Here it is when it was dropped off at the house. The drawers needed some work inside, but other than that it was in OK shape. The paint was peeling in places, but that was something I could deal with.
I was pretty unsure if the top would be able to be stained or not. I didn't know if the spot in the middle was water damage. The dresser had leaves and things in it so I figured it might have been stored outside at some point.
Now this is one of the things I LOOOOVEEEE about this dresser...the sides! I love the slats, also the fact that the top looks like it's two tops stacked on top of each other.
First thing I tackled was the top. If I could stain the top, that would determine what I would do with the rest of the dresser. I stripped it down then gave it a good sanding and I was pleasantly surprised that the wood looked fantastic!!
You can also see here that I had to sand the dresser down a lot more than I would have liked on the sides. Whoever painted this originally put a coat of white paint over the varnish so it didn't adhere very well.
Here's the top after I put a coat of Red Mahogany stain on the wood. I decided it wasn't dark enough and too red for what I had planned for the body of the dresser.
See?? The top is way too red!
You can see here that I decided to go with green! YES GREEN!! I don't really like green, but I do love this shade of green. I decided to go with the same color I used on my kitchen table redo. This dresser is staying with me and going in our dining room. We have a red, green and taupe Pottery Barn area rug in the dining room, so the green will look great in there.
I currently have a HUGE china cabinet in the dining room that is way, way, way too big for the space. The cabinet has drawers on the bottom that my Son keeps his arts and crafts supplies in, then the top I use for displaying things. It worked great in our old house, but not in this one. So when the cabinet leaves, I hope very soon, I will put the dresser in it's place to hold the craft supplies.
Here's the dresser with 3 coats of DIY chalk paint. The color is called Happy Camper and it's by Behr. I had the paint leftover so I decided to make the chalk paint I used for the kitchen table. I do like this recipe, but I still prefer Annie Sloan.
To get the top the color I wanted I put Jacobean on top of the Red Mahogany stained wood, then topped it with 2 coats of dark Annie Sloan wax. It turned out to be exactly the color I wanted!
On the drawers and the body, I lightly distressed on the high points and along the edges of the drawers, then topped it off with a coat of clear wax and a coat of dark wax.
Best part about this dresser was it had all the hardware. It had been replaced with some new knobs at some point, but I liked the shape and just gave them a spray of Oil Rubbed Bronze and they were perfect!
Here it is all done up and finished!!
I really like how the brass key holes show up now that the paint has been removed!!
The sides are my favorite part. I like how the dark wax gives the slats even more dimension.
Today was a perfect picture day so I had to get this dresser outside to take its picture. It was tricky trying to maneuver it on my own, but I did it! :-)
Here you can see the cute knobs and that brass keyhole!
For a girl who doesn't really like green, I do love this shade of green. I think it looks great with the dark brown stain on the top, plus the dark wax gives it a lot more depth.
As usual, I'm glad I stained the top. The wood is gorgeous and needed to be shown off.
I'm really thrilled with the transformation on this one. When the dresser was delivered I knew it would be beautiful in the end. I just didn't realize it would be green or as pretty as it is! I think Hunter will be thrilled to have this space for his arts and crafts. I know Steve and I will be happy to gain a bit of space in the dining room! Maybe it's time for a dinner party?! HA HA HA Who am I kidding??
LINKING TO:
http://missmustardseed.com/2012/06/furniture-feature-friday-features-a-link-party-3/
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/
http://www.413sparrowlane.com/
http://www.primpjunktion.com/
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/
http://www.brassyapple.blogspot.com/
http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/
http://www.linesacross.com/
http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.net
http://becolorful.typepad.com/
http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
http://www.sumossweetstuff.com/
http://diyshowoff.com/2012/06/17/diy-project-parade-47/
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
http://www.madincrafts.com/
http://www.thefoleyfam.com/
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.ca/2012/06/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-21.html
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/
http://www.southernlovely.com/
http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/
http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/2012/06/creative-inspirations-linky-party-19.html?spref=fb
http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/
http://www.flamingotoes.com/
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/06/27/hookin-up-with-hoh-106/
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-07-11T23:40:00-04:00&max-results=2
Hi Melody...
ReplyDeleteThis dresser is soooo beautiful. I love how you stained the top and I LOVE the Green and the Dark Wax.
You did a fantastic job.
Jan ♥
Love this one!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteSTUNNING....love it!
ReplyDeleteI agree!!!!!
DeleteOh! I love the natural wood on top! It really sets off the green. Na expert makeover!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic! Way to hang in there and find the right color for the top!
