Hello Everyone! What a beautiful dresser this is! Solid wood, made by Bassett (a company still in business today that has been making furniture since 1902. You can read more about them here: www.bassettfurniture.com). It came to us with a few minor imperfections on the body of the dresser...but all the details, carvings, hardware and function were in great shape. I would have loved to keep it wood but because there were several small repairs to be made, paint was the best option for restoring this one.
Unfortunately, I didn't take an "official" before picture but you can get a good idea of what it looked like in the above pictures. After cleaning, inspecting and repairing; I sanded down the finish and then used two coats of primer.
I used my "sample" paint stick I made to choose Benjamin Moore's Moonshine as the paint color. I wanted a light color that would play off the original hardware. It turned out so nice! The color is similar to BM's Gray Owl; the color I have painted in the majority of my house. BM Moonshine has just a slightly warmer tint to it.
As the dresser was coming together, I felt inspired to paint a painting that could be staged with it once it was complete. Living in Western Washington, we are lucky to have so many varying landscapes! This time, the sea (specifically Puget Sound) was calling to me. Taking into account the hardware, I knew I wanted a cooler brown tone in the painting and green for the sea (like it looks when I'm looking straight down into it when riding the ferries here).
I began by matching the background tones to the dresser. I wanted a straight horizon line so I used painters tape. Next came the main colors, then blending and adding the details. The clouds are mainly gray and white but they have a beautiful warm glow to them on the horizon. I think the masculine/feminine balance came out just right.
Lastly, it's time to stage and sell! I am so happy with how this dresser and painting came out. I hope all the dreaming, good feelings and happiness I put into this project continues with it to it's new home and brings joy to those that are near it. The last picture here is how I ended with it in my home...it's so cozy feeling! Again, I think of keeping it but know I toe the line of having our house become a furniture showroom! Thank you for reading!
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