DIY Dresser Makeover With Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Hey y'all! So, life has been busy. My last 'bump date' was at 19 weeks and here I am now at 38 1/2 weeks! 

37 weeks.

We haven't been as rushed to get this baby's nursery done, I guess because we now know that the baby won't be in there right away anyway. BUT, it would be nice to have everything done when she gets here, just less to worry about. EITHER WAY, I am so excited to share my first ever furniture make over. I have never painted furniture, taken drawers off of anything, or used chalk paint before. So this was all new to me, but super easy. I looked and looked for something I wanted but couldn't find anything, which led me to this DIY makeover.

Here is what I started with.

 Nothing too fabulous, right?

So I went out in search of the perfect colors of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and ended up using Paris Grey, as well as the clear and dark waxes.

 I'm not sure how necessary it is to use the Annie Sloan wax brushes. They're pretty pricey and I am sure there are other brands that work great, but this brush was excellent! I used a regular paint brush for the actual chalk paint.

The best part of this process was NOT having to strip the paint and sand. Yes!!

I was nervous, so I applied a quick swipe just to see if I liked the color.

Still wasn't too sure, as obviously one swipe isn't going to give you that great of an idea. So I started painting. Here is the dresser after one coat.

And the dresser after a second coat with the cabinet doors removed.

Ill be honest and say I was scared at this point because I wasn't too crazy about it, it seemed to 'matchy matchy' to the wall color and bland, but I did NOT want to go and spend money on a new color and have to repaint it again. It wasn't going to happen. But I still needed to apply the clear wax and distress with the dark. So there was still hope…

When applying the clear wax, it doesn't necessarily change the color, but enhances it.

The bottom drawer is with wax, top drawer is without. Obviously the paint isn't completely even, but thats kind of how I wanted it. I wasn't going for 'Pottery Barn perfect' as some people say. The purpose of chalk paint is to get that kind of vintage messy look. Not clean and crisp.

After I finished applying clear wax all over, I let it sit for a few days. Some people will tell you to do this, some people will tell you its better to use the dark wax while the clear is still wet. But this prego mama of a wild toddler needed a break. So a break I took.

Here is the finished product and I couldn't be more happy. I did use A LOT of dark wax to get the wood stained look on the top. Its used more for distressing (which I did that too) so its still not completely set in to the paint, even to this day (about 2 weeks later).

  

Excuse the fact that I still need 3 more knobs on the bottom drawers, they didn't have enough when I bought them. Also, I bought 4 wire baskets to store diapers and wipes, stuffed animals, and either head pieces or blankets. Not sure which I will put in there. So, stay tuned for a full nursery reveal! Although it may be a while.

Have a great day!

xoxo

Charity