I love when I can find inspiration somewhere and challenge myself to do something unusual or different than I normally do. THAT is what keeps furniture refinishing fun for me. I don’t think I could keep doing this if I had to do the same thing, same technique every time. I look at it this way: Every piece will become a work of art, I just have to let the inspiration come and allow myself to stretch and be challenged to let that piece reach it’s potential.
Isn’t it funny how many parallels there are with furniture refinishing and life? Upon typing that I realized that is also characteristic of raising children. Each is unique and cannot be treated the same exact way. My children are my greatest masterpieces and I have to let inspiration come, allow myself to stretch and be challenged to let them reach their full potential.
Okay, on to the dresser reveal! 🙂
Found this gal at a mid-week garage sale:
 Was totally inspired by one of the latest creations of Barb from Knack Studios:
And here is Althea’s big sister, Meredith. 😉
To achieve this look, I started with 1 1/2 coats of Provence (ASCP). Then I found some adorable scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby, cut it to fit the exact size of the drawer fronts and decoupaged it on. I put 3 coats of Mod Podge on each one, then distressed the rest of the dresser, then clear waxed the entire thing.
The knobs are a very pretty shade of coral and are the perfect pop of contrasting color to the blue-green of Provence. They also coordinate pretty well with the colors on the paper.
The top was buffed a bit to get a bit of a sheen. It actually had a dark blue ink stain on it, which bled through the first coat. Nothing a little Shellac won’t fix! A nice coat of clear Shellac was painted on the bleed-through area, and then a new coat of Provence was painted on top. My husband loves the super smooth top finish, so he sanded with 220, then 600 till it shone even without the wax. It feels like butta 😉
I knew the other side of my room would be visible in that mirror, and I thought about taking it down, but I kinda love that mirror.
So, I fluffed some pillows and added a couple pretty things to an old dresser I picked up, ready for a makeover with milk paint! Take a look here to see it’s makeover.
Linking Up With:
Looks great Rachel! A long time ago before this was cool my Mom and I did this on a old chest. I`m talking 35 yrs ago! We used fabric and some sort of flour glue my Mom mix up! I wish I still had that chest but Mom and I sold in a sale years back. Funny how things come back around. Your work is always a inspiration to me.
Anne
This looks so great, I really love the blue with the paper you used on the drawers!
I love this!! Im starting to think the way you are. I mean, about painting the same way all the time. I want something different now, with character. And your dresser has given me ideas!! I need to get some pretty scrapbook paper now!
Hi there!
I absolutely LOVE this piece! You have me totally convinced that I NEED to add some scrapbook paper to something…
I actually just took a magazine rack out of someone’s yard sale left overs….
Your color choices are just spot on – nice work!
Love! When you mod podge the scrap book paper on, did you put layers of mod podge and then clear wax? Just wondering for future projects. Thanks, Rachel. x
Geez I’m terrible and responding! I only used layers of mod podge because it dries super hard and doesn’t need a clear wax on top of that, in my opinion. Thanks for the question!
Thank you for your kind words and congrats to you too on being featured on MMS, it’s quite the honor and I can’t lie, my heart might have skipped a beat as I saw the Furniture Features today. I loved your piece you did, it’s truly beautiful and I love the possibilities with paper. I have a couple more pieces to finish before winter hits us here in Canada and I might have to try this technique out. Again, thanks and great job!!
Oh wowser…..love this dresser. Colors are so much fun! Found you from MMS furniture share today…love your site! Am new follower! 🙂
I’m totally inspired and my next piece must have scrapbook paper on the drawers. SO fun! Great job! Beautiful clear photos, too!
What a fun piece I love the floral paper!
I would love for you to come link up to my Furniture and Paint Party going on NOW!!!
Hope to see you there
Brooke
http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/10/furniture-and-paint-party-20.html