trim for a Custom Look

The thick edging around the top was full of dents that showed up more when painted, so I added WoodUbend trim to create a fresh, decorative border.

Because the trim was thick, I heated it on my electric griddle (with parchment paper underneath) until it became pliable. While it warmed, I applied a generous layer of glue to the dresser’s edge. Once the trim roll loosened, I fitted it around the top, cut it to size, and taped it in place while it dried.

WoodUbend is amazing — you can cut, sand, and shape it easily, making seamless corners simple.

After attaching all three sections, I painted the trim in Midnight Blue and dry brushed the raised details with Posh Chalk Pigments for a subtle gold metallic highlight.

Step 6: Beautiful Finishing Touches

I found a gorgeous blue floral peel‑and‑stick paper and lined the three top drawers. It adds a pop of color and a boutique feel every time the drawers open. I left the cedar bottom drawer unlined to showcase its natural beauty.

For hardware, I added two cut glass knobs I had tucked away in my workshop — they looked perfect on this piece. I painted the large top drawer handle with the same gold pigment used on the trim and rubbed a touch onto the metal corners of each drawer.

These small details pulled everything together and elevated the entire dresser.

💙 The Final Transformation

What started as a damaged, ugly mid‑century dresser is now a stunning Midnight Blue statement piece with warm Walnut accents, shimmering gold details, and beautiful floral-lined drawers.

This makeover proves that even the most worn‑out furniture can become something wonderful with the right vision — and a little elbow grease.

If you love seeing vintage pieces revived, stay tuned. There’s always another transformation happening here at Regained Relics.