Flea Market Furniture Flip
My flea market furniture flip was as easy as pie. The chest of drawers was covered in layers of paint when I spied it at the Nashville Flea Market. Cleaning and distressing was all it needed.
I didn’t even open a can of paint for this one. The piece was already painted with three colors…..red, white, and blue. What could be more perfect.
This project just goes to show that before jumping into your usual thing you should consider what you already have to work with. In my case that meant no painting required.
For this project I just worked with what was there.
White paint with chunks of red and blue paint showing thru after the distressing. The details…..
I bought the chest from the Nashville Flea Market a couple of months ago. I think I paid $30 for it. That figure is stuck in my head for some reason.
Can you see where the paint is peeling off and there is blue paint underneath? It’s really hard to see but on the drawer fronts there is red paint peeking through the peeling paint.
Distressing Paint
I’ve learned a few things in my painting journey and one of them is that everything doesn’t have to be re-painted or…. painted at all.
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I took my electric sander and some 100 grit sandpaper and went to town on the chest. I ran the sander all over the chest and drawers. The sanding removed the yellowed layer of white paint. I didn’t really notice how the white paint had yellowed until I started distressing it.
The piece was really really dirty. I used the shop vac to take off as much of the crud as I could then cleaned it all over with Simple Green.
Spray Painting Hardware
If you noticed in the before picture, the knobs were pink and there was one missing. I found two matching replacement knobs for the top drawer. The only spray primer I had on the shelf was Rust-Oleum automobile primer. I have no idea where the automobile primer came from. Anyway, I sprayed all of the knobs with the primer. Then after the primer dried I spray painted the knobs with this pretty gloss red!
I could not have improved on this piece by adding yet another coat of paint. The red and blue colors are deep and rich. That’s how I like them.
For the final touch and to prevent more peeling, I applied a coat of Howard’s Neutral Wax.
I gently distressed the painted knobs.
The Red White Blue Chest
I know this look isn’t for everyone. Some of you will hate the over-the-top peeling/distressed paint finish…..and some of you will love it. To me….. the red, white, and blue color combination was too good to paint over.
I really liked the little chest of drawers and was in no hurry to sell it. I kept it for a number of years before changing it out for other decor.
The red, white, and blue chest looks great in the blue bedroom. The perfect decor for patriotic holidays.
When I first started painting furniture I would make a plan and it always included painting….always. Now I’ve learned to look at the furniture differently and see if I can work with what is there. Sooooo…..let me know what you think.
(This post first appeared on Petticoat Junktion in 2013. I thought those of you who weren’t around here in 2013 would enjoy it. The photos and posts have been edited to add new details.)
Do you like the layered paint look? If you do just wait until you see my project tomorrow for Furniture Fixer Upper day. It’s bright and bold and different. You don’t want to miss it. Thanks for being here friends, Kathy
Naomi S. says
May 22, 2019 at 3:00 pmIt’s very cute, and will look great in just the right spot. It’s just a bit over the top for me with distressing, but maybe that’s just because I don’t have a place where it would look right in my home. I think in a kid’s bedroom–boys, specifically, it would be perfect. Good call, Kathy!
Suzee B says
May 22, 2019 at 8:48 amHave loved this since I first saw it!
Cheryl says
May 22, 2019 at 8:14 amWhat a lucky find and brilliant on your part to do this! Love it!
SharonFromMichigan says
May 22, 2019 at 7:14 amPerfect piece for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend! You have a great eye. The piece looks beautiful! It should fly out of your shop!
Kathy Owen says
May 22, 2019 at 8:06 amThank you Sharon!
Gwen says
December 1, 2014 at 8:45 pmLOVE IT.
Couldn’t improve on an original. What you have there is the REAL thing! It is what we try to imitate with multiple coats of paint and distressing. Good for you for recognizing it.
Alberto says
July 14, 2014 at 12:57 pmLove it.
Annette says
July 14, 2014 at 7:06 amI LOVE it!!! It reminds me of the white enamel with red enamel dish pan that my mom had (and still uses) as I was growing up!! Good memories!!!!
Dinna says
June 10, 2014 at 6:08 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!
Studio 39 says
May 4, 2014 at 3:22 pmSuch a gorgeous piece!
And you are so right. I first look at an item to see if it could be preserved as it is or partly painted.
Your projects are always an inspiration!
[email protected] says
October 3, 2013 at 1:00 amI so agree with you about not having to paint everything. Some things are best left alone. You gave this piece just enough to make it absolutely perfect!
Stopping by from Allis and happy to meet you!
Dawn says
July 15, 2013 at 10:39 amWow, what a better look. I love the color choices and the distressing:)
Debra says
July 8, 2013 at 12:35 pmLooks so awesome and I would have left it as well. 🙂 thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Marty Walden says
July 8, 2013 at 7:06 amLove this, Kathy! You’re one of my favorites from the Home{work} Wednesday link party. Thanks for linking up!
Still Woods Farmhouse says
July 3, 2013 at 3:35 pmI love it! You did a fabulous job on the dresser. I have one bedroom that is decorated in red, white, and blue most of the year. Something like this would be so cute in the room. I may have to rethink the creamy white furniture that is in there presently! I joined you email subscription so that I will not miss your next blog post. I would love to have you stop by Still Woods Farmhouse for a visit when you have the opportunity!
Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse
Lori @Vintage Charm Restored says
July 2, 2013 at 7:06 amKathy, I love it!! It looks so much better letting those colors come thru!! Beautiful!!
Heather says
July 1, 2013 at 7:27 pmI featured your beautiful chest tonight!! You can see your feature here! http://www.settingforfour.com/2013/07/20-patriotic-ideas-for-fourth-of-july.html
April says
June 29, 2013 at 11:43 pmLove it! Unique and Fresh. I agree sometimes you can work better with the dresser without paint! Awesome job and vision.
Carol says
June 29, 2013 at 11:01 amI like it!. You can’t go wrong with red white & blue.
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
June 26, 2013 at 11:17 amOh wow, see, that is just awesome. The colors couldn’t be more perfect!
Thanks so much for sharing on Project Inspire{d]! Pinning!
Nancy
Lisa Conforto says
June 25, 2013 at 6:58 pmThat is a wonderful look , came out stunning!
Christy says
June 25, 2013 at 2:56 pmI love it! I keep going back and re-reading this over and over again and looking at the pictures of it. It’s gorgeous!
Susan @ SunfowerHugs.blogspot.com says
June 25, 2013 at 12:40 pmVery smart. I would have thought you painted it to look like that for sure!!
Peggy says
June 25, 2013 at 11:18 amI love this. It turned out great.
SmallMomentsBigJoy says
June 25, 2013 at 10:49 amThat is so cool! I would never have thought of looking for what was underneath. I love how it turned out!
Dotte says
June 25, 2013 at 9:22 amLove all the distressed, chippiness (is that a word?) of the piece… Just amazing! I’d have it in my home, no problem.
Teresa Gunn says
June 25, 2013 at 9:01 amBeautiful piece. Love that you stopped before starting to decide that it only needed some tweaking to turn it in to such a beautiful piece.
Mary Soulios says
June 25, 2013 at 9:01 amLove it. I am getting so inspired to paint. Doing my first project next week with the help of a friend and fellow blogger. Can’t wait!
Jeanette says
June 25, 2013 at 8:53 amMark me on the love it side. Fun project!
Pamela says
June 25, 2013 at 8:45 amThat piece is seriously amazing. LOVE IT.