Friend, I have a lovely dresser makeover to show you today!
Here’s how this French Provincial piece started out:
It was an awesome deal at a thrift store that was going out of business, and it ended up sitting in my garage for a while.
Finally I decided on Paris Grey and Old White Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan for this piece – this combination is soft and romantic but also very much part of the popular gray trend lately.
Here it is with a couple coats of Paris Grey (I didn’t have the heart to make Abby move just for a photo!):
Then I added the Cherry Blossoms stencil from Royal Design Studio (find it HERE) with Old White Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. Well… the design ended up being about 85% stencil and 15% freehand since I wasn’t working on a flat surface.
I tried to incorporate the handles into the branches a bit. Normally I don’t paint the hardware to match the furniture, but I think this piece called for it. Finally I protected it all with clear wax.
I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. 😉
And here’s a before-and-after graphic:
For more Chalk Paint® project inspiration and advice, visit my personal online gallery HERE.
Good luck and have a wonderful weekend, friends!
Jen, Girl in the Garage
Carol Paulus-Kalis says
I think this is the best looking piece you’ve ever done. It’s beautiful! You did a really, really great job on the stencil. It could not have been easy to stencil as it was not a smooth surface. I love the way the candlesticks look, also. You should be proud. In my opinion, you knocked it out of the ballpark. You go, girl!!!!!!
Carol P-K
Melissa OConnor says
I love this. I just re did a night stand in a light gray. I found cherry blossom wall decals and used those. I want to do the rest of my bedroom furniture like this though.
Linda says
That is B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!!!!
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Very pretty – love that stencil! This looks like a fun campaign.
Anne F says
I love the addition of the cherry blossoms…it softens the piece so nicely! Great job!
Rose L. says
I love it! If for sale I am sure it will be snatched up right away! You did great on the stenciling. I have heard some people make their own chalk paint. Do you do that or always use Annie’s? Impressive piece!
Amy Rattleff says
So pretty and dainty! Love how you reinvented this dresser!
nancy says
You put a lot of thought into the stenciling placement. Well done.
Crystal says
I love the dresser!! The cherry blossoms added the perfect touch. Love it!!
GERRI ( DENISE) DAGOSTINO says
I LOVE THIS PIECE OR TWO PIECES & IT IS BEAUTIFUL ! LUCKY YOU TO BE ABLE TO FIND THEM & THEY APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN IN GREAT CONDITION THEREFORE LEADING THE WAY FOR AN UPDATE ! I LOVE THE PUNCH OF DETAIL OF THE STYCLE ALSO & HOPE YOU KEPT IT IN YOUR HOME AS YOU HAVE A TRUE TEASURE ! GREAT WORK & WONDERFUL EYE FOR THIS BEAUTY !
Allyson says
Hello, You did an amazing job on this piece! I have this same dresser that I am looking to refinish. I wanted to use Annie Sloan’s chalk paint also, just a question…since the piece is laminate do you prime it first? Thanks!
Jen says
Thank you Allyson! I did not prime this piece first, and the Chalk Paint adhered just fine to it. Good luck with your dresser!
[email protected] says
I love this piece, it was a beautiful shape to begin with but you brought the whole thing to life with your choice of paint and that stencil is to die for. I am working on a small chest, adding beautiful carved bun feet and a “linen” color by Country Chic paints, i then bought some beautiful spray paint called champagne and i will paint a light coat of that. Then i bought a beautiful stencil from a girl on Etsy ( forgive me, i can’t think of her
name) ( it’s alittle early ) but i am not going to paint the stencil, i am
going to use spackle. Then i am going to use some wax from Country Chic paints, it has sort of an irredessence sheen to it. I also bought handles for it, it was more of a 1950’s era, so very plain. The handles i got are very similar to yours. I hope, after all this work, that it’s not gawdy or over done. I want it to look feminine and sexy, just like yours Jen. Thanks !! ( =
Liz says
Hi Jen,
Beautiful!!! Thanks for the inspiration! This is exactly what I want to do to my two French Provincial dressers now, but I have a couple of questions for you and I’m hoping you can help: what brushes did you use for the main dresser/grey, how many coats did you apply, and what brush did you use for the stencil/white? Also, what brush did you use to apply the wax afterwards? I assume you didn’t wax the handles? Lastly, how long did it take to set and then to fully ‘cure’ so it was hard enough to place things on? I’ve heard it dries quickly but takes 4 weeks to ‘cure’/harden? (Sorry a couple of questions turned into many the more I think about actually doing this LOL!)
P.S. I love your doggie!
Thanks!!
Liz
Jen says
Hi Liz,
Thank you! I use Purdy brushes when I paint furniture. When I’m painting small details though I use little artist brushes (no specific brand), and when I stencil I use a small foam pouncer. So I used all three kinds on this makeover. I think I painted 2 coats of Paris Grey on the dresser, I can’t remember exactly. I have an Annie Sloan wax brush that I use for waxing, and then a lint free cloth for wiping away the excess wax. Since I painted the handles with the same paint, I did wax them also. It does take about 30 days for the wax to fully cure. This dresser actually sat in my kitchen (finished) for a month or more before I moved it… I didn’t do it on purpose, it just worked out that way. So it had plenty of time to cure. If you’re waxing dressers or tables, you’ll want to do 2-3 light coats on the very top (spaced out by a day or two) so it’s more durable. I hope that helps – good luck with your makeovers! 🙂
Jen
Becky Delson says
This is beautiful. Darn it! Royal Design Studio (also the nearest Annie Sloan stockist) is super close to my house. Now I need those cherry blossom stencils!
Liz says
Thank you so much Jen for all the detailed information, this is very helpful!! I will let you know how it comes out! 🙂
Best,
Liz