1920's Welsh Dresser Makeover

I was in two minds whether to actually paint this dresser, but on closer inspection decided it needed some tlc. It looked like some of it had been repaired at some time and also there were little splatters of paint on it. A couple of the drawer handles were broken so I decided to go ahead.

1920's Welsh Dresser 

Front View

Dusty cabinets with spider webs

Lovely detail on cupboard doors

Old glass detail on middle cupboard

Broken handle and paint splatters

I really had a bit of a game with the primer/undercoat. Was supposed to be one coat but ended up painting 2 coats on the parts to be painted. Admittedly, I didn't rub it down first because it was pretty rough with most of the varnish worn off so I thought it would be okay. Big mistake, but still, too late to go back now.

In the end, I did 2 coats of primer/undercoat and 3 coats of gloss paint which was supposed to be one-coat. Not impressed. The day was quite rainy but not cold so I'm not sure what was going on with this project and when I took the masking tape off, it peeled some of the paint off. Oh well, shabby chic it is. I followed on from this with some grey chalk paint and luckily this took great. Only one coat needed. We'll see how it all wears with use but at least I know that the chalk paint will work just fine.

I wallpapered the back of the 2 little cupboards with some leftover wallpaper from the lounge and also lined the drawers and cupboards.

2 coats of primer/undercoat

 

One coat gloss, too streaky

Streaky one coat gloss, 2nd coat!

Finished Dresser

Definitely looking different

Almost Finished, just need to wax

Shabby chic detail on flowers

It's quite light in our conservatory, so the grey looks a lot lighter than I would have liked but I'm hoping when I wax it, it will turn a little darker.

Lee replaced the drawer handles with some old handles he had in the garage. I'm just waiting for some door magnets so that the cupboard doors don't keep flying open, but on the whole I think it has worked out okay. I'm a little tempted to do some stencilling above the mirror. Let's see how I feel tomorrow 😋.

Before and After Photo