Hello amazing friends!! It’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day (one week early due to the holiday) and in December, we like to share our favorite furniture flip of the year from this series as well as our favorite from each of our friends!
I have a few that I really liked this year, so it was hard to narrow it down to just one! I’ll be back after Christmas with countdowns of my favorite furniture and non-furniture makeovers from this year though.
My favorite piece is a dresser I painted in a color I never use, and maybe that is why it stands out to me.
Can you think of the one I’m referring to??
It started out as this pretty lady:
One of my dear local readers, purchased this dresser here from me, and in exchange for delivering it to her, she said she had a dresser for me.
I was so pleasantly surprised to see this pretty dresser awaiting me when we got there! I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
The prep
I began this makeover with a good cleaning with White Lightning. (Just add one TBSP to a half gallon of warm water.)
Dixie Belle’s applicator pads are covered in soft terrycloth and are perfect for this step…
Once everything was clean, I swapped my water out for clean water and gave it another wipe down to remove any residue. White Lightning is a cleaner and deglosser, so gloves are recommended.
This is all the prep most pieces need when using chalk paint. See my chalk painting tutorial HERE.
However, because this piece had a red tint to it, I decided to be cautious and go ahead and prime it with clear BOSS to prevent any potential bleed-through issues:
It goes on milky and will dry clear on lighter or unsealed woods, but it dries to a very slight haze on darker pieces…
It comes in a clear formula, white, and gray. I use the white the most because I use white paint often, but for today’s project, I didn’t want the white BOSS to show through when I sanded.
I allowed it to dry overnight before painting. Proper dry time is key to its success!
Paint
Do you remember the color I chose for this piece?
It was purple!
I had this gorgeous transfer that I had really been wanting to use on something:
There are three purples in Dixie Belle’s Chalk Mineral Paint line, but none were exactly what I was wanting for this piece.
I decided to mix a custom color using half Mason Dixon Gray and half Lucky Lavender:
I got a gorgeous subtle lavender that I call Dusty Lavender!
All 64 Chalk Mineral Paint colors are now available in 4 oz sizes making it easier on the budget to mix custom colors!
It actually covered beautifully in just one coat, but I did give it two coats:
(Those mini furniture dollys are fantastic for painting furniture…I found them on Amazon HERE.)
Once the paint was dry, I sanded everything smooth with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge:
Well hello, Lyla!
She thinks I brought this in the house just for her!
I actually brought it into my office so I could stay up and work on the transfer.
Adding the transfer
This transfer is by Redesign and it is called Vigorous Violet. You can find it in my shop HERE!
I only ended up using half of it on this dresser, so I will get at least two good-sized projects out of it!
To make it easier to apply, I laid the dresser on its back:
I ended up cutting it in sections to make it easier to apply. I cut the first drawer and applied it by using the included burnishing tool.
Then for the piece between the drawers, I found it easier to cut that section into smaller pieces since this dresser has a curve to it…
It’s pretty easy to match it up to the piece next to it after it is cut.
I also had to be sure the strip I cut for those areas was wide enough to cover it with all the ridges.
Seal and Protect
To seal this piece, I used my go-to sealer for furniture pieces, Clear Coat in Satin. I applied it with the blue sponge which makes it super easy:
I’ve been cutting mine to give it a flat edge, so I can get right into those inside edges…just the slightest amount needs to be removed…
I gave everything two coats of the Clear Coat.
Painted Dresser with Transfer
The After
Here is how this pretty lady turned out!
I absolutely love this muted lavender color!
I decided to keep the original pulls because I really like this style.
These just got a couple of sprays of Rustoleum’s Champagne Mist:
I thought the painted pulls added just a touch of bling.
This transfer is just gorgeous!
I know y’all like to see what I do with the drawers, but these were immaculate inside, so I didn’t do a thing to them…
I did tape everything off neatly though as I like to have all clean edges!
And here you can see how well the transfer covered over all the ridges for one seamless image:
Pretty!
I hope y’all enjoyed looking back at this makeover today!
I loved painting with this color! And thanks again, Cheryl, for giving me such a sweet dresser to play with!
I’ve also selected my favorite makeover from each of my friends as well:
AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT MY FRIENDS CHOSE AS THEIR FAVORITES FROM EACH OF US, YOU CAN SEE THEM AT THE LINKS BELOW:
Salvaged Inspiration’s favorites
Girl in the Garage’s Favorites
Petticoat Junktion’s Favorites
I’ll be back on Tuesday with a quick makeover I did on this wall art I picked up at the thrift store:
UPDATE: No need to wait! See it HERE now! It’s a lot bigger than it looks here!
Have a lovely weekend, dear friends!
