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English Ivy Dresser Makeover

September 19, 2023 by Denise - 165 Comments

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A DOG-BITTEN DRESSER GETS A GORGEOUS MAKEOVER USING DIXIE BELLE’S ENGLISH IVY COTTAGE PAINT **GIVEAWAY ALERT** | YOUTUBE VIDEO COMING THIS SATURDAY!

Hi sweet friends and welcome back. Today I’m sharing a salvaged dresser makeover with a new to me English Ivy Cottage Paint Color. I’ve also found my new favorite tool to stencil with. Last week I mentioned I bought an airbrush to use on my wreath – but I didn’t end up trying it. Well, I had so much fun with it this week. Just wait until you see how amazing this airbrushed stencil looks!

I’m also sharing –

  • How To Remove Rusted Castor Wheels
  • How To Repair Dog-Chewed Furniture
  • How To Stencil With An Airbrush
  • And more

And, I’m joining four super-talented bloggers for a FUN DIXIE BELLE GIVEAWAY FOR YOU!!!  Be sure to read until the end of this post on how to enter. Then visit my furniture painting friends for an opportunity to enter 4 more generous giveaways!

A BIG thank you to Dixie Belle Paint Company for sponsoring today’s post!

Here’s the salvaged three-drawer dresser I started with. I found it selling at my local Restore. I paid $70 for this dresser thinking it was in pretty good shape. Wait until you see the doozie damage that I missed… I still can’t believe I didn’t see it.

Restore 3 Drawer Dresser Before

The dresser is solid wood and very well built but had a few scratches that needed filling. But that was nothing in comparison to what I saw once I brought it home.

Scratches on Salvaged Dresser

Check out these dog scratches or bites. How did I miss this????!!!! 🤦‍♀️ I can’t even say it was because I was lazy and didn’t pull it out from between two pieces of furniture before buying it. If you look at the before pic, this dresser was at the end of the row and this side was the one that was totally exposed. Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s ever missed something like this…lol.

Dog Chewed Wood Dresser

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY DIXIE BELLE PAINTS/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE.  YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

$70 Thrifted Dresser  – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
2 in 1 Pry Bar
All Purpose Bondo
Bosch Sander (25% OFF as of writing this!)
36″ Wood Clamp
BIN Shellac Based Primer
Dixie Mud Filler White
English Ivy Chalk Mineral Paint
Gold Moonshine Metallics
2″ Flat Paint Brush
Gator Hide Topcoat
Brushed Brass Hardware Knobs
Enchanted Garden Stencil
Timbertech Air Brush Compressor Kit

ENGLISH IVY DRESSER MAKEOVER

Challenge on to fix this doggy-damaged dresser up and make her pretty again!

PREP

To prep this dresser for paint I started by removing the hardware. I used plyers to twist off these old square nuts. Then using a Pry Bar, I pried up the finishing nail holding the hardware plate on. These prybars are SUPER handy for so many applications when restoring furniture.

Removing Old Hardware - Salvaged Inspirations

I cleaned the dresser with White Lightning. I made sure to use a brush to get the dirt out of the grooves and all those dog bites. Then I rinsed the sponge and gave the entire piece a wipe-down with clean water to remove any residue.

Cleaning Dresser with White Lightning

HOW TO REMOVE CASTOR WHEELS

There was one castor wheel missing on this dresser. I originally thought of replacing the wheel. I have some antique wheels in my inventory but then I reconsidered as I wanted a more modern look. To take all four castor wheels off, I used a pry bar and hammer. I’ll have the full how-to on this Saturday’s YouTube video – but the basics are to pry the plate away from the bottom of the wood leg. Position the pry bar against the plate and then wack the pry bar with your hammer until it pops out. Depending on how rusted the castor wheels are will dictate how easy or challenging it will be to remove.

Removing Castor Wheels off Dresser

HOW TO FIX DOG-CHEWED FURNITURE

So as I mentioned, I have NO IDEA how I missed this in the store or loading it into my car. But it stuck out like a sore thumb when I brought it down to my studio! To fix these dog bites or scratches I used Bondo. It dries fast. It dries super hard and is durable.

