Decoupage On a Dresser – Create a Statement Piece

Introduction

The dresser was rescued from an old warehouse. It is an older piece. It needs something to make it into a statement piece. The client (my 22 y/o daughter – tough customer for sure ?) wanted the dresser painted in Fusion’s Buttermilk Cream & antiqued with Fusion’s antiquing glaze. She wanted a poster applied to the dresser.  We went to Hobby Lobby and found the beach poster!

To start this project

A good scrub & wash with TSP was next on the agenda. Unfortunately, the dresser still smelled old and musty. My go to in this situation is BIN primer. This is a shellac based primer that will adhere to most surfaces, block bleed through and block odors.  The project had to sit a few days, then it was time to paint! Two coats of Fusion’s Buttermilk Cream applied to the dresser.

I laid the drawers out & positioned the poster on top of the drawers. I marked the cut lines between each drawer.  I laid the poster right side down on a table. I laid the drawer right side down on the poster and traced the outline of the drawer.

Once the poster was cut, I spread a thin layer of Fusion’s Decoupage & Transfer Gel on the back of the poster piece and on the drawer front. I centered and placed the poster on the drawer. *There is a small window of time where you can do a minimal amount of repositioning.*

Once positioned properly, I spread a thin layer of medium on top of the poster. I used my fingers and a ball of plastic wrap to push out air bubbles and make the poster lie flat. I let this dry for 24 hours and then applied 2 more coats of decoupage over the poster. This vintage dresser has handles that were nailed on. I could not remove the handles without damaging the drawers. I also had to cut the poster to allow the handles to be functional.

The poster applied and the decoupage medium dry, I painted the edges of the drawers that were not covered by the poster.

I glazed the entire piece with Fusion’s antiquing glaze.  When glazing, work in small sections. I like to use a small brush to apply the glaze. I apply the glaze to the area I am working on.  I wipe the glaze back with a clean rag. You have to keep moving the rag and use a clean section of rag to wipe back. Apply glaze and wipe back to small sections until the entire piece is antiqued. The glaze settles into the low areas of the piece and gives it depth, interest and age. I allowed the glaze to dry for 2 days.

I decided to finish the piece with a coat of Fusion’s Tough Coat. When glazing a piece that will get a lot of daily use, it is best to protect and seal the entire piece. I applied one coat of Tough Coat to this piece. I let the Tough Coat dry and it is ready for its new home.