We’re thrilled to welcome LeeAnn from Creative Moments back to the Dixie Belle blog! LeeAnn’s passion for transforming furniture with beautiful, natural finishes truly shines in her latest project—a stunning natural oak nightstand makeover. Using Dixie Belle’s products, she brings out the warm, timeless beauty of the wood while giving it a fresh, modern touch. If you’re inspired by classic wood tones and want to see how easy it can be to refresh your furniture, LeeAnn’s step-by-step makeover is the perfect guide. Let’s dive into this gorgeous transformation!

(The following is an excerpt from Creative Moments. Read the full article here.)

This poor little nightstand arrived in rough shape. At some point, someone began stripping off the old finish, but one side had a broken base, and the whole piece was extremely dirty, clearly begging for a makeover. Although I briefly considered not refinishing it, I decided to persevere—and the end result made me very happy I did.

Step 1: Repair and Sand

I began by repairing the piece, then sanding off the existing finish completely.

Step 2: Clean

It is now ready to seal up all that hard work and detailing. But first it was wiped clean with a soft slightly damp rag.

Step 3: Seal with Gator Hide

I choose the super durable Gator Hide applied with my favorite 2″ mini synthetic brush.
You can see it going on the top half and enriching the wood color to a natural oak color.

Step 4: Apply Big Mama’s Butta

Inside on the drawer rails I applied Big Mama’s Butta with my dedicated La Petite brush. This makes the drawers slide effortlessly.

Step 5: Clean and Paint Hardware

The unique original hardware was scrubbed. When doing so the original gold/brass color was revealed in areas so they had been painted in the past. Black is perfect with the natural wood so black they shall stay.

Step 6: Sand and Apply 2nd Coat

Once the first coat of Gator Hidewas dry, it was lightly sanded with a 220 sanding sponge.
Another coat of Gator Hide was applied and once it dried an even lighter sanding to make the surface buttery smooth.

Step 7: Apply Hardware

The now dry hardware was put back on. The outside and inside of the drawers were also treated to a hydrating coat of Big Mama’s Butta.
This handy wood salve comes in unscented and a variety of lovely scents that give a piece a fresh fragrance.
A big thank you to LeeAnn with Creative Moments for sharing this beautiful natural oak nightstand makeover with us! Her expert tips and use of Dixie Belle products show just how simple it is to enhance the natural beauty of wood while giving old furniture new life. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, LeeAnn’s project is a wonderful reminder that sometimes the best look is a natural one. Be sure to visit her blog for more inspiring furniture makeovers, and don’t forget to share your own creations with us. Happy painting and refinishing!
For another beautiful and easy project by Creative Moments, check out our blog, Goodbye Orange Oak – Hello Walnut Rustic Coffee Table.
Furniture Makeovers, Guest Author