French Blue Dresser Makeover
An orange wood thrifted dresser gets a French blue makeover using Fusion Mineral Paint in Champness and Homestead House Wax in Espresso.
Before jumping back into more guest bedroom makeover updates, I have to take a second to give y’all a big ol’ bear hug and say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of you who have given me encouragement on Facebook and Instagram since announcing our moving news and how emotional it’s been. As of yesterday, Robert and I made an offer on a house! I cannot wait to show it off and share what our new adventure will be, but I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch just yet.
Okay, so back to the guest bedroom. This post contains what I think might be my favorite furniture makeover EVER! And that’s sayin’ something.
I recently scored this beaten up dresser on my local Facebook buy/sell/trade group for $20 !!! It was a total steal. I really don’t think anyone else in that group saw the potential in this little beauty… poor thing.
But do you SEE those pretty side details? I mean… sex-ay!
Supplies Used: Â (Affiliate links are provided below convenience.)
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Champness
- Homestead House Wax in Espresso
- Minwax Stain in Weathered Oak
- Mouse sander
- Minwax Polycrylic in matte finish
- Coarse grit and medium grit sanding pads
- Paint brush
- Clean, dry lint-free rags
- Wax brush
- Cast iron hardware
I wanted to get rid of the orangey color on the dresser but still retain some wood tone, so I sanded down the top entirely with my mouse sander, first with coarse grit and then medium grit for a smooth finish.
I wiped away all of the sanding dust and then applied two coats of the Minwax Weathered Oak, following the directions on the back of the can. I loooooove this color of stain. I use it every chance I get. It’s very light but pulls out a lot of the natural shade variations in the wood and adds just a hint of gray.
It’s my favorite part about our dining table that I used it on a few months ago.
On the rest of the dresser, I brushed on two coats of the Fusion Champness. It’s a gorgeous color!
I knew I wanted to give the piece an antique French look, so I toned down the blue a bit by brushing on the Homestead House Espresso wax, working it into the painted finish and details with a wax brush. This is by far my favorite wax to work with. Other dark waxes I’ve used seem to dry much faster and are more opaque. I feel like I have more control with this one.
I replaced the existing hardware with some new knobs and handles I picked up at Hobby Lobby for 50% off, and if I walked passed this little dresser on the street now, I don’t think I’d recognize it.
Helloooooooooooo! Wow.
Hard to believe it was just a junky $20 piece before, huh? It would easily go for several hundred in a boutique somewhere. Paint is just amazing like that.
I’ve got all the heart eyes for this planked detail on the sides.
I left a little extra wax in the corners of the drawers to add more depth too.
And that stain on the top just makes me want to do backflips… you know, if I was more coordinated like that.
Since we’re moving things all over the place right now, I decided my book page botanical prints and $5 thrift store lamp would be right at home here. The rest, I just stole from my mom that she had in other places of her house. Shh… don’t tell. 😉
So here’s where we are with the rest of the to-do list in this space:
Find and paint an armoire for toy & book storageFind and paint a dresser- Makeover bed headboard/footboard
- Makeover nightstands
- Buy some art
- Update lighting
Add rugGet bedding and pillows- Make window seat cushion (My mom’s job because I’m a lost cause on sewing skills.)
- Add curtains?
I just picked up the perfect rug along with some pretty pillows, and it’s all coming together PERFECTLY!!!! The rug came from Overstock and the euro pillow and striped pillow both came from Target.
Whatchya think? Looks like something shipped over from France? Maybe? I’m so excited to see how the rest of this room will look in the end.
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*A big thanks to Fusion Mineral Paint for providing paint to sponsor this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
You nailed this makeover! Bravo, bravo!
Thanks, Sarah!
Beautiful you did a great job. Looking forward to seeing the next project.
Thanks, Jonita!
Very Beautiful!
Thanks, Darlene!
I have sung the praises of your blog to everyone I know since discovering it recently, and have made a huge to do list based on some of your great ideas!!
I was just wondering where you get the mineral fusion paint you use? Do you like it/use it more than chalk paint or are they totally separate uses? Thanks!!
