Steampunk Ornate Dresser

 Isn't this dresser cool?  It was absolutely huge (like almost 8 feet) and I loved the raised detailing and the angled doors.  Super unique. I used a very dark charcoal chalk style paint on this one as I wanted it to have an imperfect mottled look to the finish.

It had really cool little feet, they looked very steampunky to me, which is why I'm calling this my steampunk dresser.

The light catches the angled doors so nicely.  This piece was so big it completely took up my staging area, I could barely get the whole thing in the picture.  Don't you love those little insect-looking legs peeking out the bottom.  I kind of expect it to lift its heft and start tip toeing away.

I did a light distress on the edges to complete the look and I clearcoated the top and waxed the remainder of the piece.  Hardware is original but updated with gold.

Going Retro with Black and Gold

Hi Peeps!  The latest and greatest - black and gold.  This cute pair of retro cuties virtually fell into my lap.  The furniture findings have hit a bit of a dry patch of late round these parts, so I was very happy when a kind soul donated these guys to me.

I virtually never paint in black, but I was inspired by a picture I came across whilst perusing painted furniture on google which was black with gold hardware.  Why not? I thought.  I could use a shake up.

I gave everything a nice sand and cleaned the pieces both down.  I had some Ben Moore Advance in a slate-black colour that I decided to turn into chalk paint.  It turned out great and the adhesion is awesome.

 I applied two coats, sanding after both, and then finished with clear wax which I had buffed.

The hardware got the ol' rub-n-buff treatment to spruce it up a bit.  I initially thought about changing the hardware, but it really does have a cute retro feel, and plus, I was feeling a little lazy to fill in all those holes.  ;)

Keeping with the retro theme, I highlighted the recessed lines in the middle panel with cream, and I also painted one thin cream stripe down each of the front legs.  

Its definitely an improvement on the before.

The matching tallboy got the exact same treatment.  A cute little pair they make!

Mary Poppins' Chest

This dresser was in great shape and solid wood when I picked her up.  Even her colour wasn't that bad, a rich mahogany, but she was still in need of updating.  

I decided to go for a deep charcoal and complimented that with some black, grey & white decorative paper I had on hand.

I decided to put the paper on the bottom drawers only, as I wanted to add a 'touch of whimsy' as opposed to having a statement dresser.

The paper was so thin that it went quite crinkly when I put it on.  I actually kind of liked that as it made it look rustic.  I played with it a bit more by doing a light distressing on both the body of the dresser, and on the paper.

I sprayed the hardware with oil rubbed bronze to darken them a bit and to have them better contrast with the grey.

I call her 'Mary Poppins' Chest' because I can imagine this in Mary Poppins' bedroom filled with neatly folded linens.