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Clara, Antique Dresser (Before & After)

Once upon a time, there was a dresser that had been forgotten.  The green painted beauty sat in the back of an old barn waiting to be remembered, longing to return to the antique home she used to reside.  The house was sold and still she sat lonely in the barn.  The new home owners saw the dresser in their  new barn and the husband wanted to do something with her while the wife thought the dresser should be carted off to the dump.  The dresser sat and sat – sadly thinking it would stay there forever (rotting legs, broken door and all).

Here’s how Clara looked before:

Before

She’s laying on her side because the legs were in such poor condition.  We aired her out for two months before I started working on her.  Here’s a close up of her legs:

Before – rotten legs and chippy paint

The paint was all chipping off and the dresser was super smelly (musty) from being out in the damp barn for long:

Before

That is when Susannah called me and asked if I could use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to rescue this piece.  She thought it would make her husband very happy.  The dresser was so gorgeous I couldn’t resist.  Look at the details, even inside the drawers:

Drawer Detail
The challenge for this piece was the condition it was in.  I spent 6 hours prepping it to paint.  I took a wire brush trying to get all the chipping paint off. Then I washed it down with A LOT of mineral spirits, denatured alcohol and warm water.  Then it was two coats of clear shellac on the WHOLE piece – inside the drawers and inside the body of the dresser.  My husband repaired the legs – a huge thank you to him!
I’m so pleased to introduce you to “Clara”:
Clara – After
She is painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre, a very pretty and soft tan.  It looks almost white as it is going on and then dries a bit darker.
After
After
I painted the hardware too.  Due to the chippy paint underneath the newly painted dresser has a lovely texture.  In a way, it looks like it could have always been painting this color:
Hardware and texture
My favorite part is the scrolling details on the top.  I used dark wax on these details to make them show up:
After – scrolling detail with ASCP dark wax
For this piece I did two coats of clear wax and then liquified the dark wax by mixing in some mineral spirits to help it go on a bit more easily.  I know many who read the blog have some issues with the dark wax.  I’m finding liquifying it helps to smooth it into the detail and crevices, wipe access off and then wipe areas with some clear wax to define certain areas.
“Clara” – After
Clara returned to her home (not the barn) on Saturday and they all lived happily ever after….
“Clara” – After
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Allison@FabRehab
11 years ago

Danielle, you did a fantastic job!!!

Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

Clara sure is a beauty!!!

Nancy @ Sea Rose Cottage

Wow! The Old Ochre looks great on the piece–the scroll detail and the hardware is just gorgeous. The surface quality really gives it a time worn finish. An incredible transformation!

pam {simple details}
11 years ago

She’s gorgeous, and what great details!

fiona anderson
11 years ago

Clara is so pretty, such great detailing on those doors. I love how the dark wax brings out the pattern and another piece with great hardware.
Still not sure how you get the time to be so prolific Danielle. I think you must have loads of energy – I really need to try a cleanse too !

6819232c-1199-11e2-a449-000bcdcb8a73

Love this one….

Athena at Minerva's Garden

Gorgeous details and hardware on this piece–you really did a lot of work to prep it, but it certainly looks beautiful now in her “after” state! Well done!

Dee
Dee
11 years ago

So much work but so worth it. It looks amazing. Beautiful work. Dee from My Painted Stuff.

cathy@my1929charmer
11 years ago

Beautiful, beautiful dresser now. It has such gorgeous details and so worth the time it took. How did your husband “repair” the legs, they look so good. Curious since we have a few pieces who’s legs are in bad shape. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!

karen@somewhatquirky
11 years ago

Oh I love Clara! I actually loved the color of the chippy paint too, but the drawers were really worn. She is just beautiful.

Kris Pare
11 years ago

That is a fabulous re-do and love the details of the scrolls and texture. I’m glad I’m not the only one that names furniture!

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Kris Pare

Thanks, Kris. I love naming the pieces I paint x

Danielle F.
11 years ago

This turned out beautifully! 🙂 Love all of the details and how they really pop now.

Danielle
11 years ago

Thank you, Danielle. My friend is so happy with it too! x

Tammy
11 years ago

What a terrific rescue. I loved it in it’s old chippy rough state, but you made it absolutely lovely. It was a win win! Thank you so much for sharing this at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

suzyq
11 years ago

It turned out absolutely gorgeous – great job!!!

Anne
11 years ago

What a beautiful transformation! The details really pop now that it is repainted!Found you through French country cottage.Now following along!Have a great day!
xx
Anne

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

The scroll detail really sets it apart!