Artistic license with an antique dresser

I have had this piece for years. I bought it at a thrift store ages ago and wasn’t really sure what to do with it. Recently a local business asked me if I had a piece or two I would like to consign there (how flattering). I asked the owner what size piece she was looking for and this antique dresser seemed to fit the bill. 

I asked her what colors and kind of wandered through Pinterest looking for something to jog my inspiration. I just felt like it needed to stand out. I came across this Pin (which as an aside might end up being the inspiration for our new kitchen one day) and instantly I knew- it’s got that fun, but still classy, Mackenzie-Childs look going.

It wasn’t going to be simple, but it was going to be AMAZEBALLS!

I got it out and gave it a good cleaning and scuff sanding all over and totally sanded off the finish on the two top pieces.

I taped it of and gave that interior top two coats of Shabby Paints Worn White.

Then I taped off the first part of a checkerboard pattern. I used smaller pieces of tape to make sure they were straight and evenly spaced.

When it was all set, I used a custom mix of Shabby Paints Buffalo Brown and Licorice to paint in the design.

When I took off the tape it looked like this:

Then I re-taped the design, just over the top of the first squares (you can see the start of it in the above photo). Then I painted again. When I removed the tape this time…

TA DA!

Snazzy, right?

While I was waiting on all those taped designs to dry, I painted the body (Tiffany) and “stained” the top pieces with a custom mix of Hazelnut, Black, and Sheer Shabby Paints (re)VAX. I used the same custom mix for the dark squares to paint the wooden handles too.

When it was all finished, it still needed something so I decided to line and wrap the drawers. I had some great super thick wrapping paper and the colors just worked. After a sanding to make sure everything would stick, I used spray adhesive to get the drawer side surfaces ready then I laid the paper pieces out on the sides.

Once they were good and stuck, I used sandpaper to remove the excess. I can hear you… “What?! That makes NO sense!” Let me show you how. After really creasing the paper the best I can with my finger tips, I use sandpaper to take of the excess. It gets you the perfect profile-

Don’t be in a hurry and it’s super easy.

It practically removes itself and you have this:

To do the inside of the drawers, I dry fit them first and trim with a metal putty knife.

Then I use the spray adhesive and use a plastic putty knife to remove the bubbles as I press it in. I like to seal the top of the paper, but if it’s thick, you really don’t have to.

Then I really considered not glazing it.

I really think it just needed a bit more.

Now I feel like it’s just perfect, though it may no longer be classified as an “antique” dresser.

What do you think?

XO!