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    Home » Painted Furniture

    Painted Furniture Show and Tell— Dresser/Buffet makeover

    Updated: Oct 4, 2023 by Kathy Owen
    This post may contain affiliate links

    Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on X (Twitter) <use href="#<svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="scriptlesssocialsharing__icon flipboard" fill="currentcolor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" role="img"> <title>flipboard</title> <path d="M24.997 13.001h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v5.998h-5.998v-17.995h17.995zM1.004 1.004v29.991h29.991v-29.991z"></path> </svg>" xlink:href="# flipboard "> Share on Flip it Share on Reddit

    You Can Paint Antique Furniture

    I know I might get a lot of flack for my view but.....you can paint antique furniture...it's okay. If you want to paint antiques go for it. Your furniture, your decision. I hope you like this makeover though. I worked hard on it and I think the makeover does the dresser justice.
    You Can Paint Antique Furniture Distressed Paint
    My good friend Sara is now a business owner. She has a shop called You Never Know in Clarksville. When Sara  became a shop owner she offered me a great spot in the store. I would have a nice location near the windows and also be able to do some painting in the space. I jumped at the chance to be part of her dream.
    The location of the shop is great and Sara is a savvy business lady. Like me she loves to paint furniture and we bounce ideas off each other. She has a wonderful sense of humor and she keeps me laughing (wiping the tears with paint stained gloves).

    antique empire style furniture

    Her shop is where I found this great piece of furniture. I just rolled it back to my booth (had to pay for it first, of course) and waited for a few free hours to work on it.
    I finally had time to do some painting. I love the design of this piece. It was missing most of the hardware and someone had added a few new green knobs. The new hardware was nice but not for this piece. I removed the new hardware along with the old and got down to painting. The new hardware will be used on another piece sometime down the road.
    You can paint antique furniture
    I decided on a turquoise and brown color scheme. I mixed the turquoise myself from paints I had on hand and I used Caromal Colours Reclaim Mocha for the top.
    paint antique furniture
    They don’t make furniture like this anymore. How about those feet. Love the curves.
    distressing painted antique furniture
    I distressed the chest very heavily. I always use 60 grit sandpaper and an electric sander when getting serious with distressing, otherwise I would be sanding for hours.
    heavily distressed paint
    I let the paint dry well and used wax to give the raw distressed wood an aged look and also to add a little sheen. The turquoise is really pretty. The photo doesn't do the color justice.
    antique furniture
    Another look at those pretty feet after the distressing. Anyone know what this style is called? You guys are always so helpful.
    painting furniture
    A close-up after I applied a coat of Liberon wax and put on the new hardware. I purchased new hardware for this piece instead of using vintage. The knobs are a matte brown and they came from Hobby Lobby. With all the distressing and the two tone finish there was no need for bold knobs!
    The turquoise blue and dark brown are perfect together. I distressed the top of the dresser also.
    Hope you guys like the makeover. How do you feel about painting antique furniture. It's okay if you don't like the makeover just be kind in your comments.
    Find Reclaim Paint and other favorite paints and tools on the Petticoat Junktion Amazon Page here. (Amazon Affiliate link, read disclosure here).
    Thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy
    This post first appeared on Petticoat Junktion in 2011. The images and details have been updated. 
    Kathy Owen founder of Petticoat Junktion
    Kathy Owen
    Website

    Author: 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

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Naomi S

      May 08, 2018 at 7:58 pm

      Well....it is, shall we say, "interesting." For me, a little too rough, Kathy. I know I'm in the tiny minority that would say that, but I must be truthful. I will say that I would be curious to know whether, if I lived with it for a while, it would grow on me. It might, but I dunno. I am curious to know whether it sold quickly for you. And would you do this type of make-over again--or have you already?

      It is always fun to see what you come up with!

    2. Kathy Owen

      May 08, 2018 at 6:17 pm

      Hey Carrie, Thanks for the question and the nice comment! Sometimes I don't tape off the drawers and other areas like I should. If it is a custom piece or the furniture is in really good condition I tape off those areas and try to be really neat. I actually painted this piece in 2011. I posted it again because a lot of my readers haven't seen my older projects. Since the dresser was in rough shape and I was heavily distressing it I didn't worry about keeping everything neat. Probably not the thing to do. Just being honest with you.

    3. Debra Wise

      May 08, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      Love it! It's stunning! You did an amazing job on it.

    4. Carrie Rogers

      May 08, 2018 at 12:08 pm

      I really love what you have done!! I have one question....I noticed you had painted inside the drawer area....is this consider sloppiness or a mistake in the painting, antiquing, chalk paint world? I am a beginner and have been told the “sloppiness” devalues your piece.....is this true?? I do love your work and I personally do not think you are sloppy!! Just a curious beginner!! ❤️

    5. Rebecca

      May 08, 2018 at 10:27 am

      This is one of my FAVORITE makeovers you have done! Stunning!

