Hi Everyone… I hope you’re having a wonderful day!
I just completed re-styling this gorgeous dresser with General Finishes Milk Paint. I had so much FUN with this piece and if I had the space… I would love to keep this one for myself. This dresser’s shape and detailing begged for a Shabby Chic and/or Chippy Chic finish.
Is “Chippy-Chic” a real term… if not… it should be!
The entire dresser was sprayed in 2 coats of Antique White and then heavily distressed. The detail on the drawer fronts were dry brushed and hand painted in Basil.
This was a perfect opportunity to test-drive a “shabby-chippy-chic” look {try saying that 10x really fast} with General Finishes (GF) Milk Paint.
GF doesn’t ‘chip-off’ like a traditional milk paint because it’s not made with traditional milk paint ingredients. It’s a pre-mixed durable water based acrylic. The acrylic base adhere’s beautifully and provides a super hard finish. To get the shabby-chippy results I wanted, I used Mr. DeWalt… my trusty sander with 220 grit sandpaper and sanded with gusto.
The dresser was protected in 3 coats of GF High Performance Water Based Top Coat in Flat; sprayed on with a paint-gun for a flawless finish.
The original hardware was also painted and re-styled. Antique White for the bottom handles, and Basil for the top knobs. They were distressed with a fine grit 320 sandpaper and sealed with a few coats of wax to provide a soft sheen.
Here’s the before and after.
The General Finishes products I used to re-style this dresser.
Feel free to chime in and let me know what you think…. I LOVE your comments and value your opinions!
Denise x
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Another winner by the lovely and talented Dee!
I love this I am so happy I have found your website. This is bizarre today I painted two pieces of furniture’s and one of them looks like your “shabby – chippy chic….love it…thank you
Thank you for stopping by Patricia! 🙂
Beautiful as usual! Amazing before and after. Thanks for your detailed tutorial. Would love to do something similar to some chairs one day. Thanks for all your inspiration…your the best!
Thank you Judy <3
So where do you post your pieces for sale?
Hi Wendy! All the re-styled pieces you see here on the website or on my Facebook page are available for sale… including this dresser. 🙂 The only time an item is not for sale is if it’s a featured custom order. My pieces are posted for sale on Kijiji & Craigslist and an online store may be in the works for the near future.
I love seeing your furniture projects!
Thank you Amberly!
I love how it turned out and like how you added just a touch of green to to the fronts and top knobs. Have you ever tried applying vaseline in certain areas with the General Finishes paint? Wonder how close to a chippy effect it would give? Have a great day.
Mary @ Orphans With Makeup
Hi Mary!! I haven’t tried the vaseline distressing technique but it may work. I absolutely LOVE how this particular piece turned out too, but I did learn that General Finishes isn’t the easiest paint to use if you want the “all-natural-chippy-milk-paint” patina. Each paint brand has it’s strengths. GF strengths are abundant…smooth leveling, fab adhesion, strength & durability once cured… and it does distress nicely. For the “chippy” look, my go-to will be traditional Milk Paint(s). Love you work btw! x
Wow! I’m impressed ( but I usually am by with you). Absolutely spot-on perfect! I’ve seen blah, cheap looking furniture before and afters of course, but I’m telling you!, looking at your FINISHED product before seeing the ” before” – I just couldn’t believe you made that “th ing” look like the finest antique around.
Geez Louise, you’re good! Lol
I’ll also take a minute to tell you how much I appreciate and value your insight, creativity & craftsmanship. I’m especially grateful that you’re willing and do share, not just pictures of your beautiful work, but your tricks, techniques and advise.
Kind regards-
Ohhh Amy, I LOVE your enthusiasm and your kind words! Thank you. And I’m glad you’ve found some of the tips and techniques useful. 🙂