100 Year Old Antique *Princess* Chest of Drawers

(If you're looking for this weeks' Project Diaries, it is here.)

When I saw this chest of drawers on CL I couldn't get in my car fast enough. 

I knew I could do something really fun with it!

 

The nice gentleman with the European accent I bought it from told me its' history:

it belonged to his Grandparents, who brought it over from Europe 95+ years ago.

The varnish was peeling away, so I had to decide whether or not to refinish it, or paint it. 

I thought about refinishing it, but if you've been with me a while, you know I no longer strip

(It wasn't a fit for me.)

I sanded the wrinkling varnish for a couple of hours, and decided to paint.

Here is the before, which doesn't show the awful varnish chipping away:

 

And now: 

I always like to keep something inherent to the original piece, especially the tops.

This was refinished in Dark Walnut.

Paint colors:

Ben Moore Bone

Ben Moore Just Peachy

Liquid silver leafing medium applied with a tiny brush

Valspar Asphaltum antiquing medium, mixed with more translucent glaze

Topcoat: Zinsser water-based poly in semi gloss

 I wanted it to look like it was painted 100 years ago, and has aged over time.
This is the truest picture of the color scheme:

I think it is perfect for a little Princess or any fanciful girls' bedroom don't you?

This was by far the funnest piece I've worked on. 

xoxo,

Christa

Linking to: