i picked up this antique dresser on Craigslist. it had been with the family for a few generations, but it was time for it to get a new home.
it was a perfect shape with great bones for a new sink pedestal in the kids’ bathroom.
the top had a ton of wear and tear, and chances are we’ll be adding some sort of slab to drop a sink into it, so i figured it was a perfect canvas to practice some new techniques!
i love this brassy hardware.
i started with Annie Sloan chalk paint’s Old Ochre diluted with a bit of water. then went over with a Pure White wash.
i’ve come to really love the Swedish Gustavian look, which is a more simple take on the ornate French furniture that was popular in Europe at the time. so, i brushed it on haphazardly to reduce any visible brush strokes, then dabbed with a dry brush, and wiped and blotted excess paint off with a soft rag.
using a coarse 0 steel wool, i wiped away any excess and sanded to have some of the wood show through.
i left the front unpainted as i wanted it a different color to make the piece pop.
i’m absolutely in love!
then i used Annie Sloan’s clear wax and while it was still tacky, i used a Pure white very watery wash on top of the wax.
lots more blotting, dabbing. then i added a few drops of Coco to the Pure White wash and made the color a bit darker, and did it all again.
i figured the more layers the better. i used Louis Blue and the same technique on the front. dab, blot, wash, wax, wash, dab, blot, repeat. 
and the results are awesome!
you can see in the photo below that the detail on the mini backsplash pops a little. i took a tiny brush with the Pure White and went over the raised flowers and trim design.
this dresser is very wobbly, though, so i’m not sure it’s going to hold a toothbrush, let alone hold a sink! i’ll have to ask a finish carpenter to take a look.
thanks for stopping by!
linked to:
Sunday: It’s So Very Cheri
Sunday: My 1929 Charmer
Sunday: Under the Table and Dreaming
Sunday: Marvelously Messy
Sunday: Craft-o-Maniac
Sunday: Keeping It Simple Crafts
Sunday: Three Mango Seeds
Sunday: Finding Silver Pennies
Monday: The Girl Creative
Monday: Boogieboard Cottage
Monday: Our Delightful Home
Monday: CRAFT
Tuesday: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Tuesday: Cedarhill Ranch
Tuesday: Elizabeth and Co
Tuesday: Dometsically Speaking
Tuesday: Today’s Creative Blog
Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style
Wednesday: Handy Man Crafty Woman
Giveaway Thursday: Someday Crafts
Thursday: The Brambleberry Cottage
Thursday: The Charm of Home
Thursday: From My Front Porch to Yours
Friday: Miss Mustard Seed
Friday: Fridays Unfolded
Friday: Shabby Nest
Friday: Romantic Home
Friday: Redoux Interiors
About meesh
Loving it!
Thanks, Julie! 🙂 Thanks also for stopping by!
So pretty! I think I’m going to have to try this technique. I love the results.
Thanks, Danielle! Swing back to let me know how it goes!
I use ASCP but I haven’t tried Pure White and Old Ochre. I have a carved wooden bench that I want to paint — and I really like what you did with that White wash and Ochre paint. I’ve used plenty of Old White. Anyway, I plan to see my stockist tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration. Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey
Thanks! The whitewashing definitely gives a great layered look. Good luck Ann Marie! Post a link back here when you’re done! I’d love to see it.
I will keep you posted. Thanks for your encouragement.