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 I like it, then it works in my home.
I’ve received a lot of questions about the orange subway art/family rules piece above the dresser.
Click HERE for the full tutorial.
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Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures/Treasured Moments says
I think your dresser is so cool. It was really really bad before. I am amazed you could get all that paint off. I saw you at TT&J.
Alison@Oopsey Daisy says
Oh my goodness!! I can’t believe you turned something so hideous into something so exquisite! Love that upholstery trim!! Well done!!
~Alison
http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/
Melissa says
Wow!!! Looks great!
MiMi says
I remember this! It was fabulous!
So. Let me get this straight though. You have a cabin and a house by the beach? And then just your regular house?? I’m coming to stay with you. Or in your cabin. Or whatever.
Prudently Painted Vintage says
Visiting you from Tatortots and Jello.
I love this Idea. Very cool! I am racking my brain right now trying to think of what I can do this on!
http://prudentlypaintedvintage.blogspot.com
Amy@ Just Pleased as Punch says
I absolutely love this! I don’t know if I’ll ever have the patience to strip a piece of furniture, but if I do, this is what I’ll try!
Lina - Fancy Frugal Life says
That is a really neat idea! ๐ Great job!
Heather at Dragonfly Designs says
OMG. I freaking LOVE this! You have some mad skills! Thanks for sharing ~ come by and say HI sometime!
Jayna Rae says
I love it! I know that the hubs would too. He has asked me in the past to get a cow hide from our friend who owns an animal reclamation business, but I just never knew if I was keen on one as a rug. This is AWESOME though.
driftwoodesign says
Love it, you did a great job. I’ll hve to add this to the idea folder. Thanks.
Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD
Sassy's Ramblin's says
This is unbelievably awesome!!!
Jamie says
That look fabulous. I’m your newest follower. It would be great if you could stop by my blog Monday and add your project to The More The Merrier Link Party.
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
Laurel {Make and Takes} says
Oooh, I love this! Nice job! I’d love for you to submit this to the M&T Spotlight at http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
Keetha Broyles says
Very fun, very cabiny, and I would never ever have thought of it – – – EVER.
mama-face says
Very Pottery Barn! (I consider that a compliment.)
I’ve been catching up… Grant’s b-day post is so sweet!
And I love the bird with the rhino toes. (The after bird of course).
Crystal says
How did you get all the pieces without buying a whole rug?
Michelle @ Sweet Something Design says
That turned out fantastic! What a project, very upscale looking. Cabin or not, that piece would work with a lot of different styles, great job!
Rhonda says
Very unique and beautiful! What a transformation!!!!
Cgal says
GORGEOUS!! What a great transformation…job well done!
shabbylisaw says
This is A-mazing! I sent this off to my friend and told her that I’m going to make her do something similar in her house because it would match her decor. Great job!
Lucy Designs says
this is freaking awesome! I love it..bookmarking in my head!
Mamarazzi says
i am sooooo in love with this. gorgeous!
Impulsive Addict says
You’ve got girl balls for linking up with all those people.
I think your work is OUTSTANDING! Good job. Bravo.
I still hate your creativity. Whatev.
Carmie of the Single Nester says
Uh-mazing! You saw the sweetness behind all that horrible paint!
willowcreek says
Looks great! I found you at chic on a shoestring. Come visit me when you have time!
Elizabeth (Blue Clear Sky) says
Wow, such a huge change. We love cowhide and anything western or rustic. Looks like a very high end piece.
J.J. says
That is AWESOME! I love it! So glad that you kept it. Now I just need to go find a cow.
Becca says
DId you check with the hubs to make sure the cows were treated fairly? I mean, maybe they didn’t want to be turned into a dresser…..
~Becca
Mommie T says
I love your idea!I am in the process of trying to find a dresser or something I can use for a buffet in my dinning room and would love to use your idea.
sitting on the mood swing at the playground says
That’s so great! I love that you can take hideous and make it high end.
Lisa Cash says
Wow! I don’t think I would have been able to get past the before state – it was bad. But you turned it into something amazing!
Mrs. DeVore says
LOVE this! What a great before and after!
Beth@The Stories of A to Z says
Love it! Thanks also for the shout out :).
Sarah, Three Boys says
I need that dresser! I soooo love it. always looking for new and fun ideas and this is totally awesome!!!! May have to copy:)
Heather@The Black's Best says
What a great idea. I love this use of cowhide instead of something so overwhelming like a rug. Very creative and the before and after is spectacular!
