Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Shabby Take on the Damask Dresser

When I posted the graphic Damask Dresser I redid for my very own bedroom, there was a huge response to the project.  (Okay, okay!  So the projector giveaway might have influence a handful of comments.)  I thought I might try a similar designed dresser to offer for sale.  This time I decided to do a little shabbier take on the design.

I started with this solidly built, but otherwise uninspiring large dresser.

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That bumper sticker was a BEAST to get off of there.  I don’t care HOW much you like 103.9 Arizona’s Party Station, please don’t put their bumper sticker on your furniture.  :)

When the sticker was finally off and the piece all prepped, I painted it a satin off-white.  I followed the same projector method I outlined in the original Damask Dresser post, basically just projecting a nice damask design that I found online and tracing the outline with a pencil.  Then comes the tedious task of filling in your damask design.  This time I used a charcoal gray for the damask.  I’m not going to lie to you and say it’s a fast project.  Especially when you’re using a high contrast paint (like I’ve done both times.)  It takes several coats with an artists brush to get it looking good.  I think the finished product is really worth the time and tediousness of it though.  What’d you think?

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I used the original hardware, which I think  worked well with the damask motif, but since the graphic damask design is really the focus of the piece, I wanted the hardware to kind of disappear, so I painted them the same color as the body of the dresser and did some distressing around the edges.

I also did some restrained hand distressing, just around the edges of the piece  just to shabby it up a bit.  :)

So, with the time I put into this one I’m going to have to charge $4,000.  Any takers?  ;)  Just kidding.  It will be up for sale at the Junkrestore Vintage Market at Scottsdale’s Simple Farm on March 31st, April 1st and 2nd for $300.  One more project down, about 20 to go.  Yikes!!  Good thing it looks like the weather is going to be gorgeous.  Great painting weather!  Wish me luck on getting stuff done!

Linking to:

Somewhat Simple, Chic on a Shoestring, The Shabby Nest, Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Fabulous, Lolly Jane Boutique, Beneath My Heart

Visit thecsiproject.com

80 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! You did a fabulous job! Good luck at the Vintage Market :)

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  2. oooh, this is BEEEEEutiful! Want it :)

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  3. ohhh..I love this! I think its gorgeous and very eye catching!!

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  4. This is lovely! $4000 is not too much to ask for all your work, but I imagine someone will come up with the $300 a lot quicker!

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  5. Thats gorgeous! I love tha large-scale of it. A fresh and unexpected take on damask

    Margaret
    www.sugarandspackle.com

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  6. What a beauty! You did a great job! I'm sure it will sell right away. Best of luck! Sue

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  7. Wow! Gorgeous job...I could never get the detail that precise. Love it!

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  8. WoW!!! That's really inventive painting! Love the bold damask pattern! :)

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  9. WAH!! That is gorgeous!! I live in Phoenix and have not had the luck you have for finding good pieces...

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  10. GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!!! I'm definitely going to have to try my hand at something like this!

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  11. Wow. I love this. I was so impressed with your creations that I did a spotlight piece about your blog. The link to the post is on the homepage of BlogCatalog. I have really enjoyed your site.

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  12. Beautiful!!! Is there any way you can postpone the market? I'll be there the first week in MAY! :D

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  13. i love this shabbier version of the damask dresser! it has a little moreof a muted feel to it- geat as always ann marie!

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  14. Beautiful! I just sat and stared at the photo for a few minutes. Picturing where in my house it would look best.

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  15. This really is an absolutely beautiful piece. I'm surprised you're only charging 300 for it! Love the charcoal grey....

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  16. An absolutely stunning piece! So well done!

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  17. I think I found what I want to try next! That rocks!

    www.DavisDomestications.blogspot.com

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  18. I just love you're guys stuff! Seriously your posts are my most anticipated posts out of all the blogs I follow.

    Once again, a fantastic job. :)

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  19. This is NOT ugly anymore! Great work what a statement this makes! Love the white hardware too. Darling!
    Lindsay'
    www.countrygirlhome.blogspot.com

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  20. I too like the distressing around the edges and hardware...so talented with that motif and like the choice of color!

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  21. It looks great - and so modern because of the large-scale damask pattern you used.

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  22. I LOVE this version of your damask dresser. I do thinks this might be perfect for the dresser in my bedroom...and I have a brand spankin' new projector! (unless of course you would like to come do it for me????)

    Missy=JunkFest

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  23. This is so fabulous! I'm so inspired!
    Jo-Anna

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  24. Wow - what a gorgeous transformation!! Thanks for sharing :)

    ps - I'm your newest follower :)

    http://sweetlittlesmoothie.blogspot.com

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  25. This is wonderful! The colours are great and I just love the distressing you did!

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  26. Absolutely gorgeous. I love this dresser. Stopping by from Miss Mustard Seed. I really love how you took the dresser from ho hum to holy cow! Nicely done.

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  27. I love, love it!!!
    I wish I had that kind of patience!!
    Will you do one for me!! ha ha

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  28. Great job! What a differnce some paint can make!

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  29. awesome job guys !! love the guts it took to try it !!

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  30. i just love it. I use a projector all the time. Works great! LOVE LOVE the damask!

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  31. Wow! This is amazing! What a great transformation. I love the damask.

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  32. I love this piece so much that I did a feature on my blog about you ladies and some of my favorite projects. feel free to grab a button. Thanks

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  33. Good gracious that is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Way to go
    www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

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  34. It must be fate, I just bought a $5.00 can of oops paint at Lowe's today in that same shade of gray. I love the damask design, I'm sure that one will sell fast. So glad I found your blog. I'll be following!
    Jodie

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  35. This is so beautiful... I just fell in love :)

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  36. This is really beautiful, Ann Marie!

