You may remember a month or so ago, after whining on here about not being able to find any affordable french provincial bedroom pieces in my area on Craigslist, I came upon this fantastic vintage Basset set for sale on Facebook.
A friend tipped me off when she saw it posted on a garage sale group, and I was able to get a fantastic deal on a 4 piece set: headboard and footboard with rails, dresser, and two nightstands. Structurally, everything was in excellent shape; these are some of the most solid pieces I have worked on!
Cosmetically though, that dark honey color was dating the set and the dresser and nightstands had some scratches on their tops. I wanted to give the tops a nice, new, darker stain while the bases would be updated with paint.
The tops sanded down very quickly and were so beautiful and smooth! There was a small stain on the dresser top, but with the darker stain it would easily be covered.
After applying the Minxwax pre-stain conditioner (remember, it’s essential!) I wiped on Minwax Dark Walnut. I generally use foam brushes for my staining, but this time I tried applying it with a rag. I think from now on that’s the way to go! It was easier to control the coverage of the stain and it dried much quicker as well.
The bases got a very quick coat of ASCP Old White. It didn’t need to be very smooth or thick, I wanted the pieces to be kind of rough. After the Old White, I painted on a coat of custom mixed Old White, Duck Egg, and a tiny bit of Provence, thinned out with a good bit of water.
The mix produced a very light blue color with a slight green tint, and the base coat of white peeked out from under the thin second coat. A coat of Plaster Paint paste wax (my favorite new wax, by the way) went over everything, with two coats going on each of the stained tops to finish the set off.
I apologize in advance for the poor lighting of these pictures . . . I was running out of time and daylight! But poorly lit pictures would be better than no pictures at all, right?
So here is the final product:
The tops of the dresser and nightstands really refinished beautifully. The dark walnut is so deep and rich.
Lightly sanding the edges revealed more of the Old White in places, adding some interest and depth.
And the nightstands . . .
The floral carved details really stand out now.
And another shot of those beautifully stained tops.
I took it all up to my booth space yesterday, it feels so great to have such a big project completed! Here is the whole set displayed:
The bed got the same treatment as the dresser and nightstands, but without the stain of course. I’m thrilled with how it turned out. I think I did my job–quality pieces destined for the thrift store have been updated and given a whole new style suitable for current decor. The whole set is now available for purchase, $850 for the 4 piece set, or each piece is also priced individually.
I hope you enjoyed the photos! Be sure to come check out the set if you’re local to DFW.
Linking up to:
Be Inspired, Wow us Wednesdays , What we Accomplished Wednesdays
All Things Thursday Blog Hop , Creative Inspirations, Catch a Glimpse Party,
Be Inspired @ Common Ground, Feathered Nest Friday, Furniture Feature Friday
Boy oh boy !!! I sure wish we lived closer so I could come and get this set Melanie 🙂 What a beautiful job !!!
Sheila
Thank you Sheila. Wish I had ruby slippers and could click my heels and send it to you 🙂
Beautiful!!! I have a small sample put of Duck egg I keep looking at, but have yet to find a worthy target. Have you ever painted a lamp with ASCP? Like an old brass lamp? I was thinking about it.
Hi Paige! I’m so glad you like the set. Yes, I have painted an old lamp with chalk paint. Part was wood, part was brass. The paint stuck great, although I would be sure to top it with a wax because on metal it will scratch off easily. You should definitely try it out though–chalk paint is water based, so if you don’t like it, just wet down a rag and it will wipe all off!
What a great job on this gorgeous set! I envy being able to do that….been wanting to paint with chalk paint myself but just too scared to try it.
Thank you AnnMarie! You should try it! It really is so easy, it’s almost foolproof. Find you a small little project and give it a go. You may get hooked though 🙂
So pretty! I love the layered effect! The entire set looks fabulous together!
Thank you Delia 🙂 I’m happy with how it came together.
Wow Melanie, what a great find – perfect pieces for a chalk paint makeover! I love how you stained the tops rather than painted them. Dark Walnut is one of my favorites with chalk paint. Stunning makeover!
Thank you Marie! I almost always try to re-stain a dresser top if I can salvage it. I think it grounds the piece and keeps it from looking to juvenile. I’m so glad you like the set, have a great weekend 🙂
Wow, these look absolutely amazing. I haven’t painted any furniture in a while and this has really made me want to go and hunt out some new bits to paint. xxx
Thank you Catherine. I go in spurts with my furniture painting . . . I have 5 more projects waiting for me out in my garage, after those are finished I’m going to take a break for awhile too!
You did a fantastic job!! Love the outcome. Absolutely gorgeous!!
Thank you so much Nilza. I’m so glad you like the set 🙂
Good luck with selling the bedroom set. I visited your area in the store last Saturday during the McKinney Art Festival. My husband was with me so I only had time to find your spot before we had to move on. Didn’t have time for lunch at the Pantry either–too many people.
Theresa you were so sweet to stop by and find my space! It was pretty sad last weekend, I had sold of of most of my bigger items and didn’t have much there. I hope you enjoyed your time on the square though. Maybe the Pantry another day 🙂
This set is gorgeous Melanie! I love the color and the light distressing you did. The tops look beautiful with the dark stain. Thank you for sharing at the party. Happy Easter! Blessings ~Deborah
Thank you Deborah!
This is beautiful! I sure hope the buyer takes the whole set. I’d hate for it to split up. It would make for a pretty bedroom.
Thanks 🙂 I hope someone takes it all too, I agree it would be nice to keep it together.
Very pretty! I love the dark stained tops! What a fabulous set.
Nancy
Thank you Nancy! The tops re-stained really well. It’s fun to make wood beautiful again!
Wow Melanie they turned out beautiful. Thank you for sharing at Fluster’s #CreativeMuster. I hope that you’ll come back and share with us again.
Hugs, Smiles & Blessings,
Robin @ Fluster Buster
Thanks Robin! I so appreciate you hosting the party.
Melanie, I wanted to let you know I will be featuring this at my What We Accomplished Wednesday party tonight.
Blessings, Deborah
Thank you so much Deborah! I’ll go check it out now 🙂
I love it! It is gorgeous and I love how those beautiful drawer pulls show up against the lighter color. Beautiful set!
Hi Rhonda! Thank so much. I’m so glad you like it 🙂
What gorgeous furniture. I love all the details. The soft green you chose is so pretty!!
Thank you so much Deana! I was really happy with how it turned out.
Did you use something over the walnut stain ? I tried the Minwax poly something or other…a stain and poly finish all in one…..I had a real nightmare with that product and wish I could have just burned the piece and walked away before it was over !!! lol. Maybe there is something to that conditioner stuff. I have never used it.
Karen, I just used the same Plaster Paint Co soft wax over the stain that I used on the rest of the piece. Two thing layers, good drying time, and some buffing and I think it works great. I did a piece awhile back with the same poly/stain mix and it was a pain. I have not had good luck with poly. It always seems to bubble and chip on me. From what I have read, after some good curing time the soft wax will provide just as good a topcoat as a poly.
I have been looking at all your pictures and clicked on them to see what you did with them and were you found them. Very interesting.
Watch for watering cans they are very popular and I am going to paint on some I have.
I will check back again later. JaNean
I absolutely LOVE THIS!!!!!!! I want to go to the thrift now and buy furniture to make over!!! LOL
Thank you Anna! I have another whole set in my garage waiting to be made over. Are you anywhere near N. Texas?
Did this beautiful suite find a forever home? I’m looking for that exact suite.
It did June! I’m sorry you! There are others out there though. I hope you find one soon 🙂
I just found your site and am loving it. Can you tell me what grit sandpaper to use for removing the old finish on the wood? I have inherited a table that needs some tlc. I want to refinish/stain the top. It has paint splatters and part of the finish is already gone. Thank you.
Thank you Christine! I usually start with about 100 grit then move up to a 150 and a 220 to finish sand it.