Dreamingof03 says
That is brilliant!
Dawn says
Gorgeous! I wish I were that crafty.
Lindy says
I think this is a great look and well done, too! I love it!
Jodie says
It looks fantastic,amazing transformation! I love cowhide too and am doing my first project with it, a chair I want to post next week. Now I know what I can do with any scraps. I will be following to see more of your projects. You’ll have to take a look at my holy cow chair next week.
Barb@curlywillowdiy says
Crazy good! I’ve never see anything like it! And that before pic, what a hot mess!
-Barb-
Kelleyhausen says
OMGEEEE, that is one amazing trasformation! The orignal painting…what was that person thinking?
Kelley says
That is one FEEEE-nomial makeover.
Karen says
I LOVE this dresser! What a creative idea. My son (bachelor) is a rancher so I’m thinking about stealing your idea to do a dresser for him. Thanks for sharing it with us. Karen from NE
lauren@WESTFURNITUREREVIVAL says
beautiful job.. love it.. very creative idea.
Megan says
this looks positively amazing!!!
megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
How very creative and I love the finished dresser!
Emily {WhipperBerry} says
What an improvement! Thanks for sharing!
Jen says
okay so glad I found you. I saw this on TT &J and almost died. I would have never in a billion years thought of putting cow hide on a dresser drawer but I am in LOVE. Rules were meant to be broken, girl! Great job!
Penny Wenny
Judy says
That is one of the most amazing before and afters I have ever seen. Seriously!! I don’t think I would have bought it in it’s original state. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to come and check out my blog and follow me back at http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com. Thanks so much.
Paisley Walls says
Wow! That is amazing! I have never seen cowhide on a dresser and I’m in the southwest! Absolutely a trash to treasure! Great job!
Terry says
I know some country folk that would love this in their homes.
B.Large says
Cow hide is awesome! I would have never thought of this! Your crafty! I’m your newest follwer and would love you to be mine! Thanks for linking up at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff!
Many blessings!
http://brandlarge.blogspot.com
Brandi Jo
Chrissie says
So awesome! I love what you have done here!
Egghead says
Wow! Quite the transformation. I could not imagine what it would look like. Really great idea.
Suzanne@thriftstoredecorjunky says
Awesome job! Right up my alley with the cow hide. This is not too much, just enough. I looove this~!
Erin says
The dresser looks great! I found your blog at the DIY Showoff. You have such great ideas and I’m your newest follower! I’d love it if you’d follow me back: http://stillwaterstory.blogspot.com/
Again, you did a fantastic job with this!! ๐
Lisa says
Stunning! Absolutely STUNNING! Gotta love that before picture..lol
What a fabulous and inventive idea with the cowhide.
Great work
Lisa
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
Okay — my mouth hit the floor!! WOW what a transformation!!
junkermidge says
That dresser is TOTALLY cool! I hope you are at the front edge of a trend if things looked like that. You did an awesome job!
Midge
Rachel says
Wow- that is unbelievably gorgeous!
I LOVE THIS PIECE!!!!
Followed your link from This and That!
~Rachel @ cookscleansplayswithpaper.blogspot.com
Cowgirl Crafter@www.mycowboyswife.blogspot.com says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!!
Susan says
You did a great job on this! I love the cowhide. Very chic!
Polly says
Now that is something I haven’t seen! I just did a dresser makeover myself. Check it out at http://learnandgopollyco.blogspot.com/2011/03/dinky-dresser-do-over.html
Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Tammy @ Type A says
this is a first for me, never seen anything like it. it’s crazy awesome. i want one! i would love it if you shared this at my party today. http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/
Jennifer says
Now that is fabulous! Something totally original that I have never seen before. I absolutely love it! You better get some feature postings for this! Found you over at DIY by Design.
Jen
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
This is terrific! Thanks for sharing it at WUW. I see a lot of links, but not one to my party!
Anny says
What a clever idea, this is really cool!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
holy cow is right! that looks sooo cool! what a funky piece!
Katie says
I love your project, it turned out splendidly!
I am wondering if you can share where you got your brad roll from? I have an ottoman I’m re-doing and I can’t find those brad rolls anywhere, it’s become an obsession! I know years ago I picked some up at JoAnn’s, but they no longer carry that product. Grrr!
Any info would be appreciated. And again, nice job on your dresser!
imperfectlypolished says
This is amazing!!!!
Prudently Painted Vintage says
Congrats on the feature at better after! Well deserved! I love this dresser!
