I have always loved sharing my furniture makeovers here and I know they are what put my blog on the map, so to speak. Now that I have this new space to work in, I’m more inspired than ever to work on pieces in my stash and it feels good.
I started working on this empire buffet a few days ago. I shared the refinishing, painting and waxing process HERE. And here’s the end result…
I envisioned the piece being very light, with a faded quality. I don’t know why I saw it that way when it started out so dark and heavy, but that’s how I pictured it!
I was planning to use the original knobs, but the brass piece that held the glass looked really dark against the pale gray milk paint and “bleached” top. I used some new glass knobs that disappear a bit more and allowed the hand painted detail to be the star. Don’t worry…I’ll save the beautiful antique knobs for the right project.
The design looks sort of Scandinavian to me and is a little different from other hand painted pieces I’ve done over the years. I like to push myself to change, so I don’t get stuck in a rut.
I based the dresser design loosely on this pillow from Joss & Main that I spotted on Pinterest…
A reader asked if I would share a video on how I do the hand painting and I had that very thought as I was working on it! I will definitely do that, because it’s really not as complicated as it looks and chalking out the design before painting removes some of the intimidation.
I love that this piece comes with the original key. That’s pretty rare and it looks so sweet against the new hardware and paint.
Kriste was watching as I worked on the buffet yesterday and she commented that it would look beautiful in a nursery. I didn’t see the piece like that at all, but it certainly would! It could work for baby boys and girls and is a good height to use as a changing table. So, when I was styling for the shoot, I went in the “nursery direction.”
This antique rolling horse is still a work in progress, but it looked perfect on this piece.
I haven’t finished it, because I’m scared of painting a face on it. I know…I just need to do it!
I was asked to share my thought process when I style pieces, so I took pictures of the different accessories and compositions Kriste and I tried and I’ll talk you through it in another post. We also styled it as a buffet to show a different look and I’ll be sharing that as well.
Ha, I thought I would get fancy with a split side-by-side before & after and I learned that I should take an “after” without anything on it! Nothing quite like a headless hobbyhorse to inspire…
61 Responses
The horse is perfect without a face. You should call it done as is.
Love how sweet and fresh this dresser came out. Maybe it is an “Amish” horse and doesn’t have a face!
The buffet turned out so beautiful,the handpainted detail looks amazing. I think the horse is perfect like it is, but knowing you Marian you will be able to make it better than I could ever imagine.
I was thinking the exact same thing…perfect for nursery! The weight and structure of make it not too “girly” for a little boy’s room. Looking forward to seeing it at Chapel Market!
One of my favourite pieces you have ever done!! This post was the inspiration I have been searching for! Thank you for the constant ideas and fresh perspectives 🙂 I hope one day I can inspire half as many people as you do!
I really love it! And that is a piece that I wouldn’t have painted; I would have kept it with the chipped veneer. It is beautiful and I love the paint. Thank you for showing the in between on the paint layers; that was helpful!
Dear MMS, Wow, that piece is so beautiful. You never cease to amaze and delight with your painted furniture. And that horse is lovely just as it is. Thanks for your blog and sharing with us. Hugs, Anne Boykin
Love what you’ve done with this piece! And I do agree with the other ladies–the horse is perfect as is!
A video on your hand painting technique? Yay! I was going to put out the idea of stencils based on your hand painting style. I love it, but I am uncertain about mimicking it. The dresser is beautiful.
Love it! I’m with the rest on no face. I painted a horse recently that someone had put a face on. It was not original to the piece and it was down right scary. After being painted all ironstone over shutter gray it was very peaceful looking. Thanks for the inspiration!
You have such and eye, it’s beautiful. I love the half and half shot!
Hi Marian…how lovely!! I finally found an Empire dresser here in NYC and it looks identical to yours – same woodgraining look etc. it has a few veneer missing pieces and that’s what has stopped me from painting it. Got it for $100 – couldn’t believe my luck!! But now you have revved up my desire to paint it. I love this lighter look, especially with your white wax over it.
Thanks so much for the inspiration…as always!
Linda
The buffet is gorgeous! I love the painted design also. As for the horse–no face needed–I would leave it as is–perfect…
I enjoy the posts now…I liked seeing a process over days. I like how tomorrow I’ll see this piece as a buffet. Also without your blog and you showcasing your own line, I would not have ordered your German Glass glitter to use on a project . I had not heard of white wax. I’d have never realized how to sand the top going from roughest to smoother sandpaper. In a visually pleasing way I’m learning, wanting to try milk paint, like the problem solving tips embedded in the posts. I will continue to read and enjoy.
gorgeous! well done….and I didn’t even notice those wood side pieces, how they protrude out on the front, until you showed a side shot of the finished piece….LOVE 🙂
You’ve outdone yourself again. Everything is perfection. Hope someday to attend one of your classes held in your new space. So happy for you!
Wish it was coming to my home! It’s so beautiful!
When I first saw the dresser painted, I thought changing table..my daughter is expecting in Feb and she is planning on using an antique dresser of mine for that purpose..she will remove the top drawers and replace with baskets….mine is not near as cute as yours but has the same bones…she also will replace caster with newer taller ones she is 6 ft tall and taller caster will be more comfortable on her back…I love your new workshop…bet your little ones love riding their bikes and playing with their cars in such a big space..Love you Maybee’s Mom
This piece is just loverly! I love the pretty blue and the charming painted details! You’ve outdone yourself!! 🙂
You are right, Marian. The dresser looks much, MUCH better as light and faded than it did when it was dark. I love the nursery setting idea, too!
