How To Hide All Your Furniture Imperfections With A Raised Stencil | YouTube Video
This thrift store tallboy was the perfect blank canvas to get creative with… except it wasn’t exactly perfect. It had plenty of little imperfections, repairs, and flat surfaces that needed some help.
Even while I was cleaning, sanding, and priming, I had NO idea where this makeover was going. But I’ve learned that’s okay. Sometimes you just have to START. Action always seems to spark more ideas than sitting there and staring at a piece. And eventually, the idea came — raised stencils!
I’ve been using this technique on furniture since 2015, and it’s such an easy way to add texture and character to plain furniture. But on this dresser, the raised stencil had another job too… disguising all those little flaws and imperfections.
Here’s how this imperfect thrift store tallboy came together!
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Bonus, it’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day! If you’re new here, on the fourth Thursday of every month, I join four super-talented friends (Christy – Confessions of a Serial DIYer, Kathy – Petticoat Junktion, Natalie – A Ray of Sunlight, and Gail – My Repurposed Life) to share our before-and-after furniture restyles. I’ve included the links at the bottom of today’s post, and I hope you join me in seeing what they’ve created this month! I always learn something new from these talented ladies.
Here’s the Tallboy Dresser I found at my local Mission Thrift Store. It was structurally sound with great bones but had a bunch of small dings, holes, and scratches all over it.
When I brought it home and gave it a good once-over, I also noticed the top drawer was sliding out when opened. I have a super cheap and easy fix that I’ll share later in the post.
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YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the full step-by-step YouTube tutorial for you. Then, keep scrolling for all the products, supplies, colors, and step-by-step details! Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 59.5K, so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. You’re the BEST, and I appreciate your support! 🙂
SUPPLIES
Mission Tallboy Dresser – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Auto Sponge
DeWalt Impact Gun Drill Set
Palm Sander For Scuff Sanding
Sanding Sponge
Bonding BOSS Primer
Royal Damask Stencil Design
Brown Mud For Raised Stencil
4″ Roller for Primer
2″ Angled Paint Brush
Anchor Black Silk Mineral Paint
Gator Hide Topcoat
PREPPING THE DRESSER FOR ITS MAKEOVER
To start prepping, I removed the hardware using my DeWalt Impactor and then gave this dresser a super good cleaning with my heavy-duty furniture cleaner and a large automotive sponge. Then I let the dresser dry overnight.
SCUFF SANDING WITH EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE DRAWERS
To scuff this dresser before priming, I used my orbital sander AND my palm sander. This is an old dresser, and the drawers, inside and out, looked dark and bleak. So I really got in there and sanded the inside of the drawers, the outside of the drawers, the rails, and the face of the drawer. Cleaned them up really nice so whoever buys this piece won’t be looking at 60+ years of old finish.
PRIMING & PAINTING
Once I had all the drawers cleaned and the body and top scuff sanded as well, I removed all the dust and brought it back into my paint room for some stain-blocking primer. At this point I still had NO idea what I was going to do with the piece, but I figured I’d get the primer on there and at least solve the bleed-through issue (and see what needed filling/fixing) before I decided on colors, design, etc. It’s also a great way to SEE all the dings and scratches that need filling. For this dresser, there were so many of them it would have been quite the patch job!
HOW TO HIDE IMPERFECTIONS AND MATCH UP A RAISED STENCIL DESIGN
Raised stencilling is easy to do and it doesn’t have to be perfect because once its painted and or sanded back, the imperfections are what create interest and texture!
- Start by picking your stencil design to compliment the furniture your working with.
- Center the stencil on your furniture or pick the placement you like and then use some tape to keep the stencil in place.
- Using some Mud or texture on a putty knife, smooth the medium over the stencil design.
- Scrape the excess medium off the surface of the stencil and then lift the stencil carefully to reveal the embossed design.
- Let your raised stencil design dry and then go ahead and paint it, gild it, distress it, or whatever finishing technique you like!
With such a large area to cover in a raised stencil design, I needed to stencil and then reposition the stencil to continue the design.
Matching a stencil pattern is so much easier when it’s dry or semi-dry!
It was much easier to lay the stencil overtop and maneuver it without worrying about messing up what you’ve already stenciled. Once I found the perfect match, I added the Mud to the rest of the drawer top.
Tips – I used an inexpensive plastic drywall putty knife to spread out the mud and scrape off the excess. I found this really helped the drying process go much faster. And then using my heat gun to dry it a little more before matching up the design was very helpful as well.
