It’s time for a good old fashioned dresser before & after here at Miss Mustard Seed. We all loves those, right? This was a piece I did for the Lucketts fair a couple of weeks ago…
Here’s how it looked before. Just a ho-hum dresser…
It needed a lot of repair to the drawers, which was the biggest task. Once those were fixed, I stripped the top of the dresser to refinish the natural wood and lightly sanded the base to prep it for painting. From the moment I bought this dresser, I envisioned it being Mustard Seed Yellow. Beyond that, I wasn’t sure. I just let the piece develop as I worked on it…which is usually how I work on pieces.
I highlighted the details with white acrylic paint and added little green knobs from Hobby Lobby for a little pop of color. To me, this dresser just looks happy.
I finished the piece by staining the top in Dark Walnut, lightly distressing the base with 180 grit sand paper and then applied a coat of MMS hemp oil on everything. I found a new way I like to apply the hemp oil and I’ll share that soon.
I have a bunch of painting projects in the hopper, so more tutorials and before & afters are on their way!
You can find a Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint retailer HERE or order online HERE.
PS – The dresser did sell at the fair, but the tole chandelier did not, surprisingly. My dad is now rewiring it and I will sell it in my online shop when it’s up an running.
156 Responses
Love this!!!! You are amazing. I love how different this piece is with the white and blue. & how shabby chic!! I am obsessed. Great Job!! -Liz Marie
My vote is gorgeous. Yes, this will be an either love it or not but I just love this piece. You've outdone yourself on this one!
Marianne 🙂
You definitely have to take chances to grow! I've really enjoyed watching how your makeovers have progressed.
This may not be for everyone, but I think it's awesome. Who ever buys this will really be getting a one of a kind 🙂
I think it's great. Truly unique and with so much character!
Absolutely love it!! Hopefully it goes quick for you =]
Love it!
Love!!
[LOVE]. i strive to find the most unique things and this has my heart a flutter! the right person will snatch this up! 🙂
Honestly, even though I like the extreme, I think I personally like it better before the final darkening. Maybe I am just into more neutrals right now. I do love all your work. You do an amazing job! It has been so much fun keeping up with your Luckett displays. Please post every week to show us what you have done. It certainly inspires me and I'm sure others agree. Thanks for all you do here on the blog.
Love it! Wish I lived closer! I would buy that in a heartbeat!
I'm sure it will be snatched up in no time, although, like Kathryn, I prefer it before the final wax. I do applaud you trying something new and different!
It's gorgeous! I would never had thought to do that. That's why I look at your blog, to help me see different possibilities. That is some serious distressing! It won't take long to sell. But I think you should keep it.
I think it's perfect for the person looking for a one-of-a-kind piece!
Haven't seen a piece of furniture that your hands have touch, that I haven't thought was just nifty. My guess….it will sell fast.:)
No middle ground for me. I love it! I have one little can of chalk paint. It's the best paint ever. I use it sparingly. Think I'm gonna ask for chalk paint for Mother's Day! =)
I have a feeling this dresser won't hang around for long. So – what happened to the prize that was originally in the drawer? Did mom take ir or did the young man hang on to it? That's the best furniture pick-up story I've heard!
Paula
OMG, I HATE that I can't see this at Luckett's. (hahaha, had you going there with the hate part didn't I?!)
Love this…beautiful and creative as always. 🙂
{Pure Love} – Flo
I think it looks great. Something a little different and fresh. It would be perfect for someone who has a lot of dark wood and wants to venture out but not go too far out with all white or something that's too light.
It certainly is a show stealer…I vote….LOVE it. Wish I was close enough to snatch it 🙂 Beautiful.
mickey
Absolutely love it. I would snatch it right up if I lived closer.
I LOVE IT!! But then again I LOVE all your furniture transformations!! Martina
Weirdly, I love it. I'm not one for distressed ANYTHING, or even generally antiquey shapes to my dressers, but something about this is really…dare I say, edgy?
Nice.
Very creative and gutsy! Not my style, but obviously there are many others that adore it! In the right setting it will look gorgeous!
I think you've outdone yourself this time. This is my favorite piece to date!!!!!
