Shabby Chic; Volume III

littlesnuggy

*Newbie Alert*
Does anyone think it will be possible to turn these chests of drawers into something nice?




I'd love some white French furniture but a) OH won't let me spend £100s and b) given the room layout we're very limited on space - basically the only place for any drawers is along that wall under the window, and the shutters need to be able to open over it; as they're 75cm off the ground, it limits things slightly!

These drawers originally came from Freecycle (are very solidly made) when I was a student and miraculously they now fit in my spare room under the window.... but I hate them! The rest of the room is lovely (Georgian flat with high ceilings, built in wardrobes/cupboards etc) and these just stick out.

Any suggestions? If I just paint them white I think they'll still look ugly. There is a glass plate for the top of them somewhere, so maybe I could put some fabric/paper on the top then lay the glass over that? And any opinions about sticking mouldings on then painting - or as they're so boxy would this look obvious & naff?

I've never done anything like this though, so pointers, tips, suggestions, 'look at this similar transformation' s are all very welcome! Maybe this could be a bank holiday project...

emma_kate

Archer,
your best bet is to go here; http://traditionalpainter.com/
Andy Crichton is the guru of pine and knows his stuff better than any.
You can ask him questions.
I don't know whether dipping will remove wax. Actually I seem to remember him talking about Krudcutter and elbow grease but the answers will lie in this site!

Also I found my recipe and it was just 2 parts matt emulsion paint to one part plaster of paris. Easy.

little snuggy, what about this;
http://go.tipjunkie.com/dc/1986/lindauerdesigns.com/how-to-create-your-own-nyc-subway-furniture-design/
It's something that suits plain pieces. Make sure they're not some danish collectable thing worth a fortune though! People love that stuff. Perhaps you could sell them on ebay to fund something more traditional? I think the most important thing to bear in mind with painting your furniture, is that shape is everything! If you don't like the shape that's not going to change with a lick of paint.

littlesnuggy

Thanks Emma, very funky, but wouldn't go in my house at all! This is the bedroom, sadly with the previous owners' furniture in that they wouldn't sell me, but the wallpaper etc is all still the same and we've kept the same style overall (just not quite as lavish!)



I'd love to be able to make it look something like this!

Are there enough embellishments I could add to detract from the boxiness and fact it has no handles?

I'm pretty sure I remember the Freecycler saying their grandfather had made it, so no not some exclusive Danish designer piece unfortunately!

emma_kate

In theory, you could add a chunky moulding with panel pins and glue and a mitre saw. Chunky enough to cover that finger hole handle, then it wont be seen when the drawer is closed. Like a chunky picture frame round the edges of the drawer...Then drill new central holes for new handles, I think I'd do two per drawer front.
Here's a link to a thingy I did on my blog when I tarted up my doors. It's the same principle. Most important is the caulk!
http://paintedstyle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/green-door.html

Most DIY stores have a huge supply of mouldings. You could also get a piece of thick mdf cut to size at the diy store to lay on top as a new top, slightly bigger so you have a few cm overhang. Slightly more traditional looking and breaking up the boxiness. Mdf is great for painting as it's so flat!

Also see this: don't be scared by the power mitre saw. I have a little manual one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6qiqpicRqc&list=FLDgH00N8nHeK7tW6cS0Hqsg&feature=mh_lolz

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

littlesnuggy wrote: »

*Newbie Alert*
Does anyone think it will be possible to turn these chests of drawers into something nice?

Mid Century stuff has a fanbase all of its own. You might be able to sell those, as they look rather good quality, even from those photos.

Then, if they are ebayed, the proceeds could go towards something you prefer?

littlesnuggy

emma_kate wrote: »

In theory, you could add a chunky moulding with panel pins and glue and a mitre saw. Chunky enough to cover that finger hole handle, then it wont be seen when the drawer is closed. Like a chunky picture frame round the edges of the drawer...Then drill new central holes for new handles, I think I'd do two per drawer front.

Thanks so much for your advice, this is the sort of thing I was visualising doing.

Having looked around on eBay a bit and seeing JoJo's comments, I'm now thinking of selling them to someone who'll like them as they are and trying to find something different for my room. They are very sturdy and well finished and I suppose they are nice wood. Unfotunately there are a few ring marks on the top - grrrr OH not using coasters, so I'd have to bear that in mind.

JoJo - what would you describe them as in an eBay listing to get the right people viewing them?
Thanks!

emma_kate

Make sure you have a decent start price or a reserve as you don't want them going for nothing!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Mid century, modern, vintage, chic, retro, 50s, 60s, 70s, Danish influenced, whatever the wood is (teak?), the brand if you know, that kind of thing.

emma_kate

I have to show you all this because I LOVE it!
She's used ASCP but 2 colours at the same time, I think stippled on, and it's stunning! (okay it was a gorgeous thing before...) I just love that she didn't just paint it one colour flat paint! I've done similar techniques on mirrors but never on furniture.
I can't wait to do this!
http://www.abitowhimsy.com/2012/08/fabulous-french-armoire.html

debtdawg

I have my first project It's a little dark wood table with a lift up lid, inside is separated into two compartments. I have some ASCP in original so I am going to paint it in that and line it with some wallpaper from Next and let my DD (6) use it for all her pretties and bits and bobs.
The baby is napping so I am off outside to wash it down Excited