Anonymous wrote:Chalk paint by Annie sloan will make this job much easier

Agreed. I love this stuff. However, if you want a nice smooth finish, you will need at least 3-4 coats and still have to do some sanding at the end. If you don't mind some texture and/or want the distressed look, all it takes is 1-2 coats. You always have to wax or put a protective coat on. Chalk paint chips right off otherwise.

Chalk paint by Annie sloan will make this job much easier

Try painting it in purple. Maybe drawer fronts in white.

I'm actually dealing with a similar project for my daughter's new bedroom. Instead of painting, though, I'm covering each front drawer in a same-color-different-pattern fabric with a bit of cotton batting behind and some pretty crystal knobs. I'm not "crafty", but I'm expecting this won't be too hard with a bit of glue and a staple gun!

Paint. It's old. It's ok now.

Anonymous wrote:I hate painting nice wood, but if you would not use this dresser as is or restained to a natural wood color, then you definitely should paint it and use it (I think not using it is more of a waste than painting it).

For color, you might want to consider painting the dresser white and then painting the drawer fronts the same yellow or green used in the rest of her room, or alternating the yellow and green. The white will pop against those colors and the drawer fronts will tie it in with the rest of the room.

That's a great idea. Truthfully I've hated the look of the dresser since the day it got delivered. But my parents bought it and no one ever asked me if I liked it. And you're right. It will just sit in my basement if I leave it as is.

I hate painting nice wood, but if you would not use this dresser as is or restained to a natural wood color, then you definitely should paint it and use it (I think not using it is more of a waste than painting it).

For color, you might want to consider painting the dresser white and then painting the drawer fronts the same yellow or green used in the rest of her room, or alternating the yellow and green. The white will pop against those colors and the drawer fronts will tie it in with the rest of the room.

You could do a colored glaze (more like a stain but the wood grain will show through) in a bright color, like apple green or pink. Ikea sells some, so do all the hardware stores.

Take her to the store and pick up paint chips, then bring them home and talk about it. Nice opportunity to connect!

Our whole house is gray. She would love a hot pink though. Hot pink and lime green....why do these colors sound more like tween age than elementry school?

Thanks for the comments.

Maybe a deeper color? Dark/hot pink or deep teal? Or gray? I recently painted something eggplant purple and love it.

Her bunk bed is going to be lime green. Her walls are yellow. Any suggestions for a color. I don't want pink because all I think about is easter. White seems safe but boring.

She's 6 and I'll give her some choices but I'd like to steer her in a nice direction.

Agree with PP. I have painted a hideous dining room table and a blah sideboard (both came with the house) and I like them SO much better now.

Paint it! Have fun.

My 10 y/o niece found a dresser on the sidewalk ("FREE!") and painted it turquoise with pink hardware. She loves it.

You're not going to refinish it ever. Go to town and make it what your DD wants it to be.

I have a beautiful dresser from Hardwood Artisans. It was mine as a kid and now I'm passing it onto my daughter. I'd like to paint it though. I know I can..but would you?

It seems a shame to paint a beautiful wood dresser. On the otherhand, it's big, bulky and a lot of oak for a little girls room. The dresser is the right size and the right amount of storage for what she needs. It's just sitting in my basement now. Seems wasteful to buy a new piece of furniture when this one is perfectly functional.

I know I could always strip it later but it never seems to come out right once a piece has been painted.