A Shot of Color

How to Paint a Retro Floral Design on a Dresser (page 1 of 3)

We used paint and ice cream sticks to transform an old dresser into a funky piece of new furniture.

By Joanne Palmisano, Salvage SecretsMore in Decorating

Courtesy of Susan Teare

We bought this old dresser for just $40. It had good bones but a bad paint job. With a vibrant coat of paint and a little floral detail, we brought it back to life in a fun, retro style.

All About…

Materials and Tools

screwdriver
scissors
old wood dresser (with knobs)
paintbrushes in a variety of sizes
artist's brush
painter's tape
paint (we used Benjamin Moore Peruvian Chili)
3 to 4 white paint pens (wide tip)
sandpaper and a sanding block
about 12 mini wood craft spoons (like old ice cream spoons)
rags

Prep the Piece

Remove drawer pulls and hardware. Use sandpaper (going with the grain) to remove the top layer of finish. This will help the new paint adhere better. After sanding, wipe down the dresser with a damp rag to clean off the dust and debris.