Emerald Green and Gold Dresser

Her name is Megan.  As in Megan Draper from Mad Men.  She's mod and hip, but with a slight throwback to a classic style.  And watch out, because she may just get up and sing a crazy version of  Zou Bisou Bisou in your living room (Mad Men fans out there - I know you totally get it!).

Maybe I'm getting a little too into naming my furniture?  Mr. Swell already thinks I'm nuts, so it's ok if you do too.  Just go with it.

Here she is before.

I've actually had this dresser for years.  It was my first big purchase after I graduated from University.  It came as a set with a mirror, a bed frame, a high dresser and 2 night stands.  The mirror is still up in our entryway, the bed frame is long gone and the high dresser and night stands are in our master bedroom. This dresser was in Fin's room until a few weeks ago when we made a little switcheroo (more on that coming up soon).

I considered just selling it as it was, but figured with a little paint I could sell it for much more.

I filled all of the gouges with wood filler and sanded them smooth, then scuffed the whole thing up a bit with a sanding block and then gave it coat of primer (Zinsser 1-2-3 latex).  Once the primer was dry, I gave it 3 coats of Benjamin Moore Advance in Emerald Isle.

I added liquid gold gilding around the outer frame.  I've used Liquid Leaf in the past, but this time I used Martha Stewart brand in Brass. I couldn't tell a difference between the 2 brands. The instructions always recommend using a brush, but I prefer to use a rag wrapped around my finger to apply the gilding (tip - wrap your finger in plastic wrap first to prevent having a completely gold finger).

It's not perfect and some of the green shows through, but that just gives it character.

I kept the same hardware, just changed it from silver to gold by using the same gilding.

I normally prefer to spray paint hardware, but this time I wanted it to be an exact match to the gold around the frame, so gilding it was.

I am completely in love with the colour.  It's the perfect green.  It's bright and bold but not obnoxious.  A win in my books. 

If it wasn't for Mr. Swell continually reminding me that I started this project to sell it, I probably would have redecorated our master bedroom to make this work in it.  I was tempted....believe me. 

Megan is now reluctantly for sale, so as always, if you live in the Edmonton area and want Megan in your life please drop me a line.  ****Update: Sold****

***not really my choice to photograph this in front of a window, but it was the only wall in our house that was big enough with any decent light!  It challenged what little photography skills I have - that's for sure!

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Linking to: Miss Mustard Seed