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Creating beauty out of chaos and sharing my home decor stories

Chippy Dresser No More

If you missed my last post, I had this dresser here. (Before.)
And I wanted to create chippy blue beauty, but instead created this disaster here. (Before again.)
I consulted the experts (that would be you all) and I received a ton of great advice.  For examply, AnNicole suggested that I add some blue that I liked and then glaze it in black.  Kate suggested I go for a gray paint with some blue mixed in and keep playing with it.  Gina suggested I white wash the entire thing and then glaze it in a color of my liking.  And Jennifer was the first to say, “start over”.  After trying to paint it gray, then trying to white wash it, then looking at a ridiculous big fat mess (and yes, the pigeons were on their backs rolling around in hysterics and I think one peed himself!  See previous post if that made absolutely no sense to you), I decided I had had it!  I didn’t sand it.  I didn’t wipe it down. I angrily grabbed my Heirloom White and sprayed that thing till kingdom come.
After some back and forth exchanges with Jennifer, she suggested I use Folk Art Antiquing Polish. She uses it on all of her frame creations and claimed it was more forgiving than stain and cheaper than glaze.  She was right.  This stuff is great!  I used a sponge brush to get it in all the nooks and crannies and then used a damp rag and even some damp q-tips to get it just the way I wanted. 

And after all that drama, here is the final product.  Was it worth it?  I’m still pondering that question.

So, no, it is not at all what I had orignally wanted.  And, yes, it is much more subdued and predictable, but overall I like it.

I did try distressing some of the edges to reveal some of that blue, but it was starting to look dumb again…so I quit this time.  Lesson learned!

Hubby wasn’t really feeling the chippy blue.  He said, “That would look great if we lived in a beach cottage.  But we don’t.”  He’s right.  We don’t.  Sigh.  I so wish we did!

On a different note, did you by any chance notice that gorgeous clock hanging above my dresser?  It is one of Staci’s creations.  I ordered a custom clock and it is EXACTLY how I pictured it looking in my mind’s eye, only better!  I love it Staci; you created a gorgeous accessory for my wall.  Thank you!

Can you see all that beautiful crackly goodness?


When I’m ready to show you my entire bedroom reveal, you will see just how perfectly this clock compliments my decor.

And guess what?  You have a chance to win one of Staci’s clocks!  Last call.  Winner chosen soon!  Click here to enter if you haven’t already.  Thank you everyone for encouraging me through my disaster of a DIY week.  You guys are the best.
If you want to see some truly fantastic furniture transformations, click here.

Furniture Feature Fridays

Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

UndertheTableandDreaming
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Comments

  1. Hi!

    I have a dresser I want to redo with maybe fabric and it has pulls that are built in as part of the wood that goes across the middle of the drawer..Do you have any suggestions about how to do this??

    Please help!

  2. Between this post and your post on the blue chippy dresser, I think I laughed for 5 minutes, and I'm still laughing. I'm so sorry, but it really is hilarious. I do really like the finished product, though. (still laughing.. ) I'm like you though, I would have been bound and determined to finish it somehow!

  3. Wow…just love it!!! I love the cream, shabby chic look…this would look perfect in the dream studio I have in my mind. I am sooo impressed! 🙂 I'll have to keep those products in mind – thanks for sharing the process.

  4. It looks wonderful, now. I was slow at getting to your original post and didn't realize you had finished it. You just can't go wrong with white paint and a little stain. Great job…despite the detour. 🙂

  7. I am loving the white – I think it is perfect! The whole grouping looks fantastic and so fitting. See to me it screams beach cottage and your style! Love it Beth – Fabulous job!

    Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase! Yes I know another party but I love to party!!! I really apprecite the link up! Hope you have a great week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

  9. I would go ahead and try to bring back some of the blue…. instead of sanding the edges, I would get take a blue ink pad and go over the edges. This is what I do and it works like a charm. If you ink to much, just let it dry and paint over it, easy-peasy~
    ~Cheryl

  10. Well worth it – it turned out fabulous. I for one would be happy to have the piece in my home.
    Great job!

  12. Hi Beth, I am trying to catch up on all my blogging friends' posts- I've been so out of it! I love what you did to that chest of drawers. Being in the furniture biz, I've seen so many pieces and this one truly got saved. It looks lovely and subdued- classy, not trashy! I love, love the drawer pulls, BTW…. And the clock is adorable!!! I will have to check this gal out. Hope this finds you doing okay. Hugs, Sue

  16. it's a beautifully detailed piece. The cream looks great, and I'd say from all these + comments it was the right choice!

  17. I LOVE it!! I think it looks fab now. You can't go wrong with white, cream or black. You just can't. 🙂

  18. OMG! SOOOO much better! I didn't jump in the other day when I first saw your big blue mess. You had gotten so much great advice already but I'm so glad you went in this direction. It looks great against the blue wall and the brick wall! Sometimes less is more and it sure is here!

  19. So proud of you for sticking with it. That would have ended up at the back of my garage in the "to hard" section. You have done a great job and restored that piece beautifully.
    Angex

  21. I love it! It looks great in the white with antiquing. Love how it looks! I painted a curio cabinet in cottage white and then applied antiquing glaze to it. I love it.
    Sandra

  22. Much better! WooHoo to you for sticking with the project and making something awesome! Cool clock too!

  23. i LOVE it, it looks very antique with just the right amount of brown on it and much more sophisticated than the blue. you did a great job and so quickly! love the set up on top!

