Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Ugly Duckling


For some reason these old armoire-like dressers have been in high demand. I can see the convenience of something looking like an armoire but having drawers inside. I guess I'm just not a huge fan of the very blocky shape, but despite that, I have had several people who wanted me to find one for them. I scoured Craigslist constantly and found a few. I will be showing you just one of them today.
This beast of a dresser reminds me of the ugly duckling. It was hideous. I am so grateful for my client being able to see past the ugly picture of the dresser I sent her in an e mail, and see the potential it could have. I thought for sure I'd scare her away and she'd think I was crazy for even suggested this particular dresser.

It had some crazy huge flower knobs that just weren't doing it for me. It was also the heaviest piece of furniture I have yet to come across. Just one drawer had to be like 30 lbs. It clearly had been left in the sun in someone's yard for awhile because the wood was so dry. The old poly was peeling and I had to sand down the peeling top.


I outlined the piece in Old White and was planning on doing the rest in Aubusson Blue chalk paint, but I was running low on that particular color at the moment. I thought I'd call up my stockist and have it shipped since we don't have any stockists here in Vegas. While I was waiting for it to ship I was just going to do all the white painting first. I ran into a BIG problem though- everyone at the paint shop was out of town for an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint convention and wouldn't be able to get it to me in time. AHH! It seems that things never go the way I plan so I always plan for change :) I ran to lowes and had my Aubusson Blue color-matched perfectly. My plan B was DIY chalk paint. I have tried this once before, it works well enough. I just add a little bit of plaster of paris powder and water to my latex paint. Then it becomes like chalk paint in that it will stick to any surface without sanding and priming beforehand. I don't think it has the same luxurious feel as real chalk paint and it is much harder to distress. But hey, it gets the job done.

I had first painted the white and then when it dried I taped off the white to paint the blue. When I ripped the tape off it pulled some of the paint off with it. Normally, I would have been opposed to this and painted over it again, but since the wood was so dry it peeled the white paint off it just the right way. It looked awesome, like it had aged and ripened to the perfect amount of "peeling chippiness."

I also found all the deep grooves from being so rough were just accentuated beautifully by the dark wax.

It turned out pretty cool and unique. It's not my usual style but it's fun to think out of the box at times. Oh and be sure to check back in on Monday because I will be posting a tutorial for a beautiful French Provincial nightstand that I silver-leafed today. See you then!


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Linking back to...
romantichome.blogspot.com
missmustardseed.com
classyclutter.blogspot.com
funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com
staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com
www.iheartnaptime.net
www.bystephanielynn.com
linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
www.serendipityandspice.com
www.skiptomylou.org
kammyskorner.blogspot.com
www.domestically-speaking.com
www.bluecricketdesign.net
savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com
southernlovely.blogspot.com
www.theshabbycreekcottage.com

12 comments:

  1. Love love love this piece - I just did a dresser with Aubusson and Old White and plan to do more pieces soon. Your aroire turned out great!! I think you picked the perfect spot for the colors and especially love the dark wax! Thanks for sharing!
    Elisa
    home sweet nest

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  2. What a gorgeous color! Love how you contrasted with the dark wax. I love when I see these outdated pieces get such an awesome facelift. I'm a new follower and hope you'll follow back and link this to my Frugal Treasures party going on now.
    Barbe

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  3. This came out fantastic. I still have yet to try Aubusson, but I love how it looks with the white.

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  4. Wowsers! Looks so pretty! Please stop over to link this up to my party - I would love to have you there!
    Stacey of Embracing Change
    http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

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  5. love what you did the dresser is beautiful!!
    Sherry

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  6. Oh my, this makeover looks outstanding!! Hop over today and grab my starfish featured button for your blog...yes your dresser has been featured at NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  7. Beautiful piece. Glad the paint situation worked out.

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  8. LOVE this!! SO beautiful!! Hope you can link this up at my turquoise lovin' party!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2012/03/turquoise-lovin-30.html

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  9. I am in love with this. You did such an awesome job and I am loving that color combo. I'd love for you to come and link up to my party going on right now. Hope to see you there.

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  10. I've never seen a piece in such a pretty shade of blue. It's beautiful!
    I would love for you to share this with my "Unveil Your Genius" Link party. (I host the party every Thursday.)
    http://taylornorris.blogspot.com/2012/03/unveil-your-genius-link-party_22.html

    Happy Weekend!

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