The Happy Camper Dresser Makeover

 



I've been wanting to paint a piece of furniture green for some time, but haven't really been inspired with the right piece. 

That was.....until I found this antique dresser last weekend.  I went to Home Depot to check out the selection of green paint and fell in love with Behr's "Happy Camper" green....

This is what it looked like when I found it.  I was feeling like a pretty lucky girl.  I love the lines and all the original hardware was gorgeous.  The drawers all worked well and there was nothing wrong with it...other than that awful dark stain and the top was going to require a really good sanding.
 
I mixed up homemade chalk paint using the following recipe:

1 part Plaster of Paris

1 part water
3 parts paint

 

Here it is after sanding the top down, applying one coat of stain and one coat of chalk paint.  

I used English Chestnut wood stain by Minwax and simply dipped a rag into the stain and rubbed it on the top and around the edge - and then immediately wiped it off. 

I ended up using two coats of the stain followed by two coats of lacquer rolled on with a foam brush.  Looking at it now, I think I could have even gone a shade or two darker on the edges.

 

It took three coats of the paint to get complete coverage and when all was said and done that amounted to an 8 oz. sample pot for the entire thing.  I love how far the chalk paint goes!

I lightly distressed the edges and applied a coat of Minwax clear wax paste over the entire paint job. 

 

  The condition of the original hardware and the patina was excellent, so I was able to put it all back on with minimal cleaning. 

 

 I love how it turned out!

 

What do you think of this "Happy Camper" now?

 

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