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

Welsh Dresser Makeover

I've been busy this week decorating the lounge and up cycling my mum's dresser, bureau and a little pine corner cupboard I bought.

Dresser in 2 bits

Bottom of Dresser

The dresser was a bit of a mission. I masked off the glass and edges, sanded it down and gave it a coat of primer/undercoat. The gloss wasn't quick dry, which I think gives a much glossier finish and took about 6 hours to be touch dry and 24 hours before we could move it. It still needs to harden off and really could do with another coat but we have visitor's this weekend so it might have to wait until the next time decorating. Added some new handles and it's beautiful. The paint bled a little under the masking tape but I scraped it off and gave a gentle sanding to get the rest off and now it is fine. I really love it and it makes such a difference to the room.

Finished Dresser

Lovely new handles

Painted Bureau - not finished yet

Bureau with some Bling

I still really don't like the bureau and even with new handles it still look's quite plain, so I bought some stickers from B&M for £2.99 and decided to give it some bling. I'm still waiting for the paint on this to harden, so those stickers are not coming off in a hurry.
Still not my thing but it is certainly a talking point! 😆

One last job to do in the dining area and that's the table. This was such a bargain and cost me £10! on a local For Sale Group. The chairs were from the tip and I re-upholstered the cushions on them. Just rubbed down the rim and applied undercoat.

Rubbed down and Undercoat on

And finally, pictures of the finished Dining Room.

Painted in the same grey gloss

Dresser with all my bits

Bureau in situ

Side by Side

Stairs painted too

Little Corner Cupboard

All back to normal