As some of you may know, I’m good friends with Barb Blair from Knack Studios. She called me up one day out of the blue (creeper) and I felt an immediate connection with her. Barb has since been one of my go-to girls to call when I need to chat, vent, celebrate or get some sound advice. Her work and style, which is very different from mine, has also been an inspiration.
Enter…The General.
I “met” him on her portfolio page a few months ago and he sent my heart a-flutter. I loved her technique of allowing the stripe on the piece to be wood. Genius. Brilliant. I knew the day would come when I would find the right piece to make my own version.
Here’s a sorry iPhone picture of the before. It was an extremely sturdy, heavy dresser, but the finish was pretty tired.
I taped off all of the stripes with 1″ Frog Tape…a mind-numbing job, I assure you. I didn’t use any tricks to keep the lines perfectly straight, because I really didn’t care if they were perfectly straight. I wanted it to look hand-done.
I then carefully painted the piece in ASCP Paris Gray. I used a brush and painted with the direction of the tape to ensure none would bleed through. Once the paint was dry, I distressed the piece and finished it with clear wax.
I decided to leave the sides solid, so all of the stripes went in the same direction and to give the eye a break. I love how it turned out. I think this may be one of those love-it-or-hate-it pieces, though. The stripes are definitely in your face.
I finished a few other pieces and delivered them to Lucketts on Thursday…I’ll share them this week. The rest of the time I’ve been up to my eyeballs in Christmas stuff. Making ornaments, pricing, cutting, glittering, gluing, shredding, shopping, wrapping, packing. It’s been nuts. I have less than a month to get ready for the Holiday Open House at Lucketts, which is November 4, 5 and 6. I have big plans, so it’s full steam ahead and…well… Remember how I said I would keep my office neat because it was pretty now?
Yeah… I’m working on that.
One last thing – Mini Mustard Seed and I are going to be at Lucketts this Thursday to patch some holes (a lot of holes) and paint the walls and trim in my room. We’ll probably start around 11:00 and work on it for a few hours. If you’d like to come out to say hello or even come ready to lend a hand, you would be most welcome either way. I’m going to have some yummy snacks on hand and it can be an informal “room warming party” of sorts. Drop by if you can! My room is the first room on the right on the third floor.
PS – I’m just kidding about the creeper comment. If Barb ever calls you out of the blue, she’s super cool, so you should talk to her.
58 Responses
Awww Marian ~ It would be so fun to pop over to Lucketts while you two were there!
Those stripes turned out amazing ~ I can't even imagine taping that off!!
Have a great Sunday!
xoxo
Lori
I love it!! Its so different and unique. I so wish i still lived in baltimore because I would SO come and help you!!
I love the dresser, I am new to the blogging world, I have been painting as an artist and on furniture for years, and I wish I started blogging sooner, so many creative women to be inspired by. A great tip I learned with the frog tape and painting on furniture, after you lay down the tape, before you paint use a matte artist medium, I like GOLDEN Fluid Matte Medium, there are other brands too, you will get no bleeds at all when you pull the tape off.
Ms. M.S.
You have worked some miracles in the time I've been following you, but this transformation is nothing short of incredible. I had to keep checking back at the before. Beautiful job, I love it and will be scouring CG for a similar piece.
I love The General! He is amazing! I also love your dresser! I am always amazed by the choices you make when painting; they're always perfect for the piece! I love your style!
Oh my gosh..it is just fabulous!!!! I pinned it, of course 🙂
I wish I was close enough to help you guys at Lucketts! I LOVED this dresser though! Hope you get lots of work done! I can't wait to see it all together 🙂
-Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
http://bonniegetchell.blogspot.com
Definitely in the "love it" camp! I think it's my fav so far
Really unique I love what you created with this piece. I bet it will sell fast. So inspiring and the Paris Grey is perfect!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Really fun post. The love it or hate it? Definitely love. I'd be there on Thursday if I could…
Well I certainly LOVE it. I think you did the right thing by leaving the sides blank. This piece would look great in my guest room, too bad I'm so far away from you. Thanks for sharing.
