Funky Chunky Distressed Red Highboy Dresser

We started this journey several years ago because we love to paint.  We were naive to other facets involved in running a business.  We’ve learned a lot since then and continue to learn more each and every day.

When we think we’re getting on top of things, something else pops up and rocks our world like the whole  “What to Choose ~ American Paint Company or CeCe Caldwell’s Paints?” thing.  Find out what we decided here.

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It never crossed my mind when this all began how many new people would come into our lives, but the friendships we’ve made are worth more than anything money could ever buy.  

I never would have met one of my dearest friends had it not been for this journey.  Her name is Anastasia and she is the most thoughtful, smart, kind, generous, helpful and fun person I know.  She’s a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend and  has an amazing eye for design.  You should see what she just did with her living room!!  Anastasia is an incredible soul and I’m so grateful to have her for a friend.

I love painting with rich, saturated colors so I was absolutely in my glory when I found out Anastasia’s daughter wanted red for her new dresser.

Fireworks Red Shizzle Design Paint Studio American Paint Company highboy blue green red chalk clay dresser best ideas tips layering shabby funky finish 7

I tend to hold back when I paint furniture to sell in the store, but my favorite pieces are those done in bright whimsical colors.  After renting white places with white walls for nine years when I lived in Hawaii, I couldn’t wait to own my own home and bring it alive with color, especially in the kid’s rooms.

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This piece already had great bones but was in need some TLC.  I started by applying two coats of Zinnser’s Clear Shellac inside and out to freshen it up a bit.  This is how it looked when I started.

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I base coated it with American Paint Company’s Beach Glass, Home Turf and Orange Grove each strategically placed an then layered, blended and dry-brushed to create an interesting contrast to the top color.

Fireworks Red Shizzle Design Paint Studio American Paint Company highboy blue green red chalk clay dresser best ideas tips layering 2

Fireworks Red Shizzle Design Paint Studio American Paint Company highboy blue green red chalk clay dresser best ideas tips layering 4

American Paint Company’s Home Turf and Beach Glass

Fireworks Red Shizzle Design Paint Studio American Paint Company highboy blue green red chalk clay dresser best ideas tips layering 3

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When the base colors were dry, I chose one my all time favorites colors ~ American Paint Company’s Fireworks Red.

 

I then distressed the heck out of it to unveil the years of history within.  You see, this wasn’t just any old dresser,  this was a beautiful heirloom passed down from mother to son and then from son to daughter.  Preserving some of those imperfections was essential to preserving her character.

Fireworks Red Shizzle Design Paint Studio American Paint Company highboy chalk clay dresser best ideas tips layering 6 Orange Grove

Fireworks Red Shizzle Design Paint Studio American Paint Company highboy blue green red chalk clay dresser best ideas tips layering 6 funky finish

Fireworks Red Shizzle Design Paint Studio American Paint Company highboy chalk clay dresser best ideas tips layering 7 Home Turf 1

Fireworks Red Shizzle Design Paint Studio American Paint Company highboy blue green red chalk clay dresser best ideas tips layering shabby funky finish 7

Anastasia, it was a true honor to do this for your daughter.  Here’s hoping the tradition continues and the heirloom will continue to be passed down for generations to come!  Enjoy!!

Did you know that…

  • We’ve opened up a Shizzle Design Paint Studio at 2018 Chicago Drive, Jenison, Michigan 49428?  This is where Cathy and I paint our furniture but we want our customers to know that we’re here for you.  We encourage everyone to stop in any time to buy paint or to get your questions answered.
  • We’ve taught people from all over the United States and Canada how to paint furniture Shizzle Style using chalk and clay paints?  Join us for a fun and relaxing workshop.  Click Paint Workshops to see a list of current classes offered.
  • You can Subscribe to Shizzle Design for tips, tutorials, ideas, pictures, videos for our furniture painted in all natural chalk and clay based mineral paints?
  • Did you know that you can get these sent directly to your inbox and that it’s FREE?  It is ~ so what are you waiting for?  Enter your email in the right hand column of our blog to stay in the loop.
  • We have a Shizzle Design Facebook Page?  We share all sorts of additional tips, ideas, photos EVERY DAY and offer special deals (which you’ll only know about if you’ve Liked our Facebook Page?).
  • We have numerous Pinterest Boards?  Stop in and check out our extensive portfolio ~ Pin us on Pinterest
  • We sell our painted furniture at Not So Shabby Antiques and Fine Furniture at 2975 West Shore Drive in Holland, Michigan 49424?
  • Shizzle Design is an American Paint Company’s Chalk/Clay/Mineral Paints in West Michigan locations and sell both domestically and international online?  Click LOCATIONS or Online Shizzle Shop.

Click here to see Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

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Click here to see our Shizzle Tips, How To Tutorials & Video’s

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Click here to see Funky Finishes

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Linking up to these GREAT Parties!

Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux – Friday Link Up Party

Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special

Silver Pennies – Silver Pennies Sundays

Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

a hui hou ~ Shelly

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16 Replies to “Funky Chunky Distressed Red Highboy Dresser”

  1. Love your color choices and how you blend them then distress. I’d so love to have a highboy I could work on. Wish I lived closer so I could take a class but think Grand Junction, CO is a bit too far away. Now if hubs was still trucking I might get up there. Sure miss getting to go with him, he retired from trucking in 2004. I’ve got itchy feet always. You have a very different style, quite liberal and centered on your own ideas, love that. Wishing you and yours Merry Christmas

  2. This is beautiful! Love all the colors. I usually hold back on bright colors when I sell my items at my shop. It seems too many people are afraid of a little color! But when I can paint something for a friend or myself that is bright and whimsical it is the most fun!
    PS Found you on Redoux link party

  3. Beautiful job on the dresser! Do you get bleed through on antiques painted with CeCe Caldwell paints? So far, I am getting bleed through spots on about 60% of my antique pieces regardless of wood type. Do you think the ASP cleaner makes a big difference? At this point, I’ve used CeCe paints with the exception of one color from Maison Blanche, which did not have any bleed through. If you are familiar with getting this bleed through, how do you compare the other lines of paint you’ve used. Thanks for sharing. You are definitely an inspiration. Happy holidays.

    1. Thanks Robin!! You rock!!! It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to knock out some furniture and I’m so excited to be back in the swing of things. Really appreciate the feature!!!!! Shelly

  4. What a joy to find a blog with lots of COLOR. You guys certainly do a good job painting and showing your enthusiasm too. I found you from the party at miss mustard seed. I’m a furniture painter in Umbria Italy.
    Cheers around the world.
    Natalie

  5. Pingback: Distressed Blog

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