A BEAUTIFUL INSPIRED DRESSER MAKEOVER USING REBEL YELLOW AND A SPRING MEADOW GARDEN MOTIF!
Hi lovely #sifamily, I’m excited to share today’s Spring Meadow Painted Dresser with you! This dresser was really plain and flat-faced so some color and design were a must. From start to finish this bright yellow girl put a big smile on my face. As an added bonus, this makeover is for my sister Andrea. She’ll be seeing it for the first time with all of you…I hope she likes it!
It’s also Furniture Fixer Upper day! If you’re new to the #siblog, I join a group of my talented blogger friends on the fourth Thursday of every month. I’m sharing their tutorials at the bottom of today’s post. I’ve seen there before’s and believe me, they are some spiffy-looking pieces this month!
Here’s what I started with…
This old dresser lives in Andrea’s spare room. We call it “Bunny’s dresser” because her fur baby loves sunning on it. I wish her cat was here when I took the before pic.
I’m loving this NEW look. So bright and cheerful. What do you think?
I picked this Spring Meadow Life transfer because both Andrea and I have started gardening again. This floral motif is a nice way to symbolize all the beauty she brings to her gardens.
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST::
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- Flat Faced Dresser – SALVAGED
- Sandpaper | Shop Towels
- Spray Gun
- Dewalt Orbital Sander
- BIN Shellac Primer
- Rebel Yellow
- Spring Meadow Life Transfer
- Satin Clear Coat
SPRING MEADOW PAINTED DRESSER
STEP 1 – Clean & Prep
I often say prep is the KEY to a great paint job but it’s worth repeating.
I started by removing all the old hardware and then I gave this dresser a good cleaning with vinegar and water. To get into all the grooves, I like using a dollar store brush. I buy these brushes in different sizes. They really come in handy.
STEP 2 – Fill Hardware Holes
I used Bondo to fill in the old hardware holes. If you’re not sure when to use Wood filler or Bondo, I have an entire tutorial on the difference between wood fill and Bondo here.
STEP 3 – Sand
Once the Bondo dried (it only takes about 10-15 minutes) I sanded down the Bondo and gave the entire dresser a once over with a 120 grit. I used my trusty Dewalt Orbital Sander which I can’t live without. The goal is not to remove the old finish, just to scuff it up enough (create tooth) for the new paint to cling to. If you don’t have an orbital or palm sander, hand sanding using a 120 grit takes a little longer but works just as well. You want to wipe your piece down (with 120 grit) like you would your kitchen counter.
STEP 4 – Prime
I used BIN Shellac Primer to prime the entire piece. This is my go-to primer to stop bleedthrough because it works super fast. I can apply two coats and be painting within the hour. I have a full BIN Shellac Primer Youtube tutorial here.
STEP 5 – Paint
I used my paint sprayer and sprayed two coats of this gorgeous Rebel Yellow. Dixie Belle Paint is highly pigmented and nice and thick. This is amazing because a little goes a long way and the coverage is exceptional. Because it’s nice and thick, I thinned the paint down with 10% water for spraying. With a little thinning, it sprays like a dream!
You can tell my paint room gets a lot of action, right? 😉
Here’s what the dresser looks like with the second coat of Rebel Yellow drying.
STEP 6 – Rub-On Furniture Transfer
Once the dresser was 100% dry, I rubbed on this Spring Meadow Life furniture transfer. If you’re new to furniture transfers they are really simple to use. It’s basically peeling and stick and then rub the transfer on with the wood rub stick that is provided.
I hope my sister loves this dresser as much as I do!
STEP 7 – Top Coat | Protect
I was running behind on finishing this dresser for today’s post so it hasn’t been top coated yet. But as you’re reading this, I’m probably in the middle of spraying three coats of Dixie Belle’s Satin Clear Coat to seal and protect.
And now for some FURNITURE FIXER UPPER FUN!
I know you’re going to LOVE what this creative team of girls do. Unfortunately, our good friend Kandice has opted out of the group. We are going to miss her 🙁 but you can still visit at Just The Woods anytime!