I love it! It is such a great statement piece! The solid sides are perfect…Lordy it must have taken you FOREVER to tape!
I LoVE stripes! This dresser is mighty awesome! Too bad I live clear across the country or I woulda come and bugged you!! Happy painting!
That is unbelievably gorgeous! I am in awe of both pieces!
oh my. i love it. absolutely love it. 🙂
Oh, the stripes are kinda Tim Burton-y! Very nice.
i for one, love it!! i think you did a perfect job of making it look hand done but it also looks quite professional! good eye & nicely done!
I love how your dresser turned out. The stripes are very fun. I love Barb too, she is someone that just connected with my funky brain. We've done some fun chatting but not on the phone. Back when you were getting ready for Lucketts big event, you mentioned Barb was coming. That was funny because I didn't think the two of you knew each other, knew of each other, I am sure….Anywho…maybe I will call her and be the Creeper! I think we both have a slightly off kilter sense of humor. I love seeing what both of you are doing because the style is so different. I think I am somewhere in the middle. So much inspiration from both. Good luck on the patching and beautifying of your space! I would love to come and help if I lived out there! Thanks again for all the sharing you give. I worked at my "Paris Flea" today and was referring to you when the subject came up about learning to wax. I really have learned much, and been so inspired to get the ball rolling on my business, and rolling it is, so fast that I have a little redoux, redouxer with me once a week now! Have a very lovely weekend. -K
I love that technique. It is nice to have a few variations. I would have liked that little diamond shaped piece in the middle to be highlighted though. I crack up every time I see that big MAKE sign. Make is a New York City Yiddish term for make water, or go to the bathroom. I remember years ago all these women yelling at their kids, "Did you Make?" An eye opener for a New England Yankee that never references that room. Even my dogs go outside to "go to the bathroom" Can't wait to see your Holiday line!! Ann
MMS, that dresser is so gorgeous. I have a piece that I haven't been able to bring a brush to yet, because I actually think the wood is so lovely, but it does need freshening up. I think this is just right for it! Thank you for always posting such wonderful stuff. 🙂
This is my most favorite piece you've ever done. Beautiful!
I LOVE that dresser, Marian, it is just gorgeous. I have wanted to do stripes for a while now but would never have thought of leaving the wood as a stripe, but it really looks fantastic. I have to say I like yours much better than your inspiration piece 🙂 I haven't been about much lately…we moved to Australia a couple of months ago and thankfully we are now settled, our belongings have arrived (including my painting supplies!) and I am sooo ready to get back into it!
xx Karen
if its a love it or hate it—-I LOVE IT. Looks very Parisian to me. I could see it in a bedroom or a Parisian dressing room/huge closet. Sigh. Nice work!
Lisa
How fun to join you and lend a hand with your Lucketts freshen-party Thursday, if only… (I live in S Florida). Enjoy and blessings! You're an inspiration to follow.
What a conversation piece to add to any room!
I would SO love to come work for you for a day!!!! I just live too far away….
What an amazing dresser! I love it!
Stripes are definitely in your face type 🙂 How many hours did you spend taping that thing?
Hope you get some good help on Thursday!
I'm planning a trip to Luckett;s (from South Florida) sometime between Oct 21-25th….I can't wait to see your creations in person! Thanks for the inspiration…..
I love that painting technique.That turned out fantastic.I will have to try that.I would love to stop by and say hello and help out.But I live hundreds of miles away 🙁
That looks totally stunning! I love all those stripes! And the general is very handsome too. I love Barb's work – and she's so friendly and encouraging too.
I LOVE it! What a great piece!
I absolutely LOVE your striped dresser! You did an awesome job! Thanks for sharing!
these stripes are gorgeous!
Love it…you make it look so easy. I am sure my version would not look as good…wish I lived closer!
Absolutely love it!!! What a cool piece!
Well I for one absolutely LOVE the striped piece! I wish I could come by and be another one of your "creepers" on Thursday but I have to pickup at preschool at 12:45.
Sarah
I REALLY love this idea! I have the paris grey and dont love it as much as I thought I would too light. But its great with the dark wood. Now I only need a piece to try this on… Thanks for all your wonderful ideas and posts!
