Transforming furniture with mouldings is so easy and has a big impact!
It’s amazing at the transformation of a piece of furniture when you add mouldings to it.
I’ve had a vintage French Provincial dresser that belonged to my sweet mother in law, Evelyn, for years.
It’s been used in a variety of rooms, for a myriad of uses.
Many, many years ago, when the painted furniture craze started, I actually spray painted it with white paint….yes, that’s right, I spray painted it. This was before I realized what you could actually do with good quality paint!
I actually enjoyed the dresser for many years, using it for extra storage in my home office.
Now that the office/study in our current home is undergoing a renovation, I wanted to take Evelyn’s dresser and give it a much needed makeover as well. I will continue to use it in the study once it’s finished for storing files, paperwork, etc.
I seem to have a penchant for using bedroom furniture in rooms, other than the bedroom! These old French Provincial dressers are fantastic to repurpose as buffets, sideboards, and storage cabinets.
When Efex offered to send me some of their bendable furniture mouldings, I was so excited, because I knew they were going to be perfect to elevate Evelyn’s dresser to the look I was going after.
The Efex mouldings are amazing to work with, and they have a huge selection, perfect for any project that you’re working on!
They are so easy to apply, just glue on with contact cement, let dry and then paint, stain, or gild. And you can cut them to the right size, if you need to. And did I say that they are bendable? Yes, they can easily bend around corners and the curves of frenchy legs!
(In the years since doing this project, I have learned how to create my own furniture mouldings, and you can see how I make them HERE. )
The first step was deciding where I wanted to place the Efex mouldings.
Taking a pencil, I loosely traced around the moulding. Using contact cement, I coated the back of the moulding, as well as added a coat to the area that I had just traced, letting it dry a few minutes, just until it became tacky, then pressed the moulding onto the dresser.
I did this with all the mouldings and this is what it looked like after all the Efex mouldings were applied.
Then it was time to paint, and this is what Evelyn’s dresser looks like now, after the transformation.
I used three colors, dark gray {Pure & Original Classico Evening Shadow}, pale blue {Pure & Original Classico Lagoon Water}, and grayish blue {General Finishes Chalk Style Paint Charleton Blue}.
The dark gray was my base coat, then I highlighted with the pale blue, finishing with the darker blue in some areas.
I distressed only a bit on the edges, and then used a gold leaf gilding paste on the edge of the top, and all of the Efex mouldings, as well as the original hardware.
After the gilding paste dried, I glazed the entire piece using my homemade glaze, letting the glaze settle in the nooks and crannies, and down in the details of the mouldings.
Once the glaze finished drying, I gave the entire piece a coat of clear wax, letting it cure for 24 hours, and then buffed it with a soft cloth to a beautiful low sheen.
I have to say, the Efex mouldings really dress this piece up!
It turned out beautiful, and I think Evelyn would be so pleased with her dresser’s new look! It’s so much prettier than the spray painted white version!
If you have a ho-hum piece of furniture that needs something special, then you really need to check into the Efex mouldings.
You can also make your own mouldings as we have done on a few other projects!
I’m already thinking of a few more pieces of furniture that they would be perfect for!
Cheers,
Cindy
{I was provided the mouldings for this project by EfexUsa, but the opinions are 100% my own….I love Efex mouldings!!}
I’m new to furniture painting. Why does it look like there are pinkish tones on the piece? Is that the wood tones? Thanks! Beautifully done!
Hi Kathy! There aren’t any pinkish tones on the dresser. It may be that you’re seeing some of the wood tones coming through, or it may be showing up differently on your browser. It’s all blues and grays!
Just gorgeous, the transformation of your home is amazing…. Every room a masterpiece…Love….ps if you ever tire of the piece above the dresser,consider it Sold….I love that piece…..
I love this piece. I have one almost exactly like yours except mine is smaller and has the doors on the sides with drawers in the middle. I used a sheep skin color chalk paint on mine and then applied dark paste wax over the entire piece which gave the high/low areas more of a distressed look. It buffed out beautifully. I did do some research on chalk paint and waxing beforehand and, as you said, it’s important to let the wax cure overnight before buffing. I enjoyed the entire process. I played around with sample colors and just went for it. Our home is French Country with yellows and reds. The only blues I have are in the accents, except for our blue bedroom but it’s on the second floor. I would love to do a chest in blue but I hesitate that it won’t fit it. I love the blue color in your photos because of the grey undertones. I’ll try playing around with some blues on a small piece to see what I come up with. Thanks for the tip on the Efex mouldings!
That sounds wonderful Sharon! Merry Christmas!
This is a beautiful finish!
Hi
You took my breath away with this piece. It is absolutely gorgeous. I would like to do a dresser like this which I have in the garage. Can you tell me exactly how you did this one. And the colours you used. You said you used a dark grey but I don’t see a dark colour. I see a white (maybe like a light grey) and a light blue then the glaze. Could you please tell me what products and the colours you used.
I live in Canada so I’ll see if I can get these things here. But we are not far from the US border so we could go over and hunt some of this stuff down. Or there is always ordering on line. Where do you buy the moldings.
Sorry to burden you with all of this but I would really appreciate the help.
I wish you lived nearby so I could come and watch how you do these things. GORGEOUS!
Thank you
Baba
I’m a little late and doing some catch up on reading the posts……this is absolutely gorgeous!!! Love love love it! Would love to do something like this but always concerned if I have the patience to do it with the layering. Thanks for the info on it, again just gorgeous!
Thank you Candy! You can do it!
Hi Cindy!
What a gorgeous and stunning beauty…such a statement piece! I landed upon your blog a few months back, and have since become such a true admirer of your style and taste, literally in awe of what your hard work and effort’s produced. I’m loving you and your husband’s journey in renovating your house and the beautiful transformation that’s taking place. We have a 90’s suburban house we purchased here in