Bought an antique dresser this weekend. Trying to figure out what chalk paint color to use. Any suggestions?

Question

Http://pintorella.com
 
****UPDATE**** She painted dresser. I just added a picture :)

Kim C · Answer

Great find, I think the color depends on where you're going to put it and what else is in there, AS Old White is one of my favorites.

Angie · Answer

I'm going to have to order some AS Old White!

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

You are going to have fun! I suggest leaving parts of your dresser stained and painting parts for a great look. This is my favorite look right now. Sometimes I leave the top stained, sometimes the frame and sometimes the drawers depending on the look I am going for. Feel free to view my hand-painted furniture at http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com or donna.allgaierlamberti@facebook for more visuals.

Cynthia · Answer

Can wait to see it when it's done.

Elaine Simmons · Answer

I put in a bid on a buffet exactly like the one pictured above but didn't get it. But I have my eye on a dresser that I think I will try. That is beautiful, Donna.

Angie · Answer

hi Donna yes was thinking of doing a two tone this time!

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

Elaine, Thank you for your compliment. The Empire style dressers have been very popular of late. not sure why, but I think Miss Mustard Seeds has help to popularize them - that and the fact they have such deep and roomy drawers helps a lot too!

Shabby Paints · Answer

So Serene Green would be yummy :) Maybe accent with Vanilla Bear.

Accentuations! · Answer

maybe you could let us know where you are putting the dresser or more about that room? I like the white with a bit of duck egg blue...3 parts white/1part blue......it looks so soft and welcoming!

Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot · Answer

You don't have to order any, make your own! 2 parts latex paint to one part plaster of paris. Dissolve the PP in a separate cup with hot water, stir until creamy, add and stir to the other container with your paint. Add water if it's too thick. Works perfectly. This way you can choose your exact color. For that dresser all you need is a little sample pot ($2.50). the PP is $5 (You can do a ton of other colors with it). If you need any help, lemme know!! I just finished the buffet using my own paint mixtures. 
 Beth at 'Makemeprettyagain.blogspot.com

Elaine Simmons · Answer

Beth is right, there are several recipes on the net you can use. Two others that I know of are sodium carbonate in powder form and unsanded grout. People that have reviewed and tried all three say they like the Anne Sloane paint the best and the sodium carbonate recipe next but when you are trying it out for the first time, might be best to go with a recipe to see if you like it to save some bucks. CeCe Caldwell paint is another chalk paint and somewhat cheaper than Anne Sloane paint. Beth that dresser is gorgeous!

The Blue Heron Studio · Answer

You might want to try some of the new 'metallic' paint couture colors and glazes.
Visit www.theblueheronstudio.com to see more!

For a rustic, chippy look, Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paints would be nice!

The Blue Heron Studio · Answer

Some different effects with Glazes and Paint Accessories!
www.theblueheronstudio.com

Sooz · Answer

I have a waterfall highboy dresser that I am painting in an old whitechalk paint (plaster of paster) with two broad vertical stripes in perriwinkle in line with the knobs. then numbering the drawers in black down the middle. Good luck post when you are finished and I will too.

Tracie · Answer

Hi - I just did a ASCP workshop this past weekend.  The shop owner had this great dresser that she painted old white and did the drawers in an ombre with French Linen - started with the darkest at the bottom and progressively lighten the French linen color with the white on each drawer as it went up.  It was stunning.

Tracie · Answer

i.e. French Linen w/ 25% Old white, then FL with 50% OW and so on... hope that makes sense

Elaine Simmons · Answer

Tracie, was it a 3 drawer dresser?

Chipped and Charming · Answer

I sometimes like to do a bit of research and figure out what colors were popular when the piece was in use. But, most of the time I paint a piece on a whim and just choose a color I really love. I agree that you don't have to spend tons of money on paint. I usually make my own using Calcium Carbonate in powder form and mix it with my choice of FLAT latex paint. I buy it at my local health food store and it works great. What about keeping the top of your piece stained and paint only the bottom half in a soft muted color? Good luck and have fun!

Tracie · Answer

Elaine, No it was a 4 drawer, but the top drawer was white, the same as the body.  I think it would work with 1 3 drawer dresser as well

Angie · Answer

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll start working it this weekend.

Elaine Simmons · Answer

Thanks Tracie......will be several months before I can get at a dresser I bought since we are in the middle of moving and not sure it will work since mine is a large 4 drawer chest, not the empire type. But it has pretty hardware and I think it is solid wood.

Tracie · Answer

I have tried the 'chalk paint' home made recipes as well - they work well as far as the ease of painting, (i.e. no sanding/priming, etc) and have that matte finish - but they are still Latex paint. the beauty of genuine chalk paint, is that it is NOT latex and has no VOC. It works very well for people that have health issues as well as pregnant women. It is a bit pricey, but factor in that you don't spend time sanding or cost of primer and it goes a lot further than latex paint for the same amount, it's not quite as costly. There a lot of other advantages to it as well, but I'll leave that for all y'all to discover

Elaine Simmons · Answer

Tracie, if it is not latex paint, can you tell us what it is? I am curious!

Shabby Paints · Answer

Shabby Paints 29.99 a Quart..fyi :)

Tracie · Answer

Hi Elaine, are you talking about the Annie Sloan chalk paint? I don't know exactly what it is but you could go to their website, www.anniesloanunfolded.com, which is the website for the U.S. It should have more information for you there. I am not a distributor or anything, I just really like the way the paint works. One evening I sat in my f/r painting a hugh frame for my sewing studio. No sanding, priming, drips. No muss no fuss.

Tracie · Answer

Shabby Paints - Actually it's a bit more. More like $34.99 or so. Depend on where you buy it. As I said before, it is pricey but the results are what I am looking for and you don't use nearly as much paint as regular paint. Also there are a few more chalk paints out there, but I haven't used them and don't know anything about them.

Angie · Answer

I like to use Annie Sloan Chalk paint or Cece Caldwell paint (clay and chalk). These paints have a great texture. I also just started using Milk Paint - LOVE!!!!!

Tracie · Answer

so Angie, have you painted your antique dresser? What color did you decide on?

Angie · Answer

Hi Tracie - yes! I painted the dresser :) Painted the dresser using Miss Mustard Seeds's Milk Paint in French Enamel. I love the way it turned out. This was my first time using milk paint and I'm in love :)

Rachelle Morris · Answer

that is beautiful! I have a couple questions. I have read, 'no sanding' does that mean on any kind of finish of furniture? (Sorry if a dumb question, just very new to all this.) and my other question, specifically about your dresser, how did you paint the white details (branch) on there? By hand or a stencil? I want to do something like that on a few things and was thinking free hand, it at hold take a while... Thanks for your help!

Bought an antique dresser this weekend. Trying to figure out what chalk paint color to use. Any suggestions?

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Bought an antique dresser this weekend. Trying to figure out what chalk paint color to use. Any suggestions?

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