I’m back today with another Goodwill dresser makeover. If you have visited my blog before, you know that Goodwill is my favorite thrifting spot. Not only do I regularly find great vintage furniture there, but I find so many treasures I use to stage my furniture pieces and to furnish my home – decor, art, dishes, and the list goes on (the artwork below is from Goodwill!). You just never know what you might find. For me, the key to scoring great finds is to stop in regularly, which I do.
On a recent Goodwill visit, I saw this pretty dresser sitting out front. I was with my best friend (who had just witnessed first hand my over-crowded shop), and he convinced me not to buy it. It was also priced quite a bit over what I am able to pay for pieces that I refinish. So, sadly, I walked away. Well, dragged away by my friend is probably more accurate.
A few days later, I stopped in again, the dresser was still there. Of course I went to take a look, and saw that it had been marked down to just $50. This dresser is solid and quite large (it’s 44 inches wide and 47 high), so $50 was an amazing price. Sold!
The dresser is made by Morganton, which was a North Carolina furniture maker that was taken over by Drexel in 1960 or so. It’s a beautifully made piece of furniture inside and out, and in wonderful condition. To be honest, I was on the fence about painting this one. It really was beautiful as is. In the end, I decided I was going to keep it for my own home, and a restyle would better fit my decor.
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I’m really loving the soft warm grays, or “greige,” especially with brass. I decided to go with Benjamin Moore “Cumulus Cloud,” and I just adore this color. It’s a really pretty, versatile, soft and warm gray.
I started with my usual prep – cleaning, sanding, vacuuming, filling imperfections with wood filler, and priming. Once the primer was dry, I sanded again with a 220 grit sanding sponge for a buttery smooth finish, and wiped the dresser down. I sprayed two coats of Benjamin Moore Advance paint in “Cumulus Cloud” in a satin finish. I really love this paint. It’s water based, which is great for ease of use. Also, I prefer to use products with lower VOC’s and a lesser environmental impact, so I use water-based paints (as opposed to oil / solvent-based). Once cured, BM Advance is very durable and creates an enamel-like finish. I have used it on my laundry room cabinets, my office desk that gets daily use, my daughter’s desk, my living room console, and it has held up so beautifully. This particular paint does take 30 days (or more for the darker colors) to fully cure. For added durability, or if I want to use the piece right away, I sometimes apply a coat of poly to the top. For this dresser, I sprayed the top with 2 coats of General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in Satin.
All of the original hardware was still on this dresser, which is great to find. It was quite dirty and tarnished, so I polished it up with Brasso Metal Polish. This stuff is really smelly (and I’m assuming NOT the most environmentally friendly), but it does a nice job. I cover the hardware with a coating of Brasso, and then let it sit for 20 minutes or so to do its thing. Then I use an old tooth brush or 0000 super fine grade steel wool to clean it up. I also use Bar Keepers Friend® for polishing brass, and it does a great job as well. I’ve tried a few non-toxic brass cleaners, but they just haven’t worked for me. If you have one to recommend, I’d love to know about it!
Trader Joe’s for the win with a pretty $5 bouquet.
Here’s to a great week!
Susan
Linking with Up to Date Interiors
Beautiful!! Could you share what type of sprayer you use? Thanks!!
Hi! I used the HomeRight Finish Max.
Love it!! Amazing steal at $50!!
Thanks so much, Kelly!
Beautiful transformation. It looks like it was built just to fit in this space.
Thank you so much! The dresser is going to stay in this room (until I decide to change things up!).
Beautiful! How much do you thin the Advance paint for spraying?
Hi Beth! I thin the paint about 10% with water. The HomeRight sprayer comes with a measure cup that is used to assess the right paint consistency for the sprayer, which is very helpful.
Gah! So gorgeous. I LOVE following your work -you inspire the beginner-furniture-painter in me.
I’m so stuck on chalk and milk paint because I’ve seen latex scratch off so easily. Is priming the real key to success?
Also, I’d love to know if you’ve ever used GF HPTC on a piece that has been dark waxed?
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bethany! Thanks so much for your kind comments. I’m so happy to hear that I have inspired you! I think an important key to adhesion and a durable finish is the prep. Thorough cleaning, sanding, and using a good adhesion primer are so important. I’m not a big chalk paint user, and I have never subscribed to the “no prep needed” approach to painting my furniture pieces. The other important factor is using the right type of paint – high quality and specifically intended for woodwork and furniture. Like you, I love milk paint and use it often. I do not use standard latex paint for furniture (i.e. the type used for painting walls), and have heard some pretty terrible stories about it just peeling off in sheets. As to your question about using GF HPTC (which I love!) over wax, I don’t often use wax, so I wouldn’t consider myself an authority on it by any means. That said, I would not recommend using HPTC or any poly over a waxed surface. I suspect that it would not adhere or cover well at all. I think waxing over poly or HPTC would be fine, though.
Thanks for helping me think the wax dilemma through! I think you’re right, waxing over GF HPTC would better that applying it underneath. I do love that stuff! I’m attempting to turn GF’s Persimmon Milk Paint into a burnt orange color. We will see what I can achieve with wax or glaze. I’ll have to branch out and give the advance paint a try!
What a stunning update! So very classy. Love it.
Thank you so much Cheryl!
This is SO gorgeous!
Shelley
Thank you so much Shelley!
Susan, I love what you’ve done with this beautiful dresser. I love painted furniture but I haven’t always had good luck. I enjoy reading your blog and your helpfull ideas.
Happy Easter, Rita
Hi Rita! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my blog. Finding good pieces of furniture to paint can be challenging. I am fortunate to have a few great thrift shops in my neighborhood. Good luck to you! Susan
Wow! So pretty! I just did a dresser like that. I also polished the hardware to there original brass finish. Have you ever boiled the hardware before using barkeepers friend? It softens the dirt and residue just enough to make it come off more easily.
Thank you, Whitney! I have not tried boiling the hardware first, but I will definitely give it a try. Anything to make polishing brass easier is worth trying! Thanks so much for the tip. Susan
Susan,
Just discovered you today through Feathered Nest Friday and now I’m visiting some of your older posts. You did a beautiful job on this dresser. I like seeing chippy furniture in other people’s houses, but am not much of a fan for it in my own house. LOL Your refinished pieces are beautiful.
Judith
Hi Judith! I am so happy you found me through Feathered Nest Friday! I do like chippy and distressed pieces, but for my home only use it sparingly – not on every piece. Mostly as a statement piece here and there to add interest and texture. Thanks so much for your kind comments! Susan
I just had cabinetry finished in cumulus cloud and love it! Trying to now figure out wall color. What color did you use on the walls in t his photo? It blends really nicely. Thanks!
Hi Sue – Cumulus Cloud is such a great gray, isn’t it? I actually painted my powder room with this color also. The wall color behind the dresser is Benjamin Moore “Balboa Mist.” It’s very similar, just a few shades lighter.