I’ve just spent the last 45 minutes hunting for the before pic of this dresser. I’m sure I took one with my iPhone but it’s MIA.
Believe me when I say, the transformation of this French Provincial Dresser turned French Country is amazing! It was in pretty rough shape. Multiple layers of brushed on white paint and all scratched and chipped.
I re-styled this eight drawer dresser in Miss Mustard Seeds’ Shutter Gray. This was my first time using this gray milk paint and I was a little surprised at how blue it is (especially when dark waxed) … but as you can see – such a gorgeous color!
The top was sanded and then stained with General Finishes Java Gel. I only applied one coat of stain because I wanted a rustic French Country look.
Once the stain was fully dry, it was top-coated with a few coats of Minwax Tung Oil. This was my first time using Tung Oil and I’m not sure what I think of it yet. I’ll keep you posted once I use it a few more times.
To give the dresser a time-worn-look and tie everything together, I top-coated the body with a DIY Dark Wax. I made this custom dark wax with Annie Sloans’ Natural Wax and GF Java Gel Stain.
If or when I find the before pic, I’ll be sure to add it!
**Update ~ Here it is!
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think… and I hope you’re having fun getting ready for the holiday season!
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. :) 
Hi there I love it so much looks stunning I’m working on one right now , where did you order the new hardware and was it expensive ?
Hi Karina! The hardware is from Hobby Lobby. Every second week (or at least is seems) they have a 50% off hardware sale. Super reasonable. I think I got these for around $3-$4 each. Have fun with your dresser. 🙂
The dresser looks great! It’s the outcome I hope to achieve.
Can you tell me where you shopped for the new hardware?
Hi Gemma! This hardware was bought at Hobby Lobby. 🙂
Hi Denise! Loooove the look of your refinish! Did you strip the white paint or just paint over it? Thanks so much!
Thanks Kali! Part of this dresser was totally stripped (top and the middle of drawers) because I was originally thinking I was going to stain, and then the other parts were just sanded down and painted over. Short answer – both. 🙂
Very nice, I hope to know which color is this, thanks
Hi Mohamed and thank you. The paint is Miss Mustard Seed’s “Shutter Gray”.
I’ve been looking for a tutorial on how to get clean lines for a top stained and bottom painted dresser! Yours looks great! Do you recommend staining top or painting lower first and what to you do to keep the first area clean/shielded when working on the second? Thanks!
I usually paint before I stain Naomi. Why… I have no idea…lol. Just my preference I suppose. I also have to confess I usually don’t bother covering or protecting the painted portion before I start staining. Whichever way you decide to go, an old fitted sheet and some tape work nicely to cover up and protect.
I am wondering how you got the distress/vintage look on the front of the dresser and around the top edges of the drawers? Do you have a step by step tutorial? If not, would you be willing to make one? My daughter LOVES this piece and would like to do this to her dresser, but we do not want to mess it up. Thank you so kindly. And your work is amazingly BEAUTIFUL. You have a true talent 🙂
Hi Angela! This next time I distress like this I’ll put together a step by step tutorial because your not the first to ask! 🙂 The short notes – I waxed with the entire body in clear. Then applied a dark wax over the clear. Then around the edges where I wanted it to look more heavily distressed, I added more layers of dark wax and blended well (making sure to wipe down each layer so there would be no heavy build up) until I achieved the look I was after. A little more work than a ‘regular’ dark wax but I really like the outcome.
Did you just use wood filler on the holes from the original hardware?
Hi Lindsay! Yes, the original hardware holes on this piece were filled with Elmers Carpenter’s Wood Filler.
Love what you did with this dresser. Is removing the plastic-type veneer on white furniture basically the same routine, or have you done one with that type of veneer? Thanks!
Thank you! And my apologies Linda but I’m not sure I’m understanding your question. This particular dresser had several layers of white paint but no plastic-type veneer. Possibly this article I wrote on veneer & laminates may be helpful http://goo.gl/qPFE1X …but if not, feel free to comment back or email me anytime. 🙂
Wow, I wouldn’t have thought to stain the top and paint the bottom, it gives it a modern feel, I love modern. Looking at the old dresser pic I wouldn’t believe you could give it the look it has now. I just came upon your site as I have recently bought an apothecary cabinet and am looking for ideas, this is my first refinishing project. The cabinet is a gift so I want it to be really special. I’m glad I found your blog and look forward to checking out your other posts.
Thanks for dropping by Tahsa and good luck with you apothecary cabinet! 🙂
I love it! I have a dresser almost just like it. I am going to redo it and hang my flat screen over it. Wondering, when you add the gel stain to your wax, do you apply it the same way as usual or is there a special technique? I was going to use white paint but now I’m thinking about changing to blue.
Thank you Rosemary! And yes, once I make my DIY Tinted Wax, I apply it the exact same way I would a clear wax. For this particular piece, I applied a clear coat first. Then the dark wax in the direction I wanted the antiquing/darker areas. This made is super easy to wipe off the excess dark and get the variations of a time worn piece. Have fun with your project. 🙂
Did you let the clear wax dry first?
No Lindsay, I applied the dark wax right after the clear wax.
Vraiment magnifique!
Merci beaucoup Josée! Aimer vos photos! 🙂
Very pretty gray and I love the blue that comes out. Love love your eye for details. Is the hardware new? Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Karen and yes, the hardware is new. It originally had the Chippendale pulls that are so commonly used on these dressers. Wish I could find that before pic…grrr…lol!
Denise, the dresser looks stunning. The wee bit of blue looks right on.
I’m itching to try some of the Waterglass paint. Pricey but supposed to be very durable. Might be overkill. Have you tried it?
Here’s a link their website http://poetspaint.com/waterglass-paint-colors/
There are many new paints out on the market, (and I wish I had time to try them all!) but this is the first I’ve heard of PoetsPaint… so thanks for sharing! If/when you give it a try Christina, I’d love to hear how you like it and how durable the finish is!