Decoupage Dresser Part Two: The Reveal!
- Lori Siegel
- Aug 13, 2024
- 3 min read
In my last post my intent was to I start a makeover an antique dresser using decoupage " Furniture Makeover Using Decoupage: Part One!" The plan however was derailed when the furniture piece had more repair work than originally anticipated. So decoupaging was put on hold while I repaired the piece.
Let's get see what happened next:
A quick recap of the last post: I purchased a dresser that needed more work than I originally thought. To remedy this, I cleaned, repaired, sanded, and finally gave it three coats of primer. All of this took longer than expected, which is why there is a part two.
As this was my first attempt at decoupaging a piece of furniture, I watched dozens of YouTube videos in preparation. There were many techniques to choose from, but I went with the one that uses wallpaper paste to attach the paper. It allows more time to move the paper, which I know I will need.
With the piece ready to go, I placed the decoupage paper so the rose would be centered on the dresser and assembled all my tools in preparation. A paintbrush and roller for applying wallpaper paste, two chip brushes to smooth out wrinkles, an X-Acto Knife for cutting seams and excess paper, and an awl to punch drawer holes out. I was ready, albeit a little nervous, to begin.
Everything was ready to go. I applied the wallpaper paste and started to lay the paper. Right off the bat, I knew I made a mistake trying to put the paper on with the dresser standing up. It was impossible to control, and the paper started to rip. I called for my husband (if I am honest, screamed for him) to come and help me lay the piece down. We laid it down, I thanked him and went back to work. And he was only too happy to go back to what he was doing. I can be intense when something is going wrong. He is the best husband!
Once the dresser was lying flat, it was much easier to manage. The ripped areas were repaired using extra paper, wallpaper paste, and a toothpick. I really thought the molding would be difficult to maneuver around, but the chip brush was able to get into the crevices and smooth out any wrinkles. I did change my approach with the drawers by cutting the paper and working on one drawer at a time instead of keeping the paper whole. It worked much better, and the excess paper was easily smoothed out around the drawer area.
I took a risk attempting to decoupage a piece that had intricate workings for my first try. But I am so glad I did the detailing adds another level of beauty to the paper itself. I am really proud of the way it came out (I am patting myself on the back right now).
I let the decoupage dry overnight and the next day I put three coats of a water-based polyurethane to seal and protect.
The next step was painting the dresser base. I chose cocoa color (all products used in this post will be listed at the end) chalk paint. Using a round brush, I went every which way to add some texture. For detail work, I used a small brush, moistening the brush to help the chalk paint go on smoothly. I was extra careful not to get chalk paint on the decoupage around the drawers.
To add depth, I used a ragging technique with more cocoa chalk paint, along with green and grey colors. I liked the results, but after it dried, I felt it was too gray for the decoupage paper design. I mixed the darker green color with white chalk paint and water to create a wash. I brushed it on and wiped it off, leaving a pale green glaze that now perfectly complemented the design. I let it dry overnight and added clear and dark wax to seal and age it. Lastly, I added the original hardware that I touched up with antique wax.
The finished piece! I can see this piece in a bedroom, foyer, office, garden room, really anywhere.
I was able to keep original hardware. I just added a little Rub N Buff.
I would call that quite the transformation!
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