Tuscan Red Eastlake Dresser

The Eastlake dresser is all done.  I am in love with the General Finishes milk paint I used on this one.  The color is called Tuscan Red and it is a really beautiful earthy red.  It goes on like a dream and creates a beautiful smooth finish.

I picked up this dresser a few weeks back and almost passed on it.  Two of the drawers were in need of repair and all of the hardware was either missing or in bad shape. I knew it had great potential and I was sold when I saw the pin and cove joints on the drawers. Here is the “before” shot.

And here is a close up of these really fantastic drawer joints.  They were only used for a short period of time and date the dresser to the late 1800’s.

I sanded the top and stained it with my usual java gel stain.  I think the earthy red tones work really well with the dark top.   I then sealed it with 4 coats of poly.  There were several deep gouges on the top and I knew I could not sand the top completely smooth.  I left a few of the marks for added character.  This is authentic distressing – no chains or hammers needed for this one – just the hands of time.

All of the original hardware was long gone.  The key holes were bare and the dresser had broken and mismatched knobs.  I found some beautiful keyhole escutcheons from Architecturals.  The knobs are from Hobby Lobby.  I had planned to use them on another dresser, but decided against it.  I think they look perfect on this one.

Another close up of the knobs.

I will definitely be using this red again.  And, hopefully, another Eastlake dresser will come my way.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Susan