Here are the steps to fix dog-damaged furniture –

  1. Flipping the dresser, I secured a board and created a ‘frame’ along the bottom of the damaged side. This allowed me to create a straight edge for the Bondo fix.
  2. I mixed up a good amount of Bondo and spread it onto the damaged wood making sure to cover and fill all the bite/scratch marks.
  3. When the Bondo was semi-dry (5-10 min) I removed the board.
  4. After it dried (about 20 min) I sanded it down smooth.
  5. There were still a few spots that needed building up, so I repeated steps 2 and 4 until it was perfect.

How To Fix Dog Damaged Furniture

SAND & PRIME

After I was finished with the repair, I gave the entire piece a scuff sanding with my Bosch Sander which is 25% OFF as of writing this post! I gave the top of this desk some extra sanding to smooth out the large scratches and used Bondo to fill any other divots and imperfections. I primed with two coats of BIN Shellac Primer to cover all the bleed-through. I have a full tutorial on How To Use BIN Shellac Based Primer HERE.

Sanding Bondo

PAINTING WITH ENGLISH IVY

Now for the fun part! I chose to paint this dresser in this English Ivy which is a beautiful earthy forest green with gray undertones.

English Ivy Chalk Mineral Paint by Dixie Belle Paints

I applied two coats using my two-inch flat brush.

Painting Drawer with English Ivy

Then I let it dry overnight.

Painted English Ivy Dresser Drying

HOW TO STENCIL WITH AN AIRBRUSH

Using an airbrush is all new to me but let me tell you, friends, this is FUUUUNNNN! It’s my new favorite ‘toy’ and I can’t wait to learn and create different finishes with it. I was surprised at how little paint it uses and how precise and thin coats of paint it applies. Perfect for stenciling as it dries really fast and is ready for another coat within minutes.

Here’s how I stenciled with the airbrush –

  • I diluted a little Gold Metallic Paint with water and added it to the airbrush cup.
  • I connected my airbrush to the compressor and turned it on.
  • Then I positioned my Enchanted Garden Stencil in place using painter’s tape and airbrushed a thin coat onto the stencil.
  • I dried the metallic paint for a few seconds with my heat gun.
  • Then repeated airbrushing another coat… super fun and easy!

Stenciling with an Airbrush

TOPCOAT AND PROTECT

The next morning after everything was dry, I spray-top-coated this desk with Gator Hide.

Spray Topcoating Dresser

NEW HARDWARE

I bought these brass knobs off Amazon and they worked perfectly with the metallic stencil design.

Brushed Gold Hardware

FINISHED ENGLISH IVY DRESSER

Here’s the finished look.

English Ivy Painted Dresser - Giveaway

 

And here’s a closer look at the airbrushed gold metallic stencil design against the English Ivy.

Close Up of AirBrushed Stencil On Dresser

What do you think? When the light hits it just right, it shimmers and glows!

IG DB English Ivy Dresser Makeover

YOUTUBE TUTORIAL

I’ll be posting the full step-by-step YouTube tutorial here on Saturday. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 40.8K and growing so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already! So exciting, thank YOU! 🙂

AND NOW FOR A FUN GIVEAWAY!

Here’s a chance to win $250 worth of Dixie Belle Products. To enter, follow the prompts in the Rafflecopter box below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner will be randomly picked and announced on Tuesday, September 26th here on the blog. The winner has 48 hours to claim their Dixie Belle Giveaway before another winner is selected so be sure to check back. Good luck everyone!!

Want four (4) more chances to WIN! 🙂

$250 Giveaway of Dixie Belle Products - Salvaged Inspirations

Below are the BEFORE photos of my talented bloggers and their Cottage Paint makeovers. Visit the links underneath to see the amazing AFTERS and learn how they did it! Then enter their giveaways as well! x

Dixie Belle $250 Giveaway Tour - Salvaged Inspirations

 

1. CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYER

2. SALVAGED INSPIRATIONS (HAPPY YOU’RE HERE!)

3. PETTICOAT JUNKTION

4. A RAY OF SUNLIGHT

5. REINVENTED DELAWARE

Here’s another look at this salvaged dresser before and after. I hope it’s inspired you and given you some ideas for your projects!

