Remember the small gray table in my master bedroom reading nook?This french country chest below was also part of that Craigslist haul where Grunt Labor was counting the farm animals. It has turned out to be one of my absolute favorite pieces I’ve ever done.
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It started out like this:
For me, it was easy to see through those horrendous painted flowers and awful 1980s(?) yellow-y color to see the beautiful curves underneath. She is also solid wood, so it was a no-brainer that Grunt Labor would be loading it up in the truck for me.
I mixed up the same Benjamin Moore Trout Gray chalk paint recipe that I did for the table and covered the entire piece in it.
I really wanted this baby to pop, and I love the combination of white and gray for contrast, so I grabbed a sample pot of some white color I have (sorry I don’t know the name!) and made some more chalk paint. I painted the grooves along the legs white and the handles the same color. When it was all done, I gave it 3 coats of Minwax Polycrylic Spray.
No sanding for rustic-ness, I wanted pure, clean, contrast.
Isn’t she grand? Unfortunately, I can’t keep this beauty. There is no room for it at my house!
Want to see more DIY chalk painted pieces? Here you go…
DIY Numbered Chest – features a cool way to add detail to furniture pieces with numbers!
DIY Gray Chalk Paint Table – simple, but adorable!
French Country Dresser Makeover – two-toned love going on here!
Two Toned Rustic Dresser – with a DIY shelf that took the place of a missing drawer!
Audrey @ Neverending Decorating says
It turned out beautiful Jenna, I love it. Don’tcha just love what the power of paint can do. Amazing! I’m your newest reader and follower, would love for you to do the same. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by today!
Audrey @ neverendingdecorating.blogspot.com
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Audrey, thanks! I’m pretty happy with it! SO happy you are following along! Headed your way to do the same!
Pamela says
Great makeover Jenna! Paint certainly can bring pieces to life.
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Pamela, so true! Amazing what paint can do! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Decora Adora says
It turned out beautiful Jenna, I love it. And I love your blog
Angelica
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Angelica, thank you so much! I’m so glad you stopped by and like the blog! Makes my day!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks and thanks for your awesome link party!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Kate, I think the color is gorgeous too! So happy you dropped by!
Something Nice and Pretty says
Love how you outlined it in white and of course love the gray!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks! I’m lovin the colors as well! So happy you dropped by!
Pieced Pastimes says
Such a transformation! Love the gray combined with the white. So pretty!
Regards,
Suzanne
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Suzanne, thanks! I love the colors too! So glad you stopped by!
Biljana says
Great job Jenna, It is absolutely beautiful:-))
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Biljana, thanks so much! I love it, just wish I could keep it!
Angela @ Cottage Magpie says
It looks fantastic!! I love the clean fresh look. Very nice! ~Angela~
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Angela, thanks! I like the crispness of the colors as well! So happy you dropped by!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks! I LOVE the dark grey as well! So happy you dropped by!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Susan, thanks! I love the colors as well! So happy to have you as a follower! I’m headed your way!
Julie Fagundes says
Love it…just beautiful!!!!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Julie! I’m pretty happy with it!
Tonna @ USS Crafty says
Beautiful chest makeover! I love the color! Thanks for sharing @ Submarine Sunday!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Tonna, thanks! I love the color as well! Thanks for hosting your awesome link party!
Katie @decoratemylife says
Found you over at Sassy Little Lady blog! Thanks for sharing!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Katie, thanks for stopping by! I’m headed your way!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Lisa, thanks! I’m headed your way!
Lindsey Domer says
LOVE the charcoal gray. Gorgeous job!
Newest follower. Would love for you to follow back at toddlindsey.com 🙂
Jenna LaFevor says
Lindsey, thanks! I am lovin the gray as well! So happy you stopped by and are following! Yay! I’m headed your way!
Katie says
Inspired!!
Newest Follower,
Katie
SomethingToBeFound.com
Jenna LaFevor says
Katie, thanks! So glad to inspire you! Thanks for stopping by and following! Headed your way!
Taylor Howard says
I’ve been looking to do some things like this in the near future. Thanks for the ideas!!
Jenna LaFevor says
Taylor, you are so welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
courtney says
I love this transformation! beautiful job!! I am addicted to making my own chalk paint now! I think I have found the perfect variation for myself! this dresser is beautiful 🙂
Jenna LaFevor says
Courtney, thanks! I only make my own chalk paint too! Just can’t shovel out that kind of money for pre-made! So happy you dropped by!
