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Just the Woods, LLC | a Colorful Home & Healthy Lifestyle Blog

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How to Paint a Distressed White Dresser with Surprise Drawers

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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. Vintage painted dresser with surprise decoupaged drawers. Distressed white dresser makeover in a shabby chic finish with dark brown top. #paintedfurniture #distressedwhitedresser #painteddresser #furnituremakeover #paintedfurnitureideas #paintedfurniturebeforeandafter #furniturepainting #decoupagefurniture #whitedistresseddresser #shabbychicdresser

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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.  It was actually reserved at one point to be customized and then became available again, no one seemed to want it.  I feared that no one could see its potential, at least not the potential that I could see for it.  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.  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.

Chunky Vintage Dresser, unfinished dresser, distressed white dresser

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. vintage dresser, unfinished dresser, dresser prep, sanding dresser for paint

New to painting furniture and not sure where to start? Start at the beginning with How to Paint Furniture – a Beginners Guide.

how to paint furniture

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.dixie belle, dixie belle paint, chalk paint, chalk mineral paint, order paint, order dixie belle

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. decoupage, decoupage drawers, prints on drawers, just the woods, painted dresser, shabby chic

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.How to Decoupage Tissue Paper, distressed white dresser, white distressed dresser, bird print, decoupage tissue

This ugly duckling really transformed into a beautiful vintage painted dresser.

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The Result – Vintage Painted Dresser

From dark brown and boring to classic distressed white dresser.

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decoupage, tissue, napkin

 

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The details and edges are all distressed using my favorite flexible sandpaper.Distressing Painted Furniture with sand paper, white distressed furniture, distressed white dresser, distressed furnitureThe brassy gold hardware is freshened up to a dark almost hammered bronze.vintage hardware, painted hardware, bronze hardware, vintage dresser, painted dresser, white dresser

decoupage painted furniture

The drawers really give it the extra wow factor while keeping the dresser as a whole rather neutral.decoupage, shabby chic dresser, painted dresser, vintage furniture, white distressed dresser, white distressed furniture

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  sealing painted furniture, how to seal painted furniture, video tutorial

shabby chic dresser, vintage dresser, chalk paint, distressed white dresser, white dresser, vintage white dresser, white painted dresserThanks for following along with me.  xoxo

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Vintage painted dresser with surprise decoupaged drawers. Distressed white dresser makeover in a shabby chic finish with dark brown top. #paintedfurniture #distressedwhitedresser #painteddresser #furnituremakeover #paintedfurnitureideas #paintedfurniturebeforeandafter #furniturepainting #decoupagefurniture #whitedistresseddresser #shabbychicdresser

 

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  • The Best Decoupage Paper & How to Apply it to Painted FurnitureThe Best Decoupage Paper & How to Apply it to Painted Furniture
  • Decoupage Furniture Tutorial: How to Add Floral Paper to Painted FurnitureDecoupage Furniture Tutorial: How to Add Floral Paper to Painted Furniture
  • How to Make Easy DIY Wooden Christmas OrnamentsHow to Make Easy DIY Wooden Christmas Ornaments
  • How to Add Floral Decoupage to Hand Painted FurnitureHow to Add Floral Decoupage to Hand Painted Furniture

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Comments

  1. Debrashoppeno5 says

    May 27, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    This is so pretty. And who doesn’t love surprises. What fun to open the doors and see that touch. It adds so much.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      May 27, 2016 at 4:28 pm

      thank you so much! I love the little “extra” (as long as it isnt on my hips lol.. bad joke) xoxo

      Reply
  2. stacey says

    May 28, 2016 at 2:58 am

    Wow you are so talented!! #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      May 28, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Thank you !!

      Reply
  3. Terry says

    May 28, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      May 29, 2016 at 12:44 am

      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) 🙂

      Reply
  4. Mimi says

    May 29, 2016 at 4:39 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      May 29, 2016 at 10:13 am

      Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words more than you know! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Rachel Osborn says

    May 29, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    Whoa, that looks gorgeous! Definitely inspiring! Thanks for linking up at the Family Joy Linky!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      May 31, 2016 at 12:58 pm

      thank you! xoxo

      Reply
  6. Janet Vinyard says

    May 30, 2016 at 2:06 pm

    Hi Kandy, What a transformation and with a surprise inside! Well done! Thanks for sharing it with us! Blessings,Janet

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      May 31, 2016 at 12:58 pm

      thank you! xoxo

      Reply
  7. Grandmas House DIY says

    May 31, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    What a beautiful piece! Love what you did with the drawers, pinning this to my Before and Afters board!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      May 31, 2016 at 9:56 pm

      thanks so much!!

      Reply
  8. Mary says

    May 31, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    Paint is awesome. It saved this tired dresser. Looks fabulous.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      May 31, 2016 at 11:09 pm

      thanks so much!! xoxo

      Reply
  9. [email protected] says

    June 1, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 1, 2016 at 10:12 pm

      Thank you so much!! I struggled with lining up the print so I appreciate you noticing xoxo

      Reply
  10. Cathy Lawdanski says

    June 2, 2016 at 1:26 am

    Absolutely gorgeous! Love the color and the surprise inside drawers. So clever and creative!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 2, 2016 at 1:44 am

      thank you so much Cathy and thanks for stopping by! xoxo

      Reply
  11. Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage says

    June 2, 2016 at 2:46 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 2, 2016 at 3:01 am

      thank you so much Tuula. Im not sure if its patience or Im just a glutton for punishment lol 🙂 thanks for stopping by xoxo

      Reply
  12. Ashleigh says

    June 3, 2016 at 2:08 am

    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! : )

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 3, 2016 at 1:46 pm

      thank you so much!!

      Reply
  13. Keri says

    June 3, 2016 at 3:47 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 3, 2016 at 1:46 pm

      thank you so much!!

      Reply
  14. Michelle - Happy Heart™ (Made) says

    June 3, 2016 at 4:11 pm

    So beautifully done…love all the detail…gorgeous piece!!!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 3, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      thank you so much!! xoxo

      Reply
  15. Beverly says

    June 4, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Gorgeous! I’m always amazed by your talent! Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday. Pinned and Tweeted.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 5, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      thank you so much!! xoxo

      Reply
  16. Kim @ This Ole Mom says

    June 6, 2016 at 3:05 am

    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

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 6, 2016 at 3:07 am

      thank you so much Kim, have a great week!! 🙂

      Reply
  17. [email protected] says

    June 7, 2016 at 3:00 am

    This turned out AMAZING! I can’t believe it’s the same dresser. Thanks for sharing at Welcome Home Wednesdays!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 7, 2016 at 3:20 pm

      thank you so much!

      Reply
  18. Karen says

    December 13, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    What a lovely finish to this piece! I am a bronze hardware fan myself. Great job 🙂

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      December 13, 2016 at 4:41 pm

      thank you so much!!

      Reply
  19. Angela says

    December 15, 2016 at 10:00 pm

    It looks so good! Love the decoupage drawers!

    Reply
  20. Marie says

    December 16, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
  21. Michelle James says

    January 7, 2017 at 12:37 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      January 7, 2017 at 2:33 pm

      thank you so much Michelle!! xoxo Checking it out now!

      Reply
  22. Marisa says

    January 9, 2017 at 5:49 am

    This is absolutely breath taking, How cute is your little helper! I really love the colors and design! Great Job!

    Reply
  23. Emily says

    January 11, 2017 at 1:03 am

    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

    Reply
  24. Maria says

    March 13, 2018 at 9:59 pm

    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!

    Reply

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