Updated Dresser
Boutiques that specialize in decor and home goods always have at least one: a fetching hand-painted dresser, its drawers pulled open and brimming with charming linens, or another set at an angle, its top laden with countless treasures, such as vintage silver, vaseline glass, or a stack of gardening books. Shop owners and inerior decorators know that there's just something about a painted dresser that draws the eye and makes a room feel more inviting. To bring that feeling home, customize a dresser yourself, and place it in any room in the house. Depending on the dresser's shape, and the colors and hardware you choose, it can look elegant and formal, romantic and vintage, or sweet with cottage style.
Original Dresser
Visit tag sales, junk stores, and unpainted-furniture shops, with an eye to pieces with nice lines. Even the most chipped dresser with missing knobs may be a boutique treasure waiting to happen. As you browse, think a bit beyond a dresser's traditional role. Consider using a wider, lower dresser as a serving board in a dining room, and a higher, slim one for additional linen storage in a hallway. (What a perfect way to create storage with style!)
Moving the Dresser
While on the hunt, look for sturdy dressers with good lines. "Plain painted surfaces and unfinished wood are the easiest to work with," advises stylist Christina Lane, who found this dresser on Route 20 on her way to the Madison-Bouckville Outdoor Antiques Show in central New York. Avoid wooden surfaces that are shiny from too much varnish or have a badly chipped veneer. Drawers should slide easily. As for missing hardware: "Adding new knobs is half the fun," says Christina.
Painted Dresser
Prep Tips for Painting
For a dresser finish that is beautiful and long lasting, clean its surfaces with mild soap and water, then let dry. Wipe drawers and sand with fine sandpaper, working with the grain. Sand it, too, to minimize the appearance of indentations from hardware, then dust thoroughly. For the most durable surface, use a primer followed by a satin-finish paint. (Note: High gloss can accentuate flaws.) Work outdoors to avoid fumes. Latex primer and paint may scratch, but are fine if the dresser will be used only occasionally.
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