This post may contain affiliate links.

I came into the studio on Monday morning like a tight ball of stress.  The studio is my “happy place”, but I was struggling to step away from the “businessy” things and create.  I finally had to force myself.  I needed it.  I needed to mix some paint, dip a brush in, watch a transformation in progress, feel myself relax with each stroke.

I pulled out this little pine dresser and decided to start a new landscape on it.

The last one I did had vibrant, playful colors.  I wanted this one to be soft.

The MMS Milk Paint colors I mixed up are (from the top, clockwise) – Layla’s Mint + Boxwood, Eulalie’s Sky + Shutter Gray + Farmhouse White, Farmhouse White, and Layla’s Mint + Lucketts Green.  I loved the palette just sitting on the table.  I was already enjoying the benefits of a creative endeavor.

Since it’s easier to show you the process, here’s a quick video of me painting the piece…

And yes, I almost always paint a piece while the drawers are inside.  I really need to leave the drawers in, anyway, for a piece like this, so the pattern is consistent.

The sky is painted in the Eulalie’s Sky + Shutter Gray + Farmhouse White mix.  I brushed in some Farmhouse White here and there to start some “clouds”.

The grass is painted in the two custom greens I mixed.  Adding Layla’s Mint to both Lucketts Green and Boxwood really muted the colors, giving them the softness I was after.

I was hoping to get a little further on this piece, but I got sidetracked on some other creative projects.  By the end of the day, I was humming along to my music and the stresses of the morning, that really aren’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things, didn’t feel as acute or pressing.

This sweet little dresser and I are going to have another therapy session tomorrow…

Receive a Daily Dose of Encouragement and Inspiration!

Stay Inspired with Marian's Daily Blog Posts

Sign up to receive uplifting blog posts directly in your inbox! Join our community of like-minded individuals and start your day with a burst of creativity, motivation, and positivity. Whether you’re seeking decorating tips, DIY projects, or simply a dose of inspiration, Marian’s daily posts are sure to brighten your day and ignite your creativity. Don’t miss out on your daily dose of encouragement – subscribe now!

    16 Comments

    1. Marie-Helene Belanger @ Kingsbury Brook Farm

      Wow! I love those landscape dressers and can’t wait to see the reveal. Reading your blog at night after a long day is definitely my therapy session…

    2. Brenda McCulley

      As always, I love the colors! I am excited to see what develops. If only I could move as fast as you did in the video I might get more done creatively. My project list would be a lot shorter! Have a great day with your therapy session!

    3. Sue

      Gorgeous start! I love the colors together and watching the video makes this look do-able.

      UNTIL the detail part comes along later – LOL! Cannot wait to see it. 🙂

    4. Lora Bloomquist

      I can see why you keep the drawers in for this type of paint treatment, but seriously…you always paint with them in? Do you go back & paint the sides & the tops of the drawers later? And do you paint any of the inside edges of the body? I take everything apart, paint, poly, wax, lemon oil, etc & then put it all back together.

      • marian

        No, I don’t paint the sides of the drawers, because that can sometimes make it so the drawers don’t slide in and out properly. I only paint the drawer fronts.

    5. Marlene Stephenson

      I love the dressers you do that have landscapes on them, just wish i lived closer so i could buy one. I can’t wait to see the finished dresser.

    6. Deanna Rabe

      Love these landscape dressers!

    7. Laurie

      Love your landscape dressers! Combining functional pieces of furniture with works of art! Also love your videos but all I kept thinking was “I have the same shoes as Miss Mustard Seed! And how does she not get paint all over herself?!” ?

    8. Naomi S.

      So happy to see another landscape dresser in progress! The colors are nice and I can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow!

    9. Susan NJ

      The colors are so pretty and I can see the clouds especially on top. Just lovely.

    10. Karen from 4848Farmhouse.com

      Marian, the ads have become overwhelming. I’m using a laptop, not an ipad. There is one across the bottom that changes and there is no way to close it – very distracting as I am trying to read the post. And then as I scroll down through there are ads within the post. My virus protection also has blocked some of your content because of ‘potentially dangerous or suspicious sites. I have read that you are having some issues, but wanted to make sure you understood how bad it is – and not just ipads having the problem.

      Now, on to more fun things! The dresser is looking like it will be fabulous!! Love your blog!!!

      • marian

        Thanks for letting me know, Karen. I look at my blog mostly on a laptop and I don’t have that problem. There is an ad at the bottom, but I can easily close it out and I’m not seeing any ads in the content of the post. Hmmm…

        Yes, I have been in a bit of tech limbo as I’ve been looking for a new tech company to implement a new design, increase site speed, and get a handle on the ads! It’s going to take some time, but I am working on it!

    11. Lane

      Love the colors. Excited to see the finished product. I may just have to try this although I’m not an artist. This makes me want to attempt maybe an easy beach scene. Thanks

    12. Carolyn

      I’m fairly new to your blog. I love all the ideas since I also paint, but the ads are driving me crazy. I usually am on my MAC laptop and was considing using my iPad, but it seems the same complaints are for those also. Hope thing s get better since I enjoy your ideas.

    13. DeAnna

      Hi Marian,

      Love your blog and read it every day 🙂

      Just wanted to mention my experience with the ads as it was mentioned by another reader…

      I’m seeing two ads on this blog post in addition to the many advertisements on the side. There’s a Fructis ad with video that’s placed at the end of your post but just prior to where the comments start. I cannot remove this ad though. The other ad is located at the bottom of the page as I’m scrolling down and reading your post but is easily closed by pressing on the x,

      I’ve noticed this happening on another person’s blog as well, but the non-removable ads were in the middle of her paragraphs breaking up the post and making it difficult to read. I’m on a MacBook Pro laptop.

      Deanna

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This