Magical Princess Dresser

Used Furniture Store Purchase

Cost: $40.00

Materials: $20.00

This dresser has been around for quite awhile. It was actually purchased by my mom who intended on refinishing it herself about ten years ago. It has been sitting in her garage ever since. I recently purchased a new house and asked my mom if it would be okay to use this piece as my first project--I knew it would look great in my daughter's room. It had really nice detail and I wanted to give her a piece of furniture with a story behind it.

Here's how I did it---

I used Annie Sloan's chalk paint in Old White. This was my first time using chalk paint so I wasn't sure what to expect. It's all over the blogs we read so I at least wanted to try it! It was so easy to apply-especially with the chalk paint brush that is sold with it. I applied two coats (don't worry when you paint the first coat and it looks so far from done--it gets better-I promise!) and it turned out perfectly. It was a nice pure white matte finish. I loved it.

Annie Sloan also sells a wax to use with the paint. The more I read the more I was convinced this piece needed it. I didn't purchase the ASCP wax; instead I opted for a wood wax found in the hardware store. I hated the yellow finish it gave the dresser so I sanded it down and gave it a distressed look. It was better but still not what I had envisioned. For Ella's princess dresser it needed something more--pink and sparkle! I painted the drawers using Satin Ballet Pink spray paint by Krylon and searched the craft drawer for glitter. I added glitter to the top and drawers and VOILA-a magical princess dresser is born! One last touch was to spray the original hardware with Hammered Gold spray paint by Rustoleum. This is a great way to invent a new piece. If you have a piece that you do not want to paint, but think it needs some sprucing up-try replacing the existing knobs. Try this with your kitchen cabinets as well!

I love how amazing her dresser looks at night. The dim light reflecting on the glitter is magical!

Sometimes it just takes a little patience and a few tries to get the piece exactly how you want it.

xo, christine