I probably have enough content for two blogs, but I only have the time to keep up with one. And sometimes I can’t even do that! There are so many projects and makeovers I work on that you never see. I just don’t have the time to stage them, photograph them, write about them. I sort of hit my favorite projects and what I’m feeling most inspired by on my blog. One of the things I didn’t share was this union jack sign I made out of an old dutch barn door. It had the original red paint on it, so I kept the red and painted the blue and white in craft acrylics.
It looks like it came off an old ship or something.
I also recently painted that French mirror with gold leaf detail and the small shelf to the left of the dresser. Speaking of the dresser…
This is what it looked like when I bought it. Great lines and it had the prettiest wood interior I’ve ever seen on a dresser. I wish I took a picture of it without the drawers. The grain is so pretty.
I used Provence chalk paint directly over the old finish. No sanding, no priming. Just painting. Just the fun stuff. This dresser had the dreaded red stain that seeps through paint like crazy, but the chalk paint handled it pretty well. Some did seep through, but the second coat and distressing took care of it. The nice thing about using chalk paint on a piece with the red stain is that you can paint it without sanding. The original poly acts as a sealant to keep the stain from seeping through. Pretty nice, huh?
I was going to paint the top, but I decided after the first coat that I would strip the top and stain it.
Two coats of Provence, some dark walnut stain on the top, distressing, Old White details, light and dark wax and tada! Did you catch all of that. Sorry I didn’t take pictures for a step-by-step.
One warning about Provence…it is very deceptive when you’re first putting it on. It looks really light and bright, almost like a Tiffany’s box. It tones down when it dries, it gets richer after a second coat and the color gets even prettier after it’s waxed. This dresser is currently for sale in my pavilion at Lucketts.
If you want to order some chalk paint, check out my post listing the stockists.
50 Responses
Thanks so much for sharing… The dresser turned out beautifully!
Beautiful dresser!
I have a set of identical dressers but I have never loved them. It is great to see what they will look like after I paint them. Thank you so much for sharing your projects. They are always a great source of inspiration!
Hej
Just found your wonderful blog
Both the union jack & the dresser turned out beautiful. You are v.clever!
Have a great weekend
LOVE PEACE enJOY
Julie
x
Gorgeous pieces!
I LOVE them both !!
I have to spring the mulah and
get some of the chalk paint ~
It is wayyy cool !!
xoxo
Lori
Are you off your rocker with that pricing? Your time, creativity, and talent are worth way more than that! (Sorry to sound like a scolding mother. . . the sign and dresser are both really beautiful!)
A gorgie before and after. Love that shade of blue.
I just used the wax for the first time and loved it! Thank you for telling us about that. And you were right vegetable oil and then soap and water got it right out! So easy that way.
I have a quick question. I just stripped a little table that had the lip that is like different levels or tiered. I don't know how you would really say it. It is just like the blue dresser you just did. How do you stripped the tiered part of the top of the dresser. I am having trouble with it.
Thanks
Gorgeous!
Love that dresser and the old Union Jack barn door. Where in the world do you find these awesome pieces? I'd love to know too how you strip the "lip" like Katie above me asked….thanks!
It turned out lovely~ Hugs,Rachel
French Farmhouse 425
Love the Union Jack Sign-your Mom did not even see that one 🙂 – MMS's Mom
I am in love with that color on the dresser, of course it doesn't hurt that the dresser is beautiful…what great lines and details. The mirror and Union Jack signs are great too. I am never disappointed when I visit your blog, its always a pleasure.
Beautiful, as usual 🙂
mickey
Everything looks so great! The dresser is my favorite!
Everything is just so beautiful, I love the color of the dresser and that union jack sign is amazing! Thank you for sharing your tips with us! xoxo
So cute!!!! You should come and link up to my party!!!!
http://jaderbombs.blogspot.com/
BTW: I love your blog!!!!
Really love that blue! Thanks for explaining how/…now where did you get your paint?…
love it!..
hollie
I love this redo and the dresser is fabulous. I wondered if you could give me some direction or maybe even some readers could as well…I received a Free antique dresser off Craigslist and wish to redo it, but I am unsure if I should paint it or whatnot…what do you think? I've included the link here:
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-got-lucky-today.html
Thanks in advance everyone!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Gorgeous, as usual:) Ok another behind the scenes question. How on earth do you have time to get all of this done? You stay at home with your kids? Or are the old enough for school, please share your secret!
Thank you for getting the CLEAR WAX and the DARK WAX down pat. I guess I need to thank Vicki in Clovis, CA for offering the advice. I appreciate all you are doing for Annie Sloan Chalk Paints/Products and Waxes…..I am one of two Stockists in California, Vicki being the other, and I have been entertained with your awareness and more than that……experiencing and doing the applications. THANK YOU. I have to admit that here in California I didn't even know who you were……I so appreciate your involvement. It's funny….I wear a "mustard see" around my neck….and have since a girl…..again…thank you for helping all of us U.S.A. Stockists spread the word. Wahoooooo!
You, my friend, are SUCH a good sales woman! I WANT, no NEED some chalk paint. If only I wern't so cheap. 😉
LOVE the chalk paint. I'm moments away from breaking down and getting some! moments….
