Dresser Chalk Paint Makeover

Dresser Before Chalk Paint

Dresser After Chalk Paint

It's hard to believe that this lovely oak dresser was once used to store tools. It had been in a garage for many years being used as a tool bench and work surface so there was a bit of warping, but overall it was still in great shape. Although it had seen better times, the bones and structure were still good and we knew we could make it pretty again. We were both up for the challenge. (This was the last item in the "chalk paint makeover" using Annie Sloan's chalk paint.)

This dresser required some carpentry work before any painting could be done. The top had been split into two pieces, so Jim had to "biscuit" the two sections together and clamp them tight, then fill in the seams so that once painted, you would never know it had been broken. The left front leg had its back part broken off completely, so Jim re-engineered a new leg section, forming it perfect to match the right leg which was still in tact. Some of the drawers didn't open and close very well, so they required a bit of shaving on the table saw.

After he was done with his part of the job, I then sanded the sides and got busy painting. For this dresser, I mixed three parts graphite with one part French Linen which yielded a gorgeous color of a slate-ish gray, perfect for this particular piece of furniture. The thick, rich paint went on smoothly and looked terrific. I knew I would love this piece, since I just knew it would take on the largest transformation of the other pieces I had painted. Using clear wax on the entire dresser with black only on the bottom for accent was just enough to give it a sultry, rich look and a durable surface

The new brass drawer pulls provided the last touch of "bling," which was absolutely the crowning jewel for this amazing old girl. Wow!

Entertainment Center Downsized

Entertainment Center Before

As far as projects go, this was by far one of the largest in size as well as reconstruction. The original entertainment center consisted of the far left and far right panels only. After a while, the owner decided to have a center section built for the television and hired a carpenter to construct it so it would match the original bookshelf and desk areas. He did an amazing job in replicating the design of the original piece and it had served its purpose.

But this entertainment center had to go through yet another transformation. This one involved keeping the carpenter's addition of the television section and removing the far left panel altogether, reducing the piece to two sections, thus downsizing it considerably. It was necessary to cut the center and left sections and building a brand new left side panel which would support the center upper shelving units. This was no easy feat, but with a bit of creative re-engineering and reconstruction, a vision became a reality.

Entertainment Center After Reconstruction

The entertainment center was to be painted dark gray and fashioned with updated brushed nickel hardware, which completed the transition from outdated to updated on an otherwise functional piece of furniture.

If you have that special piece of furniture that you have grown fond of, be it something that has been in your family for generations or something you really love, for those pieces it's better to keep them (as you have invested in it already) instead of purchasing something new, which may not work as well as what you already own. This is a good example of what can be done with a perfectly good piece of furniture. Paint and new hardware creates an stunning, modern look which will function for many years to come. "Cheaper to keep her."