  24. This dresser reminds me of my grandparents dresser they used to have. Same sort of knobs and same box things on the top. (Brought back some memories!) I adore (!!) the creaminess and the glaze. You put so much effort into this piece and it really looks like a million bucks.

  27. Lovely! You can always work in some turquoise accessories? Great job 🙂

  28. Aww.. I'm sorry it didn't come out like you hoped it would; but honestly, it looks beautiful the way it is! Have a great weekend! ~tina

  29. YOU ARE FAST!!!!! Wow, it looks fabulous! and the clock is the perfect accent. looks like they were made for each other!

  30. It looks beautiful! I'm sorry you had such a hard time with this – but it's really turned out gorgeous. It IS worth it. Look at what you've learned – and look at how entertained the pigeons were. 🙂 Love the clock, too!

  31. OH. my. lord! I love it! I think with the dresser knobs, it looks like it's meant to be that color! Sure..I love the chippy blue just as much as the next blogger, but this is my love! Gorgeous!

  32. I love how it turned out! I liked the blue too, but the Heirloom White seems to have covered it much more thoroughly. And the clock is fabulous. Be.a.u.ti.ful (as always!).

  33. I think it looks fantastic this color, Beth! Well done. I think it was definitely worth it. 🙂 Since you really want a chippy turquoise piece, maybe you can try something smaller. And that clock, WOW! I love it!

  34. I LOVE it! Honestly much better than the blue… but then I am a white girl all the way.

    Beautiful job!

  35. Well I have to admit I was a little disappointed when it wasn't blue, but I love it. the antiquing really shows off those darling pulls. I think it turn out great and if you don't I'll pay for shipping. Ha
    Brooke

  36. Okay, first? That is my mom's childhood dresser that she inherited from her grandma. I'm not kidding. It's the EXACT same dresser!

    Second, it looks absolutley beautiful in white. Great job! I'm not kidding, I'm ready to write a post about how EVERY project has a hitch. Expect it, work with it, and keep going. Great job!

  37. Wow! Tell me the process you had to use to achieve the final look! It is stunning.

  38. Oh yeah! It was SO worth it! This is beautiful!!! I would not do another thing to it! It is Perfection!!

    Perfection I telly you! You prevailed and thos pidgeons can just bite it! lol

    Lou Cinda 🙂

  40. Awe, it looks good! Those pigeons should keep it to themselves! ha

  41. 1st of all, I laughed at your dresser disaster, only because I can picture myself doing the same:)

    I love the chippy blue look, but I Like your final outcome best! Especially since you already have color in your walls! It looks great & you found the perfect space for the clock! I'm so glad you like it!

  42. Aren't happy accidents wonderful? This chest looks great the way it turned out, I'm so glad you continued your efforts. Look what you have now. Just Beautiful!

  43. It looks fantastic! And paired with that clock it's perfect. Glad you started over 🙂

  44. HONESTLY…..it is perfect in the cream color…..I LOVE the antiquing on the handles…..makes a beautiful classy statement….much more than blue would have! Sometimes disasters are our teachers! Turned out great! Toni

  45. Oh I love it and the fact that your wall behind it is blue really makes the dresser stand out, I'm not sure if it was blue if it would pop as much against the blue wall. I think you did a great job and it is beautiful, I would buy it for sure!

  46. As my daughter says, "A jillion" times worth it! I'm sure it wasn't fun painting all those little details but you did an amazing job, pat yourself on the back, girl!

  48. Maybe it's predictable, but I guess that's me. 😉 I knew it would look great in white. You did a good job. I think you should be proud of yourself, b/c a lot of people would have just given up and junked it!

  49. It turned out wonderfully, Beth! I love the clock over it, too ~ goes really well together. I guess it just didn't want to be blue. Those drawer pulls on it are great.

  50. Don't we all wish we lived in a beach house! LOL But the white with the antiqued nooks and crannies looks very nice! Great job!

  51. I love how it turned out. Sometimes predictable and subdued just works. Tried and true. And it looks great with the clock!!

    I've gotta add that I love that you shared your big flops! We all have weeks and days and sometimes months and more just like that! We're human!! I think it made me love you more!

  52. The pulls on this dresser are beautiful. Sometimes only the trial and error method works! Have the in laws seen it?

  53. I love it now! You had me scared there for a minute, but it turned out beautiful. Way to show those pigeons!

  54. It looks great! On a side note, I want to steal that brick wall and keep it for myself!!!

  55. I loooove it!!! it looks awesome and the antiquing polish really brings out the detail. the clock is gorg too!
    tracyg

  58. Wow – it looks GREAT! I really like the white. And the details on the dresser are amazing!!!

    Love the clock with it — awesome job, Beth!

    XOXO
    Jen

  60. I for one think it was worth it. Just look at this dresser. It is gorgeous. Subdued? Yes. But perfectly. And it goes well with that beautiful clock:) Great job. Way to show those pigeons!

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