This week I did something I’ve been too scared to try for decades.
I PAINTED a piece of furniture!
Please take a moment to appreciate how monumental this is for the girl who only just bought her first house at the age of 40. A lifelong renter, I’ve never felt roots deep enough to take risks on the places I’ve lived.
But we’re moving into our new house in a week.
And while that means I should probably start packing, it also means I’ve suddenly been struck by the desire to channel my inner Nester.
I’m not sure why the idea of painting a wall or a piece of furniture seems so intimidating to me. But it just does. I have a long history of home insecurity. (Please tell me in the comments below if you can relate.)
But we have this old dresser that my husband got in the fifth grade. It’s very pine and very dated now and very bumped and bruised. And I’ve thought about getting rid of it during this move.
I mean, look at how sad the poor thing is. (And yes, it doesn’t help that it’s become a catch all for ALL THE JUNK IN THE ENTIRE WORLD while we wait to move).
But knowing Nester over the years has taught me not to be afraid of my house. It’s taught me that my furniture is not the boss of me.
And that when it comes to taking risks, painting something that’s old and a bit beat up and that you really don’t like anyway, is hardly a risk at all.
SO I DID IT.
I painted the thing!
And you guys, CAN YOU EVEN??? (It’s ridiculous how proud I am of myself).
I got so excited at what I had pulled off that I shared it with all my friends and they said I should share it with you guys too. So while I will never claim to be any kind of design or home blogger, I figured, maybe there are other furniture painting newbies out there who might appreciate the encouragement.
Because if I can do it, believe me ANYONE can do it too!
I started with this old blog post of Nester’s. She made painting her pine bureau sound so simple. I figured I’d just basically copy exactly what she did. (Yes, I am totally a Nester stalker. Ain’t no shame).
So I went to Home Depot. Alone. You should know this is a big deal for me. I find Home Depot totally intimidating. I may even have written about it in my book. Anyway, I walked in with a screen shot of Nester’s paint and the exact paint formula she used and LIKE MAGIC they easily whipped it up for me. (You’re welcome to do the same with my photo below. Newbies gotta stick together. And no, Behr Paint has no idea I’m about to brag on them like crazy).
I was nervous at first because it looked more green than blue. And I really wanted more of a eggshell blue.
But Nester said it might seem that way at first, but to be patient and wait until you’d painted the whole piece.
Side note: I did not need a whole gallon. But what can I say, I’m a newbie. I’m learning as I go.
So while at Home Depot I also (bravely) bought the cheapest 4 inch paint roller they had. I found a combo paint roller/paint pan (I have no idea what the technical names are) and snagged that.
I also bought the cheapest paintbrush and then also ended up using one of Zoe’s brushes when I needed something smaller.
Finally I got the second cheapest drop cloth (because I really, really wanted to be sure I didn’t stain the floor in this rental that we are moving out of in a week).
And an 87 cent Phillips Head screwdriver, since apparently Pete already moved all our tools to the new house.
I also picked out some pretty new hardware for the drawers – make sure you measure your old ones to get the right length.
And then it was time to crank up the music.
I barely sanded. It’s such an old piece of furniture that it didn’t have any real shine left to it. I only hit the spots where my kids had drawn on it, or left trails of dried modeling clay.
Pete unscrewed all the old hardware – it was easy.
We saved all the old screws and this was key because as it turns out the screws in the new hardware sets were all either too long or too short. So I just ended up re-using the original screws and it was perfect. I’m not sure why. Maybe because it’s such a dated piece?
I didn’t even move it – I just slipped the drop cloth under it in our dining room.
I put coasters under each leg to help absorb the worst drips before they hit the cloth – totally stole this idea from Nester. (Again, renter’s paranoia – can anyone relate?)
And then I just went to work – rolling paint across the top, sides and then painting the front with a paintbrush. It was ridiculous how much fun it was.
The best part is that this is a primer and paint in ONE. So no extra priming steps necessary.
While painting I listened to this album. On repeat.
I wasn’t paranoid about perfection.
I was focused on the fun.
The fun of making something old new again.
It took a few hours because I wasn’t in a rush and I was enjoying the process.
I wasn’t sure if it needed a second coat or not. So I texted Nester. Her response made me laugh out loud because of course THERE ARE NO PAINT POLICE.
“Paint it till you like it.”
Isn’t that just the best advice?
Sand it till you like it. Pick the color till you like it. Paint it till you like it. Move it till you like it.
