Nursery: Changing Table {Paint using a Projector!}

Annnnd, we’re back to the nursery:

I literally spent about 3 months vigilantly seeking craigslist for a perfect dresser for the nursery changing table. We had such great success with finding the crib and rocking chair that I thought it would be easier than this. My expectations were even relatively low. Here’s the mandatory criteria:

~ must be a long and low dresser (between 31 and 37 inches high)
~ must be dirt cheap
~ must be raised off the ground slightly so my toes will fit underneath
~ must have lots of storage

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? Well during my baby shower, my loving husband and 5 brothers went to my Grandma’s farm to goof around and waste time while us ladies discussed nipple cream and consistencies of poo. Upon their return, Nick announced that he had found our baby changing table!!! In my Grandma’s BARN. And was told that it fit all my criteria! *cough* especially ‘DIRT cheap! …emphasis on dirt.

…Ok, I like antiques… no big deal, right?

Feast your eyes:

Do you see how much I trust the vision of my life partner? Usually I’m the one that can see the diamond in the rough (heck, I married HIM!) but this piece of spider infested, cat feces covered cabinetry from an unknown era did not have me jumping up and down. Honestly, the very thought of jumping up and down makes my cervix weep.

This could easily become the longest post in the history of our blog, so I’ll keep the text to a minimum and let the pics speak for themselves… now that we’ve identified which is the front and which is the back of this beastly disaster.

Also, please take note that this was our fastest furniture restoration/makeover to date (5 days from start to finish). And for obvious reasons, the most dramatic before and after yet!

It all starts with paint stripper. There will be NO lead-based paint in my girls nursery!

Next, the man-boy cut pieces of wood to reinforce the bottom.

Annnnd… the top.

Annnnd the back…

Kinda looks awesome just like this!! Just ain’t the look I’m going for in the nursery my friends, just ain’t.

And more sanding… yucky stuff I tell you.

FINALLY, a coat of crisp white.

And now it’s my turn to participate!!! I photocopied a bit of curtain fabric onto a transparency:

And using a projector, traced the damask pattern asymmetrically onto the changing table. SO easy. You should try it.

I then hand-painted it on using some leftover acrylic paint from this crazy backsplash from the good ol’ days. Nick doesn’t bother to take pictures of me in action. He wants to be the star.

Then the hardware got a few smooth coats of hammered steel spray paint.

And we got some handy baskets from target to keep tiny socks, diapers, bibs, shoes, toys and board books. Here’s the finished product!!!

Are you imagining it with a changing pad on top?

And that concludes this very extensive post about where my darlings will have their little butts wiped (one at a time of course). I may not have originally loved the idea of dragging this heavy, dirt-covered monstrosity out of a barn, but I have to admit that I love the sentimentality of it coming from Granny’s farm. I give Nick credit for seeing it’s potential, and for all the structural work he had to do.

Let’s recap: