When I saw the elegant curve on the front of this antique dresser, I stopped in my tracks. The finish was in bad shape, and the original hardware was missing, but the lines are just so elegant. I knew it could be beautiful and I had to have it! Okay, so I say that about all of them, but this dresser is really very special.
Here’s the before photo. The finish looks better in the photo than it actually was. The top was in really rough shape.
There were a couple of notches on the back edge of the top from where a prior mirror had been. I unscrewed and removed the top and evened out the notches on the back edge with my jig saw. When I removed the top, I noticed that the veneer on the bottom side of the top was almost completely coming off. I pulled off the loose veneer and then removed the remaining veneer by using a wet towel and iron to loosen the glue. Once the glue was softened, I was able to use my putty knife to pry the veneer off. With the veneer completely removed, I could see how beautiful the wood underneath was. So, I decided the bottom would become the new top. Are you following me? I know, it’s a bit confusing.
I sanded the heck out of the wood and then stained it with Varathane in light walnut. I then sealed it with several coats of Varathane poly in satin.
I gave the rest of the dresser a light sanding and painted it with two coats of General Finishes milk paint in lamp black. This color is just stunning and so well suited to the elegant lines of this piece. I very lightly distressed a few areas so the red tones of the original finish came through. I’m not a big distresser. Is that even a word? I then sealed the dresser with a coat of General Finishes High Performance topcoat in a flat finish.
I don’t know about you, but I just love the key holes in these old pieces. They are just so pretty. I have yet to find a piece with the original key, though.
I picked up the black and white ceramic knobs from Pier 1 Imports. They update the piece without being too serious.
Oh, and the white peonies? Those are coffee filters. I found the tutorial on line – can’t remember which blog, but there are lots. It’s a fun and easy project.
I would love to hear what you think!
Susan
Linking with Miss Mustard Seed
Looks lovely! I’m a big fan of GF milk paints and can’t wait for the right piece to try their lamp black with 😉 Gotta ask tho – what method did you use to tape-off the keyholes for while painting? Seems like it’d be a tedious task, so I’m rather curious if you have a method? 🙂
Thank you! I don’t tape off the keyholes. I very gently use a small screw driver to pry them off. This particular style of key escutcheon just pops in and out. I set them aside until I am done painting and them pop them back in. Easy!
Oh how lovely and what a wonderful job you did!! Don’t you just love General Finishes?! I have yet to use their caulk paints, but plan on doing it very soon. I fell in love with their gel stain and I know I will love their caulk paint just as much. I love the little black and white knobs…..just the right amount of punch.
Thank you so much! Definitely give the General Finishes paint a try. It is wonderful to work with.
Lovely! And I have just the right project for the coffee filter flowers too, so thanks for the tip! x
Beautiful! I’ve never used General Finishes paint but you make me want to. I have used those knob before and the really suit your piece.
Thank you!