Happy Friday, friends! 😀
If you followed along with my Insta-stories yesterday, you know today’s post is about a dresser makeover that involved a LOT of trial and error. 🙂 I am happy with how it turned out in the end though. It’s no Miss Mustard Seed dresser, gosh does it feel good to have it freshened up! Here’s what it looked like before…
…and here’s what it looks like now:
To create the flowers, I first drew them on with white chalk (from Target) and then used a #4 artist brush and two colors of paint. Bright white, and some bright white mixed with some left over Coco colored chalk paint. That second mixture created a dark cream color:
I watched Marian’s video about how to paint the flowers, branches and leaves, and although I discovered decorative painting definitely isn’t my thing, I am happy with the overall finished look. It’s subtle, but it’s sweet.
I used Annie Sloan’s white paste wax to seal the drawer fronts, and to soften some of my brush strokes.
I do still need to finish painting the drawer knobs (only the top four are painted in that photo)…or should I swap them out for crystal knobs?
I’m going to seal the top and sides tomorrow, and I look forward to sharing a post about the how I decorate the area around it next week. I’m planning to use a mirror on the wall above it. It’s being shipped here as we speak, so prayers it doesn’t break in transit! 😀
Do you have a paint or decorating project you’re hoping to tackle this weekend? Tell me what you’ve got in the works!
Layla
B. Folk
Layla, you did a beautiful job with the decorative painting! I vote for crystal knobs, but it looks good with the wood, too. Congratulations on your winning rug designs, too, they are beautiful.
Joy
Well done! Can’t wait to see it with the mirror over it. I’m thinking crystal knobs, too. Also, congratulations on your rugs!! How exciting is that!!!
terrillr
Most definitely, crystal knobs! Looks wonderful either way though.
Kelly
I’m one vote against crystal knobs. I think they’ll “elevate” the overall feel of the dresser, but the painting itself has a lovely, folky feel to it, and the current knobs have a simple, playful feel that jives. I’m afraid that the crystal might send the whole dresser of out balance, making your beautiful folky paint job look messy, you know?
Dianne
I agree with Kelly, the wood knobs are perfect. Crystal would change the mood entirely and not go with the look you want.
Layla
But what if crystal *is* the look I want? 😉 I’m still undecided. I think I’ll focus on the decor and see where that leads first! 🙂
Lyndsey
I love miss mustard seed’s inspiration dresser but have been too scared to try it myself. Yours looks great though and that’s what I needed to see to know that my attempt will look good enough. Thanks for trying out her tutorial and showing us.
Susanne
Beautiful transformation! We are currently paining cinder block walls in our unfinished basement. It is hard work and taking WAY more primer and paint than we imagined.
Cheri
I’m really wanting to put up the subway tile paper from Target that you mentioned in a post earlier. Have you tried it yet @theletteredcittage?
Layla
I sure didn’t, Cheri. I decided to use Stikwood in there instead. One day- LOL! 😀
Eva @ Cafe Design
It turned out so beautiful!!! And it’s funny, I was just thinking about doing the same thing the other week to my daughter’s dresser after watching Marian’s tutorial… Have a great weekend!
Marie P.
Beautiful painting and dresser! I like the white knobs, but think crystal ones will blend better with the almost ethereal feel of the flowers, and let them shine and be seen more. Wonderful project! Thanks for sharing.
Renee
Looks beautiful!!!! Could you tell me where you got that chandelier, I’ve been looking for one like that for my dining room. Thanks.
Robin
Layla,
The dresser is darling. You did a great job on the flowers, you’re being too hard on yourself. Be proud of your accomplishments and trying something new especially when it turned out so great.
Love it,
Robin
Lynn
I love this! The contrast is subtle and the flowers are beautiful. We’re stripping a dresser to see if it’s worth refinishing or if we should just give up and paint. We have a mirror from my dad’s estate that we’ll put with it, and it will be for our granddaughter eventually. Love the chalk paint look. This might be the best solution.
Andrea
You’ve done a wonderful job with the dresser, Layla. I’m kind of a sucker for crystal knobs. 😉 Off to finish my German smear project in my boys’ bedroom. Sure has been fun! Have a blessed weekend!
Cindy in Oklahoma
I love how this turned out, Layla. Now it’s an heirloom….. I, too, am a sucker for crystal knobs because a surprising texture mix is always appealing to me….
B Douglas
You did a great job! It is so pretty!
karen
I love your dresser.
I don’t think the crystal knobs are necessary. They are quite expensive. I actually like your dresser better than Miss Mustard Seed’s.
Thanks for sharing!
hello haha narf
ohmydog, you did an INCREDIBLE job! so pretty. i’m a sucker for crystal knobs, but the piece is fabulous either way..
Tracie
The dresser turned out beautiful! and the flowers are gorgeous – you did a fantastic job on those. I would be too scared to try them. and I would definitely go with crystal knobs. they would give the dresser that push over the top! 😀
Frances Ashley
Oh yeah…. crystal knobs for sure. The juxtapositioning of opposites (as in crystal knobs and boat oars) is always a good thing. Your clean look is oh so nice!
Maria from Oz
I think crystal knobs would lighten it up beautifully! I personally love the previous one, I think it would be great in my front room which is a room I have designed for males.
You did a good job, but def’s go the crystal knobs! You have a good eye for decorating and I can see you want them!
Cory Snyder
I like crystal knobs. Keep in mind if you do go with crystal ones you might have to touch up your flowers, or beef them up so to speak, as the crystal ones have a smaller base than the wood ones. The flowers wouldn’t be so hidden behind the large base of the wooden ones.
Sarah
That looks great! I am impressed with those flowers you painted:)
SueB of Blondin Blogs
i haven’t stopped by in a bit, but am blog trolling and watching the Solheim Cup this weekend, and had to let you know how much i LOVE the transformation in this chest of drawers! WOWZA! thanx for the inspiration!