Little Girl Grows Up

Pamela Field
by Pamela Field
3 Materials
We've all seen these vintage white and gold bedroom sets so popular for little girls in the 60's and 70's. They have been popular to paint for chalk painters because of their French Provincial style that has made a comeback, and because they are fairly accessible. What if we took a different approach for a whole new look?
The back leg on this chest was broken off, but thankfully still with the chest when I brought it home. Looks to me like they had tried to repair it in the past, but had used a soft pine for support. Umm.. NO. That was destined to fail. You can see where the wood split or broke where the screws were installed. That should have been their 1st clue not to use that wood.
removed failed repair job
I glued and clamped the leg back onto the chest and left overnight to dry
Picked a piece of hard wood (in this case oak) and drilled holes so I could screw the wood into the leg for additional support. Holding strong now!
Mixed up some Durhams Water Putty and spread on the patched area. After it dried, I sanded it so it would have a smooth surface to paint.


Primed the whole chest to prepare for painting. I almost always replace the hardware since that is often what dates a piece so much. Filled the holes for the hardware while I was prepping.
I painted it with black with BM's Advance paint. I love this stuff!
I taped off the top drawer for pinstripes and painted a coat of black over the tape to help keep the paint from seeping under. I don't care what they say and no matter how much I try to seal it, paint seems to find a way under. I needed a crisp, white line when the tape was pulled off, so I use every precaution.
Here's those bright white lines I was looking for!
Now that I had my top drawer lines how I wanted them, I used it as a template for the other drawers. For me, it was easier to do that and to measure every drawer. (too much math makes my brain hurt! lol)


Here they are, ready for the black paint to seal, followed with white to stripe.
Trimmed between the drawers and the bottom with the white to tie the drawers into the body of the chest. I think it looks like circus pants for the guys on stilts. LOL
I used Mod Podge to decoupage the sides of the drawers for a fun pop of color.


Are you dizzy yet?
For me, different things inspire the design I choose. It could be a great piece itself, or maybe a fabric. In this case it was these great ring pulls I got from DLawlessHardware.com I love them, and they were perfect for this look.
Time to add those gorgeous pulls. I get so nervous at this point! I should have done it before painting since I knew what pulls I was going to use, but I didn't. I laid the chest on it's back with the drawers in it. Measured where I wanted the pulls. With a long board marked each drawer down the front of the chest with a pencil so it be in a straight line. Then I went back and marked again to center the drop on the individual drawer. Double checked. Held my breath and drilled the holes, praying it was right. This part always makes me crazy!


It worked! *deep sigh of relief*


Here she is, all grown up!
Even though she's all grown up, there will always be that little girl inside.
Suggested materials:
  • Benjaman Moore Advance in Black and White
  • Ring pulls   (DLawlessHardware.com)
  • Paper napkins
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  1 question
  • Heather McKinney Heather McKinney on Jun 03, 2016
    Does painting over the tape in the background color first really keep the pinstripes crisp? If so, you are brilliant.
Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 14 comments
Next