I can’t wait to share this french provincial makeover with you!
I wish I had taken a pic of this sad dresser when I spotted her curbside but before I could pull out my phone, a sweet passerby asked if I needed a hand. I forgot all about the pic and jumped at the offer because there was NO WAY I could have lifted this five-foot-plus-beast into the back of my FUV by myself. That’s not a misspelling btw. MMM has renamed my SUV a Furniture Utility Vehicle because there’s ALWAYS a piece of furniture in the back. I think it’s cute and he may be onto something. If the auto industry was to market vehicles as FUV’s they might just sell a few more. 😉
Anyway, I did take a pic in my paint room. Here she is in all her sad glory waiting for her makeover.
I have to say, because of her size, this dresser gave me a really good workout – but I loved every minute of it.
It was my first time using a salt wash / sea spray texturing medium. Lately, I’ve been playing around with different textures and layering techniques, and I LOVE this old world furniture finish. It reminds me of ancient stone from an architectural ruin!
What do you think?
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST::
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- French Provincial Dresser – SALVAGED
- Sandpaper 150-320 grit
- Paint Brushes
- Sea Spray
- Drop Cloth Chalk Mineral Paint
- Driftwood Chalk Mineral Paint
- Coffee Bean Chalk Mineral Paint
- DB Brown Wax
- Anastasia Gilding Wax
OLD WORLD FURNITURE FINISH w SEA SPRAY
Like I mentioned, this was my first time using a salt wash/sea spray type of texturing medium so I learned ‘on the job’. I added the powder to the paint and mixed it in until the consistency was like a thick batter. I even left some lumps in there which I’m not sure you’re supposed to do.
After I put my base coat of Drop Cloth and Driftwood on, I mixed up Coffee Bean and Driftwood to create a darker color. Then I applied it with a chip brush to create peaks and valleys with the thickened paint.
I had an old stone finish in mind while I was creating this piece so I was (but wasn’t) strategic in where I applied it… hope that makes sense… my creative process is messy. Once the first layered dried, I sanded and added another layer of Drop Cloth mixed with the Sea Spray.
This is how it looked. Kind of thick and gloppy.
Once I was happy with my layers, I gave the piece a final sanding, and applied this brown wax to amplify the old worn look.
Here’s a view of the top. Even though the entire dresser looks very textured, it’s been sanded down so it feels super smooth.
As the very last detail, I applied this colored Gilding Wax on the handles (which I turned right side up) and added other highlighted areas around and on parts of the drawers for hints of color. When the light hits these highlighted areas just right, there’s just a hint of glimmer which looks spectacular!
When I posted to Facebook saying I was giving it a go, Caylisa, one of my FB followers posted a pic of a dresser she restyled for her daughter’s beach style room. She used a sea wash in white and blues and it actually looks like breaking waves!
This textured paint medium is interesting and has a ton of creative possibilities.
Thank you guys for all your inspiration. 🙂
HAVE YOU USED A TEXTURED MEDIUM BEFORE? I’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR QUESTIONS AND/OR TIPS AND WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS FRENCH PROVINCIAL MAKEOVER. FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. 🙂
Happy furniture texturing my friends!
Denise x
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Awesome. Did you use sea spray only in last layer of drop cloth? For base cost did you mix drop cloth and driftwood together without sea spray?
Thanks
Im berly starting to get into this furniture buisness but so far im enjoying every second of it.i love the way you put those colors together .i hooe one day il be as good as you. One question if you dont mind ,but how much would one of your pieces be worth because it looks pretty expensive to me . Im not doing it for the money but it would be awsome if i could get paid for something i love doing thank you.
Hi Carlos! I typically sell my furniture for between $350-$550 with some smaller pieces being a little less and some larger pieces being a little more. That said, there are SO MANY factors that come into play when pricing furniture. Location, market, competitors, cost of supplies, quality of the piece, quality of your paint job, even seasons and time of year can make a big difference. Here are a few tips on Pricing Your Painted Furniture. hope this helps and all the best in your new furniture painting business. 🙂
I am so glad you turn the handles the other way around. That just drove me crazy. Love the way it came out. You go girl.
