Gorgeous Green Painted Dresser Makeover
How do you paint a dresser green? Here’s a dresser makeover before and after that may inspire you to DIY, too
Have you heard the saying, “Good things come to those that wait?” If it’s true, this old dresser was definitely ready for great things. It’s been patiently waiting for it’s beauty makeover for many years! I picked it up no less than 7 years ago for a cheap $25. I’ve always loved these old spoon carved beauties with their handkerchief drawers up top. I’m excited to share this Gorgeous Green Painted Dresser Makeover with you!
I’m sharing this dresser makeover as part of a Sharin’ o’ the Green blog hop, hosted by Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home. If you’re popping over from Bluesky at Home, I’m sure you enjoyed all Carol’s ideas of how to use plants in your home. Live plants are a wonderful way to start spring inside!
All 19 bloggers are sharing their version of adding green today to celebrate the beginning of March. I’ll have all their links at the end. Can’t wait to get all filled up on my favorite color!
Yes, we’re all craving green right now! In my part of the world, we’ve had record-breaking snowfall this past month (39″!), so we’ll be looking at the white stuff for quite a while yet. This year, a wee bit of green is just not enough to overcome the white outside my window. I decided a big dose of green was the best medicine!
Here’s how I brought a big dose of springtime green into my home!
Gorgeous Green Painted Dresser Makeover
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Materials Used:
Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint (use code 10OFFLB for discount)
(Luckett’s Green and Layla’s Mint)
Miss Mustard Seed’s Hemp Oil (use code 10OFFLB for discount)
Palm sander (for smaller hands)
The Before…
Last fall, I was determined to give this long-suffering dresser a makeover sometime in the winter. I did all the prep work of taking off the hardware and giving it a good sanding. It had a broken board on top that I deleted, knowing it needed a little creativity there. I also found a small piece of vintage ceiling tin that I knew would be perfect to add to the insets on either side. I gave the tin a good sanding while I was at it, too. I loved how the flowers on the tin echoed the flowers on the dresser.
Fix Any Foundational Issues First
Mr. Fix-it gave a couple of the drawers some new bottom boards and glued and clamped up the loose ones.
I wiped everything down with white vinegar and warm water. Once dry, I gave the insides and sides a couple coats of poly to seal in any old smells. I loved the scalloped joints (Knapp joints or pin and crescent) on the drawer sides and wanted to preserve that prettiness. You just don’t see that kind of construction on furniture anymore!
Decide Whether to Paint or Stain, or Both!
As I was deciding on whether to paint or stain, I realized our room could use some green to punch it up. I’ve always loved Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint in Luckett’s Green and she had painted a similar-styled piece {see it here: “Two Toned Milk Paint Dresser”} a while back that I loved. She had added Layla’s Mint over the top to brighten the piece. I got to work mixing up the paint, excited to bask in some green!
MMS milk paint chips perfectly after a couple of coats. I used 2 coats of Lucketts Green and then topped the drawers off with a coat of Layla’s Mint, a lighter version of green. The first pic shows what the paint looks like before sanding; the second after I sanded with 100 grit. The chippy parts got sanded off and the darker green showed through the lighter.
We finished off the hole in the middle of the dresser with vintage beadboard scraps and used a scrap piece of molding trim to close off the back. I painted that with the darker first and then the lighter also.
I was initially going to paint the whole piece in the lighter green, but was then really liking the Luckett’s on the body. I decided to go with a two-toned effect and have the drawers lighter than the body. It really added dimension to the piece, especially since I had left the handkerchief drawers wood.
Get Creative With Hardware
While the paint was drying, I got to work on the hardware. Even though I often switch up hardware when I refresh furniture {“5 Creative Tips for Using Vintage Hardware”}, I loved these old handles. I simply gave them a cleaning with an S.O.S. pad, making sure not to effect the beautiful time-worn patina. I did decide to update the handkerchief drawers with oversized glass knobs (you can get them HERE). Modern version of a classic. They’re the perfect amount of bling for this pretty piece.
And of course, adding vintage ceiling tin is like adding whipped cream to pudding. It’s chippy patina and amazing texture makes any piece beautiful {“Vintage Ceiling Tin Ideas”}. I admit it, I just love this stuff!
