Antique White Thomasville Dresser

Completing this project was part of my New Year’s resolution to get caught up on the unfinished inventory in my workshop.  I purchased this dresser a couple of months ago, and it has been sitting in my workshop collecting dust sawdust ever since.   Part of the reason for the delay was my back and forth on color choice.  My initial vision was white, then I considered green – and I actually purchased the paint – but at the final hour I settled on General Finishes antique white milk paint.  Another reason for the delay was that it had gotten buried under so much stuff!

This was my first time using this particular color and it is a beautiful soft white.  On a side note, before I started using General Finishes milk paint, I read a review that described the paint as having the consistency of sour cream, being very thick and difficult to use. Until now, I had never had that experience.  When I opened the antique white, the paint was very separated and took quite a bit of stirring.  When I finally got it mixed, the consistency was just like the reviewer had described – like sour cream. Having had a fair bit of experience with GF milk paint, I easily solved the problem by thinning it down with water.  I added just enough to get it to the proper consistency and on my way I went.  Ok, back to the makeover. Here’s the dresser in its dusty, neglected state in my workshop.

I always feel like the before pics are a little unfair.   Remember those Oprah makeovers where the before pictures were the most unflattering photos possible – anything would be an improvement?  Reminds me of that.  Or of a celebrity mug shot.  Sorry, another digression. For the most part, this dresser was in great condition.  It is a very well made piece, and just needed cosmetic changes.  The finish on the top was pretty scratched up, so I sanded it down to the wood.  I gave the rest of the dresser a light sanding to make it smooth.  I then primed the entire dresser with Zinsser oil based cover stain primer – my primer of choice.  It took 4 coats of the GF antique white milk paint to get good coverage – not bad for a light color.  I always lightly sand between coats for a smooth finish.  It only takes a few minutes and it is definitely worth it in the end.   I then sealed the entire dresser with General Finishes HP top coat in satin. I gave the top about 5 coats for extra durability – again sanding very lightly between coats for a smooth finish.

The dresser drawers have metal glides which is great – except that whoever owned this dresser before me had decided to use Vaseline (or something similar, I’m not sure I even want to know) to lubricate the glides.  Big mistake, I repeat, big mistake.  It gummed up the glides, attracted all sorts of dirt and grime, and made the glides very difficult to slide.  I spent a long time cleaning out the glides, and it was no easy task. After a fair bit of elbow grease, I eventually got them back in great working order.

Another digression –  the beautiful lady in the photo is my mom.

While paint definitely transformed this piece, for me, the biggest change came from the new hardware.   The old hardware was very chunky, tarnished and ornate.  Oh I’ll just say it — it was just plain ugly.  I wanted to update this piece with cleaner, more elegant pulls.

The new hardware was definitely a splurge.  It’s made by Classic Hardware and the ring pulls were about $7 each and the drop pulls were just over $15 each.  I needed 7 ring pulls and 4 drop pulls for this piece.  Ouch.

I really love this dresser and I will be sad to see this beauty go.   Now, on to more of the unfinished pieces in my workshop.

Susan

Linking with Miss Mustard Seed and The Vintage Storehouse