Shades of Blue Interiors

  • Home
  • Explore My Home
  • Tutorials
  • About
    • Disclosures
    • Features & Press
    • FAQ
  • What I’m Wearing

A Whale Dresser Makeover

August 20, 2015 Rachel 25 Comments

Today I’m sharing a furniture makeover after a few months hiatus from painting dressers! After Vintage Market Days I had other things to focus on in my home and blog, so while I was still painting things, building things and creating… I wasn’t painting a lot of vintage furniture like I have been for the past 3-4 years. And it felt so good. I needed that little break.

Thank goodness for a group I am a part of that does a Themed Furniture Makeover once a month. It forced me to find something to makeover. This month was animals, and while I could have gone the easier (for me) route and done birds, like I’ve done HERE and HERE…. I chose to paint something I’ve never seen on a dresser before: a blue whale!

For those that might be wondering, this is NOT a stencil. 🙂 I found some images of blue whales online, practiced in my sketchbook, then drew it with chalk on the drawer faces on top of the blue base color. Last I painted over the chalk with white paint.

WhaleDresser1

The dresser is SUPER old and solid– I’m guessing mahogany– it is a pretty red wood. I discovered as I removed the drawers to paint them, the dovetails were unevenly spaced– which means it was hand built. All of the drawers slide in and out easily and smoothly though (just goes to show that wood glides last longer than metal ones), and after making some repairs to sturdy up the legs, this bebeh was ready to paint!

(Pictured in my friend’s house who I bought it from)

IMG_0988

 I wanted to choose a sophisticated color, so navy it was! But this time, instead of going with an all-over color, I chose a few colors to vary the tones, mimicking the way the ocean water changes depending on depth.

WhaleDresser2

It is subtle but I love the ombre effect.

WhaleDresser3

Because this piece was so so old, I immediately gravitating to the paint that I think lends the best to primitive pieces: Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. I used Artissimo for the bottom, then a 50/50 mix of Artissimo and Grain Sack for the middle (which is a perfect dusty, coastal blue btw), and French Enamel on top of a thin layer of that Artissimo/Grain Sack mix for the top part of the dresser. The knobs are vintage ceramic ones that I salvaged from a previous dresser makeover, months ago.

WhaleDresser4

In my mind’s eye I wanted this dresser draped with chunky ropes, an anchor sitting against the side, and a large net hanging on the wall behind. Not that it was practical but that I would be visually interesting and tell a story. But I didn’t have any of those items– except the chunky rope. So this was my alternative.

WhaleDresser5

The painting is one from my grandpa’s early years that I was given a print of several years ago.

WhaleDresser6

 

I love the texture of this thick rope! Makes me want to find a way to incorporate it into my home somewhere!

WhaleDresser8

I chose to go with a slightly more realistic-looking blue whale, vs a cartoon-y one so that this dresser would appeal to a wider age-range. Instead of being a nursery dresser– it is one that can grow with the child.

WhaleDresser9

I’m selling this one, so let me know if you are interested by emailing me at shadesofblueinteriors (at) gmail.com! I have a shipper that goes to the east coast, so don’t rule yourself out if you aren’t local!

WhaleDresser1

 Check out the rest of the amazing Animal Theme Furniture Makeovers below!

TFMD Logo

Gallery, milk paint, Photography and Staging

Comments

  1. cassie @ primitive & proper says

    August 20, 2015 at 8:26 am

    this is AMAZING! i am in love, rachel. and i want to redo my whole house. ugh.

    Reply
  2. Lindsay Eidahl says

    August 20, 2015 at 8:53 am

    What a beautiful piece! Great job! Pinning!

    Reply
  3. Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says

    August 20, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Oh wow! Love love love!! The ombre effect is stunning and your staging is picture perfect! XO

    Reply
  4. Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says

    August 20, 2015 at 9:49 am

    I love how you thought of EVERYTHING when painting this dresser. From the oceans water to the ropes. I love everything about it. Just fabulous!
    Hugs,
    Karin

    Reply
  5. Kimm at Reinvented says

    August 20, 2015 at 9:53 am

    OH my gorgeous! Such a beautiful paint job, and your styling is on point! (my kids tell me that means “cool”) 😉 I love everything about it.

    Reply
  6. Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says

    August 20, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    Stunning! Beautiful job and gorgeous paint color. Love it!

    Nancy

    Reply
  7. Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says

    August 20, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    Perfect color of blue and love the coastal theme. Your whale is fantastic!

    Reply
  8. Jeanette says

    August 20, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    That is a whale of a dresser!! Lol! Love the idea of simply using chalk and then painting over it.

    Reply
  9. Wendi @ H2OBungalow says

    August 20, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    You outdid yourself with this makeover! Stunning and I’m loving that you freehanded your whale!!

    Reply
  10. Lucy @ Patina Paradise says

    August 20, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    Your piece is just stunning along with the styling of it! I think it is my favourite of the animal themed makeovers. I would love it if you would share it on our “furniture only” link party! Friday’s Furniture Fix… http://www.patinaparadise.com/2015/08/fridays-furniture-fix-4.html

    Reply
  11. Breanna says

    August 20, 2015 at 9:35 pm

    Oh this is awesome! Love everything about it and your styling is perfection!

    Reply
  12. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    August 20, 2015 at 11:11 pm

    Rachel, honestly I never would’ve expected a whale dresser to look like this – it looks so sophisticated and well done. Kudos to you for hand painting the whale, it doesn’t look cartoonish at all. And the layered paint is gorgeous! Fabulous job, friend!

    Reply
  13. Marie@The Interior Frugalista says

    August 21, 2015 at 12:14 am

    Rachel, I love the way you staged your dresser. What a fun beachy makeover – the ombre paint technique is fabulous and I’m impressed with your drawing/painting skills. You obviously inherited your grandfather’s talents.

    Reply
  14. mary anne says

    August 21, 2015 at 12:42 am

    Absolutely stunning!

    Reply
  15. Paula@SweetPea says

    August 21, 2015 at 5:48 am

    Absolutely beautiful! I know that someone will buy this quickly and will treasure it. If I had a beach house, I know I would want it. Your grandfather’s artwork is amazing and like Marie said, you must have inherited the artsy gene from him.

    Reply
  16. Karen says

    August 21, 2015 at 7:26 am

    love love love this! And the two bird dressers referenced… Be still my heart! Great idea with the chalk drawing! I must try that! Thanks for the inspiration ??✌️????? I have a coastal home and this piece would be marvelous in it, yet my husband keeps telling me….” Honey YOU can do that yourself… And I’m just starting to paint furniture… My new love!

    Reply
  17. Adrienne Imburgia says

    August 21, 2015 at 8:49 am

    I love the whale dresser!

    Reply
  18. Christy @ Our Southern Home says

    August 24, 2015 at 8:59 am

    This is perhaps my favorite makeover for this month’s theme! I absolutely adore the understate elegance of this piece!

    Reply
  19. Ana Maria says

    August 30, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    I just discovered your blog and signed on as a new follower. I’m not a DIYer at all, but I can sure appreciate art and good taste when I see it! I am going through your past posts and looking forward to your future ones.

    Reply
  20. Kristen says

    September 2, 2015 at 12:49 am

    This dresser is just so amazing!! I love it so much!

    Reply
  21. Madalyn May says

    September 4, 2015 at 12:41 am

    Is this item still for sale? If so what is the cost and shipping. I am on the East coast right outside of Florida in a tiny town called Orange Beach, AL. I love this piece so much. Originally I wanted it for my sons room now I think I want it in our living room!

    Reply
  22. Ellen Masterson says

    September 28, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    Very cute and you did a great job on the whale. Do you know where I could find oval pulls like the “before” version of the dresser. I have an old dresser with wood pulls and I think the brass would look better. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      September 29, 2015 at 9:26 am

      Ellen, Try eBay. I have purchased lots of vintage pulls on eBay with great success. Etsy is also another great source! Good luck!

      Reply
  23. uri says

    January 15, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    The chest drawers is 18th century. Its worth some money.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      January 16, 2016 at 7:13 am

      It’s actually not, although it may look like something like that. I spoke with the original owner and it was made around 100 years ago and it was it pretty sad shape.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi! I’m Rachel.

Subscribe

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Category

[footer_backtotop text="Top"]
Copyright © 2023 Shades of Blue Interiors · Customization By: Creative Kristi Designs