Below are the BEFORE photos. Visit the links underneath to see the amazing AFTERS and to learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek right now myself! x
1. Petticoat JUNKtion
2. Confessions Of A Serial DIYer
3. Salvaged Inspirations (so happy you’re here!)
4. Girl In The Garage
One last look at this before and after!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS PAINTED DRESSER… OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂
Happy furniture painting my friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS::
Rebel Yellow Curb Shopped Dresser
Miss Mustard Seed Dresser ReStyle
Stop Bleed Through When Painting
Think Yellow – 25 Beautiful Furniture Makeovers
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LOVE the dresser! Yellow is one of my favorite colors!! My question is about the transfers. I applied some transfers to a dresser that was chalk painted. When using the stick to rub on the transfer, it scratched up the paint. I did some touch up on the scratches before applying a polycyclic. Do the scratches need to be touched up or will the poly take care of that? I’m doing a Dixie Belle cobalt blue on another piece and I’m scared of all the scratching when I apply transfers because that gorgeous cobalt blue is soooo pigmented!! Thanks for your help!
Thank you Julie! Hmmm, the paint should not scratch off when applying a transfer. My guess is this is one of two things. The paint did not adhere properly. Maybe it was slick surface and a scuff sanding or primer would have been beneficial OR your paint is not dry/set enough before applying the transfer. Maybe some extra time would be beneficial before rubbing on your transfer. I hope this helps and good luck with your Cobalt Blue piece… love that color!
Denise
I have replicated this dresser which is now painted. Would you recommend applying the transfer before or after applying the topcoats?
I am truly in love with this piece, I grew up in the 60’s and this yellow reminds me of that time. I have 2 lingerie chests I want to do and this is perfect. where did you get the knobs?? did you just cut the flowers from the transfer and place them where you wanted. or did you place the whole stencil ?
I’m so glad it’s bringing back good memories for you Vicki! I cut the flowers from the transfer and placed them where I wanted and the knobs were repurposed from this buffet here. If you click and scroll down you can see them on the ‘before’ pic. 🙂
I’m late to the party! but love the dresser. with the garden transfer. The yellow with black is so pretty and with the black transfers….perfect! I’m not a yellow girl and don’t know how it would sell, but this chest has me wanting to go yellow with a small dresser I found. Going to hop over to see what the other gals are up to! Stay safe!
Thanks, Cecilia! And if you give yellow a try on that small dresser, I’d love to know how it sells for you. Stay safe! XOXO
I’m with Cecilia. This is a beautiful piece, but yellow is not my color. What is the color of choice these days? Also, I’ve not used a spray gun and was wondering if the chalk wouldn’t clog it quickly?
Hi Lynette! Color of choice these days hmmm, I know that classic whites, blacks, blues and greys are always an easy sell but I would say ANY color can be a hit. It just depends on your personal preference. 🙂 As for spraying with chalk and mineral paints, I do it all the time and have been for years. Here’s one of my first sprayed piecesHere’s one of my first sprayed pieces. A little thinning of the paintthinning of the paint is very helpful. And because they are waterbased, clean up is easy.
Hi Denise! I’m late to the party! Don’t know where Thursday went🤪! So, what did Andrea say? I know she loves it. Black and yellow look great with the black transfer. I’ll be ordering the Garden one ASAP. You make it so convenient to order the products you use. Does yellow sell good for you? I’m a little hesitant to paint something yellow, even though it’s is a lovely shade. Take care and be safe!
The doors always open so you’re welcome anytime my friend!🤗 Andrea LOVES her new dresser. I delivered it over the weekend, and she reminded me that she’s had this dresser since she was a little girl! As for selling, I’ve only painted a few pieces yellow (for sale). One sold immediately and the other, which I actually much preferred took a couple of months…. so I’m not sure. I ordered some more yellow paint though… so I’ll try a few more for selling and maybe it will give us a better idea.😊
The dresser is beautiful…. perfect mix of colors. The square wood planter on the stand, where did you get it? I’m in love with it.
Thanks Marie! And the square wood planter w stand is from HomeSense. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE this, Denise!! From the minute I saw it I thought ‘YES! THAT’S what I’ll do with my old charity shop chest of drawers!’. I’ve had it for years and have never quite decided what to do to it. Now I know and its going to look FABULOUS in my new farmhouse!! Thank you so much for the inspiration. Youve done a beautiful job.
Thank you, Kerrie! And so happy it sparked some ideas for your chest of drawers. Have fun! x
I bet Andrea was jumping with joy when she saw this, Denise. What a difference! The color is such a pretty soft yellow and I love the black contrast of the transfer. I especially like how you placed it just on the bottom. Such a lovely makeover, as always.
Thanks my friend! I shared your yellow restyle on my FB pageyour yellow restyle on my FB page the other week… you were part of the inspiration!🌼
Absolutely stunning!
