Dresser Re-do With Cowhide Drawer Fronts
Hooray! I might actually be ahead of a trend!
There was a fabulous collection of cowhide rugs show-cased at The Stories of A to Z. I don’t know that I want a whole (very expensive!) hide. However, I am glad I hung on to a dresser re-do from a while back. I did this project for an old cabin we had several years ago, but I liked it so much that I kept it even after we sold our cabin.
I’m using it as a buffet in our dining room.
This dresser started out as a purple, aqua and white monstrosity. Someone tried their hand at sponge-painting. However, it was solid and was only $25 on craigslist.
I used a chemical paint stripper, scrapers and finally a wire brush to get the paint off. Since it was acrylic paint, it really wasn’t too bad.
Once all of the paint was off it was obvious the dresser had previously been stained a dark wood color. It looked old and rustic (perfect for a cabin), so I just rubbed a little wood polish onto it.
I scoured ebay looking for genuine cowhide. After a couple of weeks I had enough to do the drawer fronts.
Each of the drawer fronts had a raised rectangular panel. I cut the cowhide to size and then used regular old Goop/Gorilla Glue to adhere the hide to the wood. (I had been thinking that if I got tired of the cowhide, I could also do a similar treatment with burlap or some other fabric…)
I used nail-head upholstery trim on the edges. This was the fabulous trim that comes in a roll and you only need to nail in every 5th or 6th nail-head. Making sure the corners lined up well was a bit of a challenge, but otherwise it was very easy.
I like the texture it adds. I used the hole placement from the old knobs to poke a hole in the cowhide and add new ones.
This definitely falls under the “eclectic” category of home decor. I put all the things I like together… doesn’t matter the style, as long as it is pleasing to my eye. I’m sure I’m breaking all sorts of design rules, but I figure if Ilike it, then it works in my home.
Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.
>Thanks so much for featuring my dresser! I'm so excited about this! 🙂
>Pretty sure "draw" should be drawer in the post title, would that be a Massachusetts accent coming through? It's a great redo that's for sure, totally unique.
>I like it; definitly a great piece for a cabin. The before was dreadful and commend you for all the hours it must have taken to get the paint off!
>It is fabulouse!
Ale from Brasil.
>I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Think I might try that on my filing cabinet….
>This is beautiful! I love it! The nailheads add just the right touch 🙂
>A-Maz-ing! Love it!
>OMG. I love your blog. My name's Anna, I'm a stylist and visual merchandiser in LA. I'm 23 years old and moved to California after graduating back in south with a degree in visual merchandiser. I've worked with such designers as Max Azria, Nicole Richie, and my idol Rachel Zoe. I'd love if you visited my new blog for multiple posts a day on all things fashion. I'd love the support. I'm following you, I hope you'll do the same. Thanks so much.
http://www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com
>I think it's super cool and who cares about design rules as long as you love it! You're the one who has to live with it. Super cool redo!
>Oh My Lord! I seriously LOVE this! Thanks for the inspiration. I'm pretty sure I have to make one of these now 🙂
>Wow, that is awesome! I might have to "steal" this idea. Very original!
>Isn't this Ahhhmazing?!! V and I were just chatting earlier and I completely forgot to mention to her how awesome I thougt her dresser was!
>Its so good to see such a unique before and after. I want one!
>Love the concept of this. There are a lot of possibilities with all the various real and faux leathers out there that a person could use.
>I'm so glad someone else has my philosophy! If I like it, then it looks good in my home! It leaves so much more room for creativity!
>That looks great! What a difference that made. I don't know how you always manage to do it, but you sure know how to turn everyday stuff I would most likely throw out & turn it into fabulous pieces of art!
>Excellent work. I would have never thought of putting fur on a dresser. It really looks great!
The Cowhide dresser is AWESOME!!! I think that it has a rustic on the ranch feel to it. I truly love this project. Using the natural color of the wood makes this piece look elegant. Adding the cowhide to the drawers, makes it look like a piece out of the Restoration magazine. This is a job well done.
I am wondering if the hide stayed flat,I am doing something where the furniture tacks only cover two sides of a triangle and want to know what kind of glue will help the hide stay put?
Hi Lorna, this project was from a guest so I can’t say for sure… but you could click over to their blog (linked up toward the top) and ask there! I imagine that any good glue would work but since I don’t have first-hand experience, I can’t make a good recommendation.
Thanks for the reply I myself tested and went with carpenters glue and it worked awesome!
Good to know! Thanks!