Let me start this post by apologizing for all the pictures. I am absolutely THRILLED with the results of this dresser and I may have gotten a little carried away and snap happy!
This dresser was my grandmother’s and is part of a full bedroom suit. It has been through a house fire and many years of wear and tear. Here is the post of all the before pictures and the story of this piece.
The dresser needed some serious cleaning and repair. The piece is typical 1920 production furniture and is covered in veneer. After the water and heat damage from the fire and decades of use, the veneer had begun to peel and break in many areas. The veneer on the top surfaces were able to be repaired…the drawer fronts however, would need either a complete resurfacing or a facelift. We opted for the facelift.
After getting the soot off, we began sanding the top surfacing and prepping the sides for milk paint.
It seems that chalk paint is all the rage right now but I came across a post talking about milk paint and that it was similar to chalk paint in its coverage, texture, and results when distressing furniture. I decided to find a shop that carried the milk paint…there was one just a few minutes from my house.
The milk paint comes in the powder form and I just had to mix what I needed with water to get the consistency and quantity that I needed. I purchased an additional product called Ultra Bond to mix with the paint so that it would adhere to the layers of shellac.
Let me say, I am not getting compensated for my opinion of this Real Milk Paint and I purchased my own paint and Ultra Bond. So this is my opinion…I think this paint is AMAZING! It adhered well and with a very rustic texture (because of how I mixed the paint). It was great for distressing and the look of the paint is beautiful and so fitting for this piece. I can hardly wait to use it again and am eager to get this in other colors.
ANYWHooo, on to the reveal…
This is the side and a couple of the drawers after one coat of the paint. I considered leaving it like this and then distressing but decided I wanted a more white, less transparent look. So I continued on with two more coats before I got the desired look.
And this, my dear friends, is THE desired look…
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| The hardware is the original hardware. I just scrubbed it down with a brass brush. |
The top of the dresser was sanded down and we applied danish oil to bring out the color, harden and protect the wood.
The dresser is now sitting in my daughter’s room. It looks gorgeous and now I can hardly wait to get the other pieces finished to match the beautiful dresser. I’m gonna get busy on the other pieces and I’ll let you all know when they are completed.
What a wonderful transformation for such an historic piece of furniture! I had someone email me about the milk paint a few weeks ago and had never heard of it before. What is the cost like compared to the chalk paint? Turned out beautiful! If you get a chance, I would love for you to share this at my link party, The Creative Spark, tomorrow night. Have a great week!
Jenn 🙂
This turned out quite amazingly! I’m very impressed and I definitely would have taken a thousand pictures! 😉
Absolutely beautiful. We have a very similar dresser and chest of drawers. I may just have to lighten them up! Great results!
I hopped over from Sugar Bee Crafts blog…and I have to say that I have really enjoyed your blog. Your table re-do is beautiful. I have the same table and the legs are green also. It’s sitting in my garage in need of a re-do. I wanted to paint it black also, but wasn’t sure I’d like it. Now, I’m hooked. It’ll be black for sure!
Your dresser in this post…I had one almost identical! The hubby put it out by the street and someone picked it up before I got home! (that won’t happen again!) Your dresser turned out beautiful!!!
I think it turned out wonderful! I honestly, probably wouldn’t have looked twice at the original dresser as a redo. I would’ve moved on. I don’t care for the overall look of it. But, after seeing your redo, it’s amazing, now! Great work!
Looks Gorgeous!
That was a wonderful dresser before you worked your magic on it… and now… it’s just beautiful! I love the finish you got with the milk paint – very pretty!!
I like the way that you left the tops natural. It really sets the piece off. I am also glad that you explored milk paint. As I have been reading about chalk paint, I wondered if it was similar to milk paint. Now I have the answer! Thanks! Did you know that you can add 2 T unsanded tile grout to 1 cup of any flat latex paint to make chalkboard paint? I wonder if this would also give a similar look to furniture?
Carrie, it’s beautiful. You would make your family very proud.
http://www.projectqueen.org
She’s lovely–nice job!
Love the paint and stain combo, and the hardware is divine!
Wow, I love! I think I may have been reading that same blog @ milk paint bc I was thinking about that the other day. Ascp is redic w the price! I think it’s made of freaking gold. I’m def going to write a post about trying it out soon. I’ll reference you when I do! Great post!
Labbie1, Thanks for the info about the chalkboard paint. You made me think about this a bit. This is my theory as far as the flat latex paint mixed with unsanded grout…I think that the painted appearance may be similar , however, I don’t think the latex would be nearly as hard as milk or chalk paint or would distress the same. When distressing, the milk paint comes off almost dusty. I don’t think the latex would do that. The milk paint can be stirred for a more “gritty” appearance or blended for a smoother one. It can also be applied thick or watery, whatever your desired look. I haven’t tried this technique…this is just my hypothesis.
Nice job–I love the finished look. thanks for sharing! Jessica
Oh my GOODNESS, what a SPECTACULAR transformation! Haven’t tried milk paint myself…must look around to find it here! The Danish Oil on the tops was a brilliant idea…so very beautiful!
Deborah (visiting happily from
http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com)
{Hope you can stop by too…}
Looks great! Great update. Love the knobs contrast.
I’m your newest follower!
Beautiful job on that lovely dresser, Carrie! I used to use Milk Paint waaay back in the 80’s when it was popular, and you’re right about it being very close in texture to chalk paint. You breathed new live into that piece!
xoxo laurie
Oh this piece looks terrific! You did a fabulous job!
I would be delighted for you to bring one of your posts or projects to Potpourri Friday, with link-up starting Thrusday afternoon. We had a great party last week, and you would help make it a success!
Wow! That piece is gorgeous! Wonderful job on her redo. Found you via House of Hepworths. Toodles, Kathryn
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/little-goodwill-finds.html
This turned out beautiful. I love it.
http://shabbytochicqueencreek.blogspot.com/
I've been wanting to try milk paint and now i have the perfect push to get me going, thank you! Your dresser is GORGEOUS! It's so awesome that the piece has been in your family for generations. Now your family can enjoy for many more thanks to your hard work!
Gorgeous! I'm going to feature this tomorrow on my blog! Thanks for sharing over at Frugal Girls! I hope you'll stop by!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas
The dresser is just beautiful. And I love the outdoor pictures. Show us as many as you like.
Janet
Carrie,
It looks outstanding…thanks for sharing at my party.
Blessings,
Linda
Beautiful, visiting via Funky Junk.
Blessings,
Tami
What a great makeover! It looks gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you on my blog:)
WOW!! An absolutely fantastic job!! Looks wonderful!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Great update on a beautiful piece of furniture! I've never heard of milk paint… it looks great! I'll have to look for somewhere to buy it. Visiting from Homemaker on a Dime =)
-caroline @ c.w.frosting
Love it.
cookienut.blogspot.com
Beautiful!
This looks great! Thanks so much for linking up to Tuesday Talent Show! I would love to have you stop by and link up again with more great projects!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
This piece is quite amazing! I love it and I love that it has such meaning to you!
kim
http://www.kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com
Beautiful!! You did a great job.
Wow look at the detail on that dresser! Such a lovely makeover great job!
I know that I already commented, but I love this idea so much! I would love for you to share it on my link party this Friday at cookienut.blogspot.com
Your grandmother would be so proud of the job you did! It’s gorgeous!
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