Painting a Knock Off
August 25, 2009
I had a little problem. In my recent attempt to spruce up the guest bedroom space, I realized I had a small closet for my guests, but no dresser. And the end table next to the bed was a bit small. So when I spied a small three drawer chest at the local thrift for $13 dollars, my brain clicked into gear.
Now most people would walk past this piece, and for good reason. It had a spotty black paint job with gold trim and gold hardware. It’s a Dorothy Draper knock off, but I’m just not a fan of this paint job. Funny, because I typically adore classics. I really loved the lines and the design, just not the traditional black and gold paint - this color combination was simply unsuitable for my blue and white space.
I’m all about freshening a classic piece with great lines in a new and modern way, and I am not alone.
I loved the detail of this chest, just not the paint job, so I decided to make it my own. As much as I long to paint everything white, I like to mix it up with dark wood tones or pieces painted something other than white.
Instead, I chose a fresher, less traditional, more casual style – a slate blue front trimmed in white to enhance the routed detail.
First, I gave the edges a good sanding. Then since I was going for a medium tone blue, I used two coats of gray primer instead of white primer to cover the old paint job.
Next, I gave the dresser three light coats of Rustoleum’s Slate Blue spray paint.
Finally, I hand painted the ridges with three coats of my own mixture of white primer and cream acrylic paint. Then I spray painted the hardware and reused it.
One thing about older dressers: often, the drawer guides aren’t as sophisticated as modern pieces, so your drawers can scratch up your paint job as they slide back and forth and rub up against one another. Here’s a little trick. Apply a thin line of hot glue to the bottom of your drawers and let it completely solidify. The dried glue will act as a small buffer between your drawers and help protect your paint.
I also sewed a custom pleated table runner to protect the top of the freshly painted dresser. To the runner, I added some beading and velvet ribbon for another layer of texture.
A chest made new for my guests.
I am certainly enjoying every last one of my garden’s latest blooms of the summer season. Sigh. Simple pleasures.
Even though many would have passed it by, or kept the paint job because “it looks like a classic Dorothy Draper”, I chose instead to paint it blue. I don’t regret the color choice, or the fact that I rescued it from a spotty paint job.
After I painted my own find, I was emboldened when I found how some other designers are painting the classic Dorothy Draper style in a fresh new way.
Century Design Ltd on 1st Dibs
Coral version from Antique Center on 1st Dibs
Ellen Ward Scarborough Antiques
Carleton Varney for Kindel Furniture
Gorgeous lines. Fresh color. Classic design with a modern twist. Just my style.
Tags: dresser, painted, primer, spray paint, thrift store find, tips & tricks
Hi Kate-love your blog…I have a question about dressers…do you ever paint the inside or outside of the drawers? I'm wondering what it looks like when you pull the drawer open…from the side and inside the drawer.
Thanks for all your information and inspiration…and your sense of humor too!
Dianne
Hi Dianne – great question. I typically don't paint the inside. Rather, I line the drawers with stylish fabric or pretty paper, and spray it with lavender linen water.
Kate
Another great transformation.
Hi Kate,
I have to know what color and brand of paint you used for this i have a dresser that i want to repaint and i love this color and can't seem to get the right blue/grey that i am looking for. Thank you so much
Chantel
OMG I can't believe it! I absolutely can't believe it. What a gorgeous piece. Not only do you have talent for refinishing pieces…but you also have an amazing eye for FINDING pieces to makeover AND impeccable taste in colour.
Well done, as usual.
Another amazing project! Kate, you're killin me :-) I wanna have your DIY talent and do magic just like you! You should have your own show!
And what a funny funny title hahaha. Love it!
Natascha
Mocca & Me blog
I adore the colors you choose, you did a wonderful…no AWESOME job!! Love the piece now, it was tacky but now glorious
Fantastic! I was just joking with some other bloggers about seeing some tacky stuff at a hotel surplus in Vegas a few years back. I just don't have the vision to see the above when I see old pieces. You have a gift, for sure!
I believe you saved that little chest from a velvet painting of Elvis hanging over it, Kate! : ) It turned out really nice in the slate blue; you are a master {or mistress, rather} of spray paint – everything always looks so nice and smooth.
Beautiful! Reminds me of a piece of Wedgewood China!! And thanks for the tip about using the bead of glue as a buffer for the drawers. Very clever!
I just stopped by yesterday…not even sure how I got here ;) I have four kids and am really loving your projects (thinking about them helping me with some like this). I am getting some great ideas. You really have a talent. Keep them coming! Have a wonderful day!
Simply gorgeous, daaahling! I'm working on my masterbedroom right now. I have a dresser and chest of drawers awaiting a fresh coat of white paint and my bed is already painted white. I have 2 end tables that are wood with glass inserts on the top. I've been trying to decide what to do with them. I feel like more white would be too much. Still flip flopping between restaining an espresso color or painting it. Slate blue could definitely be a contender.