PAINTING IN TRADITIONAL BLACK
It’s time to paint! To give this dresser a traditional look, I chose to paint it in a classic black. The damask design is very traditional, so I thought it would be the perfect match. This dresser took two coats for full coverage. I used my brush-and-roll paint technique for a SUPER SMOOTH finish. You can see the full step-by-step + video brush-and-roll technique here.
To apply this paint, I used my synthetic DB short brush, and then used this 4inch roller to smooth everything out. If you’re not set up with a paint gun, I believe this is the BEST way to get as close to a brush-free spray finish without using a sprayer.
Below is a close-up of how smooth the roller evens out the paint. This is still wet, and once this wet paint self-levels, it looks flawless!
DRAWER FIX WITH INEXPENSIVE PLASTIC STOPPERS
To fix the loose drawer that kept on wanting to slide all the way out when I opened it, I used these super inexpensive plastic drawer stops. They come in a pack of 20, and all you do is screw them to the inside of the frame. They create a little drag on loose drawers and then stop them at the back panel so they don’t fall out. I’ll share more in this weekend’s YouTube video tutorial.
FINISHING TOUCHES WITH TOPCOAT
Because I used Anchor Black All-In-One Silk Paint, a topcoat is NOT required. But to make it look more elegant and increase the sheen a little, I sprayed 2 coats of Gator Hide.
Pro Tip ~ You can apply a gloss OVER the raised stencil to increase the sheen and bring more attention to the embossed design as I did on these nightstands here. It’s really easy to do. I keep my paintbrush at a low angle to the stencil and just kiss the raised stencil while brushing across the raised design. The key is not overloading the paintbrush. You want it fairly dry because you don’t want the topcoat dripping onto the flat surface.
SPRAY PAINTING MISMATCHED HARDWARE
For the final detail, I found some beautiful vintage hardware pulls in my inventory. I ALWAYS save old hardware! You never know when it will be the perfect match for an upcoming project. I didn’t have a full set of 8 of any one type so to match these pulls, I gave them a quick spray with black spray paint. I installed the ‘odd’ two onto the top drawer and the remaining 6 on the bottom three drawers. And they look great!
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THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look! What do you think!?
And here’s a closer look at the side view and the painted pulls. I’m really glad I top-coated to add the little extra sheen.
I think this dresser is perfectly imperfect and looks very elegant!
And just for fun, I prompted an AI to generate this restyled dresser in a room with a view. Here’s what it generated. I REALLY wish decorating my own home was this easy!
And now for some FURNITURE FIXER UPPER FUN!
You’re going to LOVE what these creative FFU ladies do! Below are the BEFORE photos. Visit the links to see the amazing AFTERS and learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek, too!
1. SI (HAPPY YOU’RE HERE!)
2. CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYER
3. PETTICOAT JUNKTION
4. A RAY OF SUNLIGHT
5. MY REPURPOSED LIFE
Here’s another look at this thrifted tallboy dresser before and after.
I love how this Damask Raised Stencil added just the right amount of detail and sophistication to this flat-faced tallboy dresser. It covered up all those little imperfections beautifully. The only thing I would have done differently (in a perfect world where I’d known what color I was going to paint this piece right from the start) is use black mud instead of brown. And while I wish I had eight matching pulls, I actually love how these all work together. Once everything was painted black, it looked intentional and perfectly designed — a true one-of-a-kind “salvaged” piece!
I hope this makeover inspires you to look at some plain furniture you already have with fresh eyes and try this raised stencil technique!
Thank you so much for being here and for following along with our August Furniture Fixer Uppers Tour. If you have a question or want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below — you always brighten my day!
Happy creating, sweet friends! 💙
Denise x
RELATED POSTS:
CURBSHOPPED TALLBOY MAKEOVER
RAISED STENCIL ON GOODWILL CABINET
ONE COLOR RAISED STENCIL NIGHTSTANDS
1980S LINGERIE CHEST MAKEOVER
HOW TO APPLY STENCIL TEXTURE ON FURNITURE
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Oh Wow! I’ve never used the mud. It’s just sitting on my shelf. Now I HAVE to try it. Beautiful makeover! Kathy
I can’t wait for you to give it a try Kathy… I know you’ll do something fabulous! Enjoy your week! XOXO
Another masterpiece! You rock Denise! Your work is amazing!
Thanks Maryann… I really like the way this one turned out too! Enjoy your week! XOXO
Love this one, D. A great idea using raised stencil for camouflage! Good tip on scraping the mud from tools, what is your tip to clean the stencil?
