The Dresser Make-Over.

I've gotten a lot of requests for a follow up post on our dresser we picked up from Craigslist a few weeks ago for the baby's room.

And I'm happy to oblige.

This past weekend we finished up the last of the to-do list in the nursery (that is, ridding it of our excess junk) and I felt so excited once all the pieces were in place.

I took a step back, gazed upon the newly remodeled room, and sighed. So full of hope. So sweet. So clean.

Then I realized it was missing something...

I still need a few extra soft blankets for the crib. Maybe that's it.

Or maybe it's a nice pillow to lean up against the back of this rocking chair (where in a few weeks, I'll be sitting, rocking, and feeding in the middle of the night).

The walls, no doubt, could handle a few more art pieces. Yes, that's it. More art decor would be nice.

Or maybe even a few picture frames would be a nice touch...

But then I realized what was really missing. A freshly born baby, my friends! That's what's missing!

Without a new baby, a nursery is an empty room. Sweet, no doubt, but empty.

Seeing the new dresser stocked with clean white onesies and socks got my heart pumping with that crazy-excited-love that new life brings.

And not just because my uterus hurts.

And not just because I'm still running to the bathroom every ten minutes, either.

But because in a few short weeks, we will meet the newest member of our family. We will meet this beautiful little soul that the Lord has created for us to nurture and care for on this earth. I am so excited to meet this little one!

But enough hormonal babble.

Let's talk chalk paint.

So here was our Craigslist dresser before:

I liked it's bones. I liked it's look. I liked the fact that it could be utilized as a dresser or a table piece in the living room. 

I knew in re-doing it that I really wanted to keep it rustic. I wanted it to look worn and loved, like it'd been passed down through generations of family. I know this isn't everyone's style, but I'm not one for a very polished look. I like things to look European-Rustic-Barnesque. If that makes any sense...

Anyway.

My friend Laura over at TWIRL BLOG got me all excited about Annie Sloan's chalk paint. One of the great features of this paint is that it requires no prep-work on the piece. No sanding. No removing varnish. Nothing what-so-ever. The only prep work I did on this dresser was to use my hands to break off some of the bigger pieces of flaking venire. I'm sure more seasoned furniture re-doers would have completely removed the wood venire from the front drawers, but I liked the look that the chipping venire gave to the dresser. So I left it.

After I chipped the large pieces of venire off, I dusted the piece and got to work.

Now. Annie Sloan chalk paint can be intimidating for one reason. It's expeeeeensive. As in $35 for one quart expensive.

However. Don't let that totally deter you from giving it a try. I've already painted three pieces in my house and I've only used about three-inches of the quart of paint. It realllly goes a long way. Plus, to create a less bold look, you can water the paint down to create more of a 'wash' look and really make it stretch further.

In my opinion, it is totally worth it.

With my $3 paint brush, I worked the chalk paint all over the dresser...

Taking time to paint a few brushes this way...

And then a few brushes that way...

That's the beauty of rustic furniture. The idea is to make it not perfect. Totally my style.

It only took me about an hour to paint the entire dresser and I loved the way it turned out. Another bonus to chalk paint is that it dries really quick. By the time I finished the dresser the whole thing was almost completely dry already. Sweet!

Because Georgia was still sleeping at this point and the paint was already dry, I decided to go ahead and distress if further. All I did was take a rough piece of sandpaper that I had and buffed up the edges and corners where the paint would naturally wear over time.

The chalk paint distresses incredibly easy without getting gummy or patchy - it really does sort of just dust away in a graceful way. I couldn't believe how easy the distressing was and the results were rad. I've never had such an easy time getting 'that look'.

Fine. I'll say it. I doubt I'll ever paint another piece of furniture with anything but this chalk paint. It's just is far too easy to work with.

The old white hardware on the dresser was replaced with these $2 a piece glass knobs from Home Depot. I liked how they were slightly antique and feminine looking, which sort of softened out the overall look of the piece.

The top of the dresser still needs a dark-wax finish, but I'm having to save up for the $28 tub of Annie Sloan dark wax. In time, Shaye, in time.

The wax is really nice in that it sort of softens the semi-chalky feel of the dried paint. A nice 'finishing touch' to the piece. And as much as I'd like to dark wax the top today, Dang Dave can sure teach you patience.

Regardless.

The piece is in place. It's full of baby clothes (only the neutrals until we find out what this little munchkin is!). Its been topped with a plant, a lamp, an antique set of books, and this beautiful sheep drawing that Stuart sketched for me (which needs to be matted and put in this frame...okay, so maybe that's another thing on the to-do list). 

We also added in this rug (thanks, Mom!), which is now one of my favorite things ever.

The walls of the nursery were painted this pale yellow when we moved in and we've decided to not invest the time or money into changing them. For the time, I think it works well in the nursery. And who knows! We could be moving into another rental next spring!

So there she is! What do you guys think?

I still have one more furniture piece to complete with a friends orange Annie Sloan paint before baby comes. But I'm going to be honest - being curled up, sitting on the floor, painting in awkward positions isn't as comfortable as it once was. I'm having to build up the mental motivation it will take it get it done.

Bottom line: I love this paint.
Bottom line #2: The curtains are a deep grey. Not purple, as they seem above. Just FYI.

I love this rustic, well-loved dresser. It will be a piece that stays with us for a long time.

And those are the best kind.

P.S. Don't forget to email, tweet, facebook, or leave a comment with any questions you may have! I'm working on the Q & A post and would love to answer them for you - regardless of topic.

P.P.S. Today is the last day to enter the Making Babies Giveaway! Get your comments in before it closes tonight! Winner will be announced tomorrow!