During the transfer from Blogger to WordPress, I was concerned some of my posts would just go missing. This was obviously an unfounded worry, but it did remind me that I do indeed have some lost posts. Sometimes I get so excited about the next big project that I move on without posting my previous work. I don’t think I’m ADD really, but maybe if there was a designation for a hyper-focused, excitement disorder I’d qualify. We could call it HFED.
Anyway, this particular post got lost in the move to Birmingham. I had even pre-edited the photos so that I would have content during the chaos of moving. But then the reality of actually moving set in and my enthusiasm for our new house took over. There was no looking back. I was focused forward.
Until now, where I find myself in between several big projects, but have little to show for my daily efforts. So, here we are. The first of the Lost Post Series.
Let’s start with this gorgeous antique dresser makeover.
Here’s the back story. An acquaintance of mine asked me to help her update a treasured antique of hers. She wanted to create a focal-point piece of furniture in her daughter’s room.
Her family heirloom had previously been painted and distressed.
While there were some things I would have done differently than the previous painter, I loved the silver leafing accents.
I really don’t like the look of distressing when paint is used to age a piece instead of actual layers of paint. And for such a stunning heriloom, it was such a travesty in my opinion. They also totally covered the beautiful keyhole hardware.
Ah, there’s that beautiful, original brass!
In order to protect the piece from overworking, I decided to only sand off the previous paint finish in the key places I would distress. We wanted the undertones to be wood not white and the goal was to match, if not closely blend with the gorgeous green in the wallpaper.
Antibes Green from Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was nearly the perfect color. I tinted it down a bit with Old White.
For the heavy distressed look my client wanted, I used a bit of Vaseline as a resist. Then once the piece was waxed, I hand-sanded areas that would normally receive wear.
Here’s a look at the piece with and without wax. At this point the outside had been waxed, but not the drawers.
I was proud of my work in restoring the original keyholes, but the handles were a different story. Initially, I didn’t realize they were the original pulls. They had be slathered with several layers of paint, the last coat was obviously black paint and a silverish glaze.
I ended up using paint stripper to get the layers of paint off. As I did so, it also removed the brass plating. Not good. But in order to get all the gunk off that was my only choice.
Thank goodness for good old Rub and Buff! With a lot of buffing they look pretty authentic.
A few weeks after she picked up the piece and right before we moved, I went to her house to see the dresser in the room with this gorgeous floral wallpaper.
She and I both couldn’t be more thrilled with statement it makes in the room.
I love that she was so bold in her choice of color and pattern. She said her teenage daughter wanted a room that felt like a Vera Bradly purse. How’s that for inspiration and execution?
So what do you think, could you be this bold? I’m not sure I could, but I do love this striking room.
Sharing Here: The Dedicated House, The Pin Junkie, Miss Mustard Seed
Kris {Driven by Decor} says
You did such an amazing job with the dresser – I just love the new color and it fits beautifully with the space and style of its new home!
Jessika Reed says
Hey Leslie! It was nice to meet you at the Bham Bloggers meet up last night. I love how clean and simple your design is. I am currently on blogger and looking to move over but am worried about loosing posts and any pinterest progress I’ve made! I’m nervous but I’ll have to give it a go. I’m excited to start following you and hope to see you at other meet ups! Love the dresser as well!
Leslie says
It was great to meet you as well! Thanks for the compliments.
shauna says
wow! beautiful! I love those curtains too…
Nelda says
So enjoyed this detailed description of the remake of this beautiful piece of furniture! Great job!
Looking forward to joining you in your blogging experience and all of your DIY adventures!
Sharing your excitement,
Nelda
Leslie says
Thanks, Nelda. Happy to have you following along!
[email protected] says
Just beautiful! Love the color, wish I was brave enough to go so bold.
Giveaways 4 Mom says
What a great job. However, I do not think I could be so bold.
Sally says
Changing from blogger to word press and losing posts is a concern for me too! Did you lose many?
Love what you did with the dresser
Leslie says
No, the transfer went much more smoothly than I thought. I had help and that was invaluable.(I can give you her name if you email me.) The only problems I had were the quality of the images of older posts. We can’t figure out what happened there. I am working to update those a little at a time. I lost my subscribers, so that will take time to build back up, but I’m using a much more efficient system now.
sue silva says
Beautiful job on the dresser, Leslie!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
That is one of my favorite shades of green and I love the way it pops in this room!
Terrie Mathison says
This is BEAUTIFUL!!! great job and thanks for showing the difference before waxing the drawers. The waxing really made this piece!
Deana says
I love it!!!! That green is fabulous.
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
That piece is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing. You are the star feature at the Before & After party. Here is the link to this week’s bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/02/before-after-wednesday-week-39.html Hope to see you at the party! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
http://www.netglobal.tv/ says
Fint ble det med mugge og kost på benken. Er enig, de plastikk greiene fra butikken er ikke særlig pene, mine står i benkeskapet.Har laver snøen ned i dag og planter er enten tatt inn eller pakket godt inn, brrr. Nyt solen :)Klem fra en som også lengter etter varmere vær!