Make Over a Dresser Using Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint | DIY
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I was so happy with how our nightstands turned out that I decided to paint a coordinating dresser. This is another Craigslist find; it’s a 40-year-old very sturdy (and heavy) Bassett dresser. After obsessively checking Craigslist for two weeks, I decided that this was my next project. Just like the nightstands, I used colors from the Americana Decor Chalky Finish line. Unlike some of my other projects, this one was not a fixer-upper. It was in great condition, but I just wanted it to coordinate with the nightstands. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the ivory with gold accents. Have a look:
I began painting the first coat on our balcony. For the drawers and the top, I used Relic. For the body, I used a mixture of 4 parts Yesteryear and 3 parts Relic (see all colors here). The next two photos are with one coat on everything.
I experimented with some brush-stroking after the first coat. I wasn’t a huge fan, so I just painted over it using the second coat.
For the handles, I used one careful coat of Yesteryear for a nice contrast with the drawers. Here’s the final product:
I finished with one coat of the Soft Touch Varnish (handles included, but painted off the dresser, not on), which is the same Soft Touch Varnish I’ve used in the past. It gives the piece a finished look without making it too shiny (which most people don’t want when using chalk paint).
As a reminder, here is the before:
And after:
I absolutely love this paint. It was so easy to work with, and this project required zero sanding or priming before painting. It’s also worth noting that the paint goes a long way. I painted two nightstands and one dresser (a total of seven paint coats due to changing my mind), and I barely used over two eight-ounce containers of paint. I did end up having to buy more Relic, but I still have almost an entire thing full! The Soft Touch Varnish also lasts; I did one top coat on each nightstand and the dresser, and I still have about half of a container left over.
Hope you enjoyed!
Related Posts:
Make Over Craigslist Nightstands
Favorite Things: Why I Use Chalk Paint
Make Over an Ikea Rast: Little Geometric Dresser!
Nightstands Makeover With Americana Decor Satin Enamels
Make Over an Old TV Stand
My 10 Best Painted Furniture Projects
Make Over Grungy Bar Stools: Painting and Repholstering
Make Over an Old Desk with Postcards & Paint
Did you sand the dresser before applying the paint?
No sanding or priming required, which is one reason I love this paint! We live in an apartment, so the more I can minimize the labor/mess with projects, the better! I’ve even painted glass jars with this paint.
What an awesome project! I have featured it on my blog today. Check it out here:
http://www.diylookbook.com/dresser-update/
Hi Lauren! Thanks for stopping by and for sharing my work!! I’m glad you love it. Personally, this is my favorite paint project so far. I’m working on a new desk at the moment and can’t wait to share it.
This is beautiful! I’m new to chalky paint, I just finished my first chair yesterday and I think I’m addicted. I used the Americana Decor paint and wax. Have you used the wax? How does it compare to the varnish?
Thank you! I’m addicted, too (at least until I painted everything in my apartment). I have not used the wax, but I have seen pieces that have been waxed. It’s a beautiful finish, but the wax has a learning curve, requires buffing, and needs to be reapplied in the future. I was a little lazy and decided that the varnish would be easiest for me. 🙂