How to Paint a Distressed White Dresser with Surprise Drawers
Painted Dresser with Surprise Drawers
A white distressed dresser is always a classic and never seems to go out of style. Finish it with a dark brown top or paint the entire dresser white. Either create a perfect look for that timeless distressed dresser makeover. 
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Original Vintage Dresser
This painted and distressed white dresser sat in its original vintage condition for way too long. I have to tell you that I have had this dresser in my inventory for quite some time. Â It was actually reserved at one point to be customized and then became available again, no one seemed to want it. Â I feared that no one could see its potential, at least not the potential that I could see for it. Â I also had no intentions of refinishing this dresser when I did. But I scooped up an ornate buffet knowing I had no space for it, forcing me to pull this dresser out. Â It had so many scratches from being moved around so much, other pieces stacked on top of it, etc. Take a look at the condition it was in when I pulled it from inventory.
Prepping Vintage Furniture to Become a Distressed White Dresser
I know that from a distance all anyone sees is ugly brown and ugly hardware.  The first step in transforming this vintage dresser is to sand the top, smoothing out the scratches as much as possible, clean, prep and vacuum out the dust from inside.  My little helper insists on vacuuming out the dust. This is my standard process for How to Prep Painted Furniture. 
New to painting furniture and not sure where to start? Start at the beginning with How to Paint Furniture – a Beginners Guide.
Since this dresser is unplanned and will be listed for sale I decided to keep it neutral with a custom mixed rich espresso brown made by mixing brown and black paint.  The bottom is painted in a creamy white for an antique white dresser look. You can find great quality furniture paint online HERE.
Decoupaged Drawers on a Distressed White Dresser
I also decided to add an extra touch to the drawer fronts of this distressed white dresser. For the drawers that are hiding behind the center doors I add a pretty vintage print from my stash. You can find gorgeous decoupage tissue and prints online HERE. 
Dag nabbit they don’t match! I waited overnight until after they were completely dry to check on them and realized that they were totally off.  I had to take the bottom drawer and sand the print off with my electric sander to start all over. The second time around I decided to do the bottom drawer differently than the top and I think it works much better now.
This ugly duckling really transformed into a beautiful vintage painted dresser.
The Result – Vintage Painted Dresser
From dark brown and boring to classic distressed white dresser.
The details and edges are all distressed using my favorite flexible sandpaper.
The brassy gold hardware is freshened up to a dark almost hammered bronze.
The drawers really give it the extra wow factor while keeping the dresser as a whole rather neutral.
The entire piece is sealed for protection with a clear Protective Finish. Here is a full tutorial with VIDEO showing how I seal my painted furniture projects: Sealing Painted Furniture  
Thanks for following along with me. Â xoxo
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This is so pretty. And who doesn’t love surprises. What fun to open the doors and see that touch. It adds so much.
thank you so much! I love the little “extra” (as long as it isnt on my hips lol.. bad joke) xoxo
Wow you are so talented!! #HomeMattersParty
Thank you !!
Love this dresser and the drawers are a pretty detail you wouldn’t expect! Congratulations on your new endeavour with the paint line! I know you will do well as you have beautiful inspiration to share with those interested in doing their own pieces!
Have a great weekend!
Smiles!
Terry
thank you so much Terry. I never really expected to take this route, but sometimes our paths seems to just fall into place. I always appreciate you stopping by. Have a great weekend xoxo (and I hope you make it to Haven) 🙂
Love the drawers! They are just the right touch.
Congrats on partnering with Kristi! Together y’all are an incredible force/team.
Thank you for your service in the Navy. I admire the path you have taken.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words more than you know! xoxo
Whoa, that looks gorgeous! Definitely inspiring! Thanks for linking up at the Family Joy Linky!
thank you! xoxo
Hi Kandy, What a transformation and with a surprise inside! Well done! Thanks for sharing it with us! Blessings,Janet
thank you! xoxo
What a beautiful piece! Love what you did with the drawers, pinning this to my Before and Afters board!
thanks so much!!
Paint is awesome. It saved this tired dresser. Looks fabulous.
thanks so much!! xoxo
I’m always so impressed with your pieces, but this one is special. Very few people would have been so careful with the prints on the drawer fronts. Maybe it’s just the old seamtress in me, but I immediately saw the birds lined up on the triangle. Good girl. Also love the paint color. It’s a piece that will make some family very happy. Congrats on a great makeover. Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thank you so much!! I struggled with lining up the print so I appreciate you noticing xoxo
Absolutely gorgeous! Love the color and the surprise inside drawers. So clever and creative!
thank you so much Cathy and thanks for stopping by! xoxo
This piece turned out amazing Kandice! I would never even dream it’s the same piece as the before. Love the wallpaper, and you have such patience to work things out until you get it just right. It’s gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing it at Vintage Charm.
thank you so much Tuula. Im not sure if its patience or Im just a glutton for punishment lol 🙂 thanks for stopping by xoxo
Thanks for sharing with peace love link up! This post has been chosen to be featured on the next Link up! It starts tomorrow at 6, so grab a button and stop on by with some more great content! : )
thank you so much!!
Kandice, this dresser is awesome!! Love the color and the print you added to the drawers, and those black pulls look so elegant against the white. I’m sure this piece will sell quickly. I wanted to let you know that I’ll be featuring this dresser at tomorrow’s party. Thanks for inspiring us with your beautiful furniture makeovers!
thank you so much!!
So beautifully done…love all the detail…gorgeous piece!!!
thank you so much!! xoxo
Gorgeous! I’m always amazed by your talent! Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday. Pinned and Tweeted.
thank you so much!! xoxo
Hi, Kandice! The dresser turned out gorgeous. You really did a great job. I love the print inside..what a lovely surprise. Thank you for sharing at the Talented Tuesday link party. Have an awesome week, Kim
thank you so much Kim, have a great week!! 🙂
This turned out AMAZING! I can’t believe it’s the same dresser. Thanks for sharing at Welcome Home Wednesdays!
thank you so much!
What a lovely finish to this piece! I am a bronze hardware fan myself. Great job 🙂
thank you so much!!
It looks so good! Love the decoupage drawers!
I agree that the 2nd drawer looks fantastic with the pattern offset. The entire dresser makeover looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday this week!
Hi Kandice! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your Vintage Painted Dresser so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we’ve FEATURED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec. Happy Friday!
thank you so much Michelle!! xoxo Checking it out now!
This is absolutely breath taking, How cute is your little helper! I really love the colors and design! Great Job!
Love this! I love painted and painting furniture. I have a few pieces I’m trying to decide what to do with now. Congrats on being featured at #HomeMattersParty
I love the decoupage tissue! It turned out beautiful. Thats what I wanted to do with my botanical table i did last week. I was excited to see you had a book, Will have to purchase it one of these days!