Merry meet all,
Today’s post will be about my latest creative project. I am painting my bedroom dresser green. It was a much bigger project than I anticipated. So get yourselves all cozy and let me tell you all about it.
The dresser was relocated to the kitchen. I set down a drop cloth beneath the dresser and a drop cloth over the kitchen table. Paint can be messy. I had a lot of work to do. First off, I had to clean the dresser. I think scour is the correct word here. I can’t remember when the last time was that the dresser was ever cleaned. For as long as I can recall, the dresser lived in the hard to get to corner of my bedroom, covered in dust and dirt and cat hair. I cleaned, dusted and washed the dresser to the very best of my ability. The clothing that was stored in the drawers are stored in garbage bags in the bathroom. My apartment is a mess!
The second task is sanding. I sanded the dresser to make sure the primer and the paint would adhere well. I sanded the dresser too to remove the ‘shine’ of the glaze. The wood was natural but it had a shine which the sanding removed. I tried my best to fill in any cracks with wood filler too. Then I wiped down the dresser with a vinegar cleanser and lots and lots of paper towels. It is amazing how many paper towels I have used during this project. I let it air dry then my cat decided to sit on the dresser top. No! My cat is now visiting at my Mom’s place until I am done painting. She will be thoroughly spoiled! I also cleaned and sanded the dresser drawers. That was a task I want to do my best to forget all about. I was exhausted after all that hard work.
The next step was priming. I cleaned and sanded again and painted the dresser and drawers with the white primer. I did two coats on the dresser and the drawers. Finally most of the preparation work was done. I let the dresser and drawers dry overnight. Yesterday I managed to paint the dresser green. The color is called Dried Thyme! Trust me to find a paint color named after an herb!
The forest fairy rub-on transfers
I bought the new hardware for the dresser and the fairy themed rub on transfers a couple months ago. I can’t wait to see how it will all look together. I also bought Country Chic natural furniture wax made with beeswax. I also bought a bottle of Country Chic hemp oil. I plan to seal in the lovely green paint – which makes me think of spring, to the paint once it is fully dry. I will use a lint free cloth and rub the wax on. I can’t wait to see how that looks. The project cannot be rushed. It is hard to wait and wait for the paint to dry. But having patience means that this project will turn out beautifully. I want to use the hemp oil on the interior of the dresser drawers. The paint on the dresser and the drawers will last much longer once the wax sealant is applied. I have yet to decide where I shall apply the fairy rub on transfers. I am so excited to see how it will all look. I couldn’t take seeing the way the dresser looked for one more minute.
The screws that came with the new hardware for the dresser drawers are a slightly different size than the older pieces. I did clean up the older hardware and I will store those pieces somewhere. The above photo is just me testing how the hardware will look on the dresser drawers. I think it looks beautiful and pretty sharp! There is one coat of paint on the drawer but I still say it looks great. I am sure something can be worked out so that the hardware will fit snugly. I have to sand the inside of the dresser that I painted or the drawers won’t go back in right. I may go for the ‘distressed’ look.
Hemp Oil
Tomorrow I shall do a third and final coat of paint on the dresser using a roller and a paintbrush. I want to use the roller so that the paint is spread over the dresser top as smoothly as possible. A paintbrush is ideal for the more detailed sections. I shall do a second coat of paint on the drawers and determine then if they need a third coat too. Then I will wax the dresser once the paint has fully dried. Paint takes time to properly cure. It is also a good idea to sand and clean the paint blobs off the wood so the paint can go on smoothly. Yes, even after you have added the paint. I sand very gently and that way there is minimal damage.
I might even line the drawers but I am not sure yet. I want to protect the top dresser surface from scratches. I shall do a grand reveal once it is all done. I can’t wait. I guess that there is no telling when I shall wave my magic wand to transform something as mundane as an old dresser into a fairy dwelling! I want the faeries to appear like they really just landed on the dresser. I think I shall try arranging the transfers at odd angles or in unexpected ways on the surfaces of the dressers instead of something boring like perfectly straight. The question is do the transfers go on the sides of the dresser where they won’t be seen or the front of the drawers or the top dresser surface? I guess I will know soon enough.
Today I added a third coat of paint to the dresser and a second coat of paint to the drawers. I just love how it is all turning out. The dresser will look beautiful. I am not sure if the drawers need a third coat of paint. My apartment is a mess. I am eager to start cleaning but first I have to wait for the paint to fully dry. Then I can put in the new dresser hardware and wax the dresser. The waiting is the hardest part right now.
I have to wait for the paint to fully dry before I can wax and add the rub on transfers. Yes this is the hardest part- the waiting. It is the most important step in this big project. The waiting is the hardest because if I add the wax and the transfers too soon, the paint will rub off, ruining all my hard work. I can take as long as I want to wait. Tomorrow I am sure I can add the transfers and the wax. The wax seals the paint. I also have to apply the transfers before I apply the wax. The transfers will not stick if the wax is added at the wrong stage. I have to decide where I want the transfers and how I plan to add the transfers before I wax the wood. I can’t wait for tomorrow. First I have to be 100% certain the paint is dry. I can even wait a week to add the transfers but I know I can’t wait that long. I found a beautiful brush for adding sealants and stains to wood at my fave local hardware store. I sanded the drawers and cleaned with vinegar and a lint free cloth.
Today I was able to apply the rub on transfers. It was way more effort than I thought. I used a spray paint adhesive to make the transfers stick. First I made sure the surface was clean and dry. Then I peeled off the backing of the transfers and decided where I wanted the transfers to go since this is permanent. I sprayed the transfer with the adhesive, laid it on the wood and wiped it several times with a damp cloth. Then I used the wooden stick to rub the transfer onto the wood. It took patience and a lot of effort. I switched between the damp cloth and the stick often as I pressed. The transfer adhered way better. Then I waxed the dresser and the drawers save for one. I saved that drawer for last. I waxed the rails of the dresser till they were so smooth and I waxed the bottom rails of the drawers. The drawers will go in more smoothly now.
Now the hardware for the dresser is the next step. I want to clean the area of my bedroom where the dresser will go. I have to install the hardware for the drawers and then the clothing can be put back in the drawers and the drawers can be put back in the dresser. I can’t wait. It will be stunning. The hardware has been added to the dresser. I put the small cat scratching post back on the dresser. I laid a towel down on the dresser next to the post and put the big jewelry chest on top of the towel. I want to avoid scratches.
The dresser looks beautiful! I can’t believe it is the same dresser! Here’s a photo!
The dresser has new life breathed into it! My hands and arms have paint on them. I wore sweatpants and an old shirt for this. Sweatpants are perfect for painting. I am off soon to visit my cat at my Mom’s. I am sure she is being spoiled. I hope this project inspires you to create something fresh for spring!
Blessings, Spiderwitch