Thank you so much, Laurie! I typically have to order the paint online from Etsy. I linked to it, if you need it. I like chalk paint too, but Fusion is my favorite mostly because you can skip the clear waxing step.
Without that stained wax, that would be too baby boy blue for me, but the final finish is pretty. I’m wondering if you put a sealer or varnish on that top wood? You didn’t state in the tutorial that you did? I’m always thinking you need to seal it somehow on top for a better wear or more finished look? What is your advice on that in all your painting and staining experience?
I did put a sealer on top and then completely forgot to mention it in the post, so I’ve gone back and fixed it. 🙂 I used Minwax Polycrylic in a matte finish to seal the stain on top. I usually like the matte the best since it blends right and doesn’t make it shiny.
You never cease to amaze me with your talent. It’s impossible to choose a favorite make-over, but this dresser is right at the top……beautiful!!! Congratulations on your new adventure.
Thank you so much!
I never considered furniture in my home painted blue but I could sure get used to that colour and dresser. It’s subtle yet striking.
Thanks, Cindy! That dark wax to tone it down definitely makes all the difference.
I love it Lauren! Beautiful!
Thanks, Tami!
Oh my gosh, it is amazingly gorgeous. You are so talented!
Thank you, Mary!
Love, love, love the stained top with this color blue. I have a question about the stain you put on the top. Did you finish it with any type of wax or poly? I have a couple of oak dressers and this has given me some great ideas and motivation! Thank you!
Thanks, Becky! I’d completely forgotten to mention the poly step on the stain, so I’ve gone back and added that to this post. I used Minwax Polycrylic in a matte finish to seal the top. Hope that helps!
Lauren
Like so many that have already posted……..I’m not a fan of “blue” I think it’s because I decorated with so much “Williamsburg Blue” in the ’80’s and ’90’s ………….but that piece is gorgeous. I especially love how you finished the top (something I’m going to try on my next project) …………..it really sets it off and breaks up the “blue” all over which I love. Thanks for sharing and I always look forward to your handy, talented work.
I appreciate your postings,
Mary from Tennessee 🙂
Ohhh I totally forgot about “Williamsburg Blue”! Thanks so much for your sweet compliments, Mary!
Blue does go with green, doesn’t it? That’s what I am, green with envy over this gorgeous dresser makeover! Wow, it is so beautiful, thanks for sharing, your room is going to be fabulous!
You’re too sweet, Marie. Thank you!
Wow! You’ve done a fabulous job on it. Love your blog btw
Thank you, Lorree! (P.S. I love the spelling of your name.)
Hi Lauren!
Fabulous job on the dresser and great tutorial. I was wonder about your favorite kind of chalk paint. Thank you!
Thanks, Karin! My favorite is definitely Fusion, which is why I do so many projects with it since it’s no-prep and doesn’t require a sealer and can still be distressed like a chalk paint. It’s technically acrylic paint though, but lately I’ve preferred it over the chalk kind.
oh la la….she’s perdy…lol. Seriously, looks great!!
Haha! Thanks, Colleen!
So stunning, you did an awesome job. Love, love… and all for $20 bucks!
Hope you are doing a little better in regards to purchasing a new home for your family.
Good luck!
Thank you, Helga! We just had our offer accepted on our new house this past weekend, so we are VERY excited about all of the new adventures to come soon. I’ll be sharing an update about all of that once we officially close on it. 🙂
I know what you mean by it being your favorite transformation. It’s absolutely gorgeous! That color of blue is perfect with the wood stain. Man! Well done!!
Thanks, Heather!
Oh my goodness, you’ve out done it this time!!! That dresser is absolutely beautiful! Cannot wait to see the finished room.
Thanks, Vivian!
Just gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the rest of the room.
Congratulations on your new home.
Thank you, Dianne!
I’m not usually a huge blue fan, but that dresser is absolutely beautiful! Great job!
Thanks, Diana! I know what you mean. There’s a fine line between elegant French blue and baby boy nursery blue.