Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Pale Gray & Copper Antique Dresser (& Contribultor Post)

I've had this old marble topped dresser forever. And before that my Mom had it. And, I've never updated, not even once. Which, as I'm sure you know, is completely unheard of.
 
 
 
The dresser has spent considerable time in our living and dining rooms and our office. But, as I was about to bring it upstairs to the master bedroom (my current decorating victim project) I knew it needed a refresh.


 
 
I just couldn't see this piece having a pristine finish. Instead, I wanted it to be worn and collected.


 
 
I started by painting the entire dresser in Benjamin Moore's Balboa Mist.  Once I was satisfied with coverage I painted the locks and decorative grooves with Liquid Leaf in copper. In hindsight, this project should have waited until warmer weather when I could have dragged it outside. The Liquid Leaf smells. Bad. Seriously, made me dizzy bad. It could also have been that I was holding my breath nearly the entire time I was using it. I don't ever want to use this inside my home again.


 
But...I do love, love, love the results.
 
After everything was dry and the stench started to dissipate I distressed the entire dresser, paying extra attention to the drawers and anything with the copper leaf.
 
My last step was to wax it and add in some hardware. Again, since I wanted a collected look I gathered some remnant antique glass knobs I had on hand. I love that they are unified my material, but are random in appearance.


 
 
So, the dresser is done and in my master bedroom and I'm still working a bit on styling and all that.  I'm not sure I'm loving the wall color, so that may change,  but I do love the direction thus far.




 
 
What do you all think? This dresser will be on the other side of the room from my Painted Mirror Hutch.  Next, I am going to work on adding in some more modern elements.
 
Oh, and that teensy bottle of copper leaf goes a long way. Check out my contributor post at Jennifer Rizzo to see how else I used it. 
 
 
 
 

10 comments:

  1. loved your eggs and love this dresser! the copper is smashing!

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  2. this dresser is amazing! I love it. Those eggs are pretty darling too - hum, copper, it's got me thinking but maybe I'll wait a while to use the copper leaf - if it smells that bad - probably wouldn't be the best idea right now ;)

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  3. OH! I love those eggs! Very modern simple and cool! And your dresser is beautiful friend! Great job! Happy week to you!! Nicole xoxo

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  4. It's gorgeous !!! Is that a marble slab on top? What a gorgeous bathroom vanity this would be ( I'm looking for one which is why that's what I see lol )
    XXX

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  5. Love it already when I read copper in the headline! The dresser looks awesome and heading over to the post now

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  6. This dresser is AMAZING!
    Great choice on the copper!

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  7. I love the warmth the copper adds - really pretty!

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  8. I love how that turned out. Especially love the copper accents.

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  9. What a unique piece, I love it! Pinned :)

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  10. I'm going to have to look for this leaf stuff, love it on your dresser! I can't wait to see the room all done...I hope Figgy is feeling better.

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Thank you so much for stopping by Number Fifty-Three! I look forward to your comments.