Beatrice
Here’s Beatrice before I got a hold of her:
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| 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:
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| 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:
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| 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:
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| 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.
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| Painting the detail |
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| Applying the dark wax mixture |
The trim:
Danielle, you killed this one! Love it so much!
What an amazing and beautiful piece. Love the new color. The details pop so much better now. I would’ve been sweating with nerves on this one. It’s a labor of love and true perfection!! Your friends are very lucky. You really did an amazing job with this! Gorgeous!!
Danielle, It is BRILLIANT! What a beautiful piece of furniture and what a fabulous job you did! My new favorite!
Nancy, I couldn’t have done it without your encouragement and your advice. I’m forever grateful. It is my new favorite too!
Oh my goodness!! It is gorgeous, your talent for painting never disappoints, Danielle, another wonderful job!
Wow, really nice work, Danielle! It looks gorgeous!
Ali, thank you so much! I’m so happy with how it came out.
Wow Danielle, what an amazing piece of furniture and you did such a fantastic job – I absolutely love it !
Beautiful work!
Liked your facebook page, too 🙂
Beatrice is gorgeous! Like all of your babies. Love it!
Stacy
Wow! This is not a chest of drawers but an amazing piece of art! Well done! Can’t wait to pin this one!
Blessings,
Amanda
Absolutely stunning – I’m in love with this piece
Great job!
And I’m definitely your newest follower – would love
you to visit and follow back
Hugs,
Suzan
You did an awesome job on this piece! Thank you so much for sharing it on Marvelous Mondays! Have a great evening!
Julie
I think this piece looks amazing. I am super impressed with your attention to all the detail. Great job!! I am your newest follower!
That Duck Egg Blue is so much more ladylike than the yellow! Nice job1 ~ Maureen
Oh, my! That is absolutely gorgeous!!! Beautiful job! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Primp. Woud love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-5.html Wishing you a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Hi Danielle,
Beatrice is beautiful! She was pretty yellow, but the Duck Egg Blue and Old White is perfection! Well done! Thank you for stopping by my blog so I wanted to take a peek at your blog.
Leanne@The Burlap Cottage
Leanne, I love that hutch transformation you did. Thank you so much for stopping by and your comments. Is there a way of following your blog. I couldn’t figure it out on your page?
I’m in awe of how you transformed this beauty! She was lovely but now she is amazing!
This is a masterpiece! What a treasure you have preserved!!! I would be thrilled beyond measure if this dresser was a piece in my home. “Bea” is a true beauty!
Please join me and share your transformation on TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS! The linky goes live this evening at 8:00.
BEAUTIFUL!
Hi Yvonne! Thank you so much for your kind comments. I’ve shared it on your linky party. Thanks so much for the invitation.
THis is so beautiful!! I am so impressed~getting rid of the kids paid off big time!! lol I will share this if you don’t mind!
The sound of my jaw dropping on the ground in sheer amazement.
GIRL, you got it goin’ on! This is outstanding!
Thanks, Cheryl!
Hi Danielle! I love Beatrice she is absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful job you did especially on the detail work. I know your friend was very pleased I know I would be. Thanks for sharing. Hugs Peggy
Thanks, Peggy! So kind of you!
If Beatrice ever needs a new home, I will take her in. It is absolutely gorgeous!!
I don’t think my friend is planning on giving her up. But you’ll be the first one we call if she does! x
What a beautiful piece of furniture. I think you did a lovely job and Beatrice looks extra French now, too!
Thank you so much. Who can resist Duck Egg Blue, right?
That’s a LOT of love and work right there! It is amazing!
I don’t see how Beatrice could be any prettier. You did an amazing job! This took both courage and talent. Obviously you are most talented. Love the new color and your beautiful details.
Hi Danielle: What a glorious piece–love the fresh new colors you chose, and what a great deal of detailed work you did, but my, so worth the results. Well done!
Oh, thank you so much. It took a lot of time, but I’m so happy how she came out.
Bea is sooooo much better now with her make-over. You did a fantastic job and this is a truly lovely piece.
Thanks, Terry!
What a beauty! She will be so happy in her new life! Great job!
This is gorgeous. You did a wonderful job! Very very nice.
this turned out really beautifully. Love the updated color you chose, and you did a great job with the dark wax!
I liked your piece on MMS FF you rocked this one…and your friends will now have a piece to live with for ever…the piece itself is a knock out…would love to find one to play with…Your color choice right on….congrats…
So cute! Found you from MMS!
Absolutely gorgeous!!! You did a fabulous job! Love it! Found you at Hot Fun In The Summertime Party! I am now a follower…would love to have you stop by for a visit! BLessings ~ Judy
Beautiful, Danielle! I love how Beatrice turned out! I used this color combo in my master bedroom and I just love the Duck Egg, too. While I love that detail, I can’t even imagine the time it took you to get it done. You did a great job!
visiting from Feathered Nest Friday : )
WOW WOW WOW!!! She is lovely! I love Duck Egg too! You did a fantastic job on her. Your friend has got to love her! Thank you so much for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend!
beatrice is BEYOND beautimous!
thank you for such lovely inspiration! found you at MMS’s link party, always a favorite!
hope you can swing by:
http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-sale-giveaway.html
smiles to you.
michele
It is fabulous. I know how tedious it was to do all the detailed brush work but it was well worth your effort. It looks amazing. Very inspirational!
Just getting started working on furniture and small accessories, hope you can come to visit sometime:
http://www.homesteadvintage.com
Thank you so much, Claudia! x
The shape and detail are just so unique. How cool is that, that you just went for it and did it. The fear of results would have held me back, I’m sure of it, with all that detail. It’s an heirloom now for sure!
Liz
Gosh, Beatrice is just beautiful!
I love this! I mean REALLY!
You are so talented…lucky Beatrice 😉
Thanks so much, Dawne. That is kind of you.
Oh my I am in awe of your talent!! I am new at this whole DIY furniture stuff, I am glad I found your blog to inspire me. I’m excited to be your newest follower! If you want to check out some of my novice work, it is at myrags2riches.blogspot.com
Thank you so much. I didn’t start that long ago with chalk paint. I’m heading over to check out your site.
very lovely!! I love duck egg blue too!! The decorative white is so striking! Great job!!
Beatrice is such a beauty! So happy you linked to Potpourri Friday! Hope you will make it a weekly party stop!
Thank you so much for sharing Beautiful Beatrice at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Hello Gouhgeous!
Thank you, Maria!
Absolutely beautiful, Danielle. 🙂 You are one patient gal.
xoxo laurie
Simply gorgeous!
Very inspiring makeover. Thanks for joining the Hot Fun in the Summertime link party.
Found you at Homespun Happening. I love the new color! Duck Egg is also one of my favorites. You did an awesome job on the detail painting. You have to have alot of patience & a steady hand to pull that off. Nice job! Dee from My Painted Stuff.
Stopping by to say WHOA! Sooooo beautifully done thank you for sharing this 🙂
I would never have had the guts to tackle that already beautiful piece, but you did an amazing job on it!!! It’s beyond gorgeous! Thank you for linking up to Hot Fun Linky Party!
Please stop by to see your feature! =)