INSIDE: How to make a thrifty $20 knock off version of an Ethan Allen girls Wonderland dresser.
Have you opened the mailbox to find a catalog you’ve never signed up for? Seems to happen at least once a week. Catalogs for bird lovers (what??), magazines on how to get abs of steel (what??), clothing for someone twice my age (what??). I really should cancel all these and save a few trees, shouldn’t I?
So when an Ethan Allen furniture catalog found its way into my mailbox, I couldn’t help but flip through it. It is Ethan Allen after all. Gorgeous furnishings that are way out of my stay-at-home mom “salary”!
However that’s when I saw this super cute dresser from their Disney furniture line. It only cost $1,899! Could I replicate it for less? Let’s find out…
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DIY thrifty ethan allen dress knock off
Fortunately, my daughter had the perfect blank canvas. An upright, plain white dresser that used to by my mother-in-law’s dresser as a girl. Its special history aside, it needed both a fresh coat of white paint (here’s the kind I used) and a designer-inspired face lift.
This designer knock off dresser was part of a $139 bedroom makeover. Be sure to check it out for other thrifty DIY ideas!
Supplies:
– Wood dresser
– Wood trim (I used this wooden rope trim.)
– Wood plaque (I found mine at Hobby Lobby for $2.99. But here’s a similar one from Amazon.)
– Wood scroll (This is similar to what I used.)
– Paint
– Knobs
how to update a wood dresser
Cut the wood rope trim
Measure the length and width of the drawer fronts you plan to outline. Cut the trim with a miter saw to get those awesome, perfectly lined up angles.
Secure to the drawer with glue.
Apply the wood decor scroll
Using a jig saw, cut the wood decorative scroll into three individual pieces. Simply decide which part of the wood scroll you want to use and cut. We used the two ends and the middle section.
Paint and secure to the drawer with a nail gun.
Sand and paint the wood plaque
Because these wooden plaques only cost me $3, they were not in the smoothest shape! Grab a sanding block and rub away the obvious splinter-inducing areas. Paint and let dry.
Apply the wood plaques to the drawer with a nail gun.
diy designer furniture for less
Inspired by this almost $2000 Ethan Allen girls bedroom dresser, I replicated and put my own creative spin on an otherwise plain upright dresser.
Here’s the Ethan Allen “Wonderland” dresser version.
Twenty dollars versus $1899. What do you think?
What designer knock-offs – from catalogs you never signed up for – have you tackled?
Other Thrifty DIY Home Decor You May Enjoy:
- Thrifty girl bedroom decor for $139
- Turn a $5 tray into a unique wall frame
- Update plain white taper candles for a custom look using ribbon and an iron
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Toni | Small Home Soul says
April 7, 2017 at 8:34 amI love it, what a cute idea to make a unique and beautiful dresser for her room. You can’t beat an $1800 savings!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
April 7, 2017 at 1:31 pmI know! Couldn’t even imagine spending that much on a child’s dresser.
Cristina says
April 7, 2017 at 10:31 amWhat a great job! It looks so great!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
April 7, 2017 at 10:51 amVictoria you are so lucky to get unwanted catalogs. See how well it turned out for you. You got inspiration and an even better dresser than Ethan Allen’s. I have to admit yours is much nicer> I think those colors are much more fun for a child’s room.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
April 7, 2017 at 1:30 pmThanks Mary, so kind!
Lillian Stevens says
April 8, 2017 at 6:18 amYour version is super cute and I love the price point so much better! Looks great
Visiting you via the Sits girls!
Have a Lovely Weekend!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
April 8, 2017 at 6:27 amThank you Lillian! I’m not sure a 7 year old needs an $1899 dresser, LOL!
Anika says
April 9, 2017 at 3:25 pmLove how the dresser turned out! It looks so fun and whimsical! Totally can’t beat the $$$ savings!
Helen at Pleasures of the NW says
April 10, 2017 at 7:18 amNice work – Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY link up!
Laura - The No Pressure Life says
April 11, 2017 at 12:27 pmWhat a fun dresser update! The pops of color add so much interest. I bet your daughter loves it!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
April 11, 2017 at 1:49 pmThanks so much Laura!
Ginger M Cochran says
April 11, 2017 at 5:42 pmAwesome upcycle 🙂 I’d be so pleased for you to link up at my new linky party, Support Your Fellow Crafter at Support Blog for Moms of Boys! Hope to “see” you soon 🙂
Melanie says
April 12, 2017 at 10:50 amInspiration through serendipity! Great idea!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
April 12, 2017 at 12:09 pmThanks Melanie! Gotta love inspiration, wherever it comes from.
STEPHANIE ABBOTT says
April 18, 2017 at 12:21 pmI have been pinning this like crazy, so I just have to feature it at the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party. Love this piece! Have a great week.
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
April 18, 2017 at 7:46 pmWow, thank you so much! I appreciate the pinning “love”.
Leslie says
April 21, 2017 at 8:09 pmWhat a fun makeover! The inspiration photo is pretty awesome, but I love the bright colors you used. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Jen says
April 23, 2017 at 6:45 amThis turned out really cute! I love Ethan Allen, but that is not really in my price point, so thanks for sharing! #happynowlinkup
[email protected] says
April 25, 2017 at 8:06 pmI like your version much better and the price is right. Thank you for sharing your great tutorial at Vintage Charm.
Fiona Cambouropoulos says
May 1, 2017 at 5:29 amWell done indeed, who would spend that much on a dresser? Yours looks wonderful and lots of storage too #RealCraftyLinkParty
Jeannee Taylor says
May 1, 2017 at 8:10 amIt turned out so adorable ! I’ll bet your daughter loves it! So girly and unique! Great job!
Jeannee
Becky Hastings says
July 25, 2017 at 5:44 amSuch a whimsical look! It must look great in a kids room!
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
July 25, 2017 at 6:13 amThanks Becky! The dresser adds a fun pop of color to an otherwise plain dresser.
Sew Crafty Crochet says
March 4, 2018 at 1:03 pmAdorable dresser! I love the pops of color!
JUlie says
March 4, 2018 at 2:06 pmThis is so clever, what a brilliant idea.
Carol says
March 12, 2018 at 5:14 pmVictoria, Thank you for sharing this on Share Your Style! Very clever! I love looking through many catalogs, including Ethan Allen, to get ideas for my DIY.
Krissy says
September 7, 2018 at 5:33 pmI saw this dresser and didn’t even know the price because the picture was on EA online but it was sold out $1899…wowsers. I love your upcycle redo! Maybe a four day project for the long weekend! THANK YOU!!!
Krissy in NY
DazzleWhileFrazzled says
September 8, 2018 at 10:24 amThanks Krissy! We are all about thrifty DIY projects and $20 is definitely in my budget, LOL.