This salvaged dresser goes way back – at least 18-years, maybe even twenty. When I lived in my condo, a neighbor of mine was getting rid of their teenage son’s two-tier with shapely bunt feet. It was covered in stickers and scratches, but I was happy to take this piece off their hands.
My Dad originally took the time to clean, strip, sand and stain this piece for me. And over the years, this dresser has gotten a lot of use! I had mixed feelings about restyling it, but it was looking a little sad and tired and I was ready for a change. Old worn, torn, and faded denim was my inspiration for this before and after. What do you think?
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SOURCE LIST::
- Two Tier Dresser ( Salvaged)
- Paint Brush
- DIY Dawn and Vinegar Cleaner 50/50 mix
- Sand Paper & Tack Cloth
- Spray Bottle for water/blending paint
- DB ‘Savannah Mist” Chalk Mineral Paint
- DB ‘Sea Glass’ Chalk Mineral Paint
- DB ‘Bunker Hill Blue’ Chalk Mineral Paint
- Dixie Belle’s Black Wax
- Warm Gold Gilding Wax
- Pearl Ex Aztec Gold
- Hobby Lobby and Salvaged Hardware
I got caught up in the process and didn’t take pics as I was working, but if you’re curious how it was painted, it’s the same layering and waxing technique I shared here and here.
The colors I used to achieve this faded denim dresser (in order) are DB Savannah Mist, Sea Glass, Bunker Hill Blue. To get the old worn look, the layered paint was distressed with sandpaper in areas that would normally wear, and then top-coated/brushed in DB Black Wax. I added an applique to the backboard and raised stencils on front corners.
To highlight the raised stencil and applique, I used DB Gold Wax. To get a little extra glitter, I brushed some Pearl Ex Aztek Gold right on top of the Gold Wax. This was my first time using powdered pigments and it really does make a big difference! The powder can be added to paint, varnish, glue, wax etc OR brushed on top of any tacky surface to add some metallic glam. A little goes a long way and this stuff packs a punch!
Here I’m applying the Pearl Ex while right after the wax was freshly applied.
And here’s the piece once the wax had dried and the excess was wiped off.
This dresser was another case of ‘small world’ meetups. It turns out that last year when I had my roof replaced, one of the roofers was my old neighbor – the original owner of this dresser!
I’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS DENIM INSPIRED DRESSER. IF YOU HAVE ANY TIPS YOU’D LIKE SHARE OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!
Thanks and have an inspiring day my friends!
Denise x
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I just received a four poster bed that was my friend’s from her childhood. I have been pondering what to do with it to give it a refresh!!! Your faded denim dresser is the perfect ticket, thank you so much for posting it, it’s GORGEOUS!!!!!
I can’t wait to get to it!
I’m so glad it’s sparked some ideas Glenda… and thank YOU! 🙂
Denise,
I stalk your Blog everyday trying to find Inspiration and You are so so good. I love every piece that you do. I need inspiration. I need to just let go. Thank you for all you do.
lol…stalk away Cheryl, i take it as a HUGE compliment! I hope you find the inspiration you’re looking for. Something I like to keep in mind is a quote I heard – “Don’t wait till you feel inspired to start, start and you’ll feel inspired!” I probably just botched up that quote a bit, but hopefully, you get the idea. 😉
Denise, that is a great saying and i’m finding it to be very true. I’m here again looking at this dresser. I am about to try and copy it for a dresser in my room that i want to keep for me. The little details like the raised stencil and applique are so cool. Do you use the Dixie Belle Mud for the stencil? Thank you for putting up with my million questions. I will send you a picture once i’m finished.
Hi Cheryl! I have used Dixie Belle’s Mud for raised stencils (eg like on this china cabinet here) but for this piece, I believe I used DAP Spackling. Starts out pink then turns white once it’s 100% dry. Love your questions and I’m sure they help others reading over the comments too. 🙂
Hi Denise~I am staining a bath vanity and ordered indigo stain late one night. In the light of day, I realize this will be too dark. I love the look of your painted denim dresser. Do you have a suggestion for me to lighten the indigo stain after application? Thanks so much, Jan…
I’m new to your site and so thrilled with what I see so far. Going to keep browsing.
You do beautiful work on all of the pieces I’ve looked at.
Hi Nicole, thank you and WELCOME!! I’m thrilled that you found the SI Blog. 🙂 Enjoy your browsing… and hope to chat again. 🙂
Another amazing piece! You are the painted furniture connection to the Boho look. I am sending this to several of my Boho friends to make sure they are following your blog. Love this…you know it. XOXO ~~ Susie from The Chelsea Project
You’re too sweet Susie, thank YOU! I had a lot of fun restyling this dresser. It’s actually still sitting in my dining room. Because I have a personal attachment – I have mixed feelings about whether to sell it or not… even though it gets in the way of my photoshoots. 😉 Hope you’re having a wonderful day. XO
I have to tell you every time I see a piece that I absolutely love I see your face show up as the designer you are awesome!! I redo furniture and sell in a store in Florida and you have inspired a lot of my designs this one looks hard so I have to try it!! Wish me luck! Keep posting ur beautiful photos I need you!! Lol
I’m here… not going anywhere Colleen. 🙂 And I’m so happy that you like my designs/painted furniture and give all the techniques a try. Cheering you on from this end! Hugs
faded denim dresser makevoer give me a new idea thanks for sharing this amazing article next week i’m try to do this self.
