Dresser to Entry Shoe Storage cabinet

Years ago my father-in-law suggested building a half-wall in our entryway.  I was hesitant to do so because I thought it would make our small living room look smaller.  I've changed my mind and decided that he is an architect and probably knows what he's talking about.  BUT, now our building projects are pretty much finished and... I don't know, I just don't think we'll ever actually build a half-wall there now.  So, when my son's dresser was not working for him because the drawers were too big and bulky, and when I found this feminine one at Salvation Army. 

Deciding it was fit for my daughter, I then gave the my son flowery one which was mine when I was a child. (Of course we painted it a more suitable color for him.) 

And what did I do with his old, horrible one? (Which I got on Craigslist, BTW - always check the drawers before purchasing! - it was a beautiful dresser, but only 4 drawers and the two bottom ones were terribly annoying.)

Well, I saw something like this on Pinterest, thought it was a brilliant idea and knew that this cute dresser could have a better use.
Here is the dresser after being in Max's room for a while (he's liking red with neon green currently).  See the drawer opening crookedly - grrrr.

Wonky drawers.

Checking to see if the basket will fit...nope!

Dresser after hammering the front strip of wood out.

Used some left-over wood for a computer desk we're building that we cut incorrectly.

Measure Twice, Cut Once!

Using a table saw is a more sure way to make straight cuts (than, say, a jig saw).

The leftover piece on this board is from the wood bucking.  Luckily this thought came to my mind before it actually happened: "the wood is about to buck back at you, so be ready".  It was a little freaky, but I was basically finished with the table saw.  To get the leftover piece off of the shelf base, I worked the side with a hammer and the sander.

Placing the newly cut piece in the dresser.

Since it was bowed a little, I screwed in the side pieces, then nailed around the rest of the edges.

Without the drawers the space in the back is very noticeable!

I decided to use the piece from the front of the original dresser (that I had hammered off) to fit in the back space (above).  Luckily all I had to do was cut off the little end there.

Just a note, clean the dresser of cobwebs before painting.  ;-)

Dresser/shelves being primed with paint.

With add weight for the shelf (since I want it to hold shoes) and only support on the sides, I felt it needed some support in the center. 

And Voila! A beautiful serene entry/storage table: