Isla Dresser

I’m in love with this one….

Isla Dresser (After)

and I’m so very sad that I can’t keep her.  We have no room in the house to fit this large double dresser, but I wish we did!

She sort of reminds me of a clam shell that has been tossed about by the sea.

This is how I met Isla.  She had been well loved and well used and really needed a lick or two of paint.

Isla Henredon Dresser (Before)

A close up of the leg:

She had great bones and great hardware and really great curves.  The Henredon double dresser is probably from the 1940s with dovetail drawers and mahogany wood.

I first sanded the top and stained it with Minwax stain in Jacobean.  It is a dark brown black stain and I love it.  It is so rich and luxurious.

Jacobean stained top sealed with MMS Milk Paint Wax

I knew I really wanted that chippy look.  I know some don’t like this look, but I LOVE it.  I decided on Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Ironstone.  I buy my MMS Milk Paint and wax from my good friend, Nancy, at the Sea Rose Cottage:

MMS Milk Paint in Ironstone

I ended up doing three coats on the whole piece and waited patiently to see if the paint would chip and flake.  I was so excited when I saw it pulling away and crackling in places.

Milk paint self distressing

I finished distressing it and I’m so happy with how it came out.  Look at that chippy, flakey goodness.

I love how the milk paint gives the appearace it has been flaking over time, that it has a history.  I also love how the hardware really stands out against the chippy white paint:

Original hardware

A view from the side:

Isla Dresser (After)

And the other side:

Isla Dresser (After)

It is going to be so hard to part with this one (sigh)!  Any local friends, let me know if you’re interested in brining Isla home!

Isla Dresser (After)

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