ReplyDeleteLove this dresser re-do! The color is great & the final product is beautiful. I would love for you to link up at my party: http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2012/06/link-up-with-me-liz-marie-5/ I know my readers would love to see your work. The party goes live every thursday.
ReplyDeleteliz marie
lizmarieblog.com
You did an amazing job. There's nothing I don't love about it. I'm so tired of all the blues and am loving green right now. I just ordered Antibes from Annie Sloan and I can't wait to use it.
ReplyDeleteI actually used Happy Camper as an accent stripe in my boys' room...it's a great green.
So, what is the best way to strip the top of a dresser? I have one that needs redone. Btw, I'm your newest follower :)
Too bad you want to keep that dresser. I too love the slatted sides and the longer slender legs, looks more antique that way cause it is. You won't find newer furniture that sturdy or well made. At some point you might want to put little casters on the legs. Oh would I love to have that dresser, the color and top are so incredibly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have an old dresser out in yard (covered with a tarp) that is very sturdy, the top is tweaked from being stored out on our back deck in winter (when we first moved into our house) and the veneer is coming off on the bottom but I'd so love to put a new top on it, fix it up and use it for a bathroom vanity. It'll take me awhile but I'm not going anywhere and have alot of time. You've inspired me to give it a go seeing your dresser. So glad I found your blog and have subscribed and will like you on Facebook.
Gorgeous! I'm in love with the color AND the design. I've been dreaming of a dresser like this to redo lately.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
www.spraypaintandastaplegun.blogspot.com
Beautiful!!! This was the first thumbnail I clicked on from MMS furniture party:) I'm considering redoing an old dresser that I inherited and would like to restain the top and paint the base/drawers...thank you so much for such a great post/directions/etc. Love that green!!!!
ReplyDeleteOooo, I LOVE green!! This looks PERFECT!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job :) I love the piece
ReplyDeleteI have found that my favorite painting color is green and I adore your piece! I love the slabs and how it adds to the interest of the piece, as well as the key hole. Good eye.
ReplyDeleteThis green is gorgeous! You do such nice work; love it!! Shelly Andrade
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog via Miss Mustard Seed and wanted to say how gorgeous your dresser is. (In England it would be a chest of drawers, a dresser is a completely different thing over here!) I love the green and the slats at the side really set it off and they keyholes make it look very old. Great job. I love it!
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love the green dresser. Your pictures are so pretty too.
ReplyDeleteThat chest of drawers is gorgeous now! You did a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteI love what you do with furniture! Your DIY project here: http://mypassionfordecor.blogspot.com/2012/05/craigslist-buffet-turned-media-cabinet.html
ReplyDeleteinspired my project here:
http://lifechasingmason.blogspot.com/2012/06/hardware.html
My project is still not finished, there will be more posts to come & I will link back to you for each post featuring my version of the dresser.
GORGEOUS MAKEOVER and your pics are so professional. Im a new follower. Please come visit me at PICKINandPAINTIN.blogspot.com. THANKS. 8-)
ReplyDeleteMelody, I love, love, love, the green. It is a beautiful color, especially with the dark oak top. A great combination. Vicky
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a GREAT piece and find! I love the color, this dresser takes my breath away! I’d love it if you’d link up to TA-DA TUESDAY <3 from your newest follower I’d be delighted if you’d follow back!
ReplyDelete~Misty
413 Sparrow Lane
Looks fabulous! Love the color!
ReplyDeleteHi! I found you through Cozy Little House and am your newest follower! Your furniture re-dos are amazing!
ReplyDeleteSusan
I'm another who found you through Brenda's blog (Cozy Little House). Your furniture makeovers are gorgeous! I especially love your green dresser with the dark top. I'll be adding your blog to my "favorites" on my side bar. Hope you come visit me and become a follower as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up to TA-DA TUESDAY! I absolutely love the sides on this dresser also!
ReplyDelete~Misty
413 Sparrow Lane
Great job! I love this green and I'm not a huge green fan either. Your staging is great too!
ReplyDeleteI'm also your newest follower!
Helen @www.pickedandpainted.blogspot.com
I LOVE the green. Very very nice.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely! I need to try some homemade chalk paint soon. Found you from MMS!
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm visiting from Frugal Friday. This dresser is adorable. I love the green color. You did a fabulous job on it.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
{my simple messterpiece}
Love the green you chose and the stained top!!! Such a beautiful transformation. New follower...would love if you would stop by and visit me at shabbygals.blogspot.com too.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out lovely!
