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Blue Bird Dresser

October 25, 2012 Rachel 57 Comments

This week I finished up a gorgeous antique dresser. I seriously contemplated doing a version of MMS’s music sheet dresser with this one. I initially even bought it because it had the perfect shape to do that dresser!
But when I brought it home and really got to looking at it, it just was in too good of shape to cover with music sheets. So I got inspired from many hand-painted designs on Pinterest, specifically a yellow one with the same design. Yellow would be adorable, but I had been itchin’ to use some newly purchased Provence.  

Straight out of the can is a little bright, and I wasn’t sure at this point if I wanted to use dark wax (I usually decide how something will look during the whole process. I rarely know exactly what I will do ahead of time). So, I painted the first coat just pure Provence, then the second coat a custom mixture of Provence, Old White and a bit of Duck Egg. The branch and birds design was drawn– free-hand with chalk, then painted just plain Old White. I loved doing it. It was so fast and fun! Much more free than the strict guidelines of a Union Jack design, like I’ve done in blue, gray, and traditional colors.  Then I distressed it lightly in some areas to reveal the deeper color of Provence, and all the way down to the wood on the edges.

Lastly, I clear waxed it all over, and added jewelry (clear glass knobs).
I love the texture and character this one has with the subtle color variations shown through distressing!
This one also comes with a mirror. At one time there were arms that attached down to the back of the dresser, but they were broken off, and I had to repair the wood on the side of the mirror before painting it. It can be easily propped up on the back of the dresser like I did below, or hung on the wall behind.
Tomorrow I will finally reveal the huge fixer-upper dresser that I’ve been waiting to take pictures of because I need to finish retro-fitting the knobs! It’s definitely not as feminine as this one, but looks amazing, especially compared to the before! ha!

Gallery

Comments

  1. Catherine says

    October 26, 2012 at 5:36 am

    Just beautiful!! The colour you chose is lovely

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:29 pm

      Thank you Catherine!

      Reply
    • Pamela Brown says

      October 24, 2018 at 10:20 am

      I am in love with this piece. I thought you probably mixed some colors to get this beautiful blue. I’ve got mostly Dixie Belle paints and Annie Sloan. I’m gonna play today to find the right color for my cabinet like yours. My mirror is oval and is being repaired for me because the glass broke in moving. So glad I found your blog.
      Pamela Brown
      Charlotte, NC

      Reply
  2. Alison F says

    October 26, 2012 at 7:16 am

    You did a great job! I love the blue! The yellow dresser with the same design was done by Chi Chi Studios. That dresser was one of my favorite redos I saw last year. It is nice to see that awesome idea done in Provence! Gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:31 pm

      I’m so glad you told me! I had been looking for the origin to it! Thanks for the love!

      Reply
  3. Lisa says

    October 26, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    BEAUTIFUL makeover. It’s just gorgeous.

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:33 pm

      Thank you Lisa!

      Reply
  4. Recycled Rita says

    October 26, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    Oh I love it! But I am a sucker for anything with birds, Wonderul job! karen…

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:34 pm

      Thank you Karen, I love birds too! Makes it so whimsical but is an added measure of difficulty for sure ( compared to just branches and flowers).

      Reply
  5. theresa says

    October 26, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    I love this, and I love all things blue. But I love how the edges are softly worn. Great job!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:36 pm

      Thank you Theresa! I do too, hence the blog title! 😉

      Reply
  6. Tracy says

    October 26, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    Oh, that’s lovely!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:36 pm

      Thank you Tracy!

      Reply
  7. Marisa says

    October 27, 2012 at 7:55 am

    Saw this on Pinterest and love it. Absolutely inspiring.

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:37 pm

      Thank you Marisa, it’s fun to see my work pinned!

      Reply
  8. Shabby chic Sandy says

    October 28, 2012 at 6:12 am

    This is a great color and love the birds!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:39 pm

      Thank you Sandy!

      Reply
  9. House on the Way says

    October 29, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    Love this dresser! Thanks for linking it up to my party! Stop by tomorrow to see it featured! Feel Free to grab a “House Featured” button too!
    Leslie

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:40 pm

      Thank you Leslie! I’m honored! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Tammy Partin Spangler says

    October 30, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    So beautiful! I love the birds! I sure wish I could draw like that!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      October 30, 2012 at 10:42 pm

      Tammy it actually wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be since I had a picture reference. I am sure you could do it with a little practice! Heaven knows I have had plenty of it! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Claire Rose says

    November 3, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I adore this blue bird dresser- the perfect shade of blue I’ve been searching for! Wanted you to know I featured this on my Saturday favorites! Have a great weekend- Claire

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 6:56 pm

      Thank you Claire! Appreciate the recognition and feature! You have great taste!

