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Home » Fourth Generation Dresser and Milk Paint Reveal
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September 6, 2011 · 38 Comments

Fourth Generation Dresser and Milk Paint Reveal

DIY

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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.

, Saving 4 Six

 

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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.

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After getting the soot off, we began sanding the top surfacing and prepping the sides for milk paint.

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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.

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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…

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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.



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The top of the dresser was sanded down and we applied danish oil to bring out the color, harden and protect the wood.

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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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. HI THERE! says

    September 6, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    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 🙂

    Reply
  2. betweenarockandahobby says

    September 6, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    This turned out quite amazingly! I’m very impressed and I definitely would have taken a thousand pictures! 😉

    Reply
  3. Sharing Shadymont says

    September 6, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    Absolutely beautiful. We have a very similar dresser and chest of drawers. I may just have to lighten them up! Great results!

    Reply
  4. Tina says

    September 6, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    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!!!

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    September 6, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    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!

    Reply
  6. Margo says

    September 6, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Looks Gorgeous!

    Reply
  7. Ellen says

    September 6, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    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!!

    Reply
  8. labbie1 says

    September 6, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    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?

    Reply
  9. Mandy says

    September 7, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Carrie, it’s beautiful. You would make your family very proud.
    http://www.projectqueen.org

    Reply
  10. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says

    September 7, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    She’s lovely–nice job!

    Reply
  11. Katie says

    September 7, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    Love the paint and stain combo, and the hardware is divine!

    Reply
  12. Chrissy says

    September 7, 2011 at 2:35 AM

    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!

    Reply
  13. Carrie says

    September 7, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    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.

    Reply
  14. Jessica says

    September 7, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    Nice job–I love the finished look. thanks for sharing! Jessica

    Reply
  15. Deborah March says

    September 7, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    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…}

    Reply
  16. Suzie @ The Accent Piece says

    September 7, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Looks great! Great update. Love the knobs contrast.
    I’m your newest follower!

    Reply
  17. Heaven's Walk says

    September 8, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    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

    Reply
  18. Honey at 2805 says

    September 8, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    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!

    Reply
  19. Kathryn Griffin says

    September 8, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    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

    Reply
  20. Anonymous says

    September 8, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    This turned out beautiful. I love it.
    http://shabbytochicqueencreek.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  21. Rinni's Playground says

    September 8, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    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!

    Reply
  22. Jennifer says

    September 9, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    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

    Reply
  23. The Decorating Diaries says

    September 9, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    The dresser is just beautiful. And I love the outdoor pictures. Show us as many as you like.

    Janet

    Reply
  24. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    September 10, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    Carrie,
    It looks outstanding…thanks for sharing at my party.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  25. A Girls Gotta Nest says

    September 10, 2011 at 3:24 AM

    Beautiful, visiting via Funky Junk.

    Blessings,
    Tami

    Reply
  26. Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) says

    September 12, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    What a great makeover! It looks gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you on my blog:)

    Reply
  27. Debbie@Debbie-Dabble and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas says

    September 12, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    WOW!! An absolutely fantastic job!! Looks wonderful!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

    Reply
  28. c.w.frosting says

    September 12, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    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

    Reply
  29. Karena says

    September 12, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    Love it.

    cookienut.blogspot.com

    Reply
  30. Lora says

    September 12, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  31. Chef in Training says

    September 13, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    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/

    Reply
  32. Kim says

    September 14, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    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

    Reply
  33. Moquelish says

    September 14, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Beautiful!! You did a great job.

    Reply
  34. Kahli says

    September 15, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    Wow look at the detail on that dresser! Such a lovely makeover great job!

    Reply
  35. Karena says

    September 15, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    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

    Reply
  36. KTS Grammy says

    March 26, 2012 at 12:38 AM

    Your grandmother would be so proud of the job you did! It’s gorgeous!

    Reply
  37. domain says

    October 11, 2014 at 10:49 PM

    I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and interesting,
    and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something too
    few men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found
    this in my search for something regarding this.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Space Saving DIY Loft Bed | Saving 4 Six says:
    April 13, 2016 at 7:00 AM

    […] for MONTHS.  Her bedroom is only about 9×10 and if you remember, she is blessed to have the furniture that has been passed down from my grandmother and the tv cabinet that we turned into an armoire.  So, she has a lot of furniture in there which […]

    Reply

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