Project: Victorian Dresser — Pop-Art Statue of Liberty
Victorian Dresser — Pop-Art Statue of Liberty
Finish: Gray Chalk-Style Paint | Technique: Faux wood grain rocker + decoupage | Pieces: Victorian dresser with tilting mirror | Hardware: Original brass pulls replaced with new hardware | Source: Thrift / Estate Sale
Before
A stunning Victorian dresser with an ornate carved shell crest, serpentine drawer fronts, and a tilting mirror — solid mahogany with original brass bail pulls. Beautiful bones, but in need of a bold new story.
Before — original mahogany finish |
Deconstructed — drawers removed for painting |
The Process
The entire dresser frame and mirror were painted in a gray chalk-style paint as the base coat. The top surface was then treated with a faux wood grain rocker technique — a graining tool pulled through wet chalk-style paint to create a dramatic, textured wood grain effect that adds incredible depth and dimension to the piece.
Once the frame was complete, a bold pop-art Statue of Liberty decoupage sheet was applied across the drawer fronts, spanning the full width of the dresser for maximum visual impact. The original brass bail pulls were replaced with new hardware to complement the finished look. The mirror frame was painted to match and reattached to complete the set.
Pro Tip: When using a wood grain rocker, work in one continuous pull from top to bottom and rock the tool slowly as you drag — the rocking motion creates the knot pattern. Practice on cardboard first to get the rhythm before applying to your piece.
Faux wood grain rocker technique on the top |
Frame painted, faux grain applied, drawers out |
After
The result is a one-of-a-kind statement piece — a Victorian dresser reimagined as a pop-art canvas. The bold Statue of Liberty graphic spans the full width of the drawer fronts, framed by the faux wood grain texture and the carved Victorian silhouette above. There is nothing else like it.
Statue of Liberty decoupage across drawer fronts |
Finished piece with mirror reattached |
What We Used
- Chalk-Style Paint — Gray
- Wood Grain Rocker Tool
- Decoupage Sheet — Pop-Art Statue of Liberty
- Decoupage Medium / Sealer
- Chalk Paint Brush
- Finishing Wax or Sealer
- Replacement Hardware
Shop the products used in this project →
Ready to Make Your Own Statement Piece?
Chalk-style paint, a grain rocker, and a bold decoupage sheet are all you need to turn any thrift store find into a conversation-starting work of art.