Thank you Margaret! x
Such a beautiful new look, Denise! Your sister is probably thrilled! xo
She’s super pleased! Thanks so much Jen!! 🙂
This is adorable! Such a beautiful makeover.
Thank you Jerri! 🙂
Denise,you did a beautiful job on the dresser. I love the color, and the design is so fresh!!!!!!
Thank you Marian! 🙂
Hi, the yellow and black are beautiful together . Awesome combination. I was wondering if you would tell me what kind of sprayer your using.?
Thanks so much Linda! I’ve been using this same Husky sprayer since 2013this same Husky sprayer since 2013. It’s been working perfectly for all these years so I haven’t changed it out. 🙂
So so pretty! I’m going to have to paint something that Rebel Yellow color. It’s delicious. The transfers are fun and elegant at the same time – the line art is understated – just a great look all around, as per usual! Thanks for the inspiration, Denise!
Thanks! And I feel you described this transfer perfectly — “fun and elegant at the same time”… love this!
Beautiful, great job!
Thanks Darlene! x
What a beautiful makeover! I love the color even though I am not too fond of yellow, but this color and the transfer makes the dresser sing! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Sue. Huge compliment! XOXO
Hi Denise! I am curious why you put a primer on the dresser, particularly when the dresser was white?
I thought after cleaning the piece with TSP, using a Chalk Paint product it will cover it? I thought a primer was used to cover raw wood or to pre ent bleeding of a darker color? I want to make sure I am following the correct procedure on my make-overs. I follow your website weekly or if I need to refer to a previous project for guidance.
Denise you are so helpful and I am so happy to have found Salvaged Inspirations!!
Everything you said is correct and I should have explained better Carli. Shen I sanded the dresser to fix up scratches, smooth the Bondo, and even out watermarks on the top, some areas were sanded down to the raw wood. To even everything out and ensure no bleedthrough, I primed. 🙂
This is just so pretty! i love the buttery yellow color and the stencil at the bottom is so fun! the pulls (all matching!) are great too! a simple dress made special! thanks Denise!
Thanks so much Gwen!
Hi Denise! I love this color! And the hardware is perfect with the transfer. So pretty and I bet your sister will love it. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks! I really like how the hardware ties everything in too! Even after all these years of painting furniture, I’m always amazed at what a great color and some new hardware can do. XOXO
That is absolutely beautiful! OMG I’m in love. Tell your sister if she doesn’t like it I will take it off her hands. 😉 I would like to know where you got the knobs. They are so cute with the transfer.
Aw thanks,… but I’m pretty sure Andrea wants to keep it…lol. 😉 If/when she annoys me, I’m going to threaten her with “I’m selling your dresser to Kim”🤣 The knobs were actually the originals on this dresser here (before pic included). I always save my hardware are repurpose.
You are too funny! 😂When/if you have to purchase pulls or knobs where do you buy them? I’m looking for something unique. Thanks!
I like buying my hardware from Hobby Lobby when they have their 50% off sales (usually every other week). Lee Valley or Amazon is my go-to when I’m in a pinch or looking for something specific. Also I like finding unique hardware when I’m at flea markets, garage sales, antique markets. And my favorite is saving from old pieces (because it’s FREE!) 😉
Very Pretty : Such a soft happy yellow.
I like your flower garden transfer placement ! Just the right to touch of detail.
Thanks for sharing.
p
Thank you Phyllis! xo I’m not sure why I don’t use yellow more often… it IS a happy color! 😉
I love this. Once again I’m inspired. Thank you.
Thank YOU, Annie! 🙂
It is absolutely beautiful, Denise! It doesn’t even look like the same dresser…I;m sure Andrea will love it!! XOXO
This is funny because that is EXACTLY what Andrea said… lol! Thanks my friend! XOXO
Hi Denise. I just know that your sister Andrea is going to absolutely LOVE the makeover! It looks like a totally new dresser. The black transfers on the bottom paired with those cute little flower-like round handles is too cute. And Rebel Yellow is the perfect color. I AM IN LOVE! Your sister is very lucky.
Aw, thanks my friend! It’s amazing what a gorgeous color and new knobs can do, right?! 🙂
Can you tell me what sprayer you are using?
Your work is very beautiful I’m in love with your work.
Regards,
Cecile
Thanks Cecile! Home Depot sent me this Husky Paint Gun back in 2013this Husky Paint Gun back in 2013. It’s not an expensive sprayer but it’s been working perfectly for all these years so I haven’t changed it out. Hope this helps.