Seal Off and Protect Your Piece
I gave the chippy vintage tin a coat of brushed on poly to seal and bring out the patina(THIS stuff is my favorite). After hand distressing the the painted parts with 100 grit, I finished and sealed it with Miss Mustard Seed’s hemp oil. It replenished the dry wood with moisture and brought a richness to the paint and the wood peeking through.
I just love how it all turned out! It’s the perfect harmony of textures and subtle colors, and best of all it’s my favorite color: green! Just in time for some spring dreaming!
Our bedroom welcomed this long-awaited-for piece of the family! I can’t wait to fill it with freshly laundered vintage linens {“How to Wash Vintage Linens”}! Isn’t it amazing how a new piece of refreshed furniture can bring new life to a whole room?
Right away I popped some fresh flowers and plants on top, and the hope of spring arrived! Oh, it’s good to see green again!
I just love how the flower motif is repeated on this piece; in the spoon carving, on the hardware, and even on the tin. And I love how the tone-on-tone green turned out; just enough variety to give the piece extra character.
You see…good things do come to those that wait! Now this pretty vintage dresser can enjoy a long life inside our home! And I can enjoy a big dose of beautiful green while I wait for the snow to melt and for spring to finally arrive outside! I’m going to be faking it for awhile, I think;(
A couple more beauty shots…
Find Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint products HERE. Use code 10OFFLB for a discount.
Hope you enjoyed this Gorgeous Green Painted Dresser Makeover. I can’t wait to see all the rest of the green from these talented ladies today! If you’re going in order, pop on over to Thistle Key Lane to see Michelle’s ideas for adding green into your decor!
pin, share, and enjoy the rest of the inspiration!
Sharin’ O’ the Green Blog Hop
Sharing at these lovely parties:
There are no pictures of the green dresser.
I’m so sorry! Technology issues:( Fixed it; the pictures are back!
Hi Lora! Its my first time to your blog and i love this dresser. You did a great job and i love the tins on the side. You cant go wrong with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint.
I’m so glad you found your way here, Cheryl; welcome! Yes, I love everything painted with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint; it’s just so different than regular paint-with vintage-looking results!
Lora this is truly a work of art. You have poured so much love in all those details and it shines!
Thanks, Mary! I honestly love working on furniture!
Wow, Lora… just gorgeous! Saw this at Waste Not Wednesday! Hope you link-up with Homestyle Gathering… we would love to have you!
Lora, this is just gorgeous! I have yet to find this type of dresser for sale in my area…. I’d love to work on one someday. Pinned 🙂
You’re right, Jen, this type is hard to find! This is the only one I’d ever come across for a reasonable price, so I knew I would never sell it. I kept it for myself for a long time before it got this well-earned makeover. I haven’t even filled it yet; just enjoying it as art right now! Good luck on your search! Thanks, and thanks for pinning!
Absolutely gorgeous! I wish I had your talent and courage to do the same with my old dresser…How inspiring!
Thanks, Maristella! Just start small…the confidence grows;)
Lora, it turned out beautifully! I love the addition of the tin and that shade of green is my favorite. Well done!!
hugs,
Jann
Thanks, Jann! These greens remind me of vintage fire-king which are my favorite;)
Lora, such a beautiful dresser makeover! Love the green paired with the stained drawer fronts. Just the right amount of chippy goodness to keep that lovely timeworn look. Pinned
I’m glad I left that little bit of the pretty wood showing too, Marie. It was really hard to paint over, but I’m loving the green in the room! All wood would have been too dark.
How you changed the piece into this amazing looking piece I love! I also love that you kept two of the drawers the natural color. It looks awesome Lora!
Thanks, Terrie!
Oh my word! This is so fabulous!! I couldn’t wait to scroll down to each photo and see the transformation! Love it!
Thanks, Kristin!
omgosh I absolutely love, Love, LOVE this. Green is one of my favorite colors and this is beyond perfection. So much detail & texture. I love the tin idea and will try to somehow apply it to something. Thank you for the inspiration and yes, your styling just knocked it out of the park. So glad I found this on Amber’s blog hop. xo- maryjo {www.masterpiecesofmylife.com}
Glad you were inspired and got some fresh ideas, MaryJo! Adding fresh plants to the scene just makes it every time;)
All I can say is, WOW!!!
What a fabulous transformation.
Just bringing an old gal back to life, Carol!Thx!