Another gorgeous addition to the MMS line of fine furnishings! Love it.
~Tina
Love your dresser and both the generals… the dresser and R.E. Lee. Beautiful job.
hah! hah! you are soooo busted for calling me a "creeper"!! I love you to pieces though, so I will try to be nice when I get you back!
Thanks for "the general" love…..your piece is so fantastic…..well played my friend!
xo
Fun!!
I saw a grainsack-covered chair at PB this weekend while I was there buying a rug. Amazing how two years ago they were influencing blog designers and now blog designers are influencing them! Couldn't help thinking of you when I saw it. 🙂
*** I absolutely FELL IN IMMEDIATE L*O*V*E with this striped piece you did! It's simply too FAB (and I have the PERFECT SPOT in the guest room for it too!)!!! I had thought I could e-mail you & pay to have it sent to me here, in AZ, then I saw above that you live in MARYLAND!!! DANG it all!!! That ISSSSS a bit far, I guess…
I DO have an old, pretty blackish chest (and it looks about the same dimensions as yours) in a guest room, and have been wanting to do something just about exactly like you did, but have never be a DIYer…(Family n' friends even keep sharp objects like scissors, etc., away from me!!! Grins!)…
Do you think it's POSSIBLE for me to attempt this without much experience, as long as I follow your directions??? Seriously, I need your advice, pleeease! (I REALIZE one is supposed to start off small, but I don't "want" to!)…
PLEASE, can you give me some advice????Blessings n' thanks,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
I would love to come by and say "hello" and would love even more to come lend a hand… BUT I am in the (hand over my heart) the great state of Texas. — I really appreciate how you keep it real and show the messes along with the pretty stuff!
It bet it would be so crazy fun to come help you ladies paint that room! I just can't wait to see how your Christmas Open House turns out and your room re-paint too. I have my first craft show the 11/5, so yeah, crazy times right now! I shouldn't even be online right now…. (insert rolling eyes at myself)
Soooo wish I lived closer- I would be there in a heartbeat- Starbucks in hand, of course. I like the dresser although I think walking by it while looking at it might make me feel a bit dizzy…and you know…being a blonde I am a bit dizzy already! xo Diana
Hi Marian,
For me, this is my favorite painted piece if furniture I've seen! It's got a more European, tailored look. Just wonderful!
I spoke with the General yesterday! I have to admit I went straight up to your room,and walked around in awe.When my husband caught up with me, I talked about seeing the poem dresser, and the drippy paint dresser on your blog. Does that make me a MSI groupie?
I bought two bunches of lavender because I NEEDED them.
Then we looked around the rest of the rooms- it was our first visit to Lucketts. Learned about it from your blog.
fun fun day!
Sue
ArabellaSkye
That.is.so.awesome!! Love the dresser!
The stripes on that dresser are phenomenal!!! I'm sure you will see many look-a-likes in the near future. If I find a piece of furniture that lends itself to vertical stripes I will surely be attempting it. LOVE THEM!
marian! this is so modern looking and fabulous! i'm def gonna try it…what is there to lose??? but another reason i am in love with paint (and stripes at the moment).
love.
michele
Love the stripes, it's definitely a room-making piece!
WOW!!! love this piece!! Any way i can get it to California??
I love the stripes on the dresser and I how only the top and front were done..Beautiful..
Janet
Those stripes of wood are amazing! Such a great idea I may have to try it on something (commence looking around my house for item to paint… ) haha!
Another amazing one of a kind that dresser is. LOVE it! Love Knack's piece too! You girls are both amazing.
Donna
Gosh, you get so many comments!
I´m dropping you a line to say how much I love following your work and to ask for permission to keep linking to your blog/making references to your projects, etc. I recently started selling Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Sweden. I am the first store in the country, so we don´t have much of our own reference material yet. Your work is just about the best I have found on the net, so I love using it as reference (I give you full credit every time & links to your blog). I hope this is OK with you. Thank you again for a wonderful, inspiring blog!
Best wishes, Sarah.
You are so creative – those stripes are awesome on that dresser!
-Trish