Yes! Our homes should be safe places. Why do we allow them to boss us around? No ma’am. Make like Nester and just move it, paint it, redecorate it till you like it.
So I did. Two coats. And gorgeous new hardware that didn’t cost anything more than $3.98 each.
And I like it very, very much.
It’s so pretty I keep walking over to pet it and admire it from different angles in the room.
Let’s take another look at that before and after, eh?
Big fat happy, happy sigh.
You know it was a hit when my husband called while I’d stepped out because he was so impressed and had to tell me how much he loved it.
Yup, ultimate compliment.
My only regret is that I didn’t try this a decade ago.
It was easy-peasy as my kids would say. I was worried that reattaching the handles would be hard. It was not. My 87 cent screwdriver did the trick in mere seconds.
For real. Don’t let your house be the boss of you.
Go ahead this weekend – and try that thing you’ve been wanting to do for years.
You might surprise yourself – I know I did.
I’ve been inspired by “The Nester” for years.
Her blog over here is one of the best spots for FREE advice for your home. And she constantly reminds me that, “it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” And really, her blog pretty much covers everything you could ever want to know about home decor that’s easy and inexpensive.
But if you want to dig deeper – you can check out her online course – Cozy Minimalist. It’s not just about painting furniture, it’s about how to create the home you’ve always wanted. But it’s for those of us who have no idea where to start.
Click here if you’re like me – you want a pretty home, but you have no idea where to start.
Nope, this is not a sponsored post. I just adore Nester and am so grateful for all she’s taught me over the years.
Yup, I’m totally a Cozy Minimalist affiliate. Because obviously I need all the help I can get.
Awesome job Lisa-jo!! I did our bedroom furniture a few years ago and I love it! That color is amazing!
Thanks! It makes me crazy happy!
OMGoodness! How adorable! You are going to make me brave, WATCH OUT!
You can do it! I believe in us!
Look at you! A rockstar. Rock. Star. Look out old furniture! I did this. Once. And it’s still one of my favorite pieces of furniture in this house. :) Thanks for the inspiration to give it another go. I’m about to paint my kitchen wall a color I’m not too sure about, and hoping for the best. Paint and I have a pretty horrible relationship. Wish the Nester could just come here and help me figure that kind of thing out. :P Enjoy your new beauty and happy moving friend! :D Love you. mb
You can do it. I BELIEVE! :)
I’ve often thought I’d like to have a shop called, “Sow’s Ear” because while you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, you can still make something beautiful. There would definitely be a prominent place for your gorgeous bureau.
It looks AWESOME! I think I would paint most furniture in our house in pretty blue-green tones like that one if I could! I love the Nester so much too…reading her blog/book last year has given me the courage to try new things in my house and not be afraid to mess up things I didn’t even like in the first place. So glad to see you were brave and tried this and it turned out great!
Gorgeous!!!!! Makes me want to take a swipe at our 1966 kitchen cabinets. I know no one else is going to try it and they sure aren’t painting themselves. LOL
Great job! It is so beautiful :)
Beautiful!
Love this: “Yes! Our homes should be safe places. Why do we allow them to boss us around?”
Wow, that looks amazing! I wish I had a pine dresser to paint! I LOVE that color. I have been playing with painting my living room furniture, and now I feel inspired by this color. Once these thunderstorms here pass and the blue sky peeks out again, I think I’ll be a shoppin’ for paint and supplies!
Thanks for sharing your brave with us!
Blessings,
Selena
I’m not joking – that color changes my whole mood every time I see it!
SQUEEEEEEE! Lisa-Jo, it’s gorgeous! You *should* be ridiculously proud of you because that looks magnificent.
Now do you kinda want to repaint, like, EVERYTHING?! That totally first project totally sparked a passion for me!
Yes yes yes yes yes!!! :)
Oh my. It’s gorgeous. And it makes me want to paint something. I’m so intimidated by paint–it always seems so permanent for some reason. I am saving this post for future reference, and I need to re-read the Nester’s book. I fall into that trap of letting my home be the boss of me more than I’d care to admit. Thanks for sharing with us!
Yea I’ve been scared of my house for ages – and yet, look, no one died and I LOVE the dresser :) You can DO IT! Promise
Lisa-Jo….you are my hero! That looks amazing. Thanks for taking the risk and sharing the steps. Huge encouragement to those that might be letting their furniture (that they don’t love) be the boss. Paint on!