Thanks Terry! 🙂 I prefer them smiley side up too. 🙂 😉
Me too! This whole piece looks like it’s from a different era – looks like it would be as at home on a movie set as in a beach house.
Thanks Laurie! XO 🙂
Hi Denise, I think this has to be one of my FAVE pieces ever!!!! Simply stunning!!!!
Thank YOU!!! It was a lot of fun using the Sea Spray! 😀
Denise,
This dresser is absolutely stunning. I’ve been wanting to do a dresser like this with the same colors for a while. Thanks for your inspiration !!!
Hi Gloria – and thank you! I hope you give it a try. It was a lot of fun. 🙂
That curbside dresser transformed into this work of art! WOW!!! If only the original owner could see their dresser now! I’ve had a bag of salt wash in the shop for well over a year and I’m in awe of the possibilities after seeing this. Ha ha ha -FUV – perfect description for furniture reimaginer’s vehicles.
Thanks Marie, means a lot coming from you! 🙂 And ya, my sea spray/salt wash was sitting around for a while too. I half forgot about it and half procrastinated but I’m really glad I finally tried it. Ha, I think the FUV is cute..lol
UNREAL!! So beautiful!! Total transformation!!! LOVE IT!!
Thanks Celeste! XOXO
Wow, you really nailed an old world feel.:Looks like decades of build up.. Great job, as I’m sure not everyone could pull this off even with the right products.
Thank you and funny you bring this up Tracy. My sister asked me if I kept track of all the colors I used. I said YES, but I don’t know if I could replicate this finish again..lol.
Oh. My. Goodness! Denise, I love all of your work. You truly inspire me on every project you do, but I have to say…. this is probably my favourite piece you have ever done. It’s perfect! Perfectly Imperfect! Divine! Breathtaking!
Thank you for sharing this beauty. I am in love <3
Awww, thanks Carole!!! So glad you like it. It means a lot coming from you. XOXO Lately, I’m really loving these “perfectly imperfect” textured and distressed finishes. 🙂 They’re a lot of FUN to create and work on. 😀
Turned out gorgeous,!!! Thanks for your inspiration!!! Love your blog!
Thanks so much Louise! Always love it when you drop by. 🙂
Absolutely GORGEOUS Denise!! I want to try this! I’ve noticed other salt wash finishes on Pinterest and wasn’t at all sure what I thought but this piece has inspired me. Love your weekly posts. Thank you!
That’s so sweet and kind Nicki, thank YOU! Using the Sea Spray was fun. If you decide to give it a go I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts and how it turns out for you. 🙂
Hi Denise. I’m loving this textured look. Gorgeous! FUV (furniture utility vehicle) is a great name for your SUV. Very creative and funny. LOL:)
Thanks so much Monique… and ya, he’s a funny one! 😉
Denise, once again you knocked it out of the park! You are such an inspiration! I am going to have to try this. It is exactly the look I want to achieve.
After your metallic paint inspiration, I did get some MM metallic paint and patina solution. I did two pieces,and love them both! I’d love to share them with you. It’s something I wouldn’t have attempted without your inspiration.
I’d LOVE to see your pieces Rebecca! Feel free to email or PM me on FB if you have time or get the chance. 🙂 So glad you like this makeover too! xo
From the very moment I first glanced at your ‘before’ photo, all I could think of was ‘turn that frown upside down!’ Those drawer pulls were just all wrong in the frowning position. I’m so glad you turned them around 😉
Hi Linda! I’ve seen them done both ways but I MUCH prefer them smiling too!!! 🙂
Breathtaking! Absolutely gorgeous💗
Aw, thanks Donna!xo It was fun piece to work on… although I think I lost a pound or two! 😉