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Design Sponge
October 8th, 2009
before & after: will’s nightstand + wendren’s ladder

will_before
this nightstand before & after comes from will means, an artist and woodworker from salem, massachusetts. will found this antique nightstand at todd farm (an outdoor flea market in rowley, mass) for twenty-five dollars. first will stripped it down the nightstand and re-stained it. next, he drew his design and transferred it to a frisket, and applied to the nightstand. afterward that he painted and then lacquered the finished piece. will explained that this technique is, “a unique method which allows me to introduce color and a modern feel, while still showcasing the wood and the original integrity of the piece”. all of the hardware on the nightstand is original and restored and the drawers are lined in mustard-yellow felt. great work, will!

[have a before & after you'd like to submit for the d*s book or website? just shoot me an email right here with your images!]

will_after

CLICK HERE for wendren’s ladder upgrade after the jump!

wendren
last but not least, wendren of the wren at etsy updated this ladder to create a display prop for her work. it’s such a simple idea, but a great one for any artists or stores looking for ways to display goods. wendren built the little drawer/shelves by hand, but you could even consider using pre-made wooden letter inboxes from ikea or the container store for the same effect. thanks for sharing, wendren!

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44 comments
October 8th, 2009 - 12:03 pm

OOooOOOoOooo I love the nightstand!

minouette said:
October 8th, 2009 - 12:10 pm

I love it! Love the octopus, love the philosophy of preserving the wood grain and hardware.

October 8th, 2009 - 12:10 pm

WOW! That’s brilliant!

DC Sarah said:
October 8th, 2009 - 12:12 pm

I covet that nightstand.

October 8th, 2009 - 12:16 pm

Very talented and creative!

Karina said:
October 8th, 2009 - 12:30 pm

This is aboslustely gorgeous and so well done! Love the octopus! Love the nightstand ! A ++

leel said:
October 8th, 2009 - 12:40 pm

i love this – so well done. it had given me tonnes of ideas for my little collection of furniture taking up my garage. yippee!

leel said:
October 8th, 2009 - 12:44 pm

the ladder idea below is amazing. i can imagine it with plants in a corner of my studio as well! perfect blend of funtion and form! thanks for sharing.

nicole said:
October 8th, 2009 - 12:52 pm

Hands down the most awesome piece of furniture I’ve laid eyes on.

Angela said:
October 8th, 2009 - 12:52 pm

Wow- one of the best ever.

Obviously a lot of work & skill went into this and it truly shows in the results. Congrats!

Will- would you mind sharing how you stripped it so well?

Jo said:
October 8th, 2009 - 12:54 pm

oooooh i love the nightstand too, having the wood show through at the octopus looks briliant. Black was a great colour choice, don’t think it would work quite as well in another colour, maybe white :)

Allison said:
October 8th, 2009 - 1:02 pm

Wow!
I love the octopus!
This makes me want to reconsider some of the sad looking wood pieces I have lying around.

Allison said:
October 8th, 2009 - 1:03 pm

I’m also loving the record player in the background of the first shot.

james said:
October 8th, 2009 - 1:15 pm

whoa. the octopus table is pretty impressive. this might be one of the best before/after furniture on here.

abby said:
October 8th, 2009 - 1:27 pm

Amazing! I love seeing before and afters that are not DIY. That’s real craftmanship.

Jamie said:
October 8th, 2009 - 1:31 pm

awesome! great work indeed!

Diana said:
October 8th, 2009 - 1:33 pm

Antique styled furniture elements are my passion..

alexis said:
October 8th, 2009 - 1:49 pm

that night stand is amazing, i want it!!!

sara said:
October 8th, 2009 - 2:03 pm

anything octopus is amazing! and i love the ladder — the drawers match perfectly.

October 8th, 2009 - 2:03 pm

Gorgeous makeover on the nightstand — so inspiring!

October 8th, 2009 - 2:34 pm

love the nightstand!! nice job, will.
and i have a ladder our back- i’m inspired to refinish and set up drawers… maybe include some vine-like plants! yay!!

geisslein said:
October 8th, 2009 - 2:41 pm

the “after” is just breath-taking – I have fallen in love now!

xallxsewnxupx said:
October 8th, 2009 - 3:23 pm

jaw drop.

katie said:
October 8th, 2009 - 5:11 pm

AWESOME. I just said that out loud when I saw the night stand. Very inspiring indeed.

October 8th, 2009 - 6:04 pm

Thanks everybody for all the great comments! I’m flattered. I’m crazy about that record player too, allison. One of my prized possessions.

Alison said:
October 8th, 2009 - 7:04 pm

the nightstand is AMAZING! i love how he did something difference nesides just slapping paint in it. nice work !

Danielle said:
October 8th, 2009 - 7:44 pm

It’s beautiful!

knack said:
October 8th, 2009 - 9:54 pm

hello mr octopus…you are amazingly wonderful!

October 8th, 2009 - 10:06 pm

It’s well done but is it really creative, Grace? I mean, who doesn’t have a phenomenal octopus side table? ;)

Will, you are a wonder! You make me feel like a schlub but I won’t deny you the compliment to your splendid artistry!

Color me jealous.

kellie said:
October 8th, 2009 - 11:45 pm

ooooooo great job – love love!

October 8th, 2009 - 11:47 pm

I love this the glossy black with the wood showing through is stunning!

Katie (Australia) said:
October 9th, 2009 - 5:47 am

I am so impressed by the octopus nightstand. Completely original. The woodgrain coming through the design with !hat creature wrapping around it, wow.

Melanie said:
October 9th, 2009 - 6:56 am

totally cool -great work! :)

Tara said:
October 9th, 2009 - 11:28 am

Oh, I just love this idea! Perfect to pass on to my friend who was thinking of painting an entry table black…

October 9th, 2009 - 1:14 pm

That night stand is simply amazing.

Chihiro said:
October 9th, 2009 - 8:15 pm

This is the best refinishing job I’ve seem yet!

michelle said:
October 10th, 2009 - 3:35 am

that nightstand is fabulous….so unique.

conn said:
October 10th, 2009 - 6:00 am

I think one of my favorites yet. It looks very expensive. We will use this idea around here for sure.

Shelley said:
October 11th, 2009 - 12:56 pm

The octopus nightstand is fabulous! This doesn’t look easy to do, but I wonder how it would work on an old dresser? Thanks for posting!

cortney said:
October 12th, 2009 - 4:34 pm

does will have any interest in selling a copy of his octopus frisket? no, seriously. please.

grace said:
October 12th, 2009 - 4:36 pm

cortney

he might- shoot him an email at his site above :)

g

John said:
October 13th, 2009 - 12:36 am

I’m fortunate enough to have been the one to buy the night stand. I love it.

LonnyJoe said:
October 18th, 2009 - 6:17 pm

Willie bean the nightstand looks great . Nice theme do i see a set in the future ?

Jen said:
October 20th, 2009 - 9:33 pm

octopus=omgness! I want I want!

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