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:
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. :)
Love it! Shiny is so in (just finished silver leafing a dresser this week) and I love the blue/greens of yours.
Wow, that's spectacular! What a color!
I really like it. It would have to be in the right room, but I think it's gorgeous!
Would love to see it in person but love it!!!
Nice work!
O it's fantastic! Loved reading all your steps and seeing the final picture! More! More!
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
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.
OMG - this is STUNNING. What a fabulous idea!
Thanks so much for linking up to the party.
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! :-)
Gah!! This is gorgeous! I love it!
T.bird
Based on the pictures, I think I would love it - especially if it is more wonderful in person...
I like it! The style might not be perfect for every room but it fits the beachy style you were after!
-heather
Oh! It's so awesome! I LOVE these really heavily distressed pieces!
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!)
I love it! It's so unique and looks antique
That looks like something you would pay BIG bucks for at Anthropologie. Good job!
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!
love the green / blue color
This looks so good! You did a great job on this cabinet!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Mother of Pearl! What a fabulous idea! I love it when one lets their imagination run. I really like it!
Kathy
Wow, that turned out beautiful and that was a lot of work!
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
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!
BEAutiful!! I love it and want it!! Teehee! You really worked hard on it and it shows. Great job.
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
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!
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!
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
I am impressed you are very creative and talented!
2nd time around
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
I love it! Great job!
I think its cool and could actually see it looking good with a lot of different color schemes and styles. Very creative!
HOOO wouldn't love this? I know I do! Thanks for linking up to Hoo's got talent!
I LOVE it!! You did a great job!!
Love that finish! Definitely beachy feeling! Thanks for linking up to gettin' crafty on hump day :)
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
That is such a unique look. You did a great job achieving a distressed, beachy finish.
What a clever finish....I'd love to see it in the room....
Warm blessings,
Spencer
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.
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~
Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!
Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!
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