English Ivy Painted Dresser Before and After

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS DRESSER MAKEOVER IN THE COMMENTS BELOW OR  FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂

Happy painting my friends!

Denise x

RELATED POSTS::

HOW TO STENCIL ON FURNITURE

ROYAL DAMASK PAINTED VINTAGE DESK

COBBLESTONE PAINTED NIGHTSTANDS

HOW TO APPLY DECOUPAGE PAPER

PAINTED SECRETARY DESK

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English Ivy Painted Dresser

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Reader Interactions

Comments (165)

  2. Hi from Leakey TX. And it’s pronounced laaaakey not Leakey as it’s spelled. Thank you so much for sharing with us about using an air brush!!! I love that it comes with a small generator just love it. I love to refurbish furniture!!!! Can’t wait to order an airbrush and put it to work. As you learn more techniques please continue to post about them. That’s a BIG THANK YOU from this very country girl from Tx. .

    Reply

  6. Loved what you did, but I have a question….does Boss have a strong scent? I am currently waiting for a lung transplant and I cannot now or ever be around strong smells. Thank you for your time.

    Reply

    • Hi Ellen! Wishing you all the best with your lung transplant!💜 BOSS does have a scent. I wouldn’t classify it as ‘strong’ but I’m also use to working with BIN Shellac Based Primer which has a SUPER strong odor… so I’m not sure if I’m the one to ask. If anyone else reading this comment wants to chime in with their opinion, feel free.

      Reply

  7. Holy cats! That’s some major dog damage! I’ll be it makes you wonder just how that dog did that !
    I’d like to try any and all of the Dixie Belle products! They look amazing.

    Reply

  8. I follow you on Facebook ALL THE TIME and just LOVE your work. You’re such an inspiration! I’ve had a small airbrush kit for literally like 15 years that I’ve never even opened but you’ve inspired me to whip that puppy out and give it a go. Thanks so much for all of your tips, tricks, and (of course) the detailed instructions you give.

    Reply

    • YES, whip that puppy out Robin! I’d LOVE to hear how it goes for you and if you create something you’d like to share – please TAG me! I’d love to see!!!

      Reply

  11. What a showstopper Denise!! You always come up with something creative, and that stencil is gorgeous on this one.

    Reply

  12. Really cute color combo. I never seem to know which colors will work. I even use a color wheel and I am still nervous my idea was be a flop. Your furniture helps me be more confident. Thanks

    Reply

  13. I would not have thought that these two colors together would have looked so rich looking. I’m so glad to follow you and see new things all the time. Everything you do comes out so nice!

    Reply

  16. That piece of furniture came out gorgeous.
    You did a great job.
    Airbrush, great way to stencil.
    I hope we can see the bondo repair on the UTube tutorial.
    I was hoping you had a picture after you did all the sanding of the bondo.

    Reply

    • Thanks Donna! And ya, I’m not sure why I didn’t photograph that side, uggh. I will take a pic and add it onto this post and I’m sure there is some video footage of me painting it as well. 🙂

      Reply

  17. This dresser came out awesome. Not surprising as all your projects are stunning. I’m always amazed at the end results. You have such vision turning a dumpy old piece into a masterpiece.

    Reply

  26. This piece is so pretty, Denise. You did an amazing job! Wow. All that damage! Congrat’s on a great job. I’m thinking of airbrushing and you’ve given me encouragement to do that. Question: Is it hard to clean?

    Reply

    • It’s not difficult to clean at all… unless maybe you let it all dry and then try cleaning it. But I cleaned mine right after I used it and it was super easy! I think you’d have a blast and create something spectacular Caye! 🙂

      Reply

  29. Stunning look ! I love the Green over gold combination.
    Everyone should have a statement piece (or a couple ! )
    The airbrushing looks sooo fun. You always make everything look easy, but… I know its your skill.
    Thanks.
    And thanks for sharing the giveaway. I’d love to get some new colors and supplies 🙂
    p

    Reply

  30. I too, am not a fan of modern or green, but this dresser is stunning! Wow, you took a lemon of a dresser and created sophisticated lemonicello!!🙂
    Beautiful job and so cheerful!!

    Reply

  31. Love the metallic stenciling. I haven’t had much success using stencils. I’ll have to practice more 🙂

    Reply

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