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Driftwood Dresser (Before & After)

I think it is no secret that I love driftwood.

Coastal Dresser

I adore collecting bits of it, on the beach, with Poppy and the boys.  You all know we make christmas trees and sailboats with it.

I’ve been dying to use Driftwood Milk Paint by Old Fashioned Milk Paint company forever. I actually ordered a large quantity when we were working on our sunroom last year. I had planned on using this color on our chairs but then thought it was too dark and we did Paris Grey Chalk Paint instead.

Click here to see the sunroom furniture makeovers.

So, I knew when I bought this empire dresser that it had to be painted in this driftwood milk paint.  There was no question about it.

Here’s how this dresser was looking before:

Empire Dressers Before

The dresser on the left! You may remember Isla (on the right) from the before & after I shared.  If you missed it click here.

I’m not sure if you can tell from this photo but there was wear and tear and missing knobs.  Luke had to repair some of the drawers for me, but other than that it is a very solid piece.

Here’s the after:

Coastal Empire Dresser

Now, I will tell you this one was slightly temperamental and I even emailed my friend, Rachel, over at Shades of Blue Interiors for some advice.

I found the Old Fashioned Milk Paint slightly harder to mix up than the MMS Milk Paint, but I think it is just because it was my first time using it.  Since this was a very shiny piece, I scuff sanded and wiped the piece down and mixed the bonding agent in with the driftwood milk paint. The first layer I applied was too thin. Then I did two more layers and it didn’t really seem to be sticking as I hoped and I was worried it was too dark.  I love light, sea glass colors so, in the dim lighting in the basement, I was so worried this dresser looked like mud. Sigh.

Close Up Hardware

So, I scratched my head and I decided to paint over the whole thing with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen. I  adore this color and have painted many pieces in it – here, here and here.  Anyway, I thought I had it figured out.  I did a coat of chalk paint and once dry it started bubbling and lifting in areas.  I used a paint scraper and vacuum to remove all the loose paint.

Then I sanded the whole piece in coarse and then very fine sand paper and cleaned it off.  I thought a layered look might be really cool. So I got the driftwood milk paint back out and mixed up enough for two more coats with bonding agent.

Creating a Seaside Look by Finding Silver Pennies

The second batch seemed to mix up easier.  In some areas, I left the French Linen untouched and other areas I painted thickly.  Once dry, I used the paint scraper and then sanded the whole piece again with fine grit sandpaper.  I used the General Finishes Top Coat in flat and it gives it a lovely luster while completely sealing the piece.

I love how you can see layers and layers of paint and wood, but that the piece is smooth.

Close Up Empire Leg

I staged it in our living room and it looks wonderful against the white walls and pairs beautifully with the Beckons of Cowes prints.

Driftwood Dresser

The driftwood is from our excursions on the beach and the lamp is from Target.  We have two!  LOVE these lamps by the way!

Driftwood

Gorgeous Empire Shape

The shape of those feet are gorgeous, don’t you think?!?

The knobs are lovely ceramic ones I found on Amazon. They pair perfectly with this color.

Pretty White Ceramic Knobs

Truly a masculine piece, but with a hint of the sea.  This dresser would be perfect in a coastal home or one with a l0ve of coastal decor. I think my husband is worried that I’ll want to keep it.  Ha! Ha!

My driftwood dresser is available for sale. Let me know if you’d like more information or dimensions.

Muted Colors of a Driftwood Dresser

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cassie
8 years ago

oh i just love this one! that color is awesome and so perfect on it!

Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home

Well it sounds like painting this was quite an ordeal but the finished piece is really gorgeous. I do love the layered look and the final color is just perfect!

Tara @ Lehman lane
8 years ago

Danielle, I love the color. It does look just like driftwood:). Those knobs are fantastic too!

Alison- The Pink Tumbleweed

It’s so beautiful and looks nothing like the before picture! Perfect!

Michelle Lepak @ Dandelion Patina

Amazing! I am loving this piece! Sometimes the best outcomes come from just winging it. Ready to place my order for the milk paint!

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living

It’s beautiful, Danielle. Love the color and choice of knobs!

Sarah
8 years ago

This was definitely my favorite piece you had at the show, Danielle!! Worth all that work, so beautiful! Totally smitten with those knobs too, thanks for the link:)

Kristen
8 years ago

It looks great Danielle! I love the knobs too. I have a similar piece in my studio, I can’t wait to get to it!

Gina
Gina
8 years ago

How much is the dresser? I would love it in our one day baby’s room…it’s beautiful! !!!!
Please comment or email me the price.
Thank you so much!!

Gina

elyse
8 years ago

perfection!

xo
elyse

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
8 years ago

Just a beautiful piece Danielle! I love that finish. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Happy to feature you at our party this morning!

jessica
jessica
8 years ago

Looks great. I just finished watching a video on applying OF Milk Paint and it did say it has to be applied to untreated, unpainted wood. Maybe this is why it bubbled after you chalk painted? Just trying to understand the whole process before I attempt it myself. I am wondering what your thoughts are on whether you think any steps could be eliminated to achieve the same look? You painted the dresser with the milk paint and then painted over with chalk paint before then again painted with milk paint. Do you think you could have started with the… Read more »

Erica
8 years ago

Gorgeous! What delectable drift-woody goodness. You really have an eye for transforming standard pieces into beautiful feature pieces! So beautiful 🙂

Connie
Connie
22 days ago

Is there a pic of the little buffet after you redid it?