XOXO,
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Janette says
Omgoodness me I remember falling in love with this one, its so beautiful and your work is perfection itself.xx
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Janette! I really enjoyed working on it! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
I also loved this beauty! I LOVE everything you do though, so don’t ask me to pick my favorite from this year because the answer would be all of them!! Everything you touch turns out so beautiful!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! You are the sweetest always! XOXO
Christine says
I would never have chosen this color, but wow. I remember when you first posted this makeover -Amazing!! I bet it sold FAST??
Christy says
Thank you so much, Christine! I think it sat in my shop for a few weeks or so before it sold. I enjoyed having it in there though! XOXO
Elizabeth Marchak says
I remember this – it is a beauty. Hopefully, you will tackle one using a bright purple, hot pink or turquoise. I thoroughly enjoy watching you recreate the furniture universe. Best wishes in the new year!
Christy says
Thank you, Elizabeth! I really did enjoy painting with color for this one! Best wishes to you as well! XOXO
Janice Holt says
The paint color matches so well with the transfer and not too much transfer. Looks so pretty. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I’m looking forward to using the other half on something in the new year! I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!! XOXO
Denise Cox says
I think I was around for this. My favorite color is purple and this is GORGEOUS!!! I PINNED it just in case I hadn’t…😉. And that transfer… they were made for each other!! One of my favorites as well!!!
Merry Christmas, my friend!! Have a fun and relaxing and joyous holiday!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Denise! I loved painting with this pretty color! Merry Christmas to you as well!! XOXO
Tanya says
Christy!!! OMG! Lovveee the dusty purple. I think it looks amazing. The pills with the champagne spray was thee we perfect choice. The only problem is…..how do you have the strength to not keep something like this? Lol can’t wait to see the next one!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Tanya! It is hard to let some of these go for sure lol! XOXO
Cecilia says
Yep! That one is a beauty! One of my favorites too!
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Aww thank you, Cecilia!! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
I just LOVE this dresser Christy! I love everything about it including the gorgeous custom color you created! Looking forward to next year’s Furniture Fixer Uppers where we get to create new faves! Hugs XOXO
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I still have the other half of this transfer to play with woohoo! Looking forward to another year of sharing your amazing creations! Enjoy your break and Merriest of Christmases to you!! XOXO
Jeannie says
This is incredibly beautiful! You are so talented. I appreciate how you share so much detail about the process and steps you take in your makeovers, as well as detailed photos. Can you share where your shop is located? I will be in the Carolinas in March and would love to see your work in person.
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Jeannie! Thank you! My shop is located in the Virginia Beach Antique Mall here in Virginia Beach, VA. XOXO
Bonnie W Blinson says
This is amazing ! I’ve had a half finished dresser in my garage for 2 years. This is exactly what I want it to look like in the end. Thank you for all your inspiration. I in awe at your creativity, taste and talent.
Christy says
That means so much, Bonnie, thank you!! Enjoy creating something beautiful!! XOXO
Jan Fowler says
See, here is the thing. I love purples. All purples. That is my favorite color. So now, I sit here lusting. Right. Before. Christmas. Santa won’t be dropping by here, dang it!🤣
Christy says
Aww ha ha! You are so funny! 😀 XO
Patricia Marshall says
I love your work. You have inspired me to work on a few of my projects. Thank you for the detailed tutorials on what needs to be done. This piece is absolutely beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Christy says
Thank you, Patricia! I love that you are feeling inspired to create!! Merry Christmas! XOXO
Janet says
Christy,
That’s my favorite too!!
It turned out so beautiful .
Happy Holidays to you and yours!!
Janet , a faithful reader
Christy says
Yay! Thank you so much, Janet! I just had to go with this one! Have a wonderful holiday! XOXO
Roger says
I love the dresser!! And what inspiration you gave me for doing a dresser I have that needs an upgrade. Usually I handpainted my designs, but transfers definitely are the way to go!!! Thanks so much for the great idea!!!! Have a great Christmas and a great holiday season to you and your family…….God bless!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Roger! I definitely cannot hand-paint my designs, so transfers let me cheat ha ha! Merry Christmas!! XOXO
Kelly says
I love this custom color! It is absolutely perfect with this transfer!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kelly! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
I was so close to picking this one too! What a beauty!! Merry Christmas to your sweet family, my friend! xo
Christy says
It’s funny that you all chose something different of mine lol! Thanks, my friend! Merry Christmas!! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh yes, that is def a fav – what a stunning makeover. Just wows me seeing the magic you do with furniture, Christy. It’s really beautiful!!!!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Michele! XOXO
Karen says
Stunning!! You are a master artist/craftswoman!! I learn so much from your vlogs!! Wish you would do an E-book on your techniques!
,
Christy says
Aww that means so much, Karen, thank you!! XOXO