French Provincial Dresser Makeover

I have said this before, but I will say it again, I love French design. I especially love the opulence of French Provincial furniture. So when I found this piece second hand I had to have it! All it needed was a little love and a new life.
 
Here is the before and after:

Skill Level: beginner to Intermediate 

​Made from mostly reused materials

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Materials

• Your piece of wood furniture
• Paint
• Sealer or wood finish (I went for an aerosol)
• Wood filler (if needed)
• Electric sander
• Hand sander pads
• Paint brushes
• Roller

• New hardware (optional)

 
How to Guide
 
Clean up and removal
 

• Empty and remove all the drawers.
• Remove all the hardware and store the parts in a safe place.

• Wipe clean – it will get dusty when you sand, but you will want to clean off any thing that is sticky or stuck-on before you begin sanding. 

Sands of time

• Use the electric sander on the large surfaces and the hand sander in the smaller surfaces and along the details. 

Wipe up

• When you are done sanding, wipe clean with a damp cloth so that the surface is smooth and dust free. 

Painting the nooks and crannies

• Using a paint brush, apply to the inner and outer edges of your piece (where the roller won’t fit).

• Make sure your strokes go with the grain.

Paint, paint, paint

• Use the roller for the larger areas. 

 
*Tip – many thin coats are better than fewer thick coats. Below shows 2 coats. I ended up doing about 4 thin coats, with some light sanding between them for a smooth finish. 

Seal it!

• Once you are happy with how your piece looks apply your finish as directed. This will keep your piece protected and easy to wipe down. 

Finishing touches

• Reattach or add your new hardware.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

• Tape up the edges along your mirror and cover using plastic bags.

​Sand it

• Using the hand sander, give it a light sanding.

Paint, paint, paint!

• Using a paint brush, apply 2-3 thin coats to the inner and outer edges.

• Make sure your strokes go with the grain.

Hang the mirror, fill the drawers and style it!