Thursday, May 27, 2010

Mother Of Pearl Faux Finished Dresser

Want to see a really crazy, faux finish? I call it "Mother of Pearl".




This was a 1970s dresser that I bought at auction for $5.00. I wanted a fun "beachy" look, and went out on a limb with this one. My inspiration for the color was an abalone shell. In an attempt to recreate it, I used a base coat of silver. On top of that I added two different colors of blue. I rubbed off alot of the paint before it was dry and then blotted on some amber shellac. The shellac caused some of the blue to turn varied shades of green.



As if that wasn't enough, I applied 3 coats of semi-gloss polyurethane, and hand rubbed the finish between coats.



I used a paste wax to give it some lustre.



The result was a finish that is almost iridescent, and a color that seems to change depending on the available light. It is satiny smooth to the touch and the poly makes it super tough.



Now it's time for all of you to tell me what think of this one. I promise not to be offended if you don't like it. I realize it is not one of those kinds of things that appeal to everyone. It is more like one of those runway models with crazy hair, too much makeup, and peacock feathers on her dress, that everyone has a different opinion of.



Let's hear what you have to say.






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43 comments:

Cassie Bustamante said...

i think i love it, but i would love to see pictures closer up. it's hard to see the finish in the picture. can you add more pics?
oh, and your sideboar cracked me up= my dad has a dremel and LOVEs it!! i got to use it a few weeks ago, and i now want one, too, so it could be appropriate for mother's day as well. :)

Anonymous said...

Love it! Shiny is so in (just finished silver leafing a dresser this week) and I love the blue/greens of yours.

Mandi@TidbitsfromtheTremaynes said...

Wow, that's spectacular! What a color!

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I really like it. It would have to be in the right room, but I think it's gorgeous!

Love the Decor! said...

Would love to see it in person but love it!!!
Nice work!

Theresa Plas said...

O it's fantastic! Loved reading all your steps and seeing the final picture! More! More!

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Hi Theresa,
Thank you! Thank you! "More" is on the way. I will be posting a lamp project later today that will likely stand a few people on their heads. It is another one of those projects I did, that is a little unique and out there. Check back tonight to see it. Thank you for the compliments and stopping by.
Rory

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

I love how unique this is, definitely NOT something I've seen before. Mother of pearl is a wonderful finish, so glad you posted how you got to yours. So looking forward to your "out there" lamp.

Julie @ Frugal and Fabulous Design said...

OMG - this is STUNNING. What a fabulous idea!

Thanks so much for linking up to the party.

Self Sagacity said...

the fact that you got it for $5.00 is already amazing! I like that it has a lot of drawers, which would be quite functional for a woman with lots of clothes! :-)

Get Nestled In said...

Gah!! This is gorgeous! I love it!

T.bird

Melissa said...

Based on the pictures, I think I would love it - especially if it is more wonderful in person...

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

I like it! The style might not be perfect for every room but it fits the beachy style you were after!

-heather

Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely said...

Oh! It's so awesome! I LOVE these really heavily distressed pieces!

Anonymous said...

That is fabulous!

The only thing I would have done differently is spraypaint the brass drawer pulls a matte nickel finish.

Terrific work! (Wish you'd make one for me!)

Unknown said...

I love it! It's so unique and looks antique

Olivia said...

That looks like something you would pay BIG bucks for at Anthropologie. Good job!

Sweet European Dreams said...

amazing transformation! I have a buffet that I got for FREE that is quite similar to this design. I may just have to do a mother of pearl re-do on mine!

Anna said...

love the green / blue color

Anonymous said...

This looks so good! You did a great job on this cabinet!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kathy said...

Mother of Pearl! What a fabulous idea! I love it when one lets their imagination run. I really like it!
Kathy

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Wow, that turned out beautiful and that was a lot of work!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

I love it!! You have to go with what makes you happy in your own home and if it does, then you accomplished what you set out to do!!

I think it would look great in my home too!! LOL!!

Debbie

~Robin~ said...

LOVE it! If I ran into it at the flea market I would totally snap it up and leave it "as is". Nice work!

Happy Memorial Day!

Ashley Tremaine said...

BEAutiful!! I love it and want it!! Teehee! You really worked hard on it and it shows. Great job.

Candylei said...

Wow for 5.00 you've made this into something beautiful! I've just joined show off your cottage monday so I'm new here.
x, Candylei

Lady Katherine said...

I just love your dresser! I want to know: You added a silver paint, then did you add the poly to it, then a blue paint, then add the poly again, then the last coat of blue paint and added the ploy again? Is this how you did this wonderful paint on your dresser? After the last coat of ploy did you then add paste wax???? The reason I am asking is I have a floor I painted and added 3 coats of poly. Can you add the paste wax on top of the polyethylene? I just adore the look you created! This dresser is so wonderful!

cinnibonbon said...

The truth?? If I saw it in person, I would have to steal it!!! I totally love this. Oh the time it must of taken. I have no patience. I'm fighting painting a twin head board right now!!! Any tips?
I can't believe you got this so cheap!!! Fabulous job!

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Hello Lady Katherine,

Thank you for your compliments and great questions. Here is the sequence of layering the my Mother Of Pearl finish

1.) Started out as a dark brown spanish 1970s finish.

2.) Painted over the brown with silver Krylon spray paint.

3.) Brushed on randomly some powder blue flat latex paint.

4.) Brushed on a slightly darker blue latex paint to give it more depth.

5.) Wiped on in random spots a 50/50 mix of amber shellac and denatured alcohol with a rag to get streaks of green.

6.) Wiped on in random spots straight amber shellac to get more variations of green.

7.) Distressed it like crazy with a sanding block and 180 grit sandpaper.

8.) Applied 3 coats of polyurethane, which I sanded by hand between coats.

9.) Applied a paste wax.

10.) Applied a spray wax.

As you can tell by the steps, this finish is not for the faint of heart, but it is a way to turn a $5 dresser into a showstopper.

I like using a paste wax after the last coat of poly whether it is a floor or a piece of furniture. It greatly increases the durability, and it creates a wonderful lustre.

Rory

Kim, USA said...

I am impressed you are very creative and talented!
2nd time around

Unknown said...

Very beachy! The last part of your post was FUNNY! No I do not care for crazy hair and peacock feathers! haha Nice to see you linked up to anything related again!! :) ~Bridgette

sportzmom said...

I love it! Great job!

Suzy said...

I think its cool and could actually see it looking good with a lot of different color schemes and styles. Very creative!

Leslie said...

HOOO wouldn't love this? I know I do! Thanks for linking up to Hoo's got talent!

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

I LOVE it!! You did a great job!!

Nikki said...

Love that finish! Definitely beachy feeling! Thanks for linking up to gettin' crafty on hump day :)

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

What a fabulous finishing technique. So unique and beautiful! Fantastic find and $5 - wow, I'd say that was a deal! Looks gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining The Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Miss Mustard Seed said...

That is such a unique look. You did a great job achieving a distressed, beachy finish.

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

What a clever finish....I'd love to see it in the room....

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Helena said...

Whoa, that's crazy! I want to see someone plan a whole room around this piece. I bet it would turn out wonderfully.

Thank you for linking this up as well.

~L~ said...

Thanks for linking to Make My Style Mondays.
You were part of the Fab Five this week. go check out your feature and grab a button when you can.

~L~

Mad in Crafts said...

Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!

Mad in Crafts said...

Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!