ReplyDeleteA MAZE ING! Love, love, love it! That dresser was lucky you found it ;).
ReplyDeleteI just got my first sample of Anne Sloan paint last week (I know you didn't use that for this project but it's similar)and I can't wait to re-do that dresser I mentioned a few weeks ago for $20. Great job as always.
LOVE this dresser. Great job at restoring it!!!
ReplyDeleteMarcie @ www.IGottaTryThat.com
I LOVE the color! Looks great!!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! I love the color and the pictures and styling are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI just love your blog. It was the dose of inspiration that I needed this morning. Miss Mustard Seed is one of my favorite bloggers. I think your work is just as good or better than hers.
ReplyDeleteHope you don't mind me spotlighting you on my special blog that I do for my mother.
http://blogsofgoodness.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-passion-for-decor.html
She has cancer and can't be as creative as she once was. So, I share with her blogs that inspire me, that might inspire her as well.
By the way, I just love this dresser.
I love this dresser redo! It looks great! Good job :)
ReplyDeleteKathryn
destinationcraft.blogspot.com
Absolutely gorgeous! That green is amazing. Megan
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful transformation! I love the slats on the sides of the dresser and the exposed wood at the top. :)
ReplyDeleteSo strange I did one almost just like this! I love yours!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely FANTASTIC!!! I love the color. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDistinctly M
Fantastic job!! I love the green with the dark stain!! I am your newest follower : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to TAke-A-Look Tuesday - you were featured today!!
ReplyDelete--Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com
Your dresser is just gorgeous! I love the wood top - a great save! What s charming piece - I would have snagged that as well. I, too, have a dresser obsession. I confess!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
Stacey of Embracing Change
What a gorgeous dresser! You did an amazing job and really brought it back to life! And I sure do love a stained top! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finish! The dark wax really added depth to the dresser & makes it look so rich. I also might have swooned over those keyholes just a little :) Just absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteA really great transformation! WoW! I love the green. . .
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS AWESOME - featuring it on my blog tomorrow, and using it as reference for my next piece :)
ReplyDeleteYou inspire me with each and every furniture piece you paint and share with us in Blogland. You did an amazing job again.
ReplyDeletelove it! LOVE THE COLOR! it turned out perfect.
ReplyDeletelauren
This is beautiful! I had plans to paint a piece in my dining room turquoise w/ a wooden top, but I believe you just changed my mind!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWow, it turned out so beautifully. I am just in awe of that wood top that you uncovered, it's just incredible! I love the paint color and the way the slats on the sides show up so well after waxing ... job well done!!
ReplyDeleteLove everything about it. Great work!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your redo. The green is perfect and the top turned out wonderfully.
We'd love for you to link up to our Finished Friday blog party.
This is so nice, I've always have loved oak furniture, the grain of the wood is just amazing when stained and with the way the top ia stained really make the green just pop. Wish I had this piece , just love it. If you ever decide you want to part with it let me know Ha, please ! I could make room somewhere ? for it! That a great piece, just love it! You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteThe most amazing green I EVER seen! Well done on the sanding the whole piece. Done with LOVE. Just stopped by from French Country Cottage. Ciao Rita
ReplyDeleteI have this exact same dresser! :o It belonged to my great-grandmother & I've been having the hardest time deciding what to do with it. Now I have a glimmering of an idea, thank you! The inside of the drawers are messed up on mine as well. How did you fix them?
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely gorgeous! I have an old dresser that desperately needs refinishing so I know I'll be referencing this again!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the redo. Color is amazing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and I featured this on BeColorful's Motivated Monday this week.
ReplyDeletep
I just realized I featured you last week, but I have to feature you again this week with this green beauty. Hope you will stop by for an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Gosh. This is a beauty now thanks to all of your hard work. Thanks for sharing the "how to"s with us! I saw your post over at "A Stroll Thru Life".
ReplyDeleteOh how pretty! I love cottage dressers and I agree, those sides are awesome. Love the wood top with the green. You should be thrilled with your transformation!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job Melody. I really like the way this turned out!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Susan and Bentley
Great transformation! Love the green!
ReplyDeleteWe featured you at our Be Inspired party this morning! Really love this dresser! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteFabulous colour, love the double layered top. Really great job. CJ
ReplyDeleteI love the color you chose for this dresser! I also really like how to you displayed it for photos. I'll be featuring this for tonight's Simply Creations Link party!
ReplyDeleteI happen to LOVE green and am swooning over the color! Great job and thanks for linking up and sharing for all to see.