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  37. love this! thanks for linking. we'll be at scottsdale's event {my hubby is a police officer in scottsdale too!} so we'll see ya soon! (: kelli & kristi

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  38. Okay. My GOOOOOODNESS! This is absolutely STUNNING! So glad you shared this on Lolly Jane! BEAUTIFUL!

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  39. It's gorgeous! What an amazing job. I will look at thrift store furniture so differently now.

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  40. hi AnnMarie - This looks wonderful! I've also just finished a damask dresser, less ornate than yours though. http://lilyfieldlife.blogspot.com/2011/03/damask-dressing-table.html
    I love yours but as I drew mine freehand I chose a less intricate design. Wishing I had one of those opaque projectors. They look fantastic!
    well done.
    cheers Fiona
    http://lilyfieldlife.blogspot.com/

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  41. I love, love, love it....it is beautiful! My future daughter in law is in love with anything damask...I may have to try something like this. Thank You for sharing!

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  42. hi AnnMarie - yes i found the damask design at the Graphics fairy ;
    http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2011/02/instant-art-printable-downloads-damask.html
    Isnt this all such fun!!
    cheers Fiona
    http://lilyfieldlife.blogspot.com/

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  43. What a gorgeous piece! I featured you over at Just Pleased as Punch . Check it out!

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  44. Love your color choices on this. I can't believe the difference in the before & after!

    Warmly, Michelle

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  45. hey Ann Marie!! I just came across your piece from Please as punch and LOVE IT!!! YOu are such an inspiration!! where do you find good, cheap furniture?? We are in houston!!!

    talk to you soon!

    Libby from mondellofam.blogspot.com

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  46. Stunning! I have a dresser set that would be great for this technique! Thank you for the inspiration!
    Christie from
    Carter's Cottage Interiors

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  47. Ann marie! Thanks for the message back!! I am on the hunt for a projector and some old furniture!!! Thank so much!

    I am a super new blogger and am attempting to have a blog party this week and would love for you to post on it! The topic is everything but the kitchen sink, so anything you feel like posting is great!!!

    Talk to you soon! My blog is mondellofam.blogspot.com

    --Libby

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  48. I linked this post on my blog, www.DavisDomestications.blogspot.com , and am following you! You are so creative and give me so much inspiration. :) Thank you!

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  49. WOW! That is stunning! Thanks for posting it. I found you on beneath my heart linky, tonite. Here's my blog: havenfromtheworld.blogspot.com

    Thanks!

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  50. Well, I came over from a linky party and now i can't even remember which one! got distracted by kids:) I was wondering how you did that and now I know...projector! It looks awesome!
    Would like to invite you to stop by my new blog. I am hoping to get some furniture refinishing on there soon. I have a buffet I am working on but I'm having trouble making a decision about what color I want to do!
    thanks!

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  51. was great to meet you at our farm yesterday! you've got wonderful vintage!

    lylah - from The Simple Farm

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  52. You've got to be kinding me; $300?! I'd say SOLD right now if it wouldn't cost me another couple hundred in shipping! lol.
    This is beautiful!

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  53. Saw this in person at the barn sale - a GORGEOUS piece, and you've inspired me to buy a projector!

    Betsey at b.bar
    www.bybbar.blogspot.com

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  54. Your dresser is simply gorgeous and I linked it to my damask post today, for inspiration!

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  55. So pretty---I have an old dresser that looks quite similar to this---well, the original anyway! I may have to try it----I just saw this on Pinterest!

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  56. May I use few pictures from this post? I will give credit and links?
    It will be part of my "Damn I Wish I Painted That" it comes out Saturdays.
    Please let me know.

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  57. Does anyone know the which number damask design this is?

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  58. Ann Marie, just wanted to give you a heads up that I featured your wonderful dresser on our blog today.

    Stop by Mercantile Muse and check yourself out!
    http://batesmercantileco.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspireddesign-and-queenie.html

    Have a great day,
    Pam

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  59. i love it, my style

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  60. You are a flippin' GenIuS!
    Eat your heart out ANTHROPOLOGIE!
    Bravo!
    ~Mel

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  61. I'm totally blown away. A truly beautiful project!!

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  62. where did you get the template for this pattern? I have an old dresser I would LOVE to do this too btu I can't find a pattern big enough that I like!
    Thanks!!
    Rachel

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    1. Rachel, I used a design I printed off from the computer with an overhead projector. Great way to do BIG graphic designs. :)

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  63. I have this exact dresser!

    Question: after stripping the bumper sticker, did you immediately start applying the first paint of coat? Or do you have to (and how) strip the layer of wood gloss/shine off first?

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    1. Definitely use primer first!! If it's a really glossy/hard finish, you would want to sand to give it some tooth to accept the paint, but if the finish is not too glossy, just the primer should be enough. Cleaning the surfaces with TSP or denatured alcohol also etches the top finish and prepares it for your primer. Good luck!

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  64. Hello Ann Marie! I found your fabulous dresser when I did a search for damask. Had to include you in my damask round up today. It is fantastic!http://muralmaker1.blogspot.com/2012/02/8-ways-to-use-damask-in-decorating.html

    Have a great day!

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  65. Gorgeous!! If I lived near you I would come and buy it in a second. :)

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  66. Wish you were in So Cal! I would give you the dresser and pay you $300 to do this! I actually have this EXACT dresser - LOL!

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  67. Absolutely Gorgeous! Good job!

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  68. I used this as inspiration to do a 4x5 foot cork board. I love the board like I love your dresser. Thanks for posting your fun work!

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We love lovely gals showin' some love!