Thursday, March 15, 2012

Heavily Distressed Teal Dresser

One of the things I love about refinishing old furniture is the stories the pieces tell. They have a past. And that's part of the allure. They have bumps, bruises and scars. Sometimes the best course of action is not to restore a piece, but to embrace it's age and turn it's imperfections into assets. And that's exactly what I set out to do on this antique dresser that had character and charm to spare.

Antique Dresser Before

A great way to give your refinished pieces authentic looking age is by layering your paint colors before distressing, and that was my plan of attack on this piece. First, I peeled off all the bits and pieces of loose veneer and sanded all the rough edges.

Now, this might be when you start to panic and bring it out to the curb for large trash pickup.

But don't.

We're going to make her a beaut!

I choose to paint a spring green color underneath with a bold teal over that. I've been positively itching to paint a piece teal. It's such a hot color right now. I've noticed the trend in my pinning of late, but this dresser from my good bloggy friend Cassie of Primitive & Proper is what really put my over the top.

I used the DIY Chalk Paint recipe that I shared in my last post, and it worked like a charm again. Because of the chalk paint's great adhesion, I skipped the priming and went right to painting on the springy green. (Yay for time savers!)

Layered Paint Dresser

After the green had thoroughly dried, I brushed two coats of a rich teal over that.

Once your top color is dry, you're ready for the fun part. I loaded my orbital sander with a fine (220 grit) sandpaper and went to town. As you sand, you'll start to see bits of the green undercoat show through, as well as some of the wood, creating lots of depth, bringing out all the details and giving your finished piece a time-worn, authentically-aged look.

Layered Distressed Paint Detail

Once the distressing was finished, I added a top coat of Minwax Paste Finishing Wax, and buffed to a soft, yet durable lustre. The more I use it, the more I'm loving the chalk paint/wax combo.

In the end, your paint layers peeking through mimic with believability a piece that has been painted and repainted through it's many years. Don't worry, I won't tell. :)

Distressed Teal Antique Dresser

Antique Original Drawer Pulls (2)

Antique Drawer Pulls Detail

Distressed Teal Layered Paint Dresser

The dressers top had no finish to speak of left, so I just went over it with my fine sandpaper in the orbital, then applied two coats of Minwax Wood Stain in Dark Walnut, finished off with Water-based Varathane in a Satin Finish.

Dark Walnut Stained Top

I'd love to hear what you think of her. Are you a fan of heavily distressed furniture? Will we ever make our husbands understand?  ;)

Linking to:

5 days…5 ways, The Shabby Nest, Chic on a Shoestring, Finding Fabulous, Miss Mustard Seed, Primitive & Proper, Domestically Speaking, House of Grace

37 comments:

  1. It looks so beautiful!

    Mary Ellen
    The Working Home Keeper

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  2. Fabulous! Love the green peeking through; that really sets this piece apart!

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  3. Looks gorgeous! Love that happy color combo ;-) If you want to see it's twin pop over to http://twicenice.blogspot.com

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  4. That is amazing! I just painted a wine rack teal and added a brown to look distressed. I never thought of layering paint colors. You can see it here at www.createyourdecor.blogspot.com. Thanks for the instructions.

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  5. cute! i love the colours you chose :)

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  6. I love the dresser, but I will be honest.. I hate distressing! I am sad because it is such a hot trend on Criaglist lately. We're in an apartment so I can't repaint my own old dresser, and all the ones on there are distressed! Love bold colors, hate anything "shabby chic". Would have loved the dresser when you first painted it green or turquoise though :)

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  7. Husbands just dont get it! Lovelovelove this piece. you did an outstanding job!

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  8. I'm so glad I'm not the only one with refurb love! Lisa Marie

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  9. No, never! They just don't get it. And I have given mine this lecture numerous times. "Don't question me. You do not understand color and never will. If I say I want to paint it turquoise then I want to paint it turquoise and no amount of arguing is going to change that. I KNOW it is OAK. So what?" But he persists.

    The layered colors look great. Love it!

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  10. Really pretty - the distressing looks like a heart pattern on the front. Intriguing:)

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  11. I always seem to paint everything white so I'm loving this colour combo! So different but sooooo pretty. :)

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  12. I love the color combination! I may try something like that on my next project. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  13. Wow what an awesome transformation! You did a great job and it looks so pretty!!

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  14. My question is for DIY chalk paint! Does it have the strong "paint smell"?? Annie Sloans Chalk paint has no harsh smells and one can paint with it in the house without venting!! But If this doesnt smell strong I will try it!! Thanks....and what a GORGEOUS job!!!

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    1. Thanks! Besides the added adhesion and chalkiness of the chalk paint, it other properties of the latex paint remain, including the VOCs and fumes, unless you are using paints with low/no VOCs. I usually paint outside, so its less of an issue for me.

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  15. That turned out amazing! I am in love with that blue, does it have a name or is it a color you mixed??

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  16. Hi Ann Marie, I'm Abbey from The Cards We Drew. Just stopping by from the SNAP link page to say hello and see you next month at SNAP. I'm very familar with your blog and look forward to being among such talented bloggers in a few short weeks! Happy travels!

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  17. Hi Ann Marie I think this piece is just so pretty you could use it in just about any room in the home, and as for husbands do they really understand anything us women do?

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  18. this is SO fun! i love the layers- the colors remind me of peacock feathers with the blues and greens!

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  19. This is beautiful!! I love the layered look! Great colors! -Sarah

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  20. Simply lovely.. I want to try my hand at refinshing again. Thank you for some great inspiration. I just started a blog myself, will check it out & let me know what you think?

    Thank You & Many Blessings

    Atirinspireddecor.blogspot.com

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  21. I love, love, love this piece! Is it still available? How much are you selling it for?

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    1. Karyn, Just moved into the shop at Livy Lou's in downtown Prescott, AZ on Saturday. We're listing it at $295. Thanks!

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    2. Oh My! I might have to take a trip to Prescott! Also wanted to know how much the secretary is? I just discovered you...I think I'm on trouble! Have you ever considered doing workshops?

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    3. I have considered doing workshops sometime in the future. I don't think I could squeeze one more thing in my life right now. ;) I think the secretary is going to be $495. :)

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    4. Ok, thanks! Is there a site where I can see all of your current inventory?

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    5. Ok, thanks! Is there a site where I can see all of your current inventory?

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    6. I'm going to be updating the facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Twice-Lovely/112845758773789) and twicelovely.com to show all the current inventory sometime soon, but I don't have it done right now. If you "like" the facebook page, you'll see it as soon as I post it. :) Thanks for the interest Karyn!! Tell your friends too!

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  22. What an amazing transformation. I scrolled back up to the top and was so impressed with the awesome improvement!!! Sounds like it was a lot of work though.
    I, too, Posted about a little piece of furniture today. Two shades of yellow vertical stripes. I'm so in love with it.
    Anyway, Kudos on a great job!!!
    ML

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  23. Very pretty! I love the idea of painting a different color underneath.

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  24. Wow, great job! Love the color choice. I'm so intimidated by DIY furniture redos...
    Would you consider sharing yours at my party?

    http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/shine-on-fridays-21-plus-features-and.html

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  25. awesome! The husband part at the end made me laugh because they just don't get it!

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  26. LOVE IT! I have been looking for a dresser like this for my nursery and am unable to find one anywhere....that won't break the bank! I may just have to make my own?

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  27. Love it! looks like a favorite pair of jeans! what other colors would you think to layer?This is a new concept for me, a little apprehensive with experimenting.

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We love lovely gals showin' some love!