I love it… i also like the horse as is with no face. I keeps that vintage antique quality.
This is absolutely beautiful! What a transformation! You have such a vision, Marian–it’s so inspiring. I just re-painted a little $5 garage-sale-find coffee table and found myself thinking “what would Marian do??” lol! It turned out beautifully, so credit to you!
Also, just for the record, I like him without a “face”. I think he’s beautiful just the way he is right now! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your creativity with us, it’s a bright spot in my day every day!
I agree with Shawnetta: no face needed on the horse…it is perfect just like it is…..
Love it! I would love to see how you go about styling and also how you hand paint things! Looking forward to those posts/videos!!!
I agree with everyone that the little horse is perfect as is. As for the dresser, I think I’m in love!
I think this is my favorite piece yet, and I say that every time you do one! I love the color, the light top, and the decorative painting. Too bad you don’t have another dresser like this – you could do the second one in a light version of apron strings and decorate it with the same design for a “his and hers” set!
Marian, this is just so sweet. I love the faded look to it and the idea of it in a nursery is just precious. I look forward to seeing the video of how you hand paint..Happy Wednesday..Judy
Absolutely beautiful! I was thinking nursery as well but then I think it also has a coastal/beachy vibe!
This is my favorite thing you have ever done. I would buy this in a heart beat. I agree with one of the other commenters that the HH does not need a face, he looks perfect as is. This color is beautiful – is it a new color or a mix of your current colors? Do any of you know, please?
Thanks for all you do.
You always paint so beautifully, and I love this chest! Eyes of the horse? It’s only paint, so you could repaint them if you don’t like them. Practice on another piece of wood to get a feel for where they are placed, etc. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!
I love everything about this chest! I would use it anywhere in my home. You’ve given it a very fresh and modern twist. It’s just so uplifting now. Well done!
Wishing you a beautiful day,
Linda at Beautiful Ideas
Love the transformation of this piece!!!! Beautiful job as always.
your best work yet. Congratulations
Absolutely beautiful! The color is so soft..
Simply beautiful!
Marian… That is awesome!!! I absolutely love it!!
I would never have thought to keep the wood natural and light! Love the white wax on the entire piece! New inspiration for sure. I am in the process of doing the exact same dresser, I hope you come out with the hand painting video real soon, I will not seal it until you do! Not sure I have that much talent, you should make some stencils for all us that are artistically challenged.
I love this as a nursery piece because it can transition!
That is my favourite hand painted piece you have done, just stunning! Love seeing a makeover again!
It’s my favourite too. Love it!
Love the buffet but wondering if shutter Gray is actually a pale blue or maybe my monitor is showing it that way. What would be a more gustavian gray in your product line? And…yes, leave the horse faceless. Nice to let the imagination fill in the blanks for a change. Good luck at Chapel Hill!
Yes, Shutter Gray is a very blue/gray. If you’re looking for a truer gray, I would suggest Trophy and Grain Sack.
My favourite piece so far! Love the soft colour and delicate design. And that gorgeous horse is perfect already!
Marian it is a beautiful piece. Please, please, please do a video of painting a design on furniture. I love the way it looks but I am chicken to try it.
I so love it!! I do think it is perfection – those colors are pure heaven! And the horse is perfect as is!
I also would love a video of how you chalk the pattern onto the piece and then paint. Thank you for sharing such inspiration! I get so excited when you share such beauty!! Makes me want to make my own!
I love this piece! It looked Scandanavian to met, too.
Fabulous makeover, I love the colour and the hand painted design sets it apart.
Lee 🙂
I HATED that dresser when you first posted a photo of it and wondered why you were so thrilled with it. Now I know-just an amazing transformation and I hope you do a tutorial on painting those designs.
Marion:
This is absolutely beautiful, I’m amaze at the different coats, it so pretty, I want it.
You are a great artist. how much is the dresser?
Thanks
Martha
I am always in AWE over your creative work and vision!! Keep up the fantastic work – we cherish the piece that we have of yours for Lucketts Market this year.. it’s such a GEM! Cant wait to buy more from you 🙂
Just so very pretty. I love the faded chambray appearance of the piece. It could go anywhere!
I wonder if you even have time to read all your comments but I will say that I have watched you grow in your decorative painting skills and this is just outstanding. Isn’t it amazing how you can actually see the details of the design of the dresser better when it is painted? Congrats on the new storefront. It’s nice to have a space to do it all in!
I do still read my comments…most of them. I don’t always have time to answer, though. 🙂 Anyway, thanks so much for the compliment. Yes, I feel that, too. You can see the details in a piece so much more when they are painted.
So beautiful, loking forward to the hand painting video!!!
Maybe I missed it, but where do get (or how do you do) all the
pennants? I want them for Christmas.
Stunning! It really took my breath away!
How did you achieve the “bleached” look on the top of this piece?
I love the horse without a face. I wouldn’t change it at all. And that buffet… it is absolutely beautiful!
Your hand painting is so inspiring!! Right now, I just do some stenciling as I dont think I can hand paint.. But you have inspired me.. And yes, if you can do a tutorial pls.. Thank you for sharing your art!!!
One more comment….the top looks unfinished [as in not yet dealt with] in these photos because it is so much lighter [but not white] than the wood pieces you are using in the photo. If the wood pieces were closer to the top it might look totally different.
Your hand painted buffet in the Scandinavian style is beautiful. Could you explain how you bleached the top? I’d like to try that technique.