Saturday, October 12, 2013

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?

 
Sharing the love at these great PARTIES: 
 
 

By Stephanie Lynn
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
We Call It Junkin







29 comments:

  1. It's gorgeous Suzie. I love love the dresser and you did a fantastic job.

    Have a fantastic week.

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  2. Suzie, I am thinking this Happy Camper is a happy camper... I love the transformation - so pretty. Green is not really a color I go for but, this is really pretty. Have a great week... Cathy

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  3. It's beautiful good job

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  4. Beautiful! Love the way the chalk paint gives it that matte finish.

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  5. What a wonderful transformation - love that color. You made that depressed dresser perk up and become a happy camper!

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  6. Oh I love that green color, such a gorgeous piece. I would love for you to link up to Inspire Me this afternoon. The party goes live at 2:30 PT. http://www.astrollthrulife.net Hope to see you there. Hugs, Marty

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  7. wowooo...what a transformation...I got some pieces you could do for me? LOL

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  8. Beautiful. I love the green with the wooden top.

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  9. I love it! Great color, and I love that you left the top stained wood. I hope you'll share this with my readers at my We Call It Olde Link-Up, a new party started this morning and goes til Saturday. Join us! -Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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  10. Your dresser turned out great love the color.
    Denise

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  11. Love the colour! I am in love with painted furniture lately.

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  12. I LOVE Happy Camper Green! I have been wanting to try making chalk paint and this is so inspiring! How wonderful it came out! Visiting you back from my blog and following you so I can see some more gorgeous projects!

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    1. Thank you so much!!! Making chalk paint is so easy!!! I hope you do try it...

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  13. I LOVE the dresser! The color is amazing! It is so happy - GREAT JOB!!

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  14. Perfect dresser, it has great bones. I love the green, bold choice. Looks great!

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  15. Love the color! I keep seeing all these green pieces and it's really making me want to do one now!! Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase! I'm gonna pin this to our talent board!

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  16. Stopping by from Redoux Interiors. Beautiful transformation!

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  17. visiting youi from Redoux. This is amazing. I would not have bought it home as I could not have envisioned it fixed up. Wow I am impressed

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  18. Wonderful Job Suzie! Love the color! I haven't tried mixing my own chalk paint yet, great solution to finding the perfect color you want,plus saving a nice chunk of change in the process. I will have to try mixing up a batch of my own!

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  19. I just wanted to come back over and say thank you so much for sharing this at my We Call It Olde Link-Up. Another party starts on Tuesday, hope to see you there again. Take care - Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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  20. nice love the color, i have 2 try the chalk paint. i painted sm table today i just spray painted it looks great thank you aloha from volcano hawaii

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  21. Oh my, this dresser makes me a happy camper! lol! Love the color and you did a great job. I too love chalk paint both homemade and Annie Sloan. Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  22. Cute, cute cute! I am loving the green. Thanks for linking up to Tickled Pink Times Two!!

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  23. Hi Susie, just hopping back to let you know that I will be featuring you at Share Your Cup this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  24. You did an amazing job on this! We will be featuring this on Craft Frenzy Friday at www.craftdictator.com tonight at 7PM central!! Thanks for linking up with us!

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  25. I love this dresser, the color is so fun and the top came out gorgeous. Thank you for sharing at Redoux!

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