Well hello my friends!
It makes me so happy when I find a new paint, a great new paint color, or new tool to add to my painting bag of tricks. Today, I’m sharing a new (to me) color from Fusion Mineral Paint called “Champlain.” It’s a very pretty warm, creamy white that reminds me of a vintage grain sack. If you are looking for a neutral paint, this is a nice one.
I found this sweet vintage dresser while out thrifting and, of course, scooped it up. Just look at all those gorgeous details. You know I had to have it.
Before
The finish on the top was quite worn, but otherwise this dresser was in good shape. The wood veneer was pretty, but just a bit too busy with all the different wood patterns and the carved details. My plan was to lighten it up, tone it down and simplify the overall look of this piece. Champlain was perfect for the job.
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After
Materials and Supplies
B-I-N Shellac Base Primer & Sealer
Fusion Mineral Paint in “Champlain“
General Finishes Performance Topcoat in Flat
HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer
Steps
1. Prep and Prime
I filled the major gouges with wood filler and then sanded the entire dresser with 220 grit sandpaper. I vacuumed and cleaned it inside and out. I then gave it a coat of shellac based primer. When painting with white on vintage dressers, I always prime with a sealing primer to ward off the dreaded bleed through. BIN Shellac primer is my favorite because it dries quickly to a very smooth finish and usually blocks any bleed through (I’ve had a few stubborn bleeders that required additional applications of shellac).
2. Paint with Fusion Mineral Paint
After the primer was dry, I gave it a quick sanding with my sanding sponge and wiped it down again. I sprayed two coats of paint using my HomeRight Finish Max sprayer, sanding between coats. Fusion Mineral Paint can be brushed on, but I opted to spray to save time and to more easily cover all the carved detail.
3. Seal with Topcoat
Once dry, I sealed it up with 2 coats of General Finishes High Performance topcoat in flat. While Fusion does not require a topcoat, which is wonderful, I like to add an additional layer of durability, especially with white pieces. Also, the Fusion finish is very matte, and I wanted to add a soft sheen to the finish.
4. Replace Hardware
The original hardware is so pretty, and I just cleaned it up and put it back on. I love when these dressers still have their original hardware. Such a bonus. Now the drop pulls stand out against the white.
The lovely details.
So, I found the cute frame during a recent trip to Vancouver, B.C. It’s from a furniture and home decor shop called Urban Barn. The sweet cow is just a stock photo, but I’ve left it in the frame because I really like it. Is that weird?
The backsplash is removable, too, which adds to the versatility of this piece.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great week!
Linking with. . .
Up to Date Interiors | Savvy Southern Style | Craftberry Bush| French Country Cottage| Chic on a Shoestring | Remodelaholic |DIY Showoff | Funky Junk Interiors | Finding Silver Pennies | Home Stories A to Z | Naptime Creations | Worthing Court | Colors + Craft | Making it in the Mountains | Little Bits of Home | Abbotts at Home
Disclosure: I have received product used in this post from Fusion Mineral Paint. As always, my opinions are 100% my own. For my full disclosure policy, please see my disclosure page.
This is gorgeous! I love the soft color of Champlain. The detail and hardware really do stand out now…this is a piece that was dying for a great paint!
Thank you so much, Claudine. Sometimes it’s hard to paint over pretty wood, and I often refinish, but this one was just a bit too much. I’m so happy with how it turned out. I’m glad you like it, too! Susan
Absolutely beautiful! One question for you; well, actually 2. You said you used a sprayer, did you thin out the paint or did you use it as is? Secondly, when you spray paint something with drawers, do you leave the drawers in place or remove them? If you remove them, how do you tape off the areas you don’t want sprayed?
Hi Beatriz! Great questions. I should probably do a blog post devoted to how I spray. I did thin the paint a bit – about 10% with water. When I spray a piece with drawers, I remove them and tape them off so that I have clean lines. To prevent overspray from getting on the sides, I then use a 24 inch plastic sheeting that has blue tape already attached (I get it at the paint store). It’s the perfect size for protecting the drawers. I tape around the drawer and then use the plastic to cover and protect the sides and inside of the drawer. What is left exposed is only the surface I want painted. I hope that helps! Susan
Yes, thank you.
Susan this piece is a knock-out! I had to go back and double-check the knobs because I didn’t believe they were the same ones. The knobs look amazing against the white and they were just lost and kind of blah before. Thanks for sharing at To Grandma’s House We Go. xx
Thank you, Kate! It’s amazing how much the old pulls stand out against the white. I really love when I find a piece with pretty hardware that can be saved. Thanks for stopping by and leaving me your kind comments. Susan
P.S. I’ll be featuring your beautiful dresser makeover this Wednesday at our link party. xx
Hi Kate! I am so thrilled that you will be featuring my dresser on Wednesday! Thank you. Susan
I admire your talent, and the beautiful work you do as well! Thank you for sharing, be well now. Lucy
Thank you so much Lucy. I really appreciate that you took the time to leave your kind comment. Susan
This came out so beautiful !! Love the color choice, and the knobs too!! Cool that you could use the original ones.
Hi Julie! Thanks so much for your kind comments. I was so happy to be able to use the original hardware – I think it looks perfect on this piece. Susan
Where do you do your spraying? Do you have one of those “portable” units that look like a small tent?
Hi Beatriz, I have a HomeRight Spray Shelter set up in my shop. It’s lightweight and easy to put up and take down, which is great for me since I have limited space. Susan
This is so beautiful, the fnish is done to perfection, just adore it.
Thanks so much, Janette. Susan
Hi Susan, The dresser is absolutely beautiful and I congratulate you for not distressing it. Many times when I see a beautiful piece distressed it’s just spoils the whole thing. I love your blue Drexel table…
what a find. I don’t know where you live but prices are certainly reasonable compared to here in California. Goodwill is outrages.
Thank you, Rita. I am in Seattle and am fortunate to have some really great thrift shops in my area.
I would love to read a blog post on how you spray!!!!
Hi Marissa! Thanks so much for the feedback and blog post idea. I have been meaning to post about spraying, and I will definitely be doing a post about spraying paint. Susan
Susan, such a beautiful piece. I have 2 questions: what kind of paint brushes do you use and how do you clean your hardware for furniture – many thanks
Thank you! I use Purdy 2 inch angled brushes (my favorite) and use either Brasso or BarKeeper’s Friend to clean my hardware. Susan