April 9, 2013

Dry Brushed Antique Dresser

So March is over. My goal was to get lots of furniture painted so that when I figure out where to sell my furniture I'll be ready. I started with 2 chairs that needed painting and reupholstering but the reupholstering was pretty darn difficult and so those are on the back burner for now.

I was able to complete a beautiful dresser for a wonderful couple I'm friends with who are expecting their first baby. I made a fresh eggs sign which is a quick, fun project that I would love to sell along with my furniture somewhere. And I did a quick re-do on two little tables that were collecting dust in my garage. 

But I finished out the month with an incredible piece of furniture that I will be very proud to sell as an "All That Brings Joy" piece.


I got this dresser along with it's short and wide sibling on Craigslist last year. They weren't a steal and are such nice pieces of furniture that I was a little scared to put a paint brush to them. All along I knew I wanted to paint them gray with white drybrushed over but I let them sit in my garage while I thought and thought and thought, making sure that was the right decision! Now I know it was :) 

The colors I used are Annie Sloan's Paris Grey with Pure White dry brushed over it.

It started out beautiful but a little orange.


I decided to strip the top and restain it darker. I went with Minwax's Jacobean stain. I was surprised when it didn't take the stain as easily as my Primer Red dresser had. I'm guessing that this dresser must be made out of a harder wood. But even without the top getting as dark as I had wanted it turned out gorgeous.


I loved all of the details on this piece and knew that once painted they'd stand out even more.





It came with all of the original hardware still in great shape.



I'm finishing up the short and long sibling this week but would like to make a video of how to achieve this dry brushed look so it may be a few days before I figure out how to do that!! ;)

As far as selling my furniture goes I have a few ideas in mind. I'm thinking about having a sale at my house and advertising it around the neighborhood as much as possible. My only concern is that it will resemble a garage sale and people who stop in expecting that might be disgusted by my prices!! I don't like upsetting people,  100% people pleaser right here folks. 

There's the Kane County Fair that is about 30 minutes from my house which is a good option if I can figure out all of the logistics of it (hauling that much furniture!!). 

And when summer comes and my babysitting slows down I plan on visiting as many antique shops as I can hoping to find a store that feels like a good fit for me.

In the meantime I'll just keep on painting!! :)


20 comments:

  1. Hi Heidi, your dresser is really striking! I especially liked the contrast of the dark wood top. Thanks for sharing at The Shady Porch Rock N Share! Blessings, D

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  2. Gosh! This dresser is just gorgeous! I hope you make a good profit on it...you did a great job. I saw your post over at Miss Mustard Seed's party.

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  3. I love everything about this piece! The color, the lines, the hardware, it's just perfect! Great job! - Susan

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  4. we're both thinkin paris! it's a thing of beauty.

    stopping by via MMS and would love to have you visit anytime, beautiful blogger.

    smiles to you.

    michele
    http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com

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  5. Gorgeous! I love the finish on the hardware against the white!

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  6. Your dresser turned out beautiful. I love the color you chose and that you left the top stained. It is simply lovely.
    Thanks for the inspiration,
    Suzanne
    Pieced Pastimes
    PS-Would love to have you link this up to Saturday Sparks

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  7. This is stunning! I just ordered my first gallon of Annie Sloan Chalk paint, and I can't wait to give it a try, especially after seeing this beauty! I popped over from Alderberry Hill--thanks for sharing!

    ~Abby =)

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  8. That is one gorgeous piece of furniture. I have used the dry brushing technique before and it's tedious but so worth it! I'm having the same dilemma as you... I want to start selling some of my pieces also but I'm having trouble figuring out where... and I thought the same exact thing about having a yard sale! ("No bargains here, people!" LOL)
    Visiting via the Pretty Things Party at twelveOeight.

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  9. This is gorgeous! You did a fantastic job ;)
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

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  10. Hopping over from twelveOeight.. I love this! The color is beautiful. It reminds me of something I'd put in my own house!
    Megan @ BourneSouthern.com

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  11. The dresser is drop dead gorgeous! I love the color and all the details. I'd love it if you would share this at "What We Accomplished Wednesday," at Green Willow Pond. It is live right now. Have a great week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  12. Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured later today!
    I hope you enjoy your weekend, and join me Sunday evening for Make the Scene Monday #71!
    And don't forget to enter the Cannon Rebel T3 Camera Giveaway!
    http://www.alderberryhill.com/a-pre-summer-cannon-rebel-giveaway/

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  13. So beautiful! I love the hardware and the brushed effect. The details really stand out now. I would try to put a couple of pieces in antique or consignment stores if I were you. You could do a sale at the house but bill it as an open studio sale. You could also set up a page on your blog to sell from locally. Thanks for sharing this piece at Silver Pennies Sundays! x

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  14. Gorgeous dresser Heidi!! I love it, thank you so much for sharing with us at Pretty Things-twelveOeight last week!!

    xo, Tanya
    twelveOeight

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  15. Just beautiful Heidi! I just you find just the right place to sell your furniture!

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  16. It looks gorgeous Heidi! Love the transformation. Found you via TDC. I am your newest follower. Please visit my blog if you have time. www.fabtwigs.com

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  17. This is a gorgeous piece! I love what you did with the paint! Would love it if you would link this up to Give Me The Goods Monday: 1 Party, 5 Blogs! http://www.rainonatinroof.com/2013/05/give-me-goods-link-party-7.html
    Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

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  18. Organising a garage sale and advertising it in your neighbourhood is a good idea, but if you want to gain more customers, you can display budget-friendly yet good quality items. Update the readers soon with your garage sale event and more pictures please. :)

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