When I first saw it I thought ewwwwww. Then I scrolled down to the before then the after again and I don't know what happened but suddenly I loved it.
You are way too creative. I am so inspired by each of your projects…Now only if you could come down and just tell me what I should do in my house! 🙂
~Alison
I think this needs to be in a room with the british flag dresser… it's so masculin but the crystal knobs give it a little feminine touch.
I can't tell if it is a lighter blue or the darker that is in the top picture. I like the dark blue, it looks really rich. Got to take chances and change things up, otherwise you will be just like everyone else right? Great job Marian.
Well, I love it! It's unique and a fabulous piece, great job!
Nancy
Gorgeous! Looks like a knocked around piece of Delft China. Love the final wax, myself, gives it that depth that an old piece like that deserves.
Hmmm… interesting. Not the way I'd expected you to go with it. But not bad.
…Who am I kidding!???!!!
this piece is definitely different, in fact — it is eye catching. I can't look away. I keep scrolling up just to look at it. I'll probably leave this post and come back to see it a couple of more times.
Lucketts is out for me…too far from home.
It will sell quickly, I betcha!
Pat
Totally in love with this piece!!!
Nice work
Okay….I have 2 words to day to you "Distressing Tutorial"! I have the hardest time with distressing and it obviously comes very easy for you! I think it looks marvelous and if it doesn't sell quickly feel free to ship it right over to me in Texas! (((hugs))) You are a gifted young lady……wish I had an ounce of your talent!
I LIKE it! So very cool and different – gorgeous lines – funny story too behind the dresser 🙂
Kathy
I love it! I'm a newer follower to your blog and this one caused me to make my first comment! I love seeing your work! Such talent!
Stunning!!!
Jane
Flora Doora
Totally LOVE it!!
No Guts no Glory, Marian. You didn't get where you are by playing it safe! Fabulous color, by the way, and I love love love how much distressing you did. The warmth of the wood is stunning with that blue. Your furniture seems to just fly out of your shop, so I can't wait to see how quickly you sell this one.
I really can't wait to buy some of this paint. Maybe with your influence, you can give the manufacturer a friendly suggestion to sell sampler packs. 🙂
P.S. Hilarious about the Ziplock!
Marian, you are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I love love love this piece and if I lived anywhere close to Luckett's I'd be the first one in line! I am ordering this paint color asap….
i love it! your blog and furniture ideas are so inspiring. i am becoming more fond of blue. great job! thanks for the inspiration!
ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING!
Marian that is GORGEOUS! I am seriously SO in love with it! I love pieces that are unexpected like that. And the crystal knobs really knock it out of the park! I think you went the right direction with it…it'll get bought immediately!
The creamy white pieces are beautiful, but sometimes it wonderful to mix it up a bit. I love that you take risks with your art!
How can you hate it? It shows signs of love. I think this piece would rock in a creamy white room.
Wow!! This is really beautiful!! I love it!!
Audrey
adaywithadomesticengineer.blogspot.com
That is HORRIBLE! Haha, JUST KIDDING!! You amaze me, I love it. I think it will be gone in a wink 😉
Julie
This is awesome! It's inspiring me to re-do a piece that I have in a guest bedroom. Beautiful work!
I'm just 3 weeks old in this 'business' but I just love your blog, it's one of my favourites 🙂 …I have been planning to get into furniture design myslef out here in India, so I can totally appreciate what you do!
Ha ha, it looks like your prediction was right! I'm with the pre-wax fan club, LUUURRVE the pre-wax version, the final version just isn't me. But I'm sure it's someone! (Like my sister, actually, she'd love it!)
: )
Meg
I LOVE it! Wish I lived closer! Would look great in a beach house. Reminds me of a pair of well-worn blue jeans! LOVE the color of the blue!
p.s. It looks really good with those curtains, too!
I actually really like it. It's shocking as we are used to your style but it's hip and awesome!
And I have this same dresser just without casters and with a carved bar between the front bottom legs. Painted white about 6 months ago but I'm making a side trip this weekend to pick up chalk paint and wax at a retailer so this baby may be changing colors in the next few days….
Love it!
OMG I absolutely love this!!! If I didn't live on the west coast I would be in that parking lot grabbin' it!! Great job!
Wow, you're quite the girl….the dresser will sell this weekend, what will you refinish next? Wish you were here in Canada. The chalk paints are amazing..I bet paint sales have gone up!! Love all the tutorials, step by steps,the photos, especially of Luckett's….thanks for sharing, next best thing to being there.
Lovely!
Love the dark look!
Blue is my favorite color, so you know I would love it!!! Looks awesome! Great job. Love & blessings from NC!
I think it is SO beautiful! In fact, I have never seen a piece that you have done that I didn't love 😉
In LOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEE!!!!
I usually love everything you do, but….not this time. Sounds like most of your followers disagree with me, though.
I like it! Definately different. Very lovely!
I vote LOVE! It's my favorite color…..I love that it has character, and I agree with Rhoda….bring on the distressing tutorial!!
Keep up the good work!
Gail
It's not for me, but I think it is fun to stretch and not do the same old same old, so I applaud you for going a bit "out there". I think you'll find a buyer lickety split because if we all liked the same thing, life would be so boring (and tough since we'd all be knocking each other down for the same things!). Can't wait to see what you do next…it's always an inspiration!
Hugs,
Judy
Love it!
I can so understand how you felt when you found the ziplock. I would have been just as nervous.
Really good work!
I love your site. And Knack. Such clever ladies. I think this piece is terrific. Really well done.
LOVE IT!!!
Cindy
Love it!!!!!
loveee how you did something out of the box!!! im not daring enough to try bold colors and I think it works really great here for your piece. the detressing looks amazing!!! keep it up (:
LOVE IT!!!! just gorgeous! love the old white over the blue…Love, Love, Love this dresser…did I mention that I Love this dresser….Kat
OK, you're good. Just found your blog and you are one gifted girl! Thank you for opening your home and heart to us in blogland.
Ruthie
thechristiangirlscottage.blogspot.com
SWOONING with LOVE! I have been waiting to see Aubusson Blue as I try to decide what colors I might like to try….Thank you! Your work is such an inspiration….
The dresser is gorgeous!
Love it..
I love it; it's awesome! Keep stepping outside your comfort zone………..it working for you!!!
LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is so gorgeous. I love it – it is the kind of piece that makes a room. Thanks for always being inspiring.
I saw the little thumbnail pic on my dashboard and was blown away..imagine how ga ga I am over larger pictures!!! I am torn..the union jack dresser was my favorite, but I am afraid that it will have to share the title with this number. This is amazingly outstanding Marian and I love that you aren't afraid to take a chance..and it WILL pay in dividends! This is breathtaking(and not in a "Jerry have you seen the baby" kind of way!)!!!
OK, I'm on the fence on this one. This is kinda weird; I like the close-ups, but when I look at the pic of the entire thing I'm not sure.
I do think it will sell quickly, though. In a white room it would really be a focus piece!
I think this is gorgeous! Don't listen to people who question YOUR taste…You are the one creating & selling. It's your business, as long as it's working for you, keep doing what you are doing!
B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.!!!!!!!!! I'm telling you ,You are going to have a furniture line someday. I have started to redo some pieces,hope to have them turn out as well as your's.
Love to hear from you down in Florida.
RENONFL@YAHOO.COM
You are so much more than a blog.
I think I'm wishing I didn't live so far from Lucketts.
I'm doing my first upcycle job. I'm re-purposing 2 cabinets from my old kitchen with a door for a desk. Painting was fine but I'm not confident on how to finish it so it can take the abuse a desk has to take.
LOVE it!! It is gorgeous!!
Beautiful as always. I love the blue.
Chic Modern Vintage
I love this! I know you have probably answered this question a million times but to get that extreme distressed look, is that just a whole lot of sanding? I have an antique dining table I want to do in pink, paint white over it and then distress it so some pink shows through. I know how busy you are and inundated with questions, but any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated! You are the best, Marcia
Love it! I love that it's not your "normal" style but still looks like something you would do. Love the funny story too!
it's ROCK AND ROLL. and thank goodness someone in country decorating is willing to give us some of that. i think it works because it has such personality. more Kelly Clarkson than Carrie Underwood.
michele
Are you serious….who wouldn't love this beauty? I really love how you are not afraid to try new things and then share them with the rest of us. Of course I am very partial to the color blue..You go girl….
