Emerald green dresser makeover –
painted furniture idea that you can do yourself!
Always my color of the year, emerald green. I decided to pair it with dark walnut.
Steps for makeover:
- Strip and sand the top of the dresser. I use Citristrip – for removing paint and varnish.
- Putty knife
- Old t-shirts or bags of rags.
- I also used an old toothbrush for the corners.
- Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Apply a general amount of Citristrip on the area that you want to remove paint and varnish. You will notice the striper starting to work. Use a scraper to remove the paint. Use the t-shirts to wipe off excess. When all the paint and varnish are removed, clean the piece well with warm water. When is the piece is completely dry, use a dry cloth to or paint brush to apply the stain, follow directions on the can. For the base of this dresser, I used Annie Sloan Florence and dark wax. I applied two coats of the Chalk Paint and lightly sanded for a distressed look. To finish, I applied dark wax after the wax dried, I buffed the painted area with a clean t-shirt.
She was in rough shape when I found her. Old, dirty and 3 layers deep.
She loved that she’d be sporting the color of the year and the dark walnut stain.. She reminded me of Florida’s emerald coast.
One of the prettiest places in the world 🙂
If you’re out and you find a piece like this, grab it up! Create your own awesome emerald green dresser makeover – painted furniture idea that you can do yourself.
Sharing: Savvy Southern Style
Kim says
July 7, 2017 at 7:08 pmDid you rub the dark walnut stain on it afterwards and then wipe it off? Also is the stain penetrating or wiping stain? Thanks.
Debbie says
September 1, 2017 at 8:22 pmHi Kim, I wiped the stain on after and yes it is a penetrating stain.
Jenni says
February 4, 2017 at 10:04 amI will be using your technique on a gossip bench that has been sitting in the corner of my living room. Thanks Debbie. Just love your posts and your site.
Jen says
January 19, 2017 at 2:28 pmI looked into the color you used provence and it’s a powder blue. Did you get the dark green due to the dark wood color and stain? I have a pine dresser i want to paint like yours. Can you please clarify the color of chalk paint you used?
Debbie says
January 19, 2017 at 5:24 pmOh my goodness, I am so sorry. The color is Annie Sloan Florence with dark wax. Thank you for catching that!!
Denise Barkel says
November 19, 2016 at 7:57 pmI just Love your Emerald Green dresser, it just show you that no matter how bed things look.
Diana S. says
February 14, 2016 at 3:22 pmWoman, I’m going to send you some Heirloom Traditions chalk based paint so you know there’s other good paints out there. Send me your address.
Whitney says
February 26, 2015 at 2:35 amWhere are the directions? Thank you!
Lindsay says
February 21, 2015 at 12:25 pmAmazing job! I’m wanting to do something like this to my dresser it really needs a makeover! On the drawers did you just swipe the stain over the emerald green? If not could you please share with me how you did it? I’m thinking of doing different colors than yours! If you could please give me any other advice I would greatly appreciate it. I completely understand if you don’t want to share any secrets you may have or anything. I don’t mean any disrespect or anything. I’m just looking for helpful hints. I’m in the process of starting my own crafty/restoring type of business. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated also. You do amazing work!!!! Thank you
Michele says
January 27, 2015 at 6:55 pmIs the name of your blog ever true to what you have done to this dresser! How beautiful!!
Heather J says
January 16, 2015 at 9:58 amThat is so beautiful, Debbie. Thank you for sharing….love the green….
Mrs Major Hoff says
September 12, 2014 at 9:02 pmAbsolutely devine! I love it so much. I shared your before pic on my page for the FB blogtalk group. It was too good not to share!
Sue at Blu says
June 26, 2014 at 8:58 amI love emerald. I’ve painted a few pieces and they are vibrant. Why didn’t I think of the walnut stain???? Gonna try this!
Debbie says
June 26, 2014 at 8:16 pmCan’t wait to see yours Sue!
Sara Yates says
April 21, 2014 at 7:29 amThis is beautiful. Did you use a paint for the emerald color or is it a stain? Do you sell your pieces? Would love to have this piece in my dining room!!!
Debbie says
April 21, 2014 at 8:02 amHi Sara,
This piece was sold at Two Women and a Warehouse in Savannah GA…I am no longer selling my pieces. It was painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Florence and waxed with dark wax. After adding the dark wax, the blue/green color resembled the color of the emerald water in Destin, therefor named the Emerald Green Dresser.
Thanks,
Debbie
Linda E. says
April 14, 2014 at 4:58 pmI’m showing this wonderful makeover to my partner. He always turns his nose up at furniture i bring home that looks like it should be trashed. I can always see potential where he cannot until he actually sees it transformed. What a great looking dresser! Thanks for sharing it.
AubreyJean says
February 17, 2014 at 1:22 pmIs the body of the dresser done with a Milk Paint and wax method?
Ashton Darling says
July 8, 2013 at 2:53 pmHello!!
First of all I absolutely loved it. I am in process of redoing my dresser for my bedroom. I was going for wood stain and yellow paint. if you don’t mind me asking how did you get the stain on the paint? I was thinking maybe you put on the stain one coat and paint the color over it or you paint it first and put a lightly coat of stain. I have been going over possibility of how that works?
Thank you!
A
susan says
April 15, 2019 at 10:25 pmYou should check out all the Facebook type chalk painting groups!
gwendolyn says
June 4, 2013 at 8:06 amWould it be possible to get the instructions and the color choice?
gloria says
April 10, 2013 at 3:16 pmGorgeous!!
