WHAT IS MDF painted mid century dresser

I turned this elegant mid century dresser into a chic and modern TV console.

Look at these wonderful carved wood handles extending the full length of each of the 9 drawers.

George picked this up from a nice lady quite some time ago

but I refused to work on it till he recently egged me on again.

The drawers are beautifully built with solid wood front to back, top to bottom.

I wish I could find this level of quality in every piece I work on.

The entire inside frame structure is constructed with solid hard wood.

Now to the reason I refused to work on this piece.

The 6ft long top surface *interior* is ... (listen carefully for the scarey music)

MDF - medium density fiberboard

This invention of the 1960s is formed by gluing together wood fibers under high heat and pressure.

Unfortunelty this dresser dates to 1972, thus becoming an early victim of this new invention.

However this piece also has a thick solid wood veneer covering the MDF,

making it possible for me to completely strip, sand, and refinish the top.

Those familiar with my work know my clear feelings regarding MDF products but many DIYers

are finding ways to refinish it and repurpose pieces constructed of it.

Like these MDF cupboards given a faux paint finish at KFD Designs

How about this wall art using MDF from All Things Thrifty

  MDF hardboard was used to transform this guest bedroom at Miss Mustard Seed

So George made one last attempt to convince me to give it a shot and offer a MDF revamp.

Im pleased, well very pleased with the end result but I dont feel my opinion on MDF is going to change any time soon. If this MDF hadnt been wrapped up in so much beautiful craftsmanship

it would have never got my attention.

I opted to industrialize it and give it the low profile needed for a sleek TV console

with vintage metal casters I picked up from my favorite antique dealer.

"Now thats stunning"

is what George said as he walked around the corner not expecting to see it finished for the first time.

He actually keeps saying it every time he passes by.

Telling the story at:

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WHAT IS A DOERNBECHER pre WWII desk

I found a Doernbecher desk that needed my help.

Doernbecher was a furniture manufacturing company established by Frank Silas Doernbecher

in Portland Oregon from 1900 until WWII.

I found a nice little write up that I thought you may enjoy reading.

My step-grandfather started working for Mr.Doernbecher when he was nine years of age. The factory had just been built and put into operation. My grampa started as a sander which ment that he worked twelve hours a day for six days a week. He made 50 cents a day. When he retired at age 45 he was the superintendent of the finishing department and one of the highest paid emploies of the company. He had made enough money working there that he never had to work another day in his life.

If this man started when the factory opened and continued to be there until he retired,

the likely hood that he touched this desk is huge.

You can find a side by side before and after pic here.

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MY MANTLE IS FAUX but my passion is not

This week was suppose to be my week off.

Ive been working crazy for over a month preparing for last weekend

and the 2 shows my furniture and other stuff was in.

Both George and I agreed it was much needed time off.

My plan was to clean up the house after the tornado of work and

start the Christmas decorating around here.

I did get started on the decorating on Monday being ever so creative

and doing up our Faux mantle.

We have a large piece of furniture that simulates the look,

and these are the photos Im sharing with you today.

But while I write to you there is only one thing one my mind

and if you wish to follow along Ill tell you the story.

Unfortunately early last week I had a tooth start to ache and

also agreed to get in to have it looked at this week.

Well the appointment was set for Wednesday to have a look see what was going on.

Then Thursday the next appointment was set to fill the cavity.

Later Thursday evening we had been invited to the pub where my 2 commissioned red buffets

were being used. Well the appointment at the dentist on Thursday took a terrible

turn for the worse and there was no way I could attend the customer appreciation party last night.

The cavity got too close to the root and so did the drilling.

It was then agreed upon the tooth had to come out.

Little did I know how much pain I was going to be in that evening.

A temporary filling was put in till the tooth could be pulled at the set appointment

on Tuesday next week.

Pain killers werent working and I couldnt think straight for the agony I was in.

So between George and I we had to get on the phone with the dentist to get some resolution.

George couldnt see me in this kind of pain for 5 days and I know Im strong

and stubborn but I couldnt do it either.

The resolution is the extraction appointment was moved up to this afternoon,

but in all this turmoil I just couldnt stand not working.

Having my mind and body on auto pilot would do me good

while I painted something, so last night I threw down everything

in my way and stormed the hall way to my work space.

I cant eat anything on that side of my mouth, pain killers

arent doing much good, and I just couldnt put George through

watching the pain in my eyes.

So I grabbed a paint brush and some paint and set forth.

So much for my week of relaxation.

Till the wee hours in the morning I worked steadily on painting a

big dresser in grey, and it did me good.

George was able to get to sleep on his own not worrying

and my mind was able to fly away from the place it had been.

For now the dresser project will be my safe haven while

dealing with my tooth issues this weekend. There will be several more days

of soft foods, pain killers, and gauze once the extraction takes place today.

I only choose to share this story with you to emphasize how much I enjoy

what this part of my life has put before me.

Ive always embraced each and every task Ive had to this point in my life,

but my furniture and artistic abilities are truly a life long passion

that I seek comfort in.

So I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you again for the support

you offer each and every day while I chase this passion and ...

watch for a big grey dresser coming soon.

Sharing our mantle at:

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