I’m in the mood for a furniture makeover. You too? woot! Today, I’m sharing this cute vintage farmhouse chest nightstand I found at the thrift store. It asked me to get a makeover. Really.
Isn’t it sweet? I love that looks like it has nine drawers, but actually only has three. Bonus…they’re dovetailed. eep! Even though it’s only made of pine, it still has such charm.
While I could refinish it, I really wanted to give it more character with layers. What I’m gaming for is a story. With that in mind, I want it to tell a story. You know I love me some farmhouse style.
DIY TIME
First, in most instances I replace hardware just because it’s fun or creates a different vibe. However, in this instance, I’m loving the shape of these. They aren’t real brass (they’re magnetic, brass is not), so I consider them to be fair game for a change too. I removed those and got ready for the next steps.
After I assessed what needed done, I gave it a quick wipe-down with a vinegar/water mixture. Then, it’s time to bring out my paint brushes.
PAINTING
First, I begin by applying a base color of Vintage. Why this color? Well, I mentioned wanting to create a layered story and this is perfect for what I’m after.
Also, I wanted to note that because this chest is pine, it has dings all over. I love that. I let those go and run with the time-worn vibe. Then, I paint the faux apothecary drawer fronts.
NEXT STEPS
Next, after the first coat cure, I mix up some gorgeous navy blue milk paint. The consistency I mixed is on the thin side so that my first coat can peek through. You can see this paint color also on this chest of drawers.
These brushes work for paint, poly, stains, and even wax. Yep, wax. I take the brushes that have done their best creating awesome finishes and retire them for my waxing purposes. In this instance, I’m using a clear wax to my painted layers.
THE REVEAL
Are you ready to see this sweet piece come to life? Here ya go!
Finally, this once thrifted farmhouse chest nightstand now has a story. The milk paint really adds that texture I was after. In addition, the original wear that was there has its chance to shine too.
In addition, the original pulls look so much better against the navy. They have their chance to claim attention too. Likewise, I gave the inside of the drawers some fun too.
Not only do I want to keep most of my projects, but I also lack space. sigh… This one is now available in my shop . That’s okay, though. I, at least, have the fun of finding, working on, and sharing with you my journey.
Boho Ruffled Bag ~ $55
Additionally, pin and share this farmhouse chest nightstand to inspire others to give the furniture a facelift.
Up next, I’m finishing up my cupboard door stash with these two. I do have four left…eep! See the first makeover HERE.
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Also, more makeovers like my farmhouse chest nightstand:
Wow! That turned out so beautiful, thanks for the instructions. I have a small cabinet in my dining room that i’m looking to give a new look! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
You are most welcome, Diane. These pieces are always fun and versatile in the home.
I love the new look you gave this little dresser. Great job.
Thanks so much, Karen. 🙂
Larissa,
Thank you for inspiring us, It is beautiful.
Thank you for making me smile, Nancy. 😀
Hi Larissa! I love Artissimo. I have not tried it but I have some questions n my stash. I also live this little farmhouse beauty. Thank you for a chance to win these wonderful brushes. I have already won a set from m you, which I use often to paint my smalls so I will pass and let someone else win. I hope you are well and staying safe. Big hugs.
Cheryl
Blue is just one of those timeless colors that I adore. Thank you so much, Cheryl. Hugs!
Awesome, as always! Just picked up a broken ladder. Was going to make it a quilt rack but think I’ll staple on some baskets for my craft room storage! Thanx!
Thanks! Sounds like you scored a fun piece. Have a blast with it!
I’d repaint some of our doors and cabinets
I hope you enjoyed my work I shared too. 😉
Great job on this nightstand! I love that you painted it navy blue. I have a small dresser that I would like to paint navy as well. These brushes would come in quite handy for this project. Thanks for the chance to win these brushes!
Thanks! Imma sucker for blues. 😉 You are most welcome, Ginny.
Love all the furniture makeovers.
Thank you, Sherry.
Larissa, you are such an inspiration to me both creatively and spiritually! I hope your health is improving each day and pray that you and your family stay safe!
I could hug ya, Raylene. Thank you! Yes, holding my own and waiting out this crazy ride so I can hopefully get more answers.
I’ve never tried your brushes would love to. Hope you feeling better.
You will be hooked instantly, for real! 😀
What a lovely transformation! God’s particular grace to your family in this time. He is risen!
Thank you so much. He is risen INDEED! 😀
Great looking transformation of the night stand.
Sometime back I had bought a piece where it looked like it had more drawers than what it actually had and once we got it home and unloaded we heard something rattle around inside but was unable to find where it was coming from.
Well, to find out it had a secret trap drawer down below and you would not believe what was inside. Inside where old military medals,passport along with other memorabilia. We where able to track down the family members and returned the items that where stored inside.
What I would paint next? Well, I do have some small, misc. items that could use a new paint job so that is probably what I will be doing.
Thank U 4 this wonderful giveaway opportunity.
What a funtastic story! That’s amazing and am so glad you found the owner. Sweet!
Beautiful little chest… you are so talented.
Thank you for the kind words. My pleasure to share.
I love how your nightstand turned out. I have a Lane Swingline coffee table that needs a huge facelift. I know that these are usually not painted but this table has been through a lot and there really is no preserving the patina on the whole piece. I am thinking paint where needed and maybe danish oil on the salvageable surfaces.
Thank you, Melissa. Those are built to last and will be useful for a great many years. Have fun with it!
Nice makeover! I like all of the drawers even if they are fake. =)
Me too! Sucker for little drawers here. tee hee. 😉
I really want to do my kitchen table and china hutch. A new set of Zebra brushes would be amazing! Love the color you chose for the nightstand.
Thanks as always for the inspiration Larissa!
Those are a job, but so much better with the right tools. You are most welcome, Alicia.
What a simple yet stylish treatment of what many would consider a forgettable piece (in its original state)! great job 🙂
Love the Zibra brushes! I would use them on a bookcase for my new office space at home
How sweet of you to say, Laura. Thank you so much, Laura.
I have a large picture frame I’d like to refurbish.
Sounds good. I hope you enjoyed my work I shared. 🙂
Love how the chest turned out. Just was looking for some nightstands due to a master bedroom redo. Really like this one. Didn’t find two did you??
Thanks, Susie! 😀 I only found the one.
I have a piano bench I’d love to upcycle. I love all your special touches such as the striped lined drawer in this piece. You make all your pieces with love and it shows.
Those are always fun! 😀 Thanks for the love on my work.
Hi Larissa,
I love the finish you have the night table! I wish I had the creative eye you have!!! I have painted a few pieces, some come out better than others, but the great thing about paint is you can always paint it over again! Thank you for the inspiration- stay well! Peace and God bless!
Hi Susan! Thanks for the love. I hear ya on that. So fun!
this is such an improvement and looks so much more farmhouse! i love the color you chose!
Yay! Thank you so much, Gwen. Blue is always a winner for me.
Larissa, your projects are always an inspiration. I’m taking full advantage of this “stay at home” time and pulling out furniture “projects”, organizing, and now making face masks (I thought you might do a blog post on making masks). 🙂 I don’t have any Zibra brushes and them seems the perfect time to give them a try. I’m thinking my next painting project will be a secretary desk in my stash. Looking forward to your next posting!
Thank you, Michelle. Sounds like you’re on a roll. There are dozens and dozens of tutorials to make those, so I don’t feel the need. Plus, many artisans on Etsy and locally are offering them too. I love secretary desks!
I love the rustic farmhouse look of this sweet chest. Great job Larissa. I pray you and your family are all well.
The lines of it really spoke to me. 😀 Thank you. Hugs to you!
This is a great paint job. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Lori.
I like how that turned out!! I might have to try that on one of the pieces I have. Thank you. Have a blessed day!
Yay! Go for it. You will be hooked! 😀
Sorry, I forgot to tell you what I would paint, lol. I have a lingerie dresser that has needed painted or maybe a stool.
Either one would be great, Cheryl.
I love it! I think you did an amazing job. The first thing I would be paint would be our kitchen cabinets. We are working on getting our house ready to sell by the fall and move to a new home.
That sounds perfect. Cabinets are not such fun, but better with these brushes for sure. I hope you can sell! That is my goal too.
Wow, loved both colours, texture is amazing
I couldn’t wait to see my vision come to life. Thanks so much, Deborah.
I have a dresser that I would paint.
Sounds good. I hope you enjoyed my work shared today.
I love the little night stand the shape and color go well together .Thanks for brightening my day ! Not working is a huge change and I always look forward to your posts but now they really are a pick me up. Hope y’all are doing well
You just made my day too, Lori. Thank you! Yes, many changes for so many folks. For me, it’s carry on as usual, but with a twist. 😀
Oh, I do like your fun piece. I think it is time for me to try milk paint. But first, My husband and I ended up making a trip from Arizona to Our son’s home in Iowa on 3/11. Left my kitchen cabinets unloaded and partially prepped for painting. We have ended up sheltering I place in Iowa and don’t know when the family will decide we are safe to fly home. When I get there I will be painting cabinets and new Zibra brushes could get a good work out. Be safe, you and your family.
Thanks! I so appreciate your family’s efforts of love to keep you safe. It’s hard to be patient. You are loved! 😀
I love coming here and seeing your makeovers and cheerfulness! It is uplifting. Thank you for offering us a chance to win these awesome brushes. They are amazing! Please keep posting!!
That means the world to me, Toia. Thank you!
These paintbrushes look wonderful! If they were mine I would get busy painting with my daughter Sarah who loves to paint furniture! My husband and I have been blessed to have re~feathered our empty nest with her and our son~in~law just in time to shelter in place together ?. And we have a large assortment of furniture that could use a facelift. Dressers, a headboard and footboard, a small book case, a rocking chair…. Hmmm what would we paint first?
They seriously are! 😀 What a blessing to have all that fall into place for you.
Larissa – I would have never thought of painting the green color under the blue but it turned out so cute! I love that type of nightstand! You look like you are getting nine tiny drawers but surprise – it is three drawers! Nice job Larissa!
I just adore layers. Makes for fun design details. Thanks so much, Renee!
Your chest of drawers is so lovely. Those faux apothecary drawers are amazing! The first thing I would paint is a desk I have in my craft room. It’s just begging to be made over!
I’m a sucker for faux or real little drawers. 😀 Thanks, Amanda.
This is so cute! Card catalogs are cute but not always super practical. This one seems much more functional.
Yes! I couldn’t agree with you more.
This is beautiful! I have a little kid’s bench and farmhouse window that need some attention soon and the brushes would help get the job done!
Thanks, Becky! 😀 Sounds like a sweet project.
Hi Larissa, ohhhhh I love the paint colors you used on this nightstand. You layered them up so nicely and you certainly created, the “storied look” on her. I pray you are feeling better and of course, stay healthy and safe.
What can I say, Kaycee? I’m a sucker for blue. haha. Both the Vintage and Blue Milk Paint made it fun for me. Thanks so much! 😀
I’m redoing a console table that has lots of curves, crevices, and decorative molding. Zibra brushes are the answer to the perfect paint job!
I couldn’t agree with you more. 😀
Beautifully done. Your work is always inspiring.
Thank you so much, Tamara.
I’ve been painting up a storm since we’ve been stuck at home!
I bet!
Beautiful
Thank you, Connie.
I’d love to try that round brush! Thanks for the giveaway!
You’re welcome. I hope you enjoyed my work too.
Thanks for the detailed how-to, that is just adorable! I have a knotty pine bedroom suite I need to work on! I love those Zibra brushes too. I gave my sister this set for Christmas last year and would love to have one of my own!
My pleasure, Lee. Sounds like this set is just what the Dr. ordered. 🙂
I have a vintage bookcase I got from Craigslist free section and I could sure use those brushes to paint it.
Sounds perfect! 😀
P .S. Larissa I loved the nightstand. I got so excited about the brushes I forgot to tell you. And what a great idea the sign was you made from a door. Awesome as usual!
aww…thank you for taking the time to show love.
I love all of the makeovers you do. So inspiring!!! I would love to win the brushes as i have tons of projects to do!!! Many thanks!!!
Thank you for saying so, Sally. I have fun sharing my work as well as these wonderful brushes.
I have tons of brushes that I hate. Pick me!!!!!!!!
I know the feeling. I’m a brush snob and these fit the bill perfectly.
Beautiful! Would love the brushes. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks so much for the love, Susan.
Love your technique on this cutie! I have a vintage dresser waiting for some good brushes!
Thanks! You will love these.
Guess I should begin using brushes instead of old rags:)
haha…that would be a start. 🙂
i would paint a bookcase i have my in laws picked us up at a thrift store
I really like how the nightstand came out. You are so talented. I have two old rocking chairs I want to refinish and those brushes are just what I need to do itt.
Thank you so much for the affirmation. Just hoping to inspire those that may not be happy with what they have or can find/afford.
bedroom dresser
What a sweet piece Larissa! Your magic transformed another piece of furniture that was looking tired and needed a makeover 🙂 I could only hope a set of those brushes would help me in my projects too! Keep on making old things new 🙂 Happy Easter!
You are so sweet, Mary. Thank you so much. 😀