Karen says
February 13, 2013 at 4:12 pmLove the colour. What company makes this one?
Debbie says
February 13, 2013 at 4:49 pmThanks Karen, I mixed a couple paints to get the color. It’s mostly Annie Sloan Florence.
Ricki Jill Treleaven says
February 7, 2013 at 5:09 pmWow, the emerald chest looks fantastic! Normally I like yellow greens, but I like the emerald you used to paint the dresser. It’s distressed the perfect amount, too! LOVE it!
Linda@Coastal Charm says
January 29, 2013 at 10:36 pmDebbie,
You did one beautiful job on this dresser…luv her new look!!
Blessings,
Linda
Kim@todayismysome-day says
January 26, 2013 at 9:56 pmOne of my favorite dressers! But I hadn’t seen the before… Wow! You saved this piece! Love it!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
January 24, 2013 at 10:17 pmBeautiful transformation! I love the wood with the green ….contrast, so nice.
Thanks for sharing this lovely piece!
Nancy
Karen says
January 24, 2013 at 1:09 pmThis is so gorgeous! I love this color with a dark walnut stain. Great work! I would live it if you can link up this weekend with me, I would love to share this! Thanks Debbie!
Shari @ Turnstyle Vogue says
January 24, 2013 at 12:53 pmYou do gorgeous work Debbie. My favorite thing to do with furniture is stain the top and paint the body and your choice of dark walnut was perfect. Love it!
Mary Lemon says
January 23, 2013 at 9:57 pmLove this beautiful dresser. Can you share what paint and color you used and if you used a wax or glaze? Also, I want to make a book page flower. Did you make that? Can you share how you did it or where you got it? Thx!
Heidi @ Decor & More says
January 23, 2013 at 9:09 pmYep, the Emerald Coast for sure! Love this piece, Debbie — what did you finish the top with?
xo Heidi
Vicky says
January 23, 2013 at 2:44 pmRefreshed and beachy too! Nice job Debbie.
Sandi ~ A Cottage Muse says
January 23, 2013 at 1:52 pmWow…what a beautiful piece!
Glad I stopped in!
Atta Girl Amy says
January 23, 2013 at 1:29 pmSimply stunning. I love the emerald green. It’s a color I want to work more with. It looks fab with the walnut stain and dark wax.
Vicki says
January 23, 2013 at 11:48 amBeautiful job!! I love the color! I’d definitely buy her! I haven’t been to your blog in awhile and absolutely LOVE the re-design. I’ve been home sick and have been able to catch up with my fav bloggers. Hope your household is staying well. 🙂
Teresa says
January 23, 2013 at 10:05 amShe reminds me an old lady who needs, absoluteky needs, lipstick and her best hat to go buy the bread.
Lovely! And the color oh so Happy. Well done!
Tammy says
January 23, 2013 at 9:51 amI hear this is the new and upcoming color for 2013… You did a beautiful job on this.
Deb @Lake Girl Paints says
January 23, 2013 at 9:24 amSo beautiful. You are always so forward thinking..I love your emerald green
Deb
Bliss says
January 23, 2013 at 9:11 amI have concluded that the furniture redo’s that I really love are the ones with the wood tops stained. Beautiful, and styling in her color of the year.
Pinning that stunner.
Bliss
debbiedoos says
January 23, 2013 at 8:29 amThat is a gorgeous color Debbie. Your the first I see use it. Pretty, pretty!
Patricia Krank @ OldThingsNew says
January 22, 2013 at 11:44 pmOh Debbie . . . that color caught my attention right away. It is one of my favorite colors to wear and it is divine in this piece of furniture. Thank you so much for sharing. Patti@OldThingsNew
Laura ~ Our Prairie Home says
January 22, 2013 at 9:36 pmOh my gosh, Debbie!!!!! That is beyond GORGEOUS! I love that color!!!! Fantastic re-no, lady! Absolutely beautiful!!!!!!
Lori says
January 22, 2013 at 9:02 pmShe is beautiful Debbie!! I love that shade of emerald!! I love it paired with that dark stain!! Fabulous work my dear!! ~ lori
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says
January 22, 2013 at 8:41 pmLove it! I so wish I had room for all of your fabulous creations in my home…I would buy them all!
Christy C says
January 22, 2013 at 8:30 pmAdore! Adore! Adore! I love what you’ve done to this chest….accolades from Florida’s Treasure Coast. Do you ever do tutorials?
Pam @ Simple Details says
January 22, 2013 at 8:27 pmIt’s gorgeous with the walnut top! I shared an emerald dresser today, too ~ looks like it’s going to be a popular choice! 🙂
Tonya @ Love of Family & Home says
January 22, 2013 at 7:58 pmSO PRETTY!!! You did a spectacular job Debbie!! Love the green paired with the dark stain! GORGEOUS!
Deb Owen says
January 22, 2013 at 7:57 pmShe’s gorgeous! Love that color a lot. Also love your book page flower.
Gail says
January 22, 2013 at 6:43 pmWhat a beautiful transformation Debbie! I love the emerald green with the dark walnut stained top.
cassie says
January 22, 2013 at 7:04 pmah, she is so pretty! and i suddenly feel the need to speak of the lass with an irish accend, i do. 🙂
Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says
January 22, 2013 at 6:44 pmDebbie, you truly do stunning work!! It’s such a pretty shade, almost a deep, turquoise green. Bee-you-tee-full 🙂
Debra@CommonGround says
January 22, 2013 at 6:33 pmwhat an amazing transformation, I would never have believed that it was the same dresser! love the great color!