Crystelle Boutique says
The grey is very pretty. What an improvewment!
hugs x
Crystelle
Jenna LaFevor says
Crystelle, thanks! I love the grey!! So happy you stopped by!
Jenna LaFevor says
Thanks, Diana! I’m loving it too! Thanks for hosting!
Jenna LaFevor says
Bridgett, I’m so glad you stumbled on the blog as well! I’m headed your way!
Kathy Moody says
It is beautiful, and I love the grey! Awesome job!! Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. So glad you did! Have a wonderful weekend.
hugs
Kathy
Jenna LaFevor says
Thanks, Kathy! And thanks for hosting your fantastic link party!
Jamie -Better With Age says
This looks great! I love the grey. I’m your newest follower 😉
Jamie ~ Better With Age
Jenna LaFevor says
Thanks, Jamie! I LOVE the grey as well! And I am SO happy you are following along!
marie says
Hi jenna. I Really love the gray color! It turned into a fantastic one!Thanks for sharing.:)
Jenna LaFevor says
Thanks, Marie! I love the gray as well! So happy you stopped by!
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says
LOVE the color ~ very pretty! I’m featuring it in the PoPP Spotlight this week. Thanks for linking up.
Jenna LaFevor says
Maryann, YAY!! Thanks so much! You made my day! I love linking up at your blog!
katie lake says
I love that you didn’t sand or distress it. It is so pretty!
Jenna LaFevor says
Thanks, Katie! I loved the clean contrast of the two colors without any sanding / distressing as well! So happy you stopped by!
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says
This definitely is a beauty! I love the colors that you chose and I’m so glad you didn’t distress it. I love it!
Jenna LaFevor says
Taryn, thanks! I’m really glad I didn’t distress it either! I like the nice contrast of the colors! So happy you stopped by!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
SO much better!!! it was pretty blah before- now it’s wow!
Jenna LaFevor says
It was blah, Cassie! Thanks for stopping by!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
SO much better!!! it was pretty blah before- now it’s wow!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
SO much better!!! it was pretty blah before- now it’s wow!
Cher-Ann Texter says
Wow, gorgeous! Found you from the Beneath My Heart linky party!
Jenna LaFevor says
Thanks so much, Cher-Ann! So happy you stopped by!
to the moon and back says
can you use that spray over chalk paint too instead of hand waxing? how do you get the annie sloan painted surface to not feel a little tacky?
Jenna LaFevor says
I do use the spray over chalk paint and it has worked fine for me so far. I don’t use the Annie Sloan chalk paint – I mix up my own chalk paint and never had a problem with it being tacky. Sorry I can’t help on that! Glad you stopped by!
The Decorative Dreamer says
Very nice! I would love to find a piece like this to sell as well. Usually they are laminate though so you did get lucky with this one, didn’t you?. I love that it is so clean looking now. Very versatile and classic. Great job!
[email protected] says
wow, it looks amazing, Jenna. And love that Benjamin Moore color!
Thanks so much for linking up for Habitat! Good luck and hope to see you again next week!
Annette Spellman says
I love the contrast!!! Beautiful! May I ask how you are making your own chalk paint? I would love to save some money, and be able to paint more!!!!
thanks!
annette
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Annette! This is one of my favorite pieces I’ve done! I have my chalk paint recipe here: https://rainonatinroof.com/2012/01/diy-chalk-paint-and-results/
Brigitte says
LOL, I can’t believe I’m just seeing this post (it was linked from one of your “decorating on a budget” posts)….you will NOT believe this, but I had that EXACT bedroom set when I was in middle/high school. I think it was my 14th birthday present and I got to pick it out all by myself! Dresser, canopy bed and a nightstand! You’re right on the money with the timeline, I was born in ’67, so I would have been 14 in ’81. I can’t remember if that’s the right year, but it’s pretty close!
I LOVE the makeover you gave this. Very classy, updated look! I remember that set well, always loved it! I love your update even more!
Jenna says
hahaha!! This was one of my first furniture makeovers I posted! That being said, I do still love how it turned out. I actually love this style of furniture – it looks completely different when it’s given a fresh coat of paint!
Carrie Reveal says
You did a great job! I have this EXACT entire bedroom furniture set in my garage! My grandparents bought it for me when I was 4, hence the reason I haven’t been able to part with it. It’s followed me to 3 apartments and 2 homes and now sets in my garage collecting dust. My husband hates moving it. He says it’s “dead weight.” After seeing your post my chest, dresser and nightstand have a purpose! I think I will turn the dresser into a hutch for my dining room and the nightstand into a side table of sort. Can’t wait to get started this spring! thank you!