This is how you paint a chest of drawers two tone gray. Furniture painted two shades of the same paint color just looks classy. Add spray painted drawer pulls to pull the look together.
This project started out one color and moved on to another color. In the end I'm glad I went with the gray and then a light white wash over specific areas of the chest of drawers. Sometimes changing plans mid stream is for the best. Remember, paint is an easy fix and easy to change.
before makeover
The chest of drawers came from My Favorite Junk Shop. The piece is made by Dixie Furniture Company. It’s solid wood…..no fake stuff. I’m guessing it’s from the 60’s?
The bottom drawer needed a little work but the JTS took care of that! The day I bought the chest I pictured it painted gray. But then I got to thinking it would be pretty in pink. I mixed Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint in Ironstone and Tricycle to get the pink color. I also added the bonding agent because I didn’t want the paint to chip.
I ran into a little problem. I ran out of paint. I didn’t have anymore Ironstone so I headed to my booth at the shop….and I was out of stock there too. Now I could have went with a latex paint in pink but I decided to go back to the original plan and paint the chest gray.
I once again mixed paints together because I didn't have the right shade of gray. If you don't have the perfect paint color on the paint shelf then mix your own. That's what I do about 50% of the time. Why buy more paint when you can work with what you have. I'm all about saving money.
This time I used Beyond Paint in pewter and I added Beyond Paint in off-white to lighten the pewter. I applied two coats of gray over the pink paint.
After the paint was dry I brushed a very light white wash over the body of the chest. The white-wash is off-white paint diluted with water until it’s really thin. I brush that on then immediately wipe it back with a rag….leaving a little of the wash behind. It’s something you have to play with but the process is really easy. The two tone gray paint finish is so pretty. I love the contrast.
Below is a video of another chest of drawers where I whitewashed the paint......
How To White Wash Painted Furniture
I used Rust-Oleum Heirloom White spray paint for the hardware. This is my favorite spray paint color!
I distressed the hardware….who saw that coming. French Provincial hardware is my favorite but of course it's kind of girly and doesn't work on all furniture.
The white wash is very light and adds a soft romantic touch to the chest. Perfect for a girl of any age.
How to paint a chest of drawers gray for your bedroom
You might like this piece of furniture painted by my granddaughter under my supervision. Click here for details and the paint color.
What do you think of the gray paint with the white wash? Have you tried mixing your own custom paint colors? As always, thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy
Author:Â Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Kathy’s newest website is HappyHomeDIY.com
Connie Williams
I love the gray cabinet with white drawer pulls. Gray with white trim or drawer pulls really pops!
Lizzy
My parents had a set of that furniture. The highboy was the only piece I kept and I gave it to my niece. Your makeover is beautiful. I will send this to her!
Rose Lefebvre
Lovely
Patricia A0 Packer
Very nice!
linda kaplan
Turned out great
Bobby
I absolutely agree with this philosophy - use the paint / materials you've got wherever possible. Makeovers are more satisfying when you haven't had to spend a ridiculous amount of money on materials and it's more fun too. Mixing paint you are never quite sure what you are going to get but go for it, I think. I don't know about there but paint has become very expensive in the UK and in some cases the price has gone up and the quality has gone down.
Beth
So pretty Kathy! I love this 🙂
Misty
Oh my goodness! You are right! What are the chances that we would do similar looks?!! Love how yours came out and love that you painted and distressed the hardware. 🙂
michele
It turned out just lovely and very inspirational!
Kathy Owen
Thank you Jennifer. I hope someone snaps it up!
Marcia Banach
Gorgeous!! Love that combination.
Sherry Fram
So pretty! Love the pulls! Never would think to paint them white like that!
Jennifer
I think this is stunning. This piece is too majestic for pink. It needed the elegance of the grey. I love it and believe someone will snatch this beauty up quickly.
chris aka monkey
well i was really looking forward to her being pink, but him in grey is very very nice too xx
Marie@The Interior Frugalista
Like Carolyn I too admired your hardware painting rack - great idea Kathy! Your dresser is beautiful in grey with a white wash. It would have been stunning in pink too - dang, don't you hate when that happens!
Carolyn
Always enjoy your 'behind-the scenes' story of these great finished pieces. Also most impressed with your hardware painting rack - very clever. keep up the good work! Some day I may get to the Nashville flea market .... you make it sound fantastic!