Holy Moly, Miss Mustard Seed. Are you kidding???? Someone hate it? Send them my way and I'll take care of them for ya. It is absolutely breathtaking. Just painted a little side table in that color…it is such a gorgeous blue. LOVE it!
🙂
shaunna
WOW! I think my middle child would love it. It would go so well with her personality Bit edgy and dark, but gorgeous none the less.
Personally I think it looked better before the darking, but I see where you were going with the idea.
HUGS!
Cherie
LOVE!
That new blue is gorgeous! Inspiring!
Wow! What a dramatic piece! I doubt if it will sit for long – it's really different – LOVE IT! I really love the distressing on it.
I love old pieces and the stories that come with them. It turned out beautiful. You truly do have a great talent.
love! this dresser matches up with that dresser in my head that i haven't been able to identify yet! now i know what to do on my son's dresser – thank you!!
I love it! It won't be everyone's taste, but that's the case with everything isn't it?
I just painted an old church pew with Old Ochre chalk paint and I love the way it turned out. I want to thank you for sharing the information on this fabulous paint!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Great job!
http://www.justusjunkies.blogspot.com
MY FAVORITE!
Btw, my great aunt hid her valuables in the deep corners of her dresser. She miscounted how much money she'd stashed and when I was helping move it to Goodwill out rolled a THOUSAND dollars rolled as tight as a cigarette!
Is it weird that my mouth waters looking at a piece of furniture. This piece is the Cadbury Cream Egg of furniture Marian….delish!
Who in the world wouldn't LOVE this. Great job!
If you need more encouragement, I am 101 in messages! This will sell in a wink, if it hasn't already! Love it, love it, love it!
~Pam
pamspaintparlor.typepad.com
Seriously LOVE it!! That blue is to die for!
Love it and have those crystal knobs on my kitchen cabinets!
Over a hundred comments!!! I'm glad you have pushed the envelope. It feels good to do something really different doesn't it? Some people already hate you for painting your corner cabinets, so what's a few more? JUST KIDDING! You are tough, you are an Army brat, right? You are breaking out of the Junior League Church lady mold into new directions. Keep it up. Ann
Love love love it!!!
love it….
Love it too! It will sell fast!
I see that I'm one of few in the "hate it" camp. Sorry, too much for me!
Love it!
I love it! I have a question. Did you sand off some of the paint, or rub it off with the wax, or is that just the brown wax? You do a great job.
jhanson14@comcast.net
Kudo's to you for going out on a limb! It's tough to gamble on something labor intensive and I greatly admire the fact you did:)
http://beeinteriors.blogspot.com
love, love, love! I think it might be one of my most favorite pieces you've ever done! gorgeous!!
its a gorgeous piece no doubt about it. it wouldnt fit my style at all but i wish it would! you have an eye for what to do and when to stop.
nice job lady. nice.
OMG I LOVE IT, what a gorgeous piece, I love everything about it!! 😀
Love your work, this one not so much, but then you didn't paint it to please me now did you? Sorry. 😉
Totally doesn't go with the style or color of anything in my home and yet…I LOVE it! Really gorgeous piece for some lucky buyer. 🙂
Marian I think it's beautiful! I love how distressed it is, it'll be gone fast I'm sure. I still haven't gotten the drawer to open. Oh well, maybe I'll have better luck with the next dresser! Susan
AWESOME! I would easily have it in my home. Furniture redesigns are a big part of my business. I love going over the top. If I had my way, I would probably go nuts with just about everything. LOVE IT!
Count me in with Team Love! It's absolutely stunning. Wish I lived close enough to buy it. It's perfect
Love it. I think it would look fabulous in a very neutral room. It would get the focal point spot it deserves. I love how much you distressed the drawers.
I love it but am curious to know if the blue would have stayed lighter with a lighter wax? Did the dark wax give it the dark denim tone?
I think it will be snatched up!
Another job well done! It's unique, different and fabulous – what's not to love?!?
