Preorder Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

Preorder the Book

Delicious Chippy Goodness

Here’s my latest dresser…

Here’s how it started.  Sorry for the stinky picture.  Do you see my boy’s shoes on the lower right?  He was ducking into his “fort” as I took the picture.
It was a standard Empire dresser and had some nice details. 

The legs are a little chunkier than I usually go for, but I love the curve and the brass wheels. 

I painted it to look ultra chippy and distressed, so the buyer can get that delicious chippy goodness without the lead paint concern.  Despite all of the texture, it has a smooth finish, thanks to some wax. 

I know this amount of distressing isn’t for everyone, but I love it!

I’m off to do some more painting, but first…an announcement.  I’ve decided I am going to sell my dining set.  I think.  I reserve the right to change my mind, but I think I’m at peace with selling it. 
Pam-the-picker brought a French dining room set for me yesterday and I love, love the shape of the chairs.  I think they must be mine. 

For those of you waiting…”Annabel” has finally come forward!

“Hello, Let me first start off by saying that my name is actually Antonia but Annabel is nice too and Rupert is my husband Aaron. I didn’t respond right away because I was so nervous Miss Mustard Seed is the goddess of home design to me, and now to own something she made for me personally, well I’m beside myself. I show my husband her work everyday because I have to share her amazing work with someone who can appreciate it the way I do and he does. He now loves and follows her blogs because she is so talented. I think his reasoning behind getting me something made by Miss Mustard Seed was because almost everyday I would say how it was a dream to own something she made. This gift was perfect for me we just bought our home a year ago and are starting to decorate and this is a great item to start off with. I love this decor so hopefully it will give me some ideas and I love the colors. I must say to all involved in making this gift thank you so much it means so much to me and will be a great conversation piece in our home forever.

My husband is a sweet and amazing man and I’m grateful for him.
Antonia”

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

Instagram Facebook Pinterest Youtube Amazon X-twitter

you may also like

72 Responses

  5. MMM MMM Good! that dresser has beautiful lines love the finish. I'm sure the new DR set is a stunner if you have to have it. Please share soon!

  6. Love the peek of shoes – keeps things real. The finish on the dresser looks SO old and chippy and real. Amazing job.

    Looking forward to the 'new' dining set – bet you keep it and sell your current one.

    – Joy

  8. Wonderful!!! I think you should sell the set. Something new would b great.
    RENONFL@YAHOO.COM
    Not many people here in Florida appreciate the chippy look. OH, if they would just take a moment to just get it.

  11. That is chippy deliciousness!! I think it's hilarious how undecided you are about your dining room set, haha. Just think of it this way, either way you can't go wrong! You ALREADY have a beautiful set and if you choose to use the other one, I'm sure it will be bee-u-tee-ful too!! Happy paining!
    julie

  16. You can never distress too much in my opinion! It looks fabulous as usual. And I need that picker – she is close to me! It wears me flat out some weeks searching for furniture.

  17. That's one of the joys of refinishing furniture – you reserve the option to change your mind – often! 🙂

  18. Love it! I was wanting some advice on a dining table. What is your e-mail address? I clicked on "e-mail me", but my Mac isn't hooked up to e-mail like that.

  20. If you 'decide' to sell that BEAUTIFUL set….please send me details! (shipping might make it impossible, but ya never know! 😉

  23. The finish on that dresser is UNreal, Marian! It looks like it's a hundred years old. You did an amazing job on it, it's not simply a refinished dresser, it's a work of ART! I adore anything on those old, antique-y casters, so that is an added plus for this piece.

    You must show us the new dining room set!

    Best,

    Kimberly

  24. Hmmm….if you do, will you be selling it at Lucketts? I only live an hour from there. Hmmm………..

    I love your work!!

  27. Wonderful distressing on the dresser, I think it is fabulous! I wondered if you were truly happy with your current dining room set as you have mentioned selling it several times. I'm glad you found something you love to replace it! I know you will make it your own!! Take care, VBg

  30. I love it!!!! Chippy is my favorite! How do you get it so chippy??? Do you have a tutorial for it??? I would love some help with getting that look. I bought a dresser from craigslist last week but don't know how to get the best chippy possible. Thanks!! deannalarsen7@msn.com

  32. Another stunning piece, Marian. I'm with Deanna for a tutorial. I'm enjoying your transition to a much more heavy distressing. It's beautiful. I'm guessing steel wool, sand paper & some elbow grease does the trick but knowing you, you have some awesome technique up your sleeve that is probably so much easier.

    xoxo,
    Jami

  34. I love lots of distressing! The dresser looks great!
    Oh and that Aaron is a keeper for sure! What a sweet thoughtful gift to his wife!

  39. Marian, I am seriously in love with this one! I am hoping to convince my sweet hubby to hop over to Lucketts with me this Saturday. Cross your fingers for me?

  40. Marian,

    Love the distressed top of the empire dresser. The beautiful gold detailed frame looks great against it.
    But I especially love the letter you received from Antonia. What a compliment.

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

  44. I LOVE your current dining room set and the whole room in general. If you have found chairs that you must have–they must be awesome!

  45. I haven't left a comment in ages, but I'm still reading your blog and oooooing & ahhhhhing. LOVE your style!
    🙂
    ~ Zuzu

  47. OMG! I've been lusting after your dining chairs forever!, and I live a million miles away in North Carolina…
    The dresser looks awesome, so authentically chippy!

    Cindy

  48. Since learning of your blog, i have become sometimes a 3 times daily reader! You are doing what I love…(OK, I'm doing it too but to not this extent!)
    LOVE this dresser.
    Dabney / a Dab of paint

  53. Really? You're going to sell this dining set too? LOL. I love Antonia's note – so sweet. 🙂 Congrats Rupert!! 🙂

  54. I myself love the ultra chippy look! I have an oak dining room table that has some stains on it and that's the look I am going to go for. Wax really makes a difference? I've never used it myself, but you are the expert and what ever you recommend I will do! Thanks for sharing that dresser for my inspiration, Marcia

  56. I had a friend of mine, who is in furniture restoration tell me that he wipes the paint off with a cloth while it is still wet…rather than letting it dry and then sanding it off. It gives a softer more realistic worn look….Haven't tried it yet….but sounds like a plan! Not sure how it will work with chalk paint…as it dries quickly! Hope to paint my first few pieces next week!

    Miss M…. you are too much…Gorgeous work..once again! Looking forward to pics of the newly adopted dining room suit!

    I think I may have to drive up to Lucketts during the summer for a long weekend…from Georgia…shouldn't take more than a day. I'll leave Thursday, shop all weekend and come home on Monday. Unless Gas is $5.00 per gallon…then I may have to rethink things!

    Happy Wednesday!
    Martha

  57. I love that dresser! It turned out beautifully! How could anyone not like that much distressing? If you really decide to sell your dining set, please let me know. I love the chairs! Also, what was it that "Rupert" bought? The suspense is killing me! LOL ~Leena~

  58. Amazing makeover once again. I say the chippier (is that a word) and more distressed the better! Question: Do you use your sprayer with the chalk paint?

  62. Love that chippy yumminness. I LOVE that you have a little boy ducking into a fort in the before pic. Kids in a before pic, when you didn't mean them to be there just makes it so much sweeter.

    How sweet to include the comments from "antonia". That is a whole lot of happy for you.

  64. LOL, I clicked on the post thinking it would be about some great chocolate chip recipe, but low and behold . . . a beautifully, chipped dresser! Great job!
    -Amanda

  67. Beautiful as usual! I have a question, I'm planning on painting my dining set with white Anne Sloan's chalk paint. How much would I need for the bottom of the table and 6 chairs? It's kinda pricey, so I'd rather not buy more than I need. Thanks a lot for all of your inspiration! Cathy theloganslanding@gmail.com

  69. I want to know about the floor-cloth under the dining table in this post. Did you do this?

  70. Pingback: 35 Inspiring Quotes in Typography Artwork
  71. Pingback: 35 Inspiring Quotes in Typography Artwork | CMA Academy
  72. Pingback: Typography | Inspiring Quotes | feel desain

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

Facebook Instagram Youtube Pinterest Amazon

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Get Early access →

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.
Explore the shop →

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.
Shop Now →

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories

Looking for more encouragement?

dusting off the sewing machines…

June 29, 2026

It’s been a minute since I had my sewing machines out.  I had to reacquaint myself with winding the bobbins and getting the needles properly threaded, but I slowly figured it out.  The funny thing is that I needed to wear reading glasses over my contacts to thread the needles

Read More

four things | seventy eight

June 25, 2026

I realized once I started working on this post that I was chattier than I expected!  I only posted twice on the blog this week and twice last week, and I think I’m feeling that!  Writing and posting on this blog have been part of my creative process for over

Read More
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This