      Reply
  12. Amanda says

    November 5, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    What a charming piece you’ve created! I love it! Can’t wait to pin this one! Thank you for the inspiration!
    best wishes and blessings,
    Amanda

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 6:57 pm

      My pleasure Amanda! Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Lee Caroline says

    November 6, 2012 at 7:53 am

    I have been blog hopping and came across your blog, it’s delightful and truly fabulous upcycling on the chest of draws. I have an old piece of furniture in my stored away which was going to be thrown out but now I feel inspired as an artist to bring it back to life with something similar to what you have done with yours.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Lee 🙂

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 6:57 pm

      I’m so glad to have given you a bit of inspiration! Hope it turns out great!

      Reply
  14. Linda says

    November 9, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Hi – really lovely! So, that mirror came with it (or did you have another and just added it?). I just bought an old dresser that used to have a mirror attached and the back of the top of the dresser – there’s an inch or so strip that is missing. so, I have to fix that before I start painting. It’s roughly just a bit bigger than your dresser. I have been think of doing it in graphite – for something different – I have to figure out what design to do on the front. I loved your Union Jack dresser. Maybe I could do a different color scheme a la Union Jack. I am like you – I usually don’t have a plan!

    Great job…saw your feature on MMS! I have my Fall Mantle project on her blog today.

    Linda

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 6:59 pm

      Linda, the mirror came with it, but the arms were broken. I love the idea of graphite for your dresser! Maybe a gray and white union jack design on top of that? That would be lovely! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  15. Lisa says

    November 9, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    Absolutely adore the color and the design! Beautiful!

    Lisa

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 6:59 pm

      Thank you Lisa!

      Reply
  16. Kristie says

    November 9, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    That looks fantastic! I love the design!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 6:59 pm

      Thanks Kristie!

      Reply
  17. Karen in Breezy Point says

    November 10, 2012 at 12:42 am

    Love it–I plan on borrowing this idea someday!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      Go for it Karen! I hope you post pictures when you do! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  18. Erin Kaven says

    November 10, 2012 at 3:32 am

    Amazing job. Just amazing.

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      Thank you Erin!

      Reply
  19. Tricia SimplicityInTheSouth says

    November 10, 2012 at 6:45 am

    This is so beautiful!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      Thanks Tricia!

      Reply
  20. Dana Lynne says

    November 10, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    love it!

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      Thanks Dana!

      Reply
  21. Lisa says: says

    November 11, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    Clicked over here from Ms.MS because I’m in LOVE with your bird dresser! How very talented you are…such a beautiful creation.

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      Thank you Lisa! I really appreciate your feedback!

      Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    November 12, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    Oh your bird dresser is just fabulous! I sure wish I could draw like that! lin

    Reply
    • Rachel and her Brasileiros says

      November 19, 2012 at 7:01 pm

      Thank you! I’m pretty sure anyone could draw this with a little practice! 🙂

      Reply
  23. Deborah Wicks says

    December 5, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    Love, love, love this gorgeous Blue Bird Dresser… so much so that I purchased it yesterday at Chesterfield Mall. It must of soaked up your positivity because it’s full of good energy. Wonderful addition to my home. Thank you for your creating such a beautiful work of art! –Debby

    Reply
  24. Mary@cottagepaints says

    January 29, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    J’adore!

    Reply
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  28. Shanee says

    May 13, 2013 at 10:32 pm

    I LOVE this dresser! The shades of blue, the birds; perfect!

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    January 22, 2014 at 7:33 pm

    very feminine, love the color and the glass knobs.

    Reply
  30. Rose L. says

    January 9, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!!! It speaks to me and is ME! Wish it were mine!

    Reply
  31. Cindee says

    January 9, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Simply gorgeous! I love your creative flair. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  32. Ellen says

    May 3, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Hi Rachel,
    I love the Blue Bird Dresser & have used it as an inspiration for a dresser I’ve painted. I would like to post a link to your site. If you could contact me I can give you the info & a link I think will show you a preview of how I’d use & cite the dresser.

    Reply
  33. Debbie Barry says

    June 15, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    This is absolutely stunning!!! I am getting ready to redo a dresser for my mom and she loves birds! I am going to do this but I am kinda confused with what paint you used first? What is providence paint? I know Duck Egg is a specific chalk paint color. Any more tips you could give I would love! Thank you so much for sharing this project. <3
    Debbie

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      June 20, 2016 at 3:20 pm

      Provence is a specific Chalk Paint color, just like Duck Egg is.

      Reply

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