Oh my goodness, Denise, this dresser makeover is absolutely stunning! Your Dad would be so proud – did you show him pictures? Love everything from the color, faded denim distressing technique, gold highlights and those pretty knobs. Pinned and sharing
Thanks! I tried showing him but he wasn’t having a particularly good day so I didn’t get any reaction… maybe on a better day I’ll try again. 🙂 So glad you like it and thanks for the share my friend. Good to have you back! XOXO
Another stunner!!! Just love the way you mix all the colors, it really does look like denim!!!
You do such amazing work!!
Thanks so much Suzanne!!! Had fun mixing and layering!
Oh hon, it’s just gorgeous! This may be my fave piece you’ve done & that’s a lot to top!
Stunning. XOXO
Chez!!!!… THANK YOU!!! I have to admit, this piece does make me happy and puts a smile on my face – so I’m glad it’s ‘doing-it’ for you too. 🙂
Wow this is a beautiful piece and I love the color you’ve chosen!
Thanks Louise. DB Blues really layered nicely for this look. 🙂
This paint technique is awesome.. it really looks like denim.. you chose the right piece to give it a new look…I usually shun away from painted furniture but this has me totally smiling.. great job
Thanks so much Jamala… this piece makes me smile too! ;D
This piece is so beautiful! I want one 😉 You did an amazing job painting with Dixie Belle! This is great inspiration!
Thanks Leslie! And ya, the Dixie Belle is easy to work with so I can’t take all the credit. 😉
STUNNING!!! Truly, one of my all time faves!!!
Thanks Teri… you must be a ‘demim-girl’ like me!!! ;):);)
I love it, It’s beautiful! I like that powder pigment you used, I wonder if I can buy it in a store here in BC?
I bet you can Annie! 🙂 Maybe try Micheals or Curry’s Art Supply store. Possibly Lee Valley may even carry it. 🙂
I adore this project! What a happy dresser. It makes me smile when I look at it. Great job, Denise!
awww, that’s such a huge compliment Marcia… thank YOU! 😀
The dresser looks great! I’ve been following your work for awhile and really like your work!
Thanks so much Lisa and nice to meet you! 🙂
Wow!! You really nailed it with this bad boy! This dresser is just perfect….makes me want to put flowers in my hair!
Great job, how do you like Dixie Bell products?
I’ll join you with those flowers Sally – hehe. 😉 I’m loving the DB Paints. Really easy to work with, high quality but not high price… can’t go wrong. 🙂
Just love it! Really does remind of faded blue jeans, the most comfortable piece of clothing. Perfect glass knobs too.
Thanks, my friend! I recently threw away my FAVORITE pair of American Eagle faded jeans and have missed them ever since… SO COMFY. I used them as work/paint pants. They were so splotched and threadbare (in inappropriate areas… a little too breezy…lol) that I had no choice. 🙂 And I tried umpteen knobs for this piece before picking the glass, so thanks for noticing. 🙂 XO
Such nice work! Feeling inspired, as usual…. I’m new to your blog and have been binging ask your posts! Lol….. Question about those knobs – do you have a favorite economical source for all that furniture jewellery? Thanks for the inspiration….
-Leiza
My favorite source is FREE! 😉 I keep all the knobs and handles from my old furniture makeovers and have accumulated quite the stash. I also buy hardware from Hobby Lobby when they have their 50% sales on which is usually every other week.
Gorgeous! You really captured the beauty in this piece. 🙂
Thanks, Teresa! I had a mixed bag of emotions working on it, but I’m really happy with the way it came out too. 🙂
Denise…….You are always an inspiration to me!
Thanks, Kathy… you put a smile on my face. Have a beautiful day. XO
Gorgeous
Thank you Trish. 🙂
Absolutely stunning! Love this layered paint finish! You did an outstanding job.
Thank you Debra! 🙂 I’ve been having so much fun layering paint…it feels ‘artsy’ and calming all at the same time. 🙂
Outstanding!! The faded-ness is so good. the raised stencil areas are so good, I thought initially you’d applied “after-market” wood-like flourishes, but this is inspirational, what raised stencils can really do. And they seem like they might be more in the same “gear” if you will, as painting, gilding, waxing, etc. That makes sense to me, anyway! The products are none I’ve ever used but I shall investigate. thanks for sharing this!
Hi Louise! 🙂 Ya, the faded-ness turned out quite nicely with the Dixie Belle blues, and you can achieve some really interesting designs with raised stencils, for sure! If you like the look, worth investigating for sure… and it’s super cost effective if you already have stencils on hand. 🙂
Another gorgeous project. I’m thinking of doing a side table in navy but with some texture underneath so when I lightly sand it might look like jean material. Cross your fingers it and hope it works. I also want to try some faux bone inlay hand painting to the top. You are ever so timely with this post you must have been reading my mind down hear in North Dakota.
… or maybe it’s just a case of great minds think alike Lorin! 😉 I’ve been wanting to try some faux bone inlays for some time. I’d love to see/hear how it all works out for you… sounds amazing. 🙂
When I get to it I will be sure to send you some pics. I’m sure you are like me and have lots of irons in the fire.
It is absolutely stunning!!
Thanks so much Katherine. x
Beautiful color – I love the whole project design Great job Denise Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Julie, appreciate it my friend. XO
I loooovvvveee the faded denim look you achieved on this dresser. And I also really appreciate how you breathe new life into old pieces. So many people nowadays just throw things out instead of re-imagining how gorgeous old furniture can be. Once again…LOVE IT!!!!
Re-imagining is sooooo fun, isn’t it!? 🙂 Happy you like the faded denim look – it was a lot of fun to work on. Have a beautiful day my friend. Hugs xo