Red Empire Dresser

Hi, my name is Helen, and I am addicted to empire dressers!

This is the third empire dresser that I've purchased and probably not my last. I love the shape, the curved legs, the overall chunkiness (is that a word)...I love it all!

I used Red Gumball by Olympic and mixed in some baking soda to make chalk paint. I added brown glaze because I had it on hand and to tone down the red.
After I sanded and distressed, I rubbed Kona black stain to create a deeper red and a glazed look.

 

After I added the black stain glaze, I sealed it with two coats of rub-on poly.

 

I very lightly distressed the edges but the black stain hides some of the distressing.

 

I used black knobs from Hobby Lobby.

 

I love this dresser.

 

How about you, do you love it?

 

 

Linking up to:

You Are Talking Too Much

36th Avenue

 Miss Mustard Seed

Here's to Handy Andy

5 Days 5 Ways

Chic on a Shoestring

Redoux

Tip Junkie

 My 1929 Charmer

 

French Country Dressers Before & After

When I saw this dresser set on Craigslist I knew I had to have it! I always think I have to have everything I see on there but this one was meant to be.

BEFORE

These blurry photos make the dressers look like they are in perfect condition. In reality, there was missing veneer on the front of the drawers (too big to fill with wood filler) and layers upon layers of furniture polish. The dresser with the mirror also needed some repair work so the drawers would close.

AFTER

I used Rocky Mountain Sky by Behr and Swiss Coffee also by Behr.

I mixed the chalk paint recipe I always and sealed with wax (on the white and tops of dressers) and poly for the blue/gray parts.

My chalk paint recipe is 1 cup latex paint and 1/2 cup baking soda. I don't measure anymore but I would recommend adding 1/4 cup baking soda at first and then add a little more if you want the paint to be thicker.

I mentioned doing a how-to post and I am still working on it.

My husband thinks I should do a Vlog or a video tutorial. Oh, just the idea of it makes me cringe but I think it would be more helpful than pictures. I broke out the video camera while I was working on these dressers but couldn't find the nerve to videotape myself.

I have other projects I am doing so maybe I will bite the bullet and make you guys a how-to video.

Linking up to:

My Girlish Whims

Alderberry Hill

Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design

Uncommon Designs Online

Primp

Sweet Little Gals

The Shabby Nest

From My Front Porch to Yours

Southern Lovely

Someday Crafts

Miss Mustard Seed

The 36th Avenue

A Ruffled Nest

Empire Dresser Before and After

I have been wanting to work on an Empire Dresser for a while now and I was lucky enough to find one. The lady I bought this dresser from had it sitting in her carport and it had a lot of damage to it. The veneer was peeling off of the legs and it was pretty unloved. Helen to the rescue!

BEFORE

I mixed a custom sea green color and painted with homemade chalk paint and sealed with a coat of rub-on polyurethane. I get a lot of emails with questions about chalk paint, waxing, and distressing. I am planning on doing a post to answer all of these questions. If you guys have any other questions please let me know and I will answer those too!

AFTER

 I lined all of the drawers with a textured grey suede fabric. The fabric replicates the texture that the distressing shows on the top of the dresser. It was a nice coincidence.

I love those brass key holes.

Linking up:
Primitive & Proper
Miss Mustard Seed
My 1929 Charmer
Tip Junkie
Uncommon Designs
My Girlish Whims
Primp
Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design
The Dedicated House
2805 Potpourri Friday
Southern Lovely
Commond Ground
A Glimpse Inside
A Diamond in the Stuff
Liz Marie Blog
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Blissful and Domestic
French Country Cottage
The Shabby Nest
Five days Five ways
The 36th Avenue

Claw Foot Dresser

My client was looking for a new entertainment center but she needed something tall. We found this dresser on Craigslist and painted it the same color as the Red Dresser I did a few months back. This color was a hit with buyers and I have had a lot of requests for it.

She wanted to keep everything hidden so we didn't remove any drawers for open shelving. She will house the electronics inside the doors.

Okay, if you are a hardcore antique lover you might just want to move on. If you aren't and you love to see old furniture updated then please carry on.

BEFORE

AFTER

She picked some great clear bevelled knobs from Hobby Lobby.

I love the brass key holes!

Any time the camera comes out this cat thinks it's a photo shoot just for her.

every.single.time!

The inside of the drawers were...well, there are really no words for the inside of the drawers. 

There was green AstroTurf looking fabric that was glued down....IT WAS AWFUL!

I pulled it all out and lined the drawers and the inside of each cabinet with a camel colored microfiber fabric.

They look so much better.
I also drilled a hole in the back of each cabinet for cords and ventilation.
**If you are turning a dresser into an entertainment center make sure there is adequate ventilation**

I did very little distressing. Just a little around the corners of the drawers and little bit on the feet. I sealed it with two coats to Minwax Finishing Paste.

 The top picture is a little pink and isn't the exact color. The side view of the dresser is the truest in color. This color, Rose Dust, changes so much depending on the natural light in the room.

I hope Brandi loves her new entertainment center! It's such a bold statement piece and who doesn't love a bold piece of furniture? 

Linking up to:

Miss Mustard Seed

French Country Cottage

My 1929 Charmer

Tip Junkie