ReplyDeleteThis dresser is just gorgeous!! I love the green with the stained top - it's so beautiful!! I featured you today - http://www.flamingotoes.com/2012/06/crush-of-the-week-think-pink-sundays-2/
ReplyDeletegorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much on green either, but this is beautiful! Great work...I want one :)
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis shade of green is one of my favorites! The style of the dresser, the color and the finish would fit in my place VERY nicely. Thanks for the lovely pictures to accompany the re-do story.
ReplyDeleteHave a ? Have a dresser w mirror I want to.do this same effect on. Going to leave the wood around the mirror + top closed however, im.confused about this chalk paint? Never used it. I just sand my wood down + coat it? Then also with the wax paint, do you paint that on + cover the entire chalk paint? Pls help. Laurienicole2@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHave a ? Have a dresser w mirror I want to.do this same effect on. Going to leave the wood around the mirror + top closed however, im.confused about this chalk paint? Never used it. I just sand my wood down + coat it? Then also with the wax paint, do you paint that on + cover the entire chalk paint? Pls help. Laurienicole2@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhere do I get this happy camper chalk paint by Bher pls respond. DesperAtely want this color.
DeleteFigured it out u mixed the behr color.with the.plaster. Do u think.the green from.Annie.is.the.same?
ReplyDeletePls give instructions on diy chalk paint. How did you mix it? Pls respond. Waiting to get started.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on this, and I love the green. I find I paint a lot with green. I do funky painted furniture and know what you went through to redo this. Great job. I have a dresser probably just like this in my garage and I think I need to get it out and work on it!
ReplyDeleteHow did you distress it?
ReplyDeleteI lightly distressed the high points with high grit sandpaper. The rest of the piece looks distressed due to the dark Annie Sloan wax. Hope that helps.
DeleteDetermine what you are going to store in the dresser. In most cases, dressers are used for clothes, but some dressers have jewelry drawers and compartments for shoes, as well. Figuring out what you want to store in the dresser can help you decide which style to choose.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! That dresser is gorgeous now!
ReplyDeleteGreat job and lots of work I'm sure! would love to have seen a picture of it in it's new space inside on the colorful rug!
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ReplyDeleteLove it! I want ro do something similar fory dinning room! Craftyrdh.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love your work. It's so helpful. I want to try to do this, but I have a question. How did you make your own chalk paint? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Love it you did a fantastic job!!
ReplyDeleteLove this . . . in fact, I just went out and bought some Happy Camper sample today. What kind of dark wax did you use? I've just started refinishing furniture and am unfamiliar with this technique. thanks
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely LOVE IT!!!
ReplyDeleteI just came across this dresser on Pinterest and unlike you I LOVE green. Thanks for posting the actual make and color of the paint you used... so many people don't and its so frustrating trying to duplicate a certain look.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lizz for stopping by!
DeleteWhat color green is this?
ReplyDeleteIt's called Happy Camper by Behr
DeleteFANTASTIC job!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Melody, i am a new blogger and in my latest post, 10 ways to make your rental your own, i want to link to this project as an example of a project for painting furniture. would it be ok if i liked to your page?
ReplyDeletelike i said i am a new blogger and just have a few posts out there so far, but am working hard to grow my blog. here is my site, www.curlygirlcreativelife.com
Thank you,
Dena
Of course Dena! As long as you link back, I have no problem with that! Good luck on your blogging adventure
DeleteMelody! Your new follower wants to say: Wow, amazing work! I'm not a fan of anything green but this is gorgeous redo. Simply a beauty! You must feel so proud! I stumbled upon this post in Pinterest (I just started following you there too!!!). I have my grandmother's old dresser from the 1940s (we call it the BEAST because it is a back-breaker to move) and I want to redo it myself in the winter months. I'm in FL and I need to wait for weather to change in order to start this project. I have never attempted to redo anything like furniture before. I wanted to do this all myself mainly for sentimental purposes, since it was one of my grandmother's favorite pieces of furniture. Thank you for sharing all your secrets with us. I'll be coming back for more info as soon as I begin the project. I really did not know where to start and your inspiration has helped me get some ideas!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Corrie in North FL
Thank you for following me here and on Pinterest Corrie! I'm glad you found me. I'm glad I could help with some inspiration. I hope you'll share some pictures of your finished project!
Deleten the cabinet leaves, I hope very soon, I will put the dresser in it's ... kitchensideboard.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOne of the pieces I bought was a white, antique dresser that of course ... itallwhite.blogspot.com
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