When a client came over to pick up a desk and chair, she mentioned also needing a dresser for her bedroom. I asked for forgiveness as I took her into my very messy shop. I lifted the blanket off of this nine drawer dresser made by Dixie:
It was a little tired, but she felt confident that an "RPK Relove" could transform it. Her vision was the same technique I used on this vanity which was mostly Paris Gray.
As I got into it, the Paris Gray on this piece started to look like a battleship....so the layering began.
Here is a picture of the one of the drawers before any top coats or glazes:
It's Old Ochre, Paris Gray, French Linen and then Old White.
The top stripped beautifully....original hardware....and here it is:
Although I started with one plan for this piece, the transformation evolved as I started to see it come to life. The softening of the Paris Gray with French Linen and Old White really helped create a the final piece.
Thanks for stopping by!
Robin
Linking up at:
It's beautiful! It looks like some pieces I have painted with Coco + Old White wash or also, Paris Grey + Dark Wax. So many different ways to arrive at the same thing with ASCP. I love your French dresser, and your client will too!
ReplyDeleteThank you! When I first started a few years ago, I only had Coco and Paris Gray on hand. On a whim, I mixed them together...and it turned out to be pretty close to French Linen! :) All of those colors that ASCP are so beautiful for a piece like this...You just can't go wrong! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSO beautiful! I am embarrassed about how messy my workshop is and how unorganized it is too. Sometimes I have to show clients when they are looking for pieces and you would think this would make me get my act together and organize, but no........... I need a whole day I think to make it manageable and that is not going to happen for awhile! Ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteHa! It would take weeks, maybe months to get my act together! :)
DeleteBeautiful job Robin, I love this piece! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steph!
DeleteBeautiful!!! It looks so regal.
ReplyDeleteThe dresser is a stunner! Love all of it!
ReplyDeleteHi!!! I absolutely love this dresser. I also did the same stain on top. I painted it a coat of Old White, but want to do the layering like you did. Did you do one coat of each of the paints --Old Ochre, Paris Gray, French Linen and then Old White -- in that order? Any details would be much appreciated! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Allison, I started with a coat of Old Ochre and then a wash of Paris Gray. I thought it looked a little like battleship gray, so I added a little French Linen and dry brushing in Old White....I hope this helps! Good luck with your project!
DeleteRobin
That helps very much!! When you added french linen, did you add it as a wash or an actual coat of paint? Thanks much! I'm excited to try this out :)
DeleteThe French Linen was added to soften the look of the gray....Remember, after I applied the gray, it felt like it was looking like a battleship. So the French Linen was washed, with maybe a little dry brushing....You can see in my post that I worked on my technique and color choice on one drawer. It's small, and if I decide I don't like it, I can paint over it! Once I've found the right formula, technique, etc, I then begin to paint the entire piece. I'm working on a 9 drawer Drexel dresser and have already redone one drawer twice! Don't be afraid to try different things on small pieces...That's the beauty of the chalk paint. If you don't like it, you can just paint over it! So go for it...and I sure hope you'll share with me your finished piece! :) - Robin
DeleteFirst, this is my piece and she is lovingly "petted" and admired daily. Second, if you artists ever wonder what we mere mortals place inside your artwork, here is what occupies this dresser:
ReplyDeleteMiddle three drawers:
TOP: Everyday cotton, comfortable - who cares about panty lines underwear.
MIDDLE: Comfortable, some support, wear with jeans, minimize muffin-top, underwear.
BOTTOM: I'm wearing a fitted dress, suck in EVERYTHING mega support, uncomfortable I hate you underwear. This drawer's occupants and I have a love-hate relationship.
Top left drawer: Bras, and lots of them.
Middle left drawer: Cotton leggings.
Bottom left drawer: More cotton leggings, and their friends, fleece-lined leggings.
Top right drawer: Jeans, my favorite cute ones
Middle right: More jeans, my second favorites, mostly I don't know if I can squeeze into them without the assistance of middle drawer #2 or 3.
Bottom right: Denim leggings
So, as you can see it was a very careful and strategic decision of which occupants I moved into this incredibly beautiful piece of artwork. :)
xoxoxo
-Kim
You are one of my most favorite "mere mortals" and this is the funniest post ever on my blog! And just think, when all of those folks stop by from Pinterest to check out this lovely dresser, they'll also get some tips on how to organize their dressers! :)
Deletexoxo ~ Robin
It came out gorgeous! I know about what you mean when they come for one thing and then start looking around when unexpected. LOL
ReplyDeleteSo just to be sure, you did not mix all three colors correct? Just layering? So paris grey, some french linen wash/dry brushing and then the same with old ochre? I have a client that literally wants this exact look so any extra input is greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteHello, Unknown! :) I left a detailed reply to Allison on 4/22/15 on the steps I took so just scroll up in the comments and you should find just what you are looking for! Since you are working on something for a client, I'd practice the technique on an old drawer or piece of wood while 'ironing out the kinks', if you know what I mean! Thanks for stopping by! Good luck with the project....
DeleteI am just learning about chalk paint. I have an old piece that I've been wanting to do but struggle with what color. Your piece is perfect. What helped me was seeing it with the other design pieces. My piece is with a mirror that has silverish and gold metallic paint. My walls are a taupe color w/white trim. I have gone around and around. So, reading how you try on one drawer was probably the best info yet for me. Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteI love this look so I am trying to apply this to a nightstand. I just finished painting the Old Ochre. I’m not sure how to do the Paris Grey “wash”. Do I add water and wipe over the Old Ochre? Do you have a post of this technique? I’m a chalky newbie!!
ReplyDeleteI am curious how you make the inside of the drawers so clean and nice. Is there anything special that you do to them?
ReplyDelete