I have to echo Cindy and say that this is one of the best furniture makeovers I have seen. It is absolutely stunning Lora! Now I want to find a dresser just like it. Sighs! So fabulous! I love your spring styling on top too!
Thank you so much for sharin’ your green with us. Happy almost spring!
Thanks, Amber; good luck hunting one down! Loved this Sharin’ O the Green hop; so fun to see a sea of green to start off spring!
WOWZERS! You did a fantastic job on that piece and you decorated it up so pretty for spring! I love the hardware and the vintage ceiling tin on the sides is just perfect! So happy to be hopping with you today!
Thanks, Michelle! I think it turned out prettier than I expected; it just feels so good to have finally gotten to this one!
Painted wood, naked wood, various handles and knobs, plus tin. Somehow you joined all these disparate items into one piece of beautiful
I think it’s more like I can’t decide, Gail;) I do think of it as a perfectly balanced combination of textures; I started out with an initial idea, but it kind of developed as I went.
oh wow! your dresser makeover is gorgeous! I love the beautiful green!
Thanks, Angelina! These green tones remind me of my favorite vintage Fire King jadeite;)
I love how you just went for it! Darling makeover….
Probably because I’d been thinking on this one for a long time, Cindy! Thanks!
Lovely old dresser and you did so much more to highlight and add to it”s beauty,
Thanks, Marlene. I love these types of dressers and was pleased as punch with how it turned out!
Wow, what a beautiful makeover! I love the details and the color you chose. You are so talented!
Shelley
Thanks, Shelley!
Lora, I love a good paint makeover and yours is great! Love the color and the tin on the sides. What an awesome find for an unbelievable price. Pinned to several boards and tribes. You worked really hard on rescuing and restoring this piece and you should be really proud of yourself.
Thanks for pinning, Carol! I do feel really good about this one and am so enjoying it!
That is one of the prettiest makeovers I’ve ever seen. Love the color and would never have thought to put tin on the sides. Gorgeous! And such beautiful spring styling on top. Love it all. Pinned!
Aw, thanks Cindy, that’s quite the compliment! I couldn’t wait to plop some fresh spring decor on top; styling is the candy at the end of the project;) Thanks for pinning!
Lora, that is such a gorgeous piece! I love your color choices and how you finished it, and the beautiful old tin and decorative handles take it to a whole new level. It is WONDERFUL. Great job!
Thanks, Linda. I was trying to think of how much I’d have to charge for this one from my old selling days;) So happy to be doing a piece like this for myself! Because I honestly couldn’t have handled a “would you take less?” question on this one!
Have to echo all the other comments- this is fabulous! My favorite of all your fun makeovers thus far. Love all of it, colors, styling. So delightful to see signs of spring ? . Afraid the “real” things going to take its time arriving.
Shelly Torola
Yes, I’m afraid we’ll have to fake it for a while longer, Shelly! This girl may be one of my favorites, too…but it’s kind of like picking a favorite child:( I love them all!
Wow! What a beautiful piece, Lora! I love the color! Happy to be joining you on the hop today! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
We’ll call it Jadeite green, Cecilia;) And it’s going to get filled to the brim with vintage linens!
Sounds perfect! Thanks for sharing your pretty dresser at Vintage Charm! Pinned!
I’m really enjoying this one! Thanks for pinning, Cecilia!
Green is my absolute favorite color and this chest of drawers is an open and shut case of adoration! The addition of the tin is superb! A truly fabulous makeover.
Me too, Laura! I can never get enough green, and I’ve never met a shade I didn’t like! The ceiling tin is one of my favorite materials to add to pieces; hope I can find more!
What a great piece and I love, love, love the green.
Thanks, Marty!
I love these old dressers with their little drawers on top…and the cut work.
I like yours….and love the color you chose
Me, too, BJ! Glad I was courageous and didn’t just go with white!
The dresser is adorable. I just love how all the details pop. Such a cute, cute color. I love how you fixed the flaws and made them features.
Just like makeup, Katie; make all those flaws look good;)
Lora, the dresser turned out so beautiful. I’m in love with all the little details like the scalloped joints and the color green is perfect!
Those scalloped joints kind of make me want to leave a drawer or two open, Michelle;) Even though I wanted the fronts of the drawers painted, there was no way I was covering those up; thankyou painter’s tape!