Shades of Blue Interiors

Blue Bird Dresser

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!

Comments

    • Pamela Brown says

      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

    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

  11. Claire Rose says

    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

  12. Amanda says

    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

  13. Lee Caroline says

    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

  14. Linda says

    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

  23. Deborah Wicks says

    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

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  32. Ellen says

    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

    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

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