Well, I love the shape and I love the knobs. I love the color of the drawers. If I could change one thing it would be to have the frame match the drawers but that's just me. I'll be interested to hear how quickly it sells.
For the record if you are keeping them, I love it! I actually have a primitive cupboard from the late 1800s that still has the original blue paint on it and it's a very close color to your dresser. Spot on, girl!
I am jealous that you are not afraid to try new things. I just got some chalk paint and I am afraid to do anything with it:-) I LOVE the dresser!!! Just curious which picture shows the true color of the blue. In the first picture…it almost looks navy blue…in the 3rd and 4th picture it looks much brighter. Either way..it is awesome!!! seaandskifun@yahoo.com
Ashley
Need I even say it again? LOVE IT! That baby is gone the minute it hits your place!
LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE IT!!!
Photo number 3 & 4 = LOVE it.
Photo number 1, 5 & 6 = Not so much
This really looks like two different pieces of furniture from the pics on my screen. I love the one but the other is a bit dark for my taste. I'm feeling like the 3&4 pics are the real deal and if so….BRAVO, you have another winner!! Probably be gone before you get it placed. Congrats!!
Take care, VBg
I think it's great. It wouldn't work just anywhere but – if you had the right spot – it would be a show-stopper!
I'm lovin' it! 🙂
Very cool! You should have left the ziplock baggie in it for added intrigue. I am sure it will sell well based on the amount of comments. You are on to something here!
I love it! The blue is amazing and the distressing looks great as well. Good job!
Love this piece, Marian. I especially love the richness of it in the first photograph.
It's not exactly my cup of tea, but it is striking and well done. Even before I scrolled through the other comments I would have predicted it will sell quickly. Let us know!
I don`t hate it but I dont love it either.I love the drawers and that beautiful blue but I think the frame doesnt do it for me.What I LOVE is you are stepping out of your usual comfort zone.This is what is exciting.Nicely done xx
I love it and count me in the pre-dark wax group. This piece could make a room.
Count me in the LOOOOOOOVE it camp! Loveitloveitloveit.
SPECTACULAR!!! Love the knobs. excellent choice!!
LOVE.LOVE.LOVE.
Seems like the more you rough it up…the better!
Beautiful! I love it!
Clorissa
Everything about this dresser is PERFECT. What a beauty – my kind of piece!
I thought well ok let me see what I might hate
and I had scrolled down to the first picture.
At first I thought that maybe you had altered this stunning blue dresser, but why? it was soooo beautiful already.
Perhaps you were tired when you wrote that : )
It's truly beautiful.
Do you like my dresser?.. yes yes I do!
( Way too many years of reading Go Dog Go don't you think??
Maddie- the D.A.
I love it so much that I want to do it to a piece that I have! I might be e-mailing you later with some more specific questions to get some details that a 1st timer will need… haha!
Count me in the "love it" group! You have such good taste and are not afraid to experiment.
I work on a lot of furniture, most of it to resell. My old standby color is a custom off-white I had mixed up, sometimes with an aging glaze and sometimes without. Second is black. In an effort to re-excite my ceativity I decided to give metallic silver a try…Ohh LA LA, that did the trick!!
I think your piece and the colors are FABULICIOUS!
NO GUTS, NO GLORY!!!
Oh my gosh! I love that paint job! One of the coolest and different ones I have ever seen!
Very cool!
I am going to try it.
Jenny
oh my i LOVE IT!!
Jeez louize you are talented. You are makin' the rest of us painting girls look bad here!!!! hahaha! It will sell immediately!!!
LOVE IT!!!
I love it! If I lived any where near you, I would be headed that way to snatch it up!!
FANTAB!! I am adding your creation to my "loves" decor addition this week!! Inspired!! Pop by and ck it out!
I am new to re doing furniture..but I love the look of your pieces. I will be getting some chalk paint. Can you tell me what kind of wax you use to finish your pieces????
This is amazing. Such creativity! I love it, way to go be daring!
I love this look!! Did you have to sand it a lot? And did you use a sander or do it by hand? I’m stuck on how to finish a large bookcase I started with graphite and tried to distress with old white. It just isn’t looking right. Any suggestions?