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DIY Furniture Flip: Refinished Solid Maple Dresser in Classic White

In this tutorial, I’m sharing how I completely transformed a   solid maple, Canadian-made dresser   into a fresh, modern piece that’s both timeless and functional. Originally a tired chest of drawers, this sturdy maple beauty got a full makeover — from sanding and priming to a   crisp classic white finish   and   new stainless steel bar and knob hardware . The result? A clean, elegant dresser with   five easy-glide drawers   that looks right at home in any bedroom, guest room, or entryway. Follow along to see each step of the refinishing process and how a little paint and hardware can give solid wood furniture a brand-new life.
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Little Wooden Kids' Chairs: A Fresh Decoupage Makeover

Bringing New Life to Old Favorites: A Decoupage Chair Refresh

Years ago, I had the pleasure of "reloving" these two wooden kids' chairs, giving them a chalkboard seat and wood refinish. Recently, they made their way back to me as a gift when the original owner moved and her children outgrew them. While the light, solid wood frames have held up beautifully, the chalkboard painted MDF seats were showing significant wear from years of play and needed a durable, fresh update.

To give them a second makeover, I’m using decoupage paper in a vibrant, coordinating pattern designed to highlight those warm wood tones while providing a tough finish for the next generation. These chairs are officially ready for another round of childhood memories!


Years after their first relove they are back and looking for more love.


The seats were removed and sanded with a Gator medium/fine sanding sponge. Then wiped clean with a damp microfiber cloth.


One of the chairs wooden frames was loose, Titebond ultimate wood glue was brushed in the insets and clamps set square and left to dry.


I wanted the seats to be fun and cheery this time. I chose a now retired floral patterned rice decoupage paper called Dahlia Patch, that pairs so nicely with the light blond wood.

HERE are other rice paper projects I have done.


To apply it to the seat I used a medium flat synthetic brush and Gator Hide along with a fine mist spray bottle.


A video showing my application


But as soon as I had the decoupage paper in place I remembered black and dark backgrounds will not look the same for light background papers. I made this same mistake on this drink bar cart.

Luckily everything is fixable. I carefully lifted off the paper and rinsed it and the chair seat off and let both dry. 


To get the pop of flower pattern I wanted I painted the chair seats 2 coats of buttermilk chalk mineral Dixie Belle Paint again with a flat medium synthetic brush. The top seat has 1 coat and you can see the excellent coverage this paint gives over a rich black in only 2 coats. 

I left the seats to dry well overnight before going back to the decoupaging step.


Another video, this time applying over a light base. A coat of Gator Hide is applied once the paper is affixed in place.

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Love them! Two more coats of Gator Hide were added over the next couple days to provide a durable finish to the seats.


To address the light wood, all that was needed after a light sanding with a sanding sponge and wipe with a damp microfiber cloth was to apply some hydrating Big Mama’s Butta with a dedicated la petite brush.

After a few minutes the excess was wiped off and buffed with a lint free blue shop towel.

Refresh Your Playroom: Hand-Refinished Kids' Chairs

Add a touch of whimsical charm and durability to your child's space with this beautifully updated pair of wooden chairs. Originally "reloved" years ago, these pieces have been thoughtfully refreshed for a second life, combining a timeless wood aesthetic with a modern, eye-catching finish.

Why You’ll Love Them:

  • Sturdy Construction: Each chair features a light, solid wood frame that provides excellent stability for active kids.

  • Artistic Seat Design: The MDF seats, which had previously seen years of play, have been completely transformed using high-quality decoupage paper.

  • Unique Pattern: The vibrant, coordinating pattern on the seats was specifically chosen to bring out the natural, light tones of the wood frames.

  • Built to Last: These chairs were designed with durability in mind, making them ready for another round of daily childhood use.

Perfect for a craft corner, reading nook, or small activity table, these one-of-a-kind chairs are ready to move into their new home.

Condition: Refurbished and durable Style: Natural wood frame with custom patterned seats

Created by Creative Moments. Find more tutorials and upcycled projects at creativemoments10.blogspot.com.






I created 2 graphics for my socials, which do you prefer?


For your convenience, I've included links to the Dixie Belle products I use. Please note that my affiliation with Dixie Belle doesn't increase your prices. Instead, your purchases through my links may provide a small subsidy that helps me continue creating and sharing these free tutorials. Thank you for your support!
The Amazon affiliate links are for your convenience to see the products I used as well. Ordering via the links may get me a small commission but does not affect your pricing. Thank you if you do choose to order them.

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