Happy Wednesday! I am busily preparing for the Lucketts Spring Antique Market (May 17th and 18th) and cramming in as many projects as possible before it’s too late!
This dresser is one that I picked up last week because I specifically wanted it for Lucketts. I had actually found it on craigslist a few weeks prior, but was told that someone was ahead of me…. it was so gorgeous and inexpensive that I knewI had a slim chance. Out of the blue, the seller emailed me last week and said the first person had repeatedly not shown up and if I could come get it, it was mine! I did a happy dance and made my plans for it!
I didn’t snap a before picture, so I am borrowing this from the seller.
I loved its shape and bamboo details. I did not love the yellow finish, laminate top, and scotch tape on some of the drawers. I knew I wanted a clean and glamorous look for this girl. I started by sanding it all over as much as I could. I sanded down the laminate top just to remove shine, and give the primer something to stick to. I sanded the sides with my orbital sander, and hand sanded the rest as the details were too hard to hit.
To prime it, I used a combination of two products: Kilz Adhesion Primer and Kilz Complete Aerosol Primer. Since the adhesion primer is meant for harder to prime surfaces, I figured it would be perfect for the laminate top. It worked like a charm on the top, sides, and drawers, which had been sanded well. However, I tested an area of the trim, and it was not sticking as I had expected it to. That’s when I pulled out the spray primer, which is oil based. It smells, but it will stick to almost anything! I will say that what I love about the adhesion primer is its thickness for a water based primer. It’s not as translucent as some that I have used- it gives a nice solid finish. I ended up applying two coats, only because I’d rather do an extra coat of primer than an extra coat of paint!
Once the primer was dry, I lightly sanded the piece all over so that it was smooth. I then applied two coats (allowing dry time in between) of General Finishes Snow White Milk Paint. For some reason, I notice that this particular color has a bit more sheen than the others, which was exactly what I wanted. I also wanted to make sure this piece stayed its pre snow white color, so I did not top coat this piece. I do know that this is not the recommended practice, but I am basing my decision off of my own experience. My own dining room sideboard is painted in General Finishes Snow White, and I did not topcoat that either and it has held up perfectly!
Meanwhile, as the paint dried, I was busy inside applying rub n buff to the hardware. It was quite worn and dingy and needed a little more shine- such a simple fix but it makes a world of difference. I also added rub n buff to the raised details on the drawer fronts. And I thought about adding it to the bamboo details like Kathy did on this lovely pink dresser, but then I thought to myself, “Put down the gold, Cassie. Walk away. Enough is enough. Stop gilding all the things.” Ready to see the afters?
I love the hardware in its new updated gold!
These details make my heart go pitter patter!
Please ignore the dandelions and poorly maintained grass…. I am trying to distract you with a pretty dresser. Is it working?
Did you notice something else? I created some modern art which will also be headed to Lucketts! I hope to share that with you Friday!
For now I am off for an early morning run with my main man, Sawyer, who is soon to run his first 5k with me! Wish me luck!
Sharing here:
