Beatrice

Here's Beatrice before I got a hold of her:

Beatrice (Before)

I don't usually name friends' furniture, but I had to make an exception as Beatrice and I got to know each other very well.  She is a French dresser probably from the 1950s or 60s made to look like 1800s France.  She had belonged to my friend's husband's great aunt.  I've named her after my friends' daughter.

I know some of you are going to tell me you love this color, but it really didn't match their taupe dining room and it was the one thing about the piece they weren't crazy over.

The detail on it is amazing.  Check this out:

Top floral and scroll detailing

And here is the label on the back:

I was really quite nervous to work on this piece of furniture because of all the detail.  I've never worked on furniture this detailed before. You may remember that I mentioned it the other week and John giving me some  Little Pearls of Wisdom.  Armed with his encouragement and some advice from my good friend Nancy, of the Sea Rose Cottage, and Marian, better known as Miss Mustard Seed (I emailed them about paint brushes), I was ready to tackle this French beauty.  Here is how she came out:

After

I first started with a coat of ASCP in Old White, painting inside the drawers and the back of the dresser.  The yellow looked so much brighter next to the classy Old White:

Painting Old White

Next I applied ASCP in Duck Egg Blue, my favorite chalk paint color.  I find the blue grey so tranquil and classy, especially paired with Old White.  Then I used a liner brush to outline the detail and went back to fill it in with a rounded brush.  I used a Gold Taklon liner and I got a set of detail brushes from Martha Stewart at Michael's.  Painting the detail took a lot of time and a lot of concentration.  I made my hubby take the kids out so I wasn't disturbed to get snacks, change channels or assist in the bathroom.

Painting the detail

Hours and hours later, it was time to wax the piece.  I applied two coats of clear wax.  The dresser looked beautiful, but too new.  I mixed some dark wax with clear wax to lighten it and applied the dark wax with a small chip brush (I usually use a large wax brush, but wanted more control).  

Applying the dark wax mixture

Beatrice needed to look like she was aged, like she'd always been like this being passed down from generation to generation in my friends' family.

I'm so pleased with how she came out.  Here's a few more photos.  A close up of the shell detail:

The top:

The trim:

The front:

A glimpse inside the drawer:

I really love these original knobs with their flower detail.  Aren't they sweet?:

Well, what do you think of Beatrice?  My friends love her.  I'm so happy that I was able to help them transform this family heirloom and deliver it to them before they were home with their second baby!

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