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Monday, September 17, 2012

Two Tone French Dresser Makeover - Another Chalk Paint Project

It's an interesting a long story about how this dresser came to my house.  After looking for a while on our local craigslist for a dresser and missing out every time, I started looking at craigslist in other cities - where we have family.  I figured I could get a dresser long distance if really necessary. Sure enough before long I found a dresser in another state.  Although I hated to ask my brother (since he's the busiest person I know) I pulled the pretty please sister card and he picked up this dresser for me and stored it at his house until I could pick it up.  Thanks bro!

The only reason this dresser was still available was because the top is laminate and other people didn't buy it because (they said) it couldn't be painted.  Now that's not true, I have painted a laminate top, but in this case, I planned for the dresser to be black and stained wood, so it worked for me to leave the top the way it came.




Since it was in good condition and we didn't have room for it in the garage, we put it right into our bedroom when we brought it home.

I decided to paint it to more or less match the chest of drawers we had gotten earlier this year.



I mixed up my own chalk paint 
1/2 cup of plaster of paris
1/2 cup of water
2 cups of paint

I put down a drop cloth (actually a piece of an old $1 birthday party tablecloth)

Then I started painting.  (when I was done I had a lot of leftover paint and that led to the Kitchen Island Paint Job)

OH MY!  This is the first piece of furniture I've painted that didn't need work BEFORE I started painting.  I know now why everyone is SO in love with chalk paint!  I was having a great time before - but this is even better.  It was SO fast and easy since I was painting a piece of furniture that didn't need any other work done!

OK, I probably should remove the handles and shine 'em up. But I didn't have to sand it and my hero husband didn't have to repair this piece.




I would love it if half of my dresser wasn't a TV stand, but it is what it is and that's not going to change.


Disregard the paper coasters under the feet, we accidently got black paint on the carpet with a previous piece
I applied one coat of chalk paint and then a second coat of the paint without mixing anything into it.  I used Sherwin Williams low sheen black.  I applied a light coat of Minwax paste wax over the paint.

I wasn't looking for a dresser with a mirror, but this one came with a mirror.

Do you like how the patio umbrella looks like a big spider web?




I knew we couldn't put the mirror on the dresser the way it was originally mounted because it would reflect the back of the TV. So I had SuperDave mount the mirror to one side turned with the narrow sides up and down.



I knew if we didn't like it this way we can always remove the mirror.  I haven't made up my mind yet.  What do you think?

That lingerie chest in the photo above is the last piece in the master bedroom that I will need to paint.  I'm trying to decide on a color.  Gray?  Red?  White with black accents?  I don't have time to paint it for a while so I can think about that for a while.


That's the latest chapter in the master bedroom furniture makeover, I'm almost done!

Much Love & Laughter,

Laura

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21 comments:

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Laura, the dresser looks great! That was smart of you to look elsewhere when you couldn't find one locally. You did a great job!

Debbiedoos said...

Gorgeous piece Laura! Thanks for sharing at my party.

Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these Walls said...

That is so beautiful! It was a nice dresser before, but I didn't even notice what beautiful lines it has until the after pics. It looks like a family heirloom.

Linda Leyble said...

Hi Laura - very, very nice. Great transformation.

I have often thought of doing exactly what you did...Looking on Craigslist in other cities. I wish I lived in PA or had relatives there 'cause I have seen some great stuff there. Oh well.

Your dresser really has some sexy curves and so it was a great find and rescue.I found you on Between Naps. Hopefully you will come visit me as well. I have one of my latest projects on there this week too.

Thanks for posting!

Unknown said...

Wow, your dresser is beautiful! You did an amazing job. I love the colors. Visiting from Debbiedoo's. I also love your blog title!! I so agree. :)

Maureen Wyatt said...

Can't wait to see the whole room pulled together! The dresser looks great. ~ Maureen

Terrie R. said...

I love the two tone color scheme you chose. Great job!

Anonymous said...

I came out beautifully! The top doesn't look at all like laminate either... Great job! - Susan

Chrissy said...

Hey Laura, You did a wonderful job on the dresser. I am in the process of painting on section of my kitchen cabinets. Whew, what a job? I was just wondering if I could leave my cabinet door and drawers cherry?
Stopping over from Debbiedoo's and am now a follower.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Chrissy

Cassie Bustamante said...

it looks amazing! the black and wood combo is gorgeous!

Catherine said...

Wow! That really does look beautiful! I wish we had something list craigslist in Australia - people seem to find the most amazing things via it in the US

Kammy's Korner said...

stunning!

Laurie | Love Your Surroundings said...

Looks great! Love it! I had no idea you mix your own chalk paint! Thanks!
Stopping by via Kammy's Korner.
http://www.the-finishing-touches.net/

Unknown said...

It turned out just beautiful! Great job
Hugs,
Suzan

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

I love it! You did an amazing job! Thank you for sharing. Visting from PJH Designs. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/make-it-pretty-monday-week-15.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Laura,
I found you through WOW us Wednesday, this is my first visit. I love how your dresser turned out! and thank you so much for the magic chalk paint recipe :)
I think the mirror looks great and would leave it.I have a dresser right now sitting in the garage just waiting for paint. I have some Anne Slone Chalk paint old white I am going to use, but really like the idea of mixing my own color.
I have enjoyed my visit with you today and I'm your newest follower.
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

foreverdecorating said...

Yep, chalk paint great stuff! Love the look of your dresser!

Sooner Laura said...

Thanks everyone for the kind comments! I really appreciate everyone stopping by to see my latest project and I enjoy all the comments SO much!

Geri O said...

It looks awesome. I'm your newest follower. Come check out my blog when you have a second at http://sister-number-5.blogspot.com

Pamela said...

Beautiful piece! Thanx for sharing at THT!

LiveLoveDIY said...

Laura, thanks so much for stopping by the blog today! That is the exact same dresser we have!!! How funny is that?! Love your take on it, too! Have a great weekend! ~ Virginia @livelovediy