November 16, 2012

Custom ~ Vintage White Dresser

My client Megan was searching and searching for a dresser. We spent weeks emailing back and forth with Craigslist listings until she sent me this dresser. She got this dresser for a steal. It needed some work but it had potential.
 
BEFORE
 
The top had missing veneer and Megan wanted to work it with and use glaze to highlight it.
I was all for working with what we had but after priming and a coat of paint I said to myself, "This is not Picked and Painted quality, this top is coming off."
 


 
I spent the rest of the afternoon taking all the veneer off of the top.
This is more Picked and Painted quality!
The wood underneath had a few dings but it looked way better than the missing veneer.
 
AFTER






 
 


We decided to skip the glaze and keep the clean look of the white. Megan also wanted to go a little heavier with the distressing... which I think turned out awesome!
 
The paint color I used was Swiss Coffee and I sprayed the hardware with oil rubbed bronze.
I also used homemade chalk paint on this piece (1 cup latex paint mixed with 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda).
 
Isn't the original hardware gorgeous?!
 
I sealed it with two coats of Johnson's Paste Wax and the finish is smooth to the touch.
 
I have a little tip for the chalk paint. DO NOT use the fridge pack baking soda. I have used it before because it was all I had on hand but this time it was a complete mess. I was like I added sand to the paint. I don't know why the fridge pack didn't work like normal baking soda. I found plain baking soda, made another batch and it worked like a charm.
 
 
 
linking up to:
 
 
 
 
 
 

17 comments:

  1. This is a stunning transformation!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So pretty! I love the cute little detail on the top drawer, and the hardware is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Can you do a post on waxing? I want to know how to get a smooth, shiny finish when you buff. Mine sometimes turns out streaky.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this and yes the original hardware is divine..I need some like that for a desk I just revamped.
    Bec x

    ReplyDelete
  5. These are my favorite types of dressers - what a gorgeous job you did on this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Another tasteful, perfectly distressed piece.

    Bliss

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great project and I think the old hardware adds character. Love it!

    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gorgeous! So do I understand correctly, swiss coffee was the first coast of paint and the white homemade chalk paint was the top coat? What brand of paints are you using? If you don't mind me asking. Again, simply gorgeous results.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very pretty and love the white, so fresh and clean. Happy Thanksgiving Helen.
    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  10. Perfect, I have yet to find a dresser of that style for a reasonable price:) Great piece. You have gained a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Stunning....oh my word!
    I use that DIY chalk paint recipe too and ironically, my kitchen cabinets are done in swiss coffee! We think alike, girl! Love what you did - it is PERFECT!
    Thanks for linking up this week!
    Have a blessed Thanskgiving!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

    ReplyDelete
  12. Just gorgeous! Great job! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving today! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. All of your pieces are painted to perfection! I like the clean look of the distressed white. Very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a gorgeous piece--you did an awesome job on this!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I know this is an old post but I have a question on your chalk paint. Do you add water to it before adding it to the paint? Some articles I have read add water to their additive before adding it to the paint.
    Thanks
    Vicki....love your painting.

    ReplyDelete