Your space looks incredible – can just make out that beautiful green sign in the reflection of the mirror….and that dresser just is perfect. I tend to agree with what Kristen is saying though: if you charge $285 for that dresser – I am adding your costs of paint and stripper, misc. and Luckett's rent… and just the time to find the dresser, bring it home, strip and paint, then back to your space…..that dresser could not have been free – around here you would be lucky to have gotten it for $100…. how do you come up with your pricing? Sorry – hope I am not being a 'party-pooper', I just think you are SO talented, want you to be making some $$ off of all this!
WOW! LOVE the new dresser. And the Union Jack barn door is fabulous too. You are so talented!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE what you do – in fact I want to be a fly on your wall so I get to overlook all the prettiness you create :O)
A xx
beautiful once again! I can't wait to come over and see what else you have to show us, you are simply amazing. I think the price on the dresser is really good and I don't mean to sound cheap but I think most people wouldn't pay more than that for it and it's always better to sale it than for it to sit with too high a price and never sale it. just my opinion and I hope no one takes it personal.
The red barn wood is quite a find and looks great with the Union Jack painted on it. Also LOVE the clock!!!
I have almost that EXACT dresser!!! Mine has a slight bow to the top drawer but other than that they are the same, even the same hardware! I painted mine a color called leaping lizzard. Ladies, if you are thinking about buying this let me tell you that the storage in this baby is AMAZING!!! I use mine for all of my extra blankets.
You can see most of mine here:
http://nodimedesign.blogspot.com/2011/03/cardboard-yes-expensive-no.html
The dresser is gorgeous, but I LOVE that Union Jack sign.
Marian I agree with your pricing completely, people don't understand that we don't do this for the money, we do it because we love, love it. Although yes the dresser is probably worth more (your time alone) it would never sell and it's better to keep things moving. People who buy your things have no idea the labor involved and probably wouldn't pay for that labor. You're inspiration is priceless to us all, please keep posting the awesome projects.
I love those little wire cages/domes. Neat pics. Not gonna give you a hard time about your pricing…..Every market is different. Enjoy your Sunday!
Totally enjoying this new endeavor you inspired!:)
Oh I LOVE the dresser~ Awesome!
Thanks for sharing.
Prim Blessings!
Robin
Did I read that price tag right?!!? girl i was just at the Round Top Antique Market here in Texas this weekend- that dresser would go for over $1,000!!! seriously!!!
Boy I wish I lived closer because that dresser would be MINE! 🙂
The dresser is divine.. I hope to paint my stuff this week since we are planning on nice weather. I will have to admit that i don't "get" the whole Union Jack craze. While I am not wildly patriotic ( not un.. just not crazed) it seems that a U.S. repelica might be more called for and I might give it a go with my new Chalk Paint!… same style..colors. finish.. just more Betsy Ross 🙂
But no matter what your stuf rocks hard… love it all!
Maddie
that mirror is to die for!! i wish i could buy it 🙂
Please, oh please…be my neighbor!!
You are such a talented person.
Love that color on the dresser…it's rich.
Your Lucketts shop looks like it's filling up nicely. Wish I were close enough to shop there; looks like a wonderland.
Oh.. it is lovely.. wish I lived closer.. would love to visit your fabulous shop!! uummmm perhaps a trip to the States is in order 🙂
I love your site! You are so inspiring, I have just ordered some wax but was wondering can you spray the chalk paint or do you have to use a brush? I don't know if I could give up my sprayer.
The dresser turned out lovely. It would be an asset to any home. Love all your projects as you are so good at what you do. Never doubt we appreciate you abundantly for your hard work to post, so we can take a little from you and become inspired to do our own. Thanks!
Hi Marian,
The dresser came out beautifully! I apologize for not calling you by now to formally introduce myself as the North American Distributor of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but I am just getting going after the birth of my son this past Tuesday. I see the paint found you well and it is exciting to see what you are doing with the various colors. I will give you a call this week. Look forward to speaking with you in person!
P.S. I have someone coming on board as a Stockist in Lucketts!
All the Best,
Lisa Rickert
If anyone is looking to purchase Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, please find a current list of Stockist/Retailers under "Where to Purchase" on my site http://www.chalkpaintnorthamerica.com
I am adding new Stockist in the US and Canada all of the time so please check for the Retailer closest to you before placing your orders.
Enjoy Painting!
Lisa
North American Distributor
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
I peek in when I have time to see what clever ideas your working on. I see your doing projects for HGTV? I was contacted by a Journalist that is contracted to write articles for HGTV. She asked for help with a couple projects.
I clicked the HGTV link in your post but I didn't see anything. I did see Laura Palmer, The Lettered Cottage, is that how your involved?
Congrats!!
Dianna
Love that dresser! It has my name on it, for sure!
I love that dresser. The paint color is wonderful. I like the flag too. You are amazing!
Everything looks great! I can't wait to see it in person in a few weeks! YAY! I'm also glad you said that about the red stuff. I am having that happening right now on an old dressing table. It's driving me nuts. I guess I need to bite the bullet and invest in the chalk paint;0)
Since you are getting so much traffic now, you might consider captioning each picture with the color and type of paint you used, plus the wax info. That way all the new people wouldn't ask you each time what you used. That was one expensive dresser in its day. Glad to see that you are saving all these pieces and making people happy at the same time. How do the little boys like the new bamboo rugs? Must make it hard to use their scooters and cars. Ann
Love, love your site! Always such great projects.
What do you use for updating your hardware on the furniture pieces? Spray paint, stain, paint?? I am in the middle of a chalk paint dresser and want my hardware to have the same look as this dresser. It looks like you treated them with something to darken them. Thanks for keeping us inspired!