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Isla Dresser

I’m in love with this one….

Isla Dresser (After)

and I’m so very sad that I can’t keep her.  We have no room in the house to fit this large double dresser, but I wish we did!


She sort of reminds me of a clam shell that has been tossed about by the sea.

This is how I met Isla.  She had been well loved and well used and really needed a lick or two of paint.

Isla Henredon Dresser (Before)

A close up of the leg:

She had great bones and great hardware and really great curves.  The Henredon double dresser is probably from the 1940s with dovetail drawers and mahogany wood.

I first sanded the top and stained it with Minwax stain in Jacobean.  It is a dark brown black stain and I love it.  It is so rich and luxurious.

Jacobean stained top sealed with MMS Milk Paint Wax

I knew I really wanted that chippy look.  I know some don’t like this look, but I LOVE it.  I decided on Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Ironstone.  I buy my MMS Milk Paint and wax from my good friend, Nancy, at the Sea Rose Cottage:

MMS Milk Paint in Ironstone

I ended up doing three coats on the whole piece and waited patiently to see if the paint would chip and flake.  I was so excited when I saw it pulling away and crackling in places.

Milk paint self distressing

I finished distressing it and I’m so happy with how it came out.  Look at that chippy, flakey goodness.


I love how the milk paint gives the appearace it has been flaking over time, that it has a history.  I also love how the hardware really stands out against the chippy white paint:

Original hardware

A view from the side:

Isla Dresser (After)

And the other side:

Isla Dresser (After)

It is going to be so hard to part with this one (sigh)!  Any local friends, let me know if you’re interested in brining Isla home!

Isla Dresser (After)

Featured on:

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Linking to:
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37 Comments
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suzyq
11 years ago

It’s really beautiful!
And I know what you mean – I have something for sell right now that is killing me to let go of lol
xox

Paige
11 years ago

LOVE it!

Stacey
11 years ago

Just gorgeous! Saw Miss Mustard Seed featured you on her Facebook page today – wow! That’s awesome!
Stacey of Embracing Change

Linda@Coastal Charm
11 years ago

Looks outstanding! I need to try using my Ironstone paint again…first time I didn’t have much luck.

Blessings,
Linda

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Beautiful!

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Thank you! x

It's All Connected
11 years ago

She’s a sweetie and I’m not surprised you don’t want to let her go1 ~ Maureen

elaine owens
11 years ago

I love it too Danielle. Nice job!

Artsy Chick
11 years ago

Beautiful! Love the self distressing of the Milk Paint! Can’t wait to try it someday.

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Artsy Chick

Thank you! Would love to hear what you think about the milk paint. I love how it self-distresses. Isn’t it cool?

fiona anderson
11 years ago

I love this cabinet, I think it’s my favourite of all your makeovers, it looks so great. Love the really chippy shabby look !

cheryl
11 years ago

Lovely Danielle! I can barely recognize her. I’m sitting here thinking if there’s any place that we might be able to put her here.

Between Blue and Yellow

Love your Isla dresser, mostly because that’s my sweet baby girls name. But I love the stained top and the chippy bottom. Great job!

Dear Emmeline
11 years ago

love it Danielle! Perfectly chippy looking. I’ve only done an end table in milk paint but I can’t wait to see how a dresser I have to do turns out (in French Enamel)!

Miss Lady Aga
11 years ago

Awesome job!! Love the look!

Shirley

PerSue
11 years ago

That is awesome! I have actually liked this piece twice! I saw it linked to another blog this week. Beautiful work. Now I want to try milk paint. I have only used chalk paint in my furniture painting business.

Meagan
11 years ago

Beautiful! I of course love the name since that’s my 2 yr old’s name lol.

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Meagan

Thanks, Meagan. Our youngest was going to be an Isla if he was a girl (love that name!) but he was a boy!

Donna Wilkes
11 years ago

The texture of the dresser is amazing. The white contrasts nicely with the dark top.

Angie Church
11 years ago

love how you prepared the dresser love it
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Angie Church

Thanks, Angie!

Tammy
11 years ago

Beautiful!!! I love stained tops!! Thank you for sharing at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

Kelly
11 years ago

So pretty! I actually just finished my very first MMS Milk Paint project in Ironstone and it chipped almost the same as yours. It took me a while to start digging it, but now I just love the natural wood making an appearance through the white. I am sure your dresser will make someone very happy.

Tabatha McCaffrey
11 years ago

Beautiful! I have not tried MMS Milk Paint yet, but you have just inspired me to buy some. You have just gained a follower-ChicByTab

Danielle
11 years ago

Thanks, Tabatha! I think you’ll love it! x

Swede Dreams
11 years ago

Oh, I love the chippy goodness! You did an amazing job with this one! So glad you shared her with us! New follower for you…I would love for you to stop over for a return visit! Angie @ Swede Dreams

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

Beautiful chippy finish and I love the original hardware!

The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥

She is gorgeous and I too would be sad to give her up! You just do amazing work! : ) Thanks for sharing with us and hope to see you again this week : ) Holiday Hugs!

Petticoat Junktion
11 years ago

I love this Danielle, I sell the MMMSMP and use it a lot. Love the chippiness.

Nicole Estes
11 years ago

I love her! How beautiful. I must try the milk paint soon. I’m featuring this tomorrow. Thanks for linking up at Doodles & Stitches 🙂

Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

stunning!!! it looks so perfect! i want it. 😉

Jessica @ FourGenerationsOneRoof

Beautiful Danielle! I am pinning this to the Better Homes and Garden blogger home projects board 🙂

Danielle
11 years ago

Thanks, Jessica! So kind of you.

Stacey
11 years ago

She is gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing at the favorite furniture makeovers of 2012 party!
Stacey of Embracing Change

Megan B
Megan B
11 years ago

Although the dresser is beautiful, I took almost the exact opposite approach on an almost identical dresser. She came to me roughed up with a white over coat showing some olive under paint which bared some mahogany. I cleaned her down to the bones highlighted her mahogany and darkened her edges and trim work to show off some character. I’m quite in love with my dresser. Funny how two totally different approaches can give beautiful pieces with such different character.

Danielle
11 years ago
Reply to  Megan B

Yes, I agree. Your dresser sounds gorgeous and I bet the olive paint looks gorgeous peeking through.

Chelsea @ Making Home Base

I would have kept her too – gorgeous!!