Mint and White Midcentury Dresser

Hey Friends!

I don’t usually have the time – or energy – to blog on a Friday night, but my daughter is snoozing on the couch and my son is at a sleepover.  Today was the last day of school for my kids, and there is a noticeable shift in energy around here.  The house is quiet, and I can already feel the exhale that comes with the transition to summer break.  So, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share a quick before and after of a project I finished up last week.

I picked up this brown and boxy mid century dresser a month or so ago.  Pretty boring as is, but it’s solid and the drawers were all clean and in great shape.  I saw it as a total blank slate.  The pulls are what actually sold me on this piece.

The top is laminate, which is not uncommon for these pieces.  That being the case, it makes a great candidate for paint.

My plan was to go with a subtle two tone painted look.  I thought the contrast in color would add some interest and dimension.  I removed the pulls, gave it a good scrub, filled the dents and dings and then sanded the outside.  I sanded the laminate top with 120 grit sandpaper to give it a good scuffing to prepare it for paint.

I primed the entire piece and then lightly sanded.  I sprayed the outside with Benjamin Moore Advance paint in Super White and the drawers with Italian Ice Green.  It’s a very pale mint with a sophisticated feel.    I used a satin finish which is my preferred sheen for these pieces.  I wanted a subtle two tone look for a crisp, modern feel.

I shined up the brass pulls with Brasso.  Definitely not my favorite part of furniture restoration, but the pay off is worth it.  Those pulls were barely noticeable before, and all but disappeared on the brown dresser.  Now they pop, and look fresh next to the pale mint.

Doesn’t this dresser just feel like summer?  And check out the vintage photo of the surfers with their long boards.  Those guys were beyond cool.

I hope your summer is off to a great start!

Susan