Sarah @ Sarahndipities says
Amazing!!! Thanks for linking up at Make Something Mondays!
-Sarah
Ashley Sinatra says
I cannot stop laughing at the before picture. Poor crafter! The after look amazing though!
Ashley
http://www.TheThriftyWife.com
Debra@Common Ground says
I love this look, you did a fabulous job, very professional!
Sommer says
Oh my gosh. It’s official. I have a girl crush on you lol! This is AWESOME! And I love your name. In 8th grade french class we all had to give up our american names for french names and for an hour each day I was Vivienne ;P
poindextr says
oh my goodness gracious! Viv, I think you are a visionary. You spun gold out of hay with this transformation. That WAS a monstrosity to start with. The new look just rocks. Totally cowboy cool. LOVE it ๐ also, thank you for stopping by my blog and your very kind comment.
Lori @ Projects Plenty says
I LOVE cowhide and what a unique application. The dresser is amazing! The nail head trim puts it over the top. Well done!
Selina says
This has to be one of the coolest things I have ever seen! I LOVE the texture it adds!!! How much is cowhide off ebay? Seriously, I just think it’s so great!
Tanya says
Very cool and unique.
Christina @ The Tattered Tag says
Amazing! The transformation takes my breath away. Thank you so much for linking your wonderful creation to my blog bash K.I.S.S. So looking forward to your next project. ๐
Drop by The Tattered Tag
Kim says
You are awesome. This is so fabulous! Seems like EVERYONE else loves it too!
KeetaCollection says
That is awesome! I want one! ๐
Kate @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating says
Wow… this turned out so cool! Never would have thought to cover it in cow hide, bet you would pay big bucks to go out and buy a similar one, good for you! Thanks for linking Flaunt it Friday, I’m featuring you so stop by and grab a button if you’d like! ๐
Sherree says
I love your dresser. I can think of alot of places that I would love to have one in my home. Now I am going to have to add another project to my list. Not that I mind.
Sherree says
I am a new follower of your’s. Enjoy your blog.
Gina says
SO creative!! Thats awesome. I love hides and am desperate for one for my home too! Did you buy them in small pieces on ebay? Fantastic job lady!! <3
rita jean says
That’s really amazing!!! I want one! ๐
Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.com says
I don’t care what anyone says that dresser is so rock and roll it amazes me. I love the studs, I love the cowhide. It just rocks. The only thing that makes me sad is that I never thought of it. I am so into thinking out side of the box. I am glad we have that in common. You should come by and check out my tinfoil dress ๐ lol. It is in my archives.
New follower by the way. Gonna go tool around your blog.
Take care.
Deb
http://dejarenew.blogspot.com
TheCraftInMe says
This is too hot! What a fabulous job!
Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys says
That’s just sexy!!! I love it. You did a wonderful job. It’s a good size dresser too, right? I love the length of it.
Mary says
I love this transformation, amazing! I’m sure you could sell this for really big bucks in Mt or one of the Western states.
Maggie says
this is way too impressive, luv luv the transformation. where did you find cowhide?
would luv for you to add it to our linking party this week.
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/03/orange-blossoms-with-linking-party.html
Thanks
Maggie
Tricia says
I would have never thought to use cow hide. It’s fabulous and I love it!
Elaine says
Absolutely love it! Came from Apartment Therapy!
www.clothedmuch.com
allysonadeney says
I love this! WEll done. Do you mind it if I share it with my readers on my upcycling blog?
So inspiring.
Ally <'v'>
Soccer Mom Style says
Oh, WOW!!! This is simply amazing!
I am your newest follower. Please check out my blog.
Holly says
what? you did not love it before…oh my. SUPER COOL makeover!
Lindsey @ Inspiring Creations says
That before dresser is the ugliest thing ever! You did an amazing job!
katy says
Wow, you did an outstanding job! I need help with a chest of drawers, do you live in North Carolina??!!
http://createdbykaty.blogspot.com
katy_lunsford@yahoo.com
Jaderbomb says
SOOO cute!!! Thanks for linking up to “say what saturdays”!!!!
Lolly Jane says
holy taledo! how creative is that?! LOVE how the print!
we’d love for you to link this @ our weekend party ๐
lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com
mustangkayla says
Wow…that looks FABULOUS! Absolutely LOVE it!
Faye says
What a difference! What a great idea. I’ve been collecting cowhides and I have one large, not perfect, hide I bought just to use for things like this. Now all I need is to find an old dresser or buffet. Thanks for the great idea!
