Waterfall Dresser (Chest of Drawers)
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If you don’t like painted waterfall dresser furniture, you may want to look for another furniture makeover on my site.
This waterfall dresser (chest of drawers) was headed to the dumpster when I saved it. Not only was it headed FOR the dumpster, but the owner was about to beat it up and break it apart so it would take up less room in said dumpster.
You can see that it was really in rough shape. It had been stored in a damp shed building for years.
The first layer of veneer came right off very easily. The second later needed a little more elbow grease.
After removing the layers of veneer, I could see the damage done from years of storage.
I patched the cracked wood with spackling.
Because this was a quickie makeover, I didn’t attempt to patch this missing piece at the bottom.
Most of the drawers were rickety and not sturdy. I used my new Ryobi Airstrike Stapler to secure the sides of the drawers.
After a good cleaning, the chest of drawers heads to the paint booth for the HomeRight Max Pro Sprayer treatment. I used a light coat of flat white paint as a primer all over the piece, with the drawers in place.
After the light coat of primer, I used Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint all over.
Then I got busy mixing some paint to change the color. The gallon can of blue is Tiffany Blue, and the White is the Behr that I used for a basecoat. I mixed the paint in one of my Homeright cups to shake and store it.
Painting drawers is pretty straightforward, so I used a brush on them. This is after one coat. I decided the color was too light, so I added more Tiffany blue for the second coat.
This picture shows a better real-life color than the pictures below.
While the chest of drawers was drying, I got busy on the hardware. Some of the hardware was very rusty. I used a wire brush to remove some of the rust.
Then I washed them off with the hose.
I reached for my Krylon Rust Protector Spray Paint. Gotta love that it dries so quickly and has the EZ Touch 360° dial spray tip.
I was a little impatient and did a lot of coats—the hardware was a little tacky to the touch, so I laid it on a piece of scrap wood so it could dry better. It’s best to read the directions on the can, many brands vary on their dry times.
Then I reinstalled the pretty white hardware! Do you love the white handles against the pretty blue color?
This vintage waterfall chest of drawers is far from perfect. It’s been through a lot in it’s lifetime. Some may think I should have restored it. I wish I could have, but I didn’t have it in me to take on such a project. At least it can still live a nice, long, purposeful life instead of being chopped up and thrown into a dumpster.
Should I call it done? Or would you do a stencil or some distressing on it?
gail
Related Content: Navy Blue Waterfall Dresser
I would be one of the first to scream, DO NOT PAINT IT for most wood projects. This time, I can wholeheartedly say, I LIKE IT!!!! Don’t do anything else with it, it looks WONDERFUL!!! Thank you for taking the time to save this piece!
For everything (turn, turn,turn) there is a season (turn,turn, turn)…. a time to paint and a time to refinish. This was a time to paint. Great job.
Love the color combo. I had a similar dresser a few years ago with the veneer issues. I did take off the top veneer. But I noticed the second drwer down has a bit of veneer bubble. How did you get it to lay back down? I tried to glue mine, but unfortunately it just make it bubble more. Also I would dry brush your handles with a bit of the blue so you can see the design on the handles. No stencil needed.
This is beautiful just the way it is!
Done!
It couldn’t look any more perfect. I think stenciling would ruin its simplistic look. Also love the handles white, not black or gold. So glad you saved this beautiful piece of furniture from being kindling.
Just beautiful! so glad you saved it from the dumpster and gave it a new life!
I am not a painted wood fan – except when restoring is way more work than it’s worth or the original wood is not great quality. The veneer would have been a pain to redo and while waterfall dressers are attractive, they’re not antique-antique (if you know what I mean). I think you did a great job! The only thing I might do is add some glazing to bring out the carved details on the top drawers and maybe something to bring out the details on the pulls.
I’ll be very honest – unless it’s something that is beyond restoring (ie: bad wood, irreplaceable trim pieces gone..etc..) I am against painting wood furniture. Just am. Have always had a love affair with the rich tones of natural woods.
But Gail, you really did an excellent job on this piece and I’m loving it!
The colors are perfect..nothing loud or far out there. It’s a peaceful combo that fits with the architectural vibe.
Don’t change any of the colors, not even the hardware! I think black would just throw off that whole aged, resftful feel.
Now you yourself mentioned that it’s far from perfect..still has its flaws and such from storage..use…time..etc.
Maybe distress it a little? Sand a few “worn” spots?
Then the piece of trim that’s missing and the small veneer “bubbles” on the drawer – all those character flaws
that remained after painting would tie right in, and it would just look aged.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a gorgeous piece right now as it is!
But it’s a piece that has character flaws and an almost pristine paint job.
(says the woman who dislikes painted wood!)
Just a thought Gail, nothing more.
Besides, you’re the one with that great blog and tons of followers – not me!
Just go with your instincts on this one!
Absolutely stunning! What a great tutorial.
I might use a paint pen and go over the décor grooves on the front using the same white as the pulls! I think that would really make it pop! Interested to see what, if anything you decide to do!
You know what gets my grundies in a bunch? It’s not painting furniture, but the fact that the haters come out when bloggers do paint furniture. So much so that we always have to apologize! We need a blog button for the paint haters that says “That’s what paint stripper was made for”.