Dualing Dressers

Two different dressers today; empire and serpentine. The empire is finished in a custom Annie Sloan Chalk Paint mix: a dark, rich navy. The serpentine is also ASCP: a crisp, fresh, classic white.

Enjoy.

Refreshed Eastlake Dresser

A few years ago I came across about six small dressers at an Estate sale. I didn't dare pass them up so I grab them all, hauled them home and have been storing them in the barn ever since.

I've finally made my way {through the maze of furniture and lumber in the barn} to them a few weeks ago and started their makeovers, one at a time. This Eastlake number was one of the first pieces to get picked.

After replacing all the bottoms to the drawers and removing the THICK layers of varnish from the top, I painted the body in a custom mix of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and finished with wax. The hardware was missing from this piece when I got it so I used these brass pulls that I salvaged from a previous makeover.

And a little peek into my setup at the shop this week...I forgot to take more pictures so this is all I have to share.

Thanks for swinging through!

~Crystal

American Empire Dresser

Ok! I don't know how to fully articulate how happy yours truly was when I picked up this dresser. I was ecstatic! No beyond ecstatic...I was crazed. I have been lusting for an American Empire dresser for what seems like a hundred years. I was in complete shock that I had found one and even more shocked when I was lucky enough to get to bring it home and add it to my decor.

You know that feeling when you have something that has been on your want list for a LONG LONG time and you finally get to make that want a reality...that is how I felt about this dresser. I know most people wish for more important things and you probably think that I'm half nuts for having a dresser on my list...but that is how I roll. Call me crazy, you're probably right!

---------------------------

This guy was in fair condition considering it's about 200 years old. As usual, the drawers definitely needed some repairs and somewhere along the line someone had done a poor job of trying to refinish it so there was shoddy work that I needed to make right. 

I'm pretty sure the wood on the drawers is curly maple and it was jaw dropping gorgeous. To let the wood shine, I just took the old finish back to the natural wood and sealed the drawers and the knobs with ASCP dark wax. The finish is smooth like butter on these babies now.

I painted the body structure in ASCP Graphite and sealed it with wax too.

That wood on the drawers and those chunky legs are so lovely. {heart throb}

I thought about replacing the knobs with something more splashy but I think the large wooden knobs look great and don't distract from the natural beauty.

Now I can check this style dresser off my want list...except I would love to get my hands on another...I sense a problem!

I'm starting on some really outrageous spring projects...some new ideas and bringing back some favorites from last year. I'll be posting new things in the upcoming weeks as well as information on my spring and summer show schedule.

I thank you for stopping by the UP blog today and checking out my latest project. Take care!

Crystal

Linking up this week:
Talk of the Town
Somrthing to Talk About
Art is Beauty

Vintage Chest of Drawer Facelift

Things have been pretty busy around here, can't believe it's already February. I'll elaborate more on what's been keeping me so busy in a future post, but for today I wanted to share this sturdy dresser that just got a facelift. 

Nothing flashy on this guy, just a classic style and timeless color palette. I love the grey and brown tones together on this guy, so much so that I recently painted my entry, living room and kitchen in this very grey. {and I just think it looks fab with my natural hardwood floors}

The color is Annie Sloan French Linen and the top was taken back to the raw wood and then sealed with dark wax...love that sheen!

Here are just a few more pictures of the dresser.

Short and sweet post today, take care and stay warm everyone!

~Crystal

Mocha Dresser Set {Custom ASCP Color Mix}

I've been meaning to try and create a nice rich chocolate brown concoction for sometime now. So when I found this really nice dresser set, with the clean lines that I really wanted, I thought it would be the perfect subject to get to work on!

The inspiration for the color comes from all the dark antique coffee {driftwood-esque} styles that I see at some of the big retailers these days.

The awesome thing about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is that it mixes really well together, enabling you to create an entirely new pallet of colors. I landed on a mix of Olive, Primer Red and Graphite. {here is the mix ratio}

As usually, I removed the hardware and got to work. I painted the base with the custom mocha color, then I waxed it with straight dark wax, immediately followed by a wash of Coco. After wiping back the Coco, I let both pieces dry overnight. {this is what it looked like at this point}

The next morning, I sanded it back just a bit to expose more of the darker undercoat. Then I proceeded to give it another coat of dark wax. {here it is at this point}

The final step was to find some great new hardware to bring the piece up to date with it's new look. This step can be the most painstaking because I argue with myself about what direction to go. After a bit of searching, I finally decided that some antique brass cup pulls.I think they look fantastic and complete the look I was after!

That's all for today!

Stay warm.

-Crystal

Linking  Up:
The Creative Circle
Something to Talk About

Debonaire Dresser {Twelve Drawer}

It's been weeks since I have had the opportunity to get into the shop and transform some furniture. So I decided to go BIG...and by big I mean this twelve drawer Empire brand dresser!

Let's be honest, this guy was a beauty from the get go: solid wood, dove tail construction and drawers that glide like new. Really the only problem was the visible signs of wear on the surface.

I got busy removing the hardware and stripping down the top. While I was messing with all that I was contemplating the color for the body. I love a two tone mix of stain and paint on pieces, so I decided to go dark grey and a rich warm brown stain. 

For the body, I mixed a custom color of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Graphite and Coco. {finished with a mix of dark and clear wax} And for the stain on the top I mixed up another custom concoction...dark walnut and natural oak. 

Part of my process is that I go through each and every drawer, cleaning, repairing {if needed} and sanitizing them thoroughly. For you, that means peace of mind to know they are clean before the new owner uses them.

As part of our thorough makeover process, we also paint all sides of the piece. You can rest assured, that in the event you want to position the piece in a way that the back is exposed ... it's finished and looks as lovely as the front. 

This guy would be perfect to store all your winter sweaters.
It would double nicely as a changing table in your newborn's room.
It would even look amazing in your dining room to store all your linens and grandma's silverware!

No matter where you can envision this handsome devil, it's ready for the task!

Here are some more shots to flip through...

It sure felt good to makeover this guy, I didn't realize how much I missed the brush these past few months.

Thanks for swinging by and looking today!

~ Crystal

Linking up:

Talk of the Town
The Creative Circle
Something to Talk About

Fresh. Simple. Classic. Dresser.

The official start of summer is upon us so it seemed it was perfect timing to break out the white, old white chalk paint that is!
 

 

I've had some really great luck finding gorgeous dressers lately...making it relatively easy to transform a piece like this into a show stopper because it has so much class already.

Painted in Annie Sloan Old White and finished it with clear wax, this girl is stunning. Not much distressing here, just enough to make it look gently used and comfortable. The drawer pulls are original and aged to perfection.

Here are some more pictures and closeups of the finished product.

before

Thanks to all those who have served our beautiful country.

Happy Memorial Day!

-Crystal

Nine Drawer Drexel Dresser

This is, without a doubt, the LARGEST dresser I have had the pleasure of working on since UP has been in business. So much storage in this nine drawer Drexel...you could use it as a dresser or even a buffet/sideboard.

It's finished in Annie Sloan Old Ochre and I used Old White to highlight the filigrees and the molding on the drawers.

 

I'll be spending the next few weeks preparing for a Spring Show...stay tuned for details!

Have a great week!

~Crystal