Thanks Beth – the encouragement is fun because blogging about decorating is almost as outside of my comfort zone as painting furniture! But I think this new house is going to inspire more like this :)
LISA-JO!!!! You go girl! That looks amazing! Way to embrace you inner hidden diy-er and give her a good shakin’! :)
Thanks – I feel so painting empowered :)
OK, I’m going to do it! Dining room table is first. I’m inspired!
whoot – get it! And if you google Nester’s blog she definitely has posts about painting her dining room table.
Oh my GOSH, that is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!!! I totally relate to this post, LJ. I am a furniture painting maniac. My kids make fun of me every time I haul a drop cloth and a piece of furniture onto the driveway, and I’m sure my neighbors think I have a problem. I think I’ve painted literally every piece of furniture in my house. Honestly I find it meditative – and it feels SO good to rest my brain yet also do something creative. Well-done, girl!
You know, I was actually thinking of you while I painted because I remembered the post you did about how relaxing you found painting in your driveway. At the time I didn’t really get it but now I 100% relate!
Funny how something that lifts the home also totally did a mega lift on your spirits… this is why I love posts like this! I’m busy painting old junky frames from my basement this weekend a lovely glossy black to make a gallery wall I once never thought was possible… so thankful for your inspiring post, Lisa-Jo, and for the Nester too!
Let’s make loving our homes a real thing!
Looks fantastic! I actually just painted a bookcase last week, after being inspired by the Nester! I love her blog. Painting the bookcase was the first thing I ever painted, and it was… freeing, exhilarating, addicting… made me want to paint everything in my house!
Amen to that!!
I have been balking at the idea of furniture painting, but thank you – I think you have convinced me! :-)
Wow! You did an amazing job. What a transformation! God bless you and your family in your new home! Now you will have the courage to paint rooms and whatever else you want. Btw, as an experienced “painter,” I agree that Behr’s paint is the best. I use it to paint our interior. In the past year, I have re-painted the dining room, living room, and most recently, our master bedroom. All colors matched to Benjamin Moore colors. And if you really want to have fun, get Home Depot’s Rustoleum paint/primer in one spray paint. The coverage is awesome, and you can make an ordinary piece a statement piece. Too bad I’m not a blogger, who gets paid for shouting out praises on their products, but it is the truth. Good luck with future projects!!
Thanks Sherri – will save this for future brave projects! :)
How smart! I love the new colour.
In the finished pics it looks like a gorgeous blue- did it look that way in person or was it still more green than you had anticipated? You did a fantastic job and totally inspired me!!
Thanks Krista! And yes in the finished version, with the dry paint and in the sunlight it’s definitely a light eggshell blue. However, it definitely has undertones of green in it.
Yes, totally intimidated since forever. You’re awesome!
Congrats on your first painted furniture project….it can be addictive! It looks beautiful, love the colour choice.
LOVE THIS! Don’t you just love the difference a coat of paint makes? Two years ago, I used a SW color called “Begonia” to paint a frame. I ended up loving it so much, and the color made me so happy, that I used it to paint other things in our home. It makes me happy every time I see that cheerful color. And then I painted our kitchen island a color very similar to what you used on your dresser, and it’s so soothing and calm.
I want to cry for you. Happy tears (umm pregnant tears, too). Congrats on your house and on your beautiful NEW dresser!
and a ‘you did good’ hubby call, on top! Nailed it, forsizzle!
You are inspiring (and funny)! I’m a Nester stalker myself and just enrolled in the Cozy Minimalist course after reading your post. I have numerous pieces of furniture that are waiting for me to transform them–I just need to do it already!
Your husband’s dresser is the perfect match for my husband’s desk (which I’m sitting at now) that he’s had since Elementary School. They sure made them well back then. I’m going to start painting and antiquing some of my furniture now. Some pieces are really dark and rather than sanding and stripping them, I will clean them well, then apply an antiquing glaze and once it’s dry, I’ll apply my color of choice. I love that process – the antiquing cracks are dark against the lighter shades of paint and just so pretty. Thanks for the “boot” to get me started.
I love your after! Good job just going for it! Thanks for the inspiration!
How did you get the scalloped bottom off and where did you get the rounded “feet”? Did your hubby take off that bottom apron or whatever you call it? Love the color and the hardware.
Hey Jeannie – there wasn’t actually any scalloped bottom and the original piece came with those rounded feet :)