How to Make a Cottage-style Dresser
A jigsaw cutout, sanded patina, and molding frames add cottage charm to a flat-pack dresser in our One Piece, Five Ways series

The chest's existing wood knobs inspired this charming redo. Pushing the kickplate forward made room for a scrolling jigsaw cutout to create an apron-front style. Nose-and-cove molding frames on the drawer fronts and a cornice made from solid crown molding finish the look. For a timeworn patina, we painted everything pale yellow before topping it with soft blue; then we sanded in spots to reveal the color beneath.
Shown:
Rast chest, about $35; IKEA
Wood bin pulls, included with IKEA Rast chest; IKEA
Solid crown molding and nose-and-cove molding, available at most hardware stores.
Paint: Maison Blanche's Jolie Blonde; Maison Blanche's Creme De Menthe