Antique Double Bow Front Dresser & Highboy Chest

Earlier this summer I was fortunate to come across two beautiful French Provincial pieces by Dixie ~ a single highboy chest and matching double bow front dresser with mirror.  I must not have shot a before of the long one but I did snap a picture of this earlier this summer.

before highboy

I absolutely love the style and curves of these pieces and these classy older pieces are so well built.

French Provencial dresser painted taupe, white, chalk, clay paints Shizzle Design furniture ideas american paint company Rushmore Home Plate 6

I started out with an idea in mind but halfway through my layering, I put the drawers back in and though ~ hmm, that doesn’t look too bad.  I thought to my self, “self, maybe I should just stop and go with this”

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I debated over it for a few days but the clean crisp contrast without any distressing just about took me over the edge.

French Provencial dresser painted in gray, white, layered chalk, clay paints Shizzle Design furniture during chalk clay ideas 2

You see, I’ve never been one to fall to peer pressure.  I really don’t care if other people think I should be painting every style out there.  I am who I am and if I don’t like it, I have a hard time putting my name on it.  What can I say?

The base of the cabinet was already coated in American Paint Company’s Freedom Road but I wanted to lighten it up.  To do that, I mixed up a creamy color using mostly APC’s Home Plate with a smidgen of Rushmore and Heaven’t Light.  I did a somewhat elegant distressing on these pieces to give them a custom feel without distracting from the elegant lines.   Now that’s more like it!

French Provencial dresser painted in gray, white, layered chalk, clay paints Shizzle Design furniture during chalk clay ideas 4

The drawers were painted in APC’s Rushmore.  To add a little more depth and dimension, I pounced some American Grit, a fine gray powder by American Paint Company, into the wet wax.  We carry American Grit  both in our Shizzle Design location as well as on our Online Shizzle Shop.

French Provencial dresser painted in gray, white, layered chalk, clay paints Shizzle Design furniture during chalk clay painted furniture ideas colors American Grit

I love the original hardware ~ it gets me every time!

French Provencial dresser painted taupe, white, chalk, clay paints Shizzle Design furniture ideas american paint company Rushmore Home Plate 8

I used my favorite Dark Vintage Antiquing Wax by American Paint Company to finish the top of the dresser.  I can’t get enough of this wax over dark paint ~ the look is absolutely DELISH!!  It almost reminds me of a Venetian Bronze and had the most beautiful color and finish.

French Provencial dresser painted in gray, white, layered chalk, clay paints Shizzle Design furniture during chalk clay painted furniture ideas

Here they are…

French Provencial dresser painted taupe, white, chalk, clay paints Shizzle Design furniture ideas american paint company Rushmore Home Plate 4

French Provencial dresser painted taupe, white, chalk, clay paints Shizzle Design furniture ideas american paint company Rushmore Home Plate 1

Both the highboy and the dresser are sitting pretty at our Shizzle Design booth at Not So Shabby in Holland, Michigan.

 Shizzle Design booth hand #paintedfurniture chalk clay paint ideas colors CeCe Caldwell's American Paint Company retailer holland michigan 10

Well ~ they were when I posted this, for availability stop into Not To Shabby at 2975 West Shore Drive, Holland, MI 49424 or contact me for an update.  Dimensions for the pieces are available on our Shizzle Style Furniture for Sale page.

Click here to see many more Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

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Linking up to these GREAT Parties!

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Check out all our other Painted Furniture Makeovers on our Portfolio Page

a hui hou ~ Shelly

 

14 Replies to “Antique Double Bow Front Dresser & Highboy Chest”

  1. Just a little note on the piece to left in above photo, that is single and taller, they’re called “high boy chests”. Love look of colors and technique with the powder into the wax, gives such an incredible real look. Glad you didn’t distress too much, little bit on some things is much better, more realistic. I also adore the hardware.
    Happy days Lucky you finding such incredibly awesome pieces.

  2. Shelly, you have the greatest eye for painting furniture! Each piece you paint looks amazing! I love each one of these; you made them into jewels! I had Dixie French Provincial furniture when I was a little girl. Mine was white with gold accents though. I sure wish I had it now!

  3. Hi Shelly, Stopping over from Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday. Great pieces, I especially like the top finish! Nice to have a distressed duo too! These French Provincial pieces are really making a comeback and Yours look awesome in the finish you chose.

  4. So gorgeous! I’m happy that you finished these beauties the way you wanted to! They turned out perfectly! Hugs, Leena

  5. I love your work. You do some beautiful layering, have a light hand & know when to quit. I think CeCe Caldwell and everyone else you use should feature your work. Gimme a number. I’ll call ’em!

  6. You have the best eye for painting article of furniture! Each bit you paint appearance amazing! I really like each of these; you created them into jewels! I had Dixie French Provincial furniture after I was somewhat lady. Mine was white with gold accents although. I certain would like I had it now!

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