I have a quick before and after makeover for you today. My client dropped off this dresser she found on Craigslist and wanted it to be refinished in Antique White with some glazing in the carvings. The lady she bought it from said it was hers as a child and she was happy it was getting a second life!
The top of the dresser was actually laminate, but not to worry! I treated the prep for the top just like I did in my painting laminate furniture tutorial, and carried on! I think several dressers of this era had the laminate top just like this – my childhood bedroom furniture did.
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This piece took two coats of General Finishes Antique White Milk Paint – the perfect creamy white.
My client wanted the carvings and details to be accented a bit with glaze, so I turned to my tried and true Van Dyke Brown Glaze. I think when glazing a white piece you have to be really careful or it gets the “dirty” look, which is NOT a good thing!
I learned a new trick at the General Finishes Expo with glaze – while most of the glaze will wipe off with water, Krud Kutter will take it off completely. So, I put glaze all over the areas with carvings, sprayed a little Krud Kutter onto a cotton rag and just wiped over top of the carving. This took off all the glaze except for what had settled into the cracks. The effect was a very clean look with glaze only where I wanted it.
I was also able to use a small angled brush and get a nice line of glaze along the drawer edges and the skirt.
The handles got a quick makeover with Oil Rubbed Bronze Spray Paint, and they instantly looked so much better.
Well, have I convinced you? Go check your garage and see if you have a piece like this – it can look so much better!!
Have a great weekend, and happy painting!
Jenni
