Remember the dresser that was being a total jerk?
Well, he has improved upon acquaintance. He’s a bit of a Mr. Darcy and I dare say that he is now dashing and (almost) ready to sweep someone off their feet. This dresser is sort of like that…
Here’s a simple video tutorial on how I did it…
The dresser is painted in MMS Milk Paint in Marzipan.
The top was stripped to the bare wood and finished with Hemp Oil to hydrate the wood and protect it.
The hardware was so pretty, but it was a little fussy for what I envisioned, so I removed the backplate and just used the clapper pulls.
This allows the book pages to be the real star.
This book was from the 1870’s and the patina on the pages is so pretty. It was a pretty tattered book and I bought it for just a few dollars, so don’t freak out. This was not a pristine museum piece or anything.
Kriste and I will be taking this dresser and a few other pieces to a beautiful manor in Virginia on Tuesday to shoot some pictures for the next Milk Paint look book. We shot the cover (which is amazing) and a few portraits with a talented photographer, Brianna Wilbur, last week.
I am so excited about it and will share more soon…
And just a reminder, I have a few workshops coming up in the Mustard Seed Studio. I’ve listed a Milk Paint BYOF (bring your own furniture) Workshop for Oct 30, a Milk Paint 101 Workshop for Oct 31 and a Glass Glitter Workshop for Nov 21. (I’m having some custom chipboard letters cut just for the glitter workshop and we’re on the hunt for other great things to glitter. You can also bring things of your own!)
The BYOF workshop is almost full, but we have several slots available for the other two.
14 Responses
Fussy no more! Beautiful dresser.
Love how y’all made this work. Regarding your workshops, I have a vague recollection about on on running a creative buisness. Am I crazy or were you thinking about doin one?
Thanks
Paige
I really like the marzipan color. I never thought of taking the fussy backsplash off the hardware. I have to try that idea…
Is it an optical illusion, or are some of the pages meant to be lifting off of the drawer surface? I keep looking and my brain is seeing a sort of 3-D fragility. I’m so taken with the beauty of this piece, I saw a wall covered in book pages and old sketches that I died for; this is such a gorgeous way to get that look when your walls are not your own! I’d appreciate any insight, thank you!!
Oh this is so pretty! We must be on the “same page” so to speak! lol! I just finished posting about a French China Cabinet I madeover with Marzipan and antique book pages! Who would’ve thought you were doing the same type of thing! Your dresser turned out stunning by the way!
Smiles!
Terry
Love the look, but I’m wondering if the person buying the dresser might want the back plates. How durable will the modpoged paper be with continued use of the pulls hitting against it?
I had to mangle them to get them off, so it’s not really an option any longer! 🙂
Love it. Very different. I was thinking if maybe the edges can be sanded down once its dried. Looks like torn type papers? That would be cool too and then an antique glaze. I was thinking of something like that on one drawer of my old dresser. Guess I need to practice on a piece of old wood first to see if I would like it. Very smart looking…Thanks!!
Marian, I like the idea of using the book pages, but in the photographs they look like they aren’t well-adhered. I would worry that they would tear or come off with daily use. Is there another step that you are planning to do? I just don’t like seeing the edges of the pages loose like they appear to be.
They are actually on there nice and flat. It looks like they are curling up, because the way the pages are discolored around the edges. It’s a pretty cool effect, but it feels nice and flat.
I love it! I never would have thought to take the back plate off the drawer pulls! I absolutely love it… it’s so different from your usual painted style but it still completely fits! Wonderful!
This is beautiful and a definite one-of-a-kind statement piece! Sometime,would it be possible for you able to talk about painting the interior of furniture, pros, cons, tips, etc.?
Marian,
I really hope you offer some bring your own classes in the spring when I could drive down to PA !
🙂
Deann
Beautiful, stunner, lovely. That’s all I have to say about that.
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx