Today I have the cutest little makeover to show you!
I bought it months ago for $10 at a thrift sore… it was your typical Ethan Allen 50’s style maple chest with that chippendale style backplate hardware. Then, I transformed it to this:
I found a way to remove the welded backplates on the chippendale style hardware (which I will be sharing in a quick tutorial next week), so I was able to reuse all the original hardware! This made it SO much easier, not having to fill one of the holes for the drawer pulls, in order to just put knobs. It was a lot cheaper too!
This design was created by me, after I combined a carved design from an eastlake dresser, and added in additional flourishes, much like MMS’ hand-painted style.
The color is Duck Egg by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and I used Pure White for the design. I love how, from afar, it looks almost like the bone inlay chests you see at Anthropologie.
Although it is a fantastic size for a substantial nightstand, I’m thinking it would be adorable in my daughter’s room. With this size, she could actually open all the drawers herself! However, I’m not positive about where it will end up yet… I may just sell it!
So, are you ready to learn how to hand-paint furniture?
Here is the video tutorial I did, let me know what you think and if you have any further questions!
Sharing with


Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Please share at Silver Pennies Sundays!!! Off to watch the video! x
So beautiful and I loved your tutorial! So helpful and informative! I can’t wait to practice some of my brush strokes!
Truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
This is such a beautiful piece! Thank you for sharing your technique… I might give it a try!
What a fantastic bargain, we don’t get such bargains in New Zealand. I spotted your drawers over at MMS Furniture Friday, they are so beautiful, you have done a wonderful job of making something ordinary look beautiful. I linked up my latest post which has a makeover of a dreadful old cupboard which my friend did. She has done a decorative pattern too but used stencils to create a Moroccan, antique look. I would love to see her do something freehand like you have. I will send her a link to your website. It is gorgeous and you have such lovely work.
Lee