Every now and then I take a little stroll out to my garage and look through all the vintage treasures I have tucked away. That’s where I store large decor items and other random things I consider to be “potential projects”, like old windows, spindles, and various yard sales finds. My husband loves it. Anyway, I was out there the other day and came across an old dresser harp. I’ve had this thing well over a year now, knowing that it had potential to be something great, but I just hadn’t figured it out yet. Well I brought it in the house, laid it up against the wall and told myself it was high time to do something with this harp. I kicked around a few different ideas, most of which were awful, then realized this just might make the perfect little farmhouse shelf. I saw something similar in an antique shop years ago and I thought it might be worth a try. To my surprise it turned out great and I actually love it. So that’s what I’m here to show you today–my DIY shelf with a vintage dresser harp. Here’s how it looked before:
This project was super simple. If you turn the harp upside down there’s a nice flat top that is perfect for a shelf. All we did was use a few screws and wood glue to secure a piece of wood to that flat top. Nothing fancy, but it worked perfectly and it’s nice and secure.
Of course I wanted it to be white, so I painted the whole thing with Magnolia Home One Horn White, which is a warm white with a light beige tint. I love it. Then used a sander to distress all the edges and pretty details.
That’s it, folks. We secured it to the wall with some hangers on the back and ta-da!
The distressed details and curves on this old harp give me all kinds of warm and fuzzies.
I couldn’t help but include these gorgeous carnations. Just because it’s March now and flowers make everything better.
I wasn’t really sure how I would like this vintage harp shelf, I was honestly a bit worried it’d be too small for much of anything. But I’m so, so happy with how it turned out. It’s just the right size and it fills up this corner in our dining room perfectly. And seriously guys, this was the easiest project. One that can be done in an afternoon with a cup of coffee and some good music, which we all know is the best kind of project. Therapeutic, if you will. Definitely give this one a shot if you have an old dresser harp sitting around.
Thanks a million for dropping by today, I really do appreciate it. And be sure to let me know what you think of my repurposed dresser harp, I’d love to hear it! xoxo
Goodies in the Room:
I love what you did with the dresser harp! I would have never thought to make a shelf out of it, yet it looks like it was meant to be 🙂 thanks for sharing and have a great day!
Thanks Briana, I’m just glad I finally found a use of this harp!
Beautiful!!! I Love it.
Thank you so much Kathy!
Love it! Have to go junkin for a dresser harp!!
yay! I hope you can find one. And look on Craigslist too!
This is all so dreamy!! I want it ALL… just gorgeous!!
Thank you Kim!!
I love everything you do ! ????????????
Tricia! You are the sweetest. Thank you so much. xoxo
I love it, sarah! I have one on my wall with the wood framing for the mirror with a magnolia wreath centered there. yours has such pretty detail and so clever to make it shelving. xx
That’s awesome Kim, what a great idea. I wish I had a few more to do something like that as well!
Excellent idea! That is exactly what I need to do a project……junkin trip! Thanks Sarah!
Thanks Jody, I hope you can find one. Look on Craigslist too!
I have three of these harps …. they were just waiting for an awesome idea so they could be put back to work. So thank you for this – I know exactly what I’ll be doing with them now. Love your idea….and your blog….and your house….and your decorating ideas!!!!! Love Little Vintage Nest!!!!
Ok, first off–can I just give you a big hug? Seriously, your comment made my day. Thank you so much Suzanne!
The harp turned out perfect, what a great idea! I also love how you utilize faux flowers and greenery everywhere in your home. I am always on the lookout for realistic looking stems. Your added touches really soften the space and make your home look warm and inviting. Thanks for sharing your talents and inspiration.
Aw thank you Michelle, I really appreciate that. You know, it wasn’t until about a year ago that I realized how the right faux greenery really adds so much warmth and coziness to a space. I’m basically obsessed with it now!
Love this project. You are so creative! Can I visit your garage? I love that your projects are so beautiful and yet so different than other blogs.
Haha, my husband would love that! He’s so tired of all my treasures in the garage, he’d welcome anyone that wants to help remove some of my finds 🙂 Thank you so much Nancy!
Beautiful addition! Gleaning from your other decor, as well. Thank you!
Yes indeed Julie! Taking stuff out of the garage, instead of putting more in, makes my husband very happy.
Great repurpose! I saw your FB post and photo before I read your post on your blog and it is what caught my eye in the photo! I thought “what a beautiful piece!” I think it really dresses up that space nicely! And I wouldn’t have ever guessed what it was originally! It looks like it was always meant to be that shelf!
Thanks Jana, I agree–it really fills up the space in that corner nicely. I actually spent hours trying to figure out where to put it and I think this corner was the perfect spot!
Oh my gosh, I love it so much! Putting the wreath below the shelf looks perfect!
Thanks Brenda, it looked a little empty without the wreath!
Beautiful shelf! I also love your wall color, do you mind sharing the brand and color name?
Thanks Vicki, the wall color is Autumn Blonde by Sherwin Williams.
You are just the cleverest girI….I love it!
I’m new to your blog and plan to spend a good amount of time going through your archives. I love your taste, creativity and sense of style.
I did something similar… repurposing old furniture is a passion of mine. You can see it here if you’d like…
https://passionateforwhite.blogspot.com/2010/06/white-wednesday.html
Thank you so much Diane, I’m thrilled to have you here!
Love it! I have a couple harps , and have been wanting to do this. The wreath is perfect!
Love this idea! I have one attached to a dresser but its coming off !!
Beautifully creative Sarah! Your creations are classy and interesting. I love the yellow colour used on the walls. Would u be kind enough to share what colour and brand you used ? It would be greatly appreciated !
Very creative and just plain beautiful! Nice job!
I came across one of these bout month ago at a vintage market, thou at the time I didn’t know its name but knew what I was going to make it into, a small shelf. Well now I know its name Dresser harp.
I’m going to make it what distress white with a old fence panel painted and distress.
Your harp shelf is absolutely beautiful! I have a harp similar to yours and had no idea what to do with it, but now I know. Thank you so much for the idea.
Love this, I have a couple of these that I planned to create it the same way you did. So beautiful! Love Vintage Dresser Harps.
I just love this idea. I was able to find a harp so am ready to start this project. I am wondering how wide your shelf is?