I’m so happy to introduce to ya’ll the dresser I decided to keep!
This one is my favorite that I have ever done. When I found her in a thrift store she was finished in some kind of brown gel stain I believe, because the grain was barely visible. But the shape and condition were giving me heart palpitations.
She was 50% off, and STILL over my typical furniture budget.
So I went home and talked it over with Bruno. And I couldn’t stop thinking or talking about her even a couple hours later! (Secretly you are impressed with my patience, I know.) And I got kinda panicky-paranoid that someone else had bought her until we got there. And she was unmoved.
I stripped and lightly sanded the drawer fronts which revealed quarter-sawn walnut. I did the same to the top and found that the top slab with the back trim piece was one solid piece! And the dovetails of the drawers were few, long, skinny, and unevenly spaced. And each drawer only fits in it’s own spot. Meaning 1 thing: this was custom made by a carpenter, by hand. Nothing machine-manufactured here. 🙂
The refinishing job was good but not super detail oriented, and the gel stain was used to hide some minor wear marks. I found them charming, so after I sanded the drawer fronts and top slab, I sealed it with Danish Oil in Dark Walnut. It basically brought out the richness of the existing color.
The rest of the body I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Aubusson with a wash of Duck Egg and sanded in some areas to reveal the color underneath and the wood. I then sealed it with clear wax only.
I knew I wanted some white porcelain knobs and these over-sized ones with a brass base from Hobby Lobby were perfect!
I tried a few different ways to stage this one, but I woke up one morning imagining something wirey and circular. It took me a couple hours over the course of a couple days, but I created these AWESOME hanging branch orbs!
Many of you will notice they are reminiscent of the orb light fixtures from Restoration Hardware. That was my inspiration, and while the lazy Rachel only wanted to make 1, it didn’t look right until I made 3: a small, medium, and large. I just used several branches outside and used wire to attach them together until I got the size and look I wanted.
My favorite thing about them is that they were practically free! I used 2 little spools of wire (and a little twine), one of which I already had, so those 3 orbs cost me $1!
I also love how imperfect they are. Not exactly spherical or identical to one another. 
So there she is! The first dresser we decided to keep, since I started my Shades of Blue business!
Love this! I have a dresser that I use as a buffet that I was thinking of doing a similar thing to with Aubusson. It also has some sort of weird gel stain on it. The drawers are more trimmed out, so sanding will be a pain. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jessi
http://www.reddoorfurnitureco.blogspot.com
Jessi, try a liquid (instead of a gel) stripper, like Crown Handi-Strip and use a nylon brush! I got it for detailed and ornate stripping and love it! You will need to get the residue off with mineral spirits, but for the detailed trim work, it will definitely be easier than sanding!
Gorgeous! I wouldn’t sell it either, definitely a keeper. Also love the orbs. Great idea and they look perfect hanging above the dresser,
Love the dresser and the orbs! Glad you didn’t let it get away. 🙂
Beautiful! Love the wood with the ASCP blues.
Anne
Oh my! I am freaking out over this piece!!! I love it so much! I think this may be my favorite or yours. And those orbs – genius!
Great, A little creativity and effort makes a lot of difference. I like your idea and really, it is looking nice. Thanks for sharing.
She is beautiful and I wouldn’t be able to part with her either. Some pieces just have to stay ♥
You did an awesome job. I love how you used the wash of duck egg. You’ve inspired me to try this technique on my vintage bedroom dressers. Looking forward to more projects. 🙂
One little suggestion about your blog tho’. I just find it hard to read because the grey type floats over the background (which I love by the way). Is there any way you can have a darker type?
So cool!
It really is gorgeous! Aubusson is my favourite AS colour! I love it with the contrast drawers. I’d keep it too!
Beautiful as usual, Rachel! I love the wood drawers and top and that combination of chalk paint colors is gorgeous! It was smart to keep her! 🙂 Your three orbs are so cool, too! I love their imperfect-ness! 🙂
I would have kept this one as well! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Anything Blue Friday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s party. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/11/anything-blue-friday-week-33.html Hope to see you again at the little blue soiree! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse