Well this MCM dresser turned Faux Bleached Wood with a Southwestern flair is certainly out of my wheelhouse but I loved every minute of working on it!
This piece is created for a young lady that I've known almost her entire life....and she is now expecting a baby boy!
This piece will be the dresser/changing station in his room.
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Before: MCM Hollywood Regency China Hutch
Originally this piece was a MCM Hollywood Regency styled china hutch that she found on Facebook Marketplace.
Her husband removed the hutch and discovered it had no existing top.
So they asked a friend of theirs to make a custom top. Which he did. However, he used MDF, which meant I wasn't able to strip the whole piece as planned as it would never match up with the body.
So paint was now my option.....or in this case.....a water based gel stain as a wash!
Supplies Used: Southwestern Dresser Makeover
Water Soluble Pencil
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Custom Southwestern Dresser for Baby Nursery
Prepping Dresser for Paint
I first removed all the original hardware with plans to replace it....so I used Dixie Belle Mud to fill the holes.
I allowed this to dry overnight and then sanded it back smooth.
Au Natural Gel Stain for Faux Bleached Wood Look
I recently saw another creator, Leah Kendrick Designs, use Au Natural as a wash on a raw antique buffet.....so I decided to try it over this factory finish! I simply de-glossed the piece using White Lightning.....rinsed and dried well....and got busy!
I worked in small sections using a spray bottle, a bowl with slightly watered down Au Natural Voo Doo Gel Stain and a premium chip brush.
I specifically chose this brush as I wanted the rough bristles to leave heavy brush marks to represent wood grain.
This was not really that easy.
I usually tell you things are easy but this really required an artistic eye...keeping the "wood grain" going in a specific direction and making sure to not allow those brush marks to travel over an area where I'd already got the brush marks just right. I believe if this were done on a flat surface it would be so much easier....but with this being multiple drawers and doors with trim and insets.....I had to really focus and take my time.
I repeated this process over the entire body until I had completed it all (not including the mdf top surface). I am in awe of how much it looks like bleached wood or driftwood!
It toned down the original wood color drastically and only required a single coat!
Planning and Painting Southwestern Design
I chose several inspiration photos from a Google search to work up a southwestern design for the drawer and door fronts.
Using a beaded bracelet design that looked like a feather....I drew out and painted four southwestern arrow/feathers on the door fronts.
These were REALLY easy and a lot of fun to paint!
Now...for the Center Feature Southwestern Art Design!
I painted the entire center recessed drawers in Drop Cloth as a backdrop.
Using a ruler and my water soluble pencil I began to draw out my crosshair grid.
I then used 1" measurements and marked all the way around the perimeter of the recessed section.
Using my Google searched photos as inspiration.....I created my own design. The design sort of grew as I went along.
It started out very simple and I just kept adding to it.
Once I thought I was finished.....I still decided to go back in and add the little stair step edges to some of the angles....just like I had done on the feathers.
I did all of this freehand...and I know for certain if I ever do another design such as this.....I will use tape!
It was totally worth it though.....I LOVE the design!
Faux Wood Grain Dresser Top Finish
I waited to paint the top surface .....as I just wasn't sure which color direction I would go.
I opted to keep it light and not to worry about matching it perfectly.
I just stuck with the same paint color palette......knowing it would be slightly different as the body since I wasn't working over the color of the real original finish.
So I painted the top surface with a single coat of Pine Cone and allowed it to dry.
I then laid down a row of watered down Voo Doo Au Natural gel stain.....and pulled through it using my wood graining tool.
This little tool is magic and I love it more every time I use it! I can honestly say I am never disappointed with the outcome! It has delivered 10/10!
I LOVE this natural looking neutral top!
I think it is the perfect compliment to the body!
I had contemplated adding a bit of black to the faux wood look on top.....and I'm so glad I chose not to!
Finishing Details: Sealing & Adding Hardware
I loved the flat natural look of raw bleached wood on the body so I chose to seal this with best dang wax in clear......which was so easy to brush on.....and buff back. It dries with a flat sheen and gives the softest feel!
The top of the dresser is protected with two coats of Gator Hide for changing table durability.
Matt drilled new holes and replaced the hardware for me.
I chose very simple and sleek black handles in hope of them sort of vanishing into the southwestern painted design....and I think they do just that!
I could have never made that happen with the original hardware.
The Finished Look: Custom Southwestern Dresser Makeover for Baby Nursery
I really did enjoy this project....even though it took much longer to complete than expected!
I highly doubt I'll do another southwest design on furniture again for awhile!
I cannot wait to see this dresser in the baby nursery!
I just know its going to be perfect!!!
More Inspiration: Faux Wood Grain Projects
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
More Inspiration:
I pulled a few blogs from past projects that came to mind when working on this piece! I hope you can use them to draw inspiration for your upcoming project. Here are the additional designs for your inspiration:
Urban Grunge Dresser - another unique custom nursery design
Bohemian Color Blend Dresser - easy basic color blend tutorial
Red Whimisical Dresser - bold, bright with a touch of whimsy
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
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