Stained Top Dressers

After last week's post I received a lot of feedback regarding the stained top feature of the dresser. I agree with all the comments; I think staining the top adds an element of richness to a piece and gives it a bit more of a sophisticated look. And being the sophisticated lady that I am, a stained top is right up my alley! If you can't tell, I'm laying on the sarcasm PRETTY thick right now. Anyways, I want to share a couple more projects I've been working on with stained tops. I'll spare you all the nitty gritty details, and just get straight to the finished products.

This piece was originally a radio stand from the 1940's. I love finding pieces where the original use is now obsolete. It allows you to get even more creative with how you want to repurpose it. Aside from just being extra storage space, I think it'd make a great linen chest for a bathroom or even a mini bar.

This color just screams HAPPY! I apologize now if you go around the rest of the day with Pharrell's "Happy" song stuck in your head. But it really is such a bright, cheery piece and adds a pop of color to a room.

You can really see the detail here. The piece was first painted in Annie Sloan Aubusson Blue, then a coat of Antibes Green over it. After I distressed the piece all the intricate carvings really come to life.

As you can see, the detail extends into the interior as well. The attention to detail really makes this a unique piece.

Next up...something a bit more subdued. 

I think this piece looks so elegant. I opted for a darker shade and made a custom blend of Annie Sloan Graphite and French Linen. I finished it with a coat of both clear wax and dark wax.

To bring out the details, after distressing the edges I brushed a bit of gold gilding wax on them. The gold coordinates really well with the hardware and gives the piece a bit of sheen.

The hardware was in great shape so luckily I didn't have to do anything with it. To maintain the integrity of the piece, I always try and use the original hardware when I can.

For the top, I stuck with my go-to stain color of Jacobean. It's a versatile color that works with all shades of paint colors.

And now onto the final piece...

This dresser was actually one of the first pieces I ever painted. It's an oldie but goodie for sure! The stained top really pops on this piece against the light colored base.

Again, I was able to salvage the original hardware. I spruced the pulls up a bit though with a coat of Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze. This way they coordinate with top.

Pieces with a lot of detail like this one are my favorite to distress. Distressing the edges really helps to accentuate the craftsmanship. And, to let you in on a secret, when a piece is distressed, you don't notice future dings and blemishes to the piece as it ages. Instead of getting upset, it's something to embrace. 

Awhile back, I took an Annie Sloan painting course and there was a quote the instructor had us all write down that has stuck with me. "There is perfection in imperfection." As I continue to try new methods and use different elements, I couldn't agree more. The imperfections of a piece are what makes it one-of-a-kind and they help to create a story. Don't get hung up on creating a cookie-cutter piece, but rather enjoy using your creativity to produce something that really reflects you...and for me, that's far from perfect!