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    Home » Blog

    $15 Dresser Makeover With DIY Chalk Paint

    by Jennifer Fancher 3 Comments Published: 10/17/20 Updated: 12/21/21 This post may contain affiliate links.

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    We were gifted this dresser that had seen better days. This is how we made this $15 dresser makeover with DIY chalk Paint.

    We were gifted this dresser that had seen better days. This is how we made this $15 dresser makeover with DIY chalk Paint.

    Stained, scuffed and scratched.

    This sad and forlorn dresser had seen better days, lemme tell ya.

    As usual, this piece comes with a story.

    About 2 years ago, I purchased this armchair from the Facebook Marketplace.

    When I found a chair for $35 on a buy/sell/trade site, I knew I could flip the chair into something perfect for my home. Here's an easy DIY reupholstered chair and ottoman that took just a few days to complete.

    Click Here to see the before!

    The deal was if I purchased this chair to recover, then I must take a La-z-boy recliner and this dresser.

    That's right - this dresser was a big ole FREEBIE!

    It had seen better days and was desperately need of some grace.

    So here's how I updated this dresser for our guest bedroom.

    $15 Dresser Makeover with
    DIY Chalk Paint

    Supplies:

    Sanding Block - I used an orbital sander
    Stain Blocking Primer
    Base Coat Paint color of your choice
    Small Paint Sample tinted to the color of your choice
    Plaster of Paris
    Water
    Beeswax
    Antique Glaze

    I started by sanding the dresser down.

    You don't need to fully remove the finish, but enough to create 'teeth' for the paint to stick too.

    I used an orbital sander and I love to use it for speed, but it does remove more finish than is necessary.

    I noticed that one of the drawers needed repairing, so a quick glueing was needed to make this fix.

    Now here is where I made a mistake.

    I had this mistint of paint sitting in my cabinets that I am using for a base coat under the chalk paint.

    However, I quickly learned that the cherry wood was bleeding through.

    So I had to apply my primer to block the stains.

    Learn from me and just go ahead and prime the piece first.

    Once it was primed and covered with the base coat, I started to make the DIY Chalk Paint.

    Begin by mixing 1/3 cup of Plaster of Paris with 1/3 cup of water at room temp. Stir until it's completely combined.

    Then mix the plaster/water mixture with one cup of flat latex paint and stir thoroughly.

    Apply the paint with a paint brush - no need to sand or prime unless you use a base coat like I did.

    Here's a look at the finished piece.

    We were gifted this dresser that had seen better days. This is how we made this $15 dresser makeover with DIY chalk Paint.

    It's so much lighter and brighter than before.

    I did apply a wax mixture to the dresser.

    I took some beeswax and mixed it with some antique glaze and wiped it on with a soft rag.

    It added a soft depth to the piece and let those carved details stick out.

    I kept the original hardware and put them back on the piece.

    We were gifted this dresser that had seen better days. This is how we made this $15 dresser makeover with DIY chalk Paint.

    The drawer pulls were a bit rusty and had the perfect sheen I was hoping for.

    So I didn't change them a bit!

    We were gifted this dresser that had seen better days. This is how we made this $15 dresser makeover with DIY chalk Paint.

    I paired the dresser with a fun print above that I found at a thrift store a few weeks ago.

    It was such a pretty print of a shepherd boy tending his flock so I grabbed it as quick as I could!

    So were are almost ready to show off the guest room reveal.

    Life has thrown us a few curveballs this week, but we are excited to be sharing the reveal with you soon!

    Pin this for later!

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    Jen and Trent Fancher of Noting Grace

    Hi, We're Jen and Trent!

    We’re the DIYers behind the projects here at Noting Grace. We know that having the home of our dreams isn’t a reality for most of us, but you can create a home you love with a little bit of ingenuity.

    Our hope is to encourage, inspire and provide you with all the tools to help you create a home with intention that you love to live in.

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    31 shares