Hello! Yes...another green one (and likely not the last)! I've had so many requests for green and I understand why. I caught the green "bug" too. Last Autumn, I painted our kitchen island (really a cabinet turned island) and also our eating nook green and crossed my fingers that it wasn't just something I'd love for one season and then would want to change. Well...it's Spring and I'm still loving it! The greens I love are natural and neutral...working well with so many different designs and styles. So green (for me and it seems others as well) is here to stay. Ok...let's talk about this dresser! It has been quite the project...
THE BEFORE
Here is the picture from the person we acquired this dresser from. Do you see the clean lines? They're there...just a little hidden. I knew this dresser had that clean, modern potential I love.
STEP 1: Clean, Repair, Remove, Sand
I always start by cleaning. A mix of rubbing alcohol and water usually does the trick. Any repairs (chips, loose pieces etc) are addressed using wood filler, wood glue, nails/screws if applicable. This dresser really was in fairly good shape. It's solid Mahogany. I think there was one loose slide that I repaired and a few small dents to be filled. It really could have been stripped to all wood on the top...I considered this but didn't want the country/farmhouse vibe for this one. Next, I removed the hardware AND bigger project here...I actually removed the bulky legs/base with a skill saw so I could add simpler/modern legs at a later step. I'm so glad I did this and will be doing this for future projects too! It made all the difference. Then, everything got a good sanding until it was ready to paint.
Step 2: Add Legs
I added reinforcement to the base and created level areas to attach the legs. Thank you Dremel multi tool!
Step 3: Prime and Paint
New paint brushes, yay! The design plan is to paint with Dark Olive by Benjamin Moore and attach gold/brass hardware that fits the current holes. After 2 coats of primer, the piece is ready for 2 coats of paint + any touchups. Looking good! Again - I love this color. Probably my favorite green ever. It looks completely different in different lighting. From a dark cooler green with minimal light to a true olive in the sun. Beautiful!
Step 5: Clean, Attach Hardware and Stage
Woohoo! What a difference! I wiped down the drawers with Murphy's wood soap (careful with the paint), used candle wax on the drawer slides (they're wood), and attached the hardware. Then the really fun part...dressing it all up and taking photos!
JUST FOR FUN
The painting I staged with is not yet finished...it's one I'm painting for my Mom for her house in the woods. I will post more on that later when it's actually complete! The colors just worked so well here I couldn't help myself. I also have been working on drawing - never has it been a favorite of medium of mine but I've actually been enjoying myself (and it helps so much with painting by practicing values). I included a sketch of wildflowers I did here. The story I wanted this to tell (painting + drawing together) was a walk in the woods to pick wildflowers :-). Lovely, right? Below are some pics of the space I drew this in (in the early morning hours hence the dark) and how it came together (just for fun).
I hope you enjoyed this post and feel inspired! If you have any questions, comments, requests, please send me a message. Have a wonderful day!
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