How to Create a Countryside Garden Dresser for Your Own Beautiful Space


We have had this dresser at the shop for some time now and I have spent many days staring at it waiting for inspiration lol. Well, it finally spoke to me and I wanted to share the process today of its recreation today.

vintage dresser with no hardware

Of course, I forgot to take a proper before picture with the hardware on but below you can see the hardware I took off.

One of the easiest ways to change up a piece of vintage furniture is to remove the dated hardware. By doing that, you can instantly give a piece a different look.

vintage hardware

I found new-to-me handles at the ReUse store that were perfect for the shape of the dresser. I wasn’t crazy about the colour but that was an easy fix with a small brush and some paint.

reclaimed handles

The new handles didn’t fit in the holes of the old ones so I had to fill one from each set and then drill a new one.

vintage dresser with holes being filled in

These little embellishments also go a long way in dating a piece. They were easy to pop off with a screwdriver and then the holes were filled before painting.

vintage dresser with embellishments

Knowing that I wanted to use an IOD Transfer on this piece, I chose to paint it with Annie Sloan Satin paint in Original. This paint is a little different than her regular Chalk paint. It is smoother and has a built-in topcoat. The smoother finish meant that I would have no issues with the transfer sticking.

vintage dresser painted with Annie Sloan Satin paint in Original

To add a little character and depth to the piece, I also used a second, slightly darker colour (Canvas) of the Annie Sloan Satin Paint. A second colour can go a long way in highlighting unique details and creating shadows and depth.

adding a second colour of paint for effect

I won’t detail how to add a transfer here but if you have never used them and would like to see more details about them, you can find directions here, here, and here

The Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) Wall Flower transfer was used on this piece.

flowers on a white dresser

To finish off the piece, all of the drawers got their own little makeover. I love using Milk Paint to refresh drawers because you can choose any colour, mix it at a ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part paint, and give them a new look in no time at all.

Painting the inside of drawers with Fusion Milk paint in Toasted Coconut

I used Fusion Milk Paint in Toasted Coconut and it took the drawers from orange and boring to soft and creamy. It’s such a quick and easy way to transform the wood without painting it all.

drawers painted with milk paint

A little distressing and the painted hardware completed the piece.

vintage hardware reclaimed and painted

I could stare at this dresser all afternoon dreaming of taking a walk through an old countryside garden.

dresser recreated with Annie Sloan Satin Paint and an IOD Wall Flower Transfer

Have a wonderful Sunday and enjoy a few dreams of your own today ♥

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