Faye
WildRoseVintage
Inspired by you says
What a statement! I love it!
Cindy says
i think this is brilliant!!!! love the cowhide!!! but i have a question….does the wood splinter when you use gorilla glue and pull the fabric off???
great job….
hugs, cindy
Hi I'm Misty. says
This is an amazing transformation. What a good eye you have, because that was one ugly dresser before!
Doreen Grace says
I love what you have done to that dresser!
Angie says
LOVE it! Amazing job!
Illuminations Design Studio says
Wow, what a transformation. It is stunning!
Stacy says
Aaaa!!! I love it. Amazing. Something you would see in a high end furniture store or a Park City Ski lodge. LOVE it.
Michaela Dunn Leeper says
AMAZING transformation!! Love the cowhide!!
Christine says
Whoa! That is crazy incredible. I love cowboy furniture and this is just beautiful.
Laryssa says
Thank you for saving that horrifying dresser! It looks great now. I saw the nail finish around the drawer edges and thought, I don’t even want to try, but your explanation sounds doable. Great redo!
Renee @ where the grass is greener says
Whoa! What a transformation! It looks awesome.
Amanda says
This piece is such an inspiration. It really shows that mixing styles can really work. I would have NEVER considered cow print in my home but I would take this piece any day. Pure perfection!!
Sandra says
O-M-G! I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog…I found you on A2D. I cannot believe you turned something so fugly into something so beautiful! I am in awe!!!! what a great piece! I’m your newest follower, btw! ๐
-Sandra
Anonymous says
I LOVE your piece. Congratulations. Your comment (“I put all the things I like together… doesn’t matter the style, as long as it is pleasing to my eye”) inspired me to write because you echoed my feelings exactly. Who needs rigid design “rules”? Surround yourself with what you want to look at everyday. Enjoy your beautiful dresser! Susan L
Floppin Flower says
Oh my goodness! I LOVE your piece! It is gorgeous! Now all I have running through my head is what dresser in my house I can redo!!! (wink) Thanks for sharing!
Kassi @ Truly Lovely says
This looks so great!!! Definitely something I would love to have in my home!! Cow hide furniture like this is SUPER expensive if bought retail too! Very cool Viv!!!
- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
Wow Viv! I love this. Such a cool idea and I like the variation in color of the hides.
Brittany
Tanya Frost says
This is so beautiful. I love it and I think I can convince my Pinterest frustrated hubby that we can do this!
Funky Junk Interiors says
WOW!!! This is just soooo amazing… truly speechless here!
Donna
Olga@Stardust-Decor&Style says
Absolutely fabulous! So talented! I’ve voted for you!
Love, Olga
http://www.stardust-decorstyle.blogspot.com
Crafting Rebellion says
I need to try this! Very cool
http://www.craftingrebellion.com
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
Flawless! SO creative! Congrats on making the top 6 – well-deserved! ๐ I’m still blown away that my project was included among such crazy awesomeness as this!
Ashlyn says
Eclectic Awesome-ness!! I love it and I so need one in my master bedroom!! Thanks bunches for the inspiration and I’m voting for your project on Not JUST A Housewife!! ๐
Chatty Chics says
Truly awesome. I love it! You did an amazing job! Thank you so much for the inspiration! I’m dying to try it! I hope you win the contest!
Melody
ChattyChics.com
Trish says
I love what you did with the dresser. I have the same style dresser, only I got it for $1.00 at a church auction….i took most of the paint off, but need to finish it after we move. (it’s my daughter’s dresser, age 13) I don’t think I want to use cow hide, lol, but love the idea of trimming the drawers with some sparkly “diamonds” instead. If you have any ideas for pics, that would be great!!!!
Trish says
oops, forgot to click on email me!
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations says
LOVE this! Sharing it and you on my Favorite Five today on my blog. Beautiful job.
Robin
vivienne says
Thank you so much! ๐
Brittany Wood says
I love Your dresser. It is beautiful. I was looking for ways to do this for a vanity I just found (that is currently a hideous purple color) when I found your post. Thank you for sharing!
Vivienne says
Awesome! I hope it’s helpful! Good luck with the purple vanity! ๐
Shelley says
Looking to purchase something exacTly like this. Any ideas where to find something like this? Ive had no luck. This is beautiful!
Vivienne says
Shelley, I found the one that inspired the make-over in the mountains at a specialty shop. It was too expensive, which is why I decided to DIY it.