    6. Colleen Neustadt

      May 08, 2018 at 8:05 am

      EMPIRE it is! Looks fabulous!

    7. Laura Werley

      May 08, 2018 at 8:03 am

      This is one of my favorite pieces you have done. It is an Empire style of dresser and lends itself well to distressing, a lot of these pieces were actually relegated to the workshop or barn as storage pieces so the painted and distressed look is perfect! Great job, I know it will sell quickly.

    8. Jayne

      May 08, 2018 at 6:31 am

      Kathy I'm with you if you want to paint it ... paint it ... although I have seen some sad cases ! lol
      I love this piece its come up a treat ... you're the queen of distressing haha

    9. ColleenB.~ Tx.

      May 08, 2018 at 6:30 am

      Beautiful and well done.
      your dresser/ hutch; Empire style and the feet are called C-scroll

    10. shellyandrade

      December 24, 2011 at 10:20 pm

      Hi Kathy!

      I can see why so many people liked this; I like it too! Your distressing is really cool! I refinished my 2nd Empire dresser a couple weeks ago similar to yours:)

      Have a VERY Merry Christmas!!

      Shelly

    11. Janel@hatingmartha

      November 14, 2011 at 8:58 pm

      oooh...can she come live in my house? She is beautiful! The distressing is just right!

    12. Daena

      November 11, 2011 at 9:01 pm

      It's lovely! That style of furniture with the heavy scroll legs is called "Empire."

    13. Meg

      November 11, 2011 at 10:38 am

      Oooh, I love the curvy lines. What a great piece! The distressing is extra fun. Great job!

    14. The Paupers Castle

      November 08, 2011 at 8:01 am

      This turned out great! I love the chunkiness of the dresser. Visiting from Debbiedoo's

    15. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing

      November 07, 2011 at 7:44 pm

      MAN oh MAN, is that a beauty! I don't know the name of those legs, but I sure wish I had them sexy ones. Great color choice too.Thanks so much for sharing with my newbie party.

    16. Fabiana ~ Ciao! Newport Beach

      November 07, 2011 at 2:45 pm

      I love the transformation. What a difference!

      I'm a new follower from Debbydoo's blog. Stop by for a visit on my blog too!

      ciao

    17. Shannon@FoxHollowCottage

      November 07, 2011 at 10:07 am

      Very vintage looking and I love the weight and chunky look! The color I see is gorgoues 😉

    18. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here

      November 07, 2011 at 9:01 am

      She is beautiful! Love the color and the distressing is perfect.
      Hugs,
      Sherry

    19. Piper

      November 07, 2011 at 8:21 am

      So pretty... hopped over from Debbiedoos Newbie party!!

    20. Christina at I Gotta Create!

      November 06, 2011 at 8:49 pm

      Sky is absolutely lovely!

    21. Cottage and Broome

      November 06, 2011 at 8:33 pm

      The dresser came out great, love it! Like you I also love to pick things out of the trash, I've gotten chairs, a dresser, fences, birdbaths, all kinds of great things. Will be your newest trash picking follower, Laura Cottage and Broome

    22. Honey at 2805

      November 04, 2011 at 1:35 pm

      Lovely job, Kathy. The color and distressing are so nice!

    23. Cynthia

      November 02, 2011 at 9:54 am

      very lovely!! I love that style o furniture and you did a great job!

    24. Rachael

      November 02, 2011 at 9:10 am

      LOVE! I love everything about it nice job.

    25. The Midwest Cottage

      November 02, 2011 at 8:22 am

      This turned out beautiful! Your set up at the shop sounds like a dream come true!

    26. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops}

      November 01, 2011 at 10:54 pm

      LOVE it! That style is amazing! Great Job 🙂

    27. Michelle @ Sweet Something Design

      November 01, 2011 at 8:37 pm

      That turned out fantastic! Love the color you chose and the distressing is perfect!

    28. Gail

      October 31, 2011 at 3:22 am

      You are truly an inspiration. Your work is amazing and this painted piece of furniture is beautiful as is all your painted pieces.

      Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day,
      Gail

    29. Sara Minor

      October 30, 2011 at 11:23 pm

      Thanks for the great plug on the shop. I'll be your "wing man" anytime on project! It's great having you at the shop and even greater having you as a friend.

      PS Rent's due by the 5th. Haha

    30. Katie

      October 30, 2011 at 11:03 pm

      This turned out great Kathy! I'm not sure what this style of furniture is but I love it too! Great job!

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