Project: Whitewash Dresser & Mirror
Whitewash Dresser & Mirror
Finish: Whitewash / Dry Brush | Pieces: Large dresser with attached mirror | Source: Thrift / Estate Sale
Before
A large, heavy espresso-stained dresser and mirror with reeded drawer fronts and curved base — solid and well-built, but dark and dated. The kind of piece most people walk right past at an estate sale.
The Process
Using a dry brush technique with chalk-style paint in a creamy white, the paint was worked into the grain of the wood in thin, directional strokes — allowing the dark undertones to show through for a naturally aged, weathered look. The reeded drawer fronts and carved details were left slightly more exposed to highlight the texture. Hardware was kept original to preserve the piece’s character.
Pro Tip: For a true whitewash effect, load your brush lightly and work quickly in long strokes following the wood grain. The less paint on the brush, the more authentic the finish.
After
A completely transformed coastal farmhouse dresser that looks like it belongs in a high-end beach cottage. The whitewash finish brightens the piece while the original wood grain and texture shine through — giving it that perfectly imperfect, lived-in charm.
What We Used
- Chalk-Style Paint — White / Cream
- Finishing Wax or Sealer
- Chalk Paint Brush (dry brush technique)
Shop the products used in this project →
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