I swear, I never find the kinds of furniture deals that you seem to be able to snatch up! You go, girl!
LoL, now I'll be singing Christmas songs for the rest of the day! My husband is notorious for bursting out in a Christmas carol- when it is 90 degrees outside. Lovely job on the dresser. :-)
I just love this piece! I often find myself painting pieces white because I don't know what other colors to use. So this was an inspiration…
Oh my gosh! That is amazing!!!! Your vision for things is very inspiring to me. I'm going to be amazed about that dresser all day!
I'm new to your blog…having hopped over from….somewhere….I've been to a few different sites in the last few days, and I can't remember exactly who's site it was. Anyway, just had to say….GREAT idea! The dresser looks really nice! I always wondered how to deal with those 60's-70's style dressers with the ugly ridges in the drawers. I am planning to repaint the old dressers (they are the ones dh and I used as children) in my twins' room soon. It's taken me forever to decide on a color, but I think I'm going to do either distressed turquoise or turquoise with lime green drawers (to offset the very pink walls).
she may BE blue, but she is not feeling blue after such a great makeover…she looks stunning now. She is a glamour shot for sure! love it!
suzanne
AAA! Cute overload! I am going to nab me some of that slate blue… I just can't stand it! It's too fabulous!
I'm a stalker, not a commenter and I have loved everything you have done. BUT. THIS. BROUGHT. ME. OUT. OF. HIDING. As I scrolled down, I knew to expect good, but this is GOOOOOOOOOD. It looks like a super expensive peice made to replica the Wedgewood Pattern. *Sigh* It makes me happy.
GASP! Goregeous!
You find the best things at thrift shops for cheap! I'm so jealous. We usually just have junky furniture.
AHHHH!!! GORGEOUS!!!!
Salvation Army, here I come!!!
You are so so inspiring. I would love to see your garden! I want a cutting garden SO bad but have no idea what to plant!
Gorgeous!! As usual. :)
I want my own Vegas dresser – Great transformation! The lines on the piece are great and I am glad you kept the original hardware they are perfect.
Great transformation! Thanks for the tip re: using the hot glue gun. I'm going to try that out!
I like your remix of Blue Christmas,, and LOVE the dresser,, No one would ever know it was U-G-L-Y before ..
It is gorgeous! You have such an eye! It is amazing the deals you find too! That piece would have probably been $30+ at my goodwill, forcing me to truly have vision for it before I spent the money in case it didn't work. I love it!
Wow Kate, that’s incredible !
Great transformation. I love your color choice. Not too bad- $13 dollars for solid wood!
It's gorgeous! And, yes, I'm one of those who would have painted it white. And, yes again, you're all to blame for the Elvis stuck in my head now!
Have a super day!
I can not even believe that is the same dresser. It looks beyond amazing. Job very well done!!!
Well, Christmas in august is definitely a first for me… but no worries. All the ideas I get form you are TOTALLY worth a misplaced song or two. ha ha
You never cease to amaze me.
It turned out great. The blue and white go so well together. Nice job.
Pam
How pretty!
Nancy
Kate- This looks great! I'm not sure I understand the glue trick though- you run it along the outside edge of the drawer that would scrape against the frame? I'll probably need to do something similar to my buffet I'm just finishing.
And, did you sand this puppy before you primed? Looks so fabulous!
Love slate blue, it's one of the colors in my bedroom. It really takes the piece from dated kitsch to vintage chic. The ridges would probably look great with something less-contrasty, like a smokey grey or light, muted brown.
What a fantastic eye you have! The transformation is stunning!
My word girl, when are you going to get picked up for a show on HGTV (or whatever the American equivalent is)? Incredible. Another beauty.
Question, what is the red thing you have attached to your spray paint cans?
Looks fantastic!
Your flowers are GORGEOUS too!!!
Lovely shade of blue.
The flowers from your garden are pretty fabulous, too!
wow…you are insanely talented! it looks amazing and that arrangement is beautiful!-carlee
Great transformation but I have to say that the flowers are my fave. They are so beautiful. You must do a segmaent on gardening blooms.
Kate, great find!!
Another amazing transformation!! I marvel at your special "eye" and transformation of these pieces. They look more beautiful than anything in retail! Loves it :0)
Seriously Kate, you never cease to amaze me! I "stop by" your blog daily and with each new project that you've completed I feel more and more compelled to try my own hand at DIY! I would have never, in a million years, looked at that black and gold dresser and seen THIS as a result! You definitely have "an eye" and I am grateful that you are willing to share your talent with all of us!
What a great job you did on your Vegas dresser! You just never know what you'll find when thrifting…it just takes a little imagination sometimes!
Wonderful transformation, yet again! And inspirational for my own spray-paint project that I hope to tackle this weekend. The flowers are gorgeous and go so well with the room!
Gorgeous! I love your choice of colors. Now I want one!
Nice job! I love your color combo!
Wow! Love your finished look. Great job and your table runner is fab!