Thanks Tracy!💙 I learned the scraping putty knife tips from contractors on the job. It also prevents the metal from rusting. To clean the stencil I find it best to wipe clean with damp paper towel while its still wet. If it dries, I soak it and then wipe it clean but just like the the tools – best not to have the product go down your drains.🙂
Thnx for your response. Yes that’s what I do too, really don’t need the clogged drain, lol.
Exactly, been there done that and it’s NO fun.
What a gorgeous way to bring new life to an antique dresser. We love stenciling here! Beautiful work, Denise.
Stencils are awesome, right!?! Thanks so much Natalie! XOXO
This pattern looks very elegant, and I never would have thought to use a raised stencil to hide imperfections on an entire dresser! It’s SO gorgeous, Denise! I love all your makeovers, yet this may be my favorite! ❤️ I’m looking forward to this weekend’s video.
Awww, what a huge compliment Nicki, thank you! I’m so glad you love it and yes, I’ll have that video published for you this Sunday. Have a great weekend my friend. XOXO
I love it!! It reminds me of brocade material when I was a young girl…. like something you’d wear to the prom. Beautiful job!!
I can see it…yessss! Thanks so much Gayle and so glad you love it! It was a joy to work on!🤗
Amazing transformation. I love the stencil look, especially as a same color / textured look Sooo elegant.
Someday… I hope to try it. The black is a great choice – this piece could fit in anywhere !
Your tip to use more glossy finish on the stenciled area over a flatter base finish – sounds striking.
I will be looking at your example asap.
Thanks for being being so clear with your process. Soo helpful. Always look forward to seeing what you will do next 🙂
Black is always a classic choice, right?!😃. And I hope (someday) you do give it a try… so much fun and I know you’d create something GORGEOUS P! So glad you like this one and I’m wishing you a lovely weekend! XOXO
A raised stencil on this old piece is just what it needed! Brilliant! I haven’t done a raised stencil in years; I may just do it again soon! Thanks for the inspiration Denise.
Pinned!
gail
Thanks Gail, and thanks for the PIN! I think the stencil took years off this girl…😆
Sooooo good! When I read that you were doing a raised stencil, I admit, I skipped all the way to the end to see the finished project. 👏🏼LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Such a classy look, and done in black is pure perfection. 👌🏼Oh, I did go back and read it, but you had me excited. I do that with books too. 😄Thanks for sharing. Pinned 📌xo
Ohhhhhh. You’re one of those skip-to-the-end people 😂😂😂,,, I hear you. Sometimes it’s just too darn hard to wait. Life’s too short!😉 So glad you like this piece, Do. I think the raised stencil did this girl a world of wonders too. I just wasn’t into sitting there and filling in all those little knicks, holes and scratches. This time around I opted for FUN design. Thanks for the PIN and have a great weekend my friend! XOXO
What a good method of hiding those imperfections, Denise! You always have such good tips and reminders! Your high boy is just gorgeous – of course. I look forward to seeing the makeover on Saturday, too. Have a happy weekend.
Thanks my friend, and yes, it’s even more fun seeing the stencil go on and be revealed ‘in action’! I’m wishing you a happy weekend too! XOXO
Super pretty! You elevated the look so much!
(I love the AI’s imagination for your recent settings.)
Thanks, so happy you like the look! And I’m with you… I love what AI generated for this roomscape too. It’s pretty amazing if you prompt it correctly, and it’s fun playing around with different prompts as well. I love seeing all the decor styles!😃
I love the new look you gave to this piece. It totally transformed it. I agree, I wish AI could do my whole house🤣Who knows what the future holds? Have a great weekend. I’m going to hop over to see what the others are up to today.
Right!? 😃 It would be awesome if my home were decorated (or how about cleaned and tidied!) with the click of a button.😂😂😂 Thanks for smile and for joining in on the tour. Have a great weekend Kathy!
This is stunning now, Denise! I love the raised stencil look on this piece! XOXO
Thanks my friend I really enjoyed adding the stencil on this one. And honestly, it probably took me less time than filling in all those little dings, holes and scratches.😆 Have a great weekend! XOXO
Oh, gosh! SOOO lovely! I love the raised pattern on it.
Thank you Cyndi! I love this classic damask pattern too.😃
Very cool stenciling idea!
Thanks, Leslie! I had fun with this one.🤗
Hi Denise. I’m in love with this tall boy dresser. Tall, dark, and handsome;). Just my type. Beautiful makeover.
haha, that’s just my type as well!😆 Thank you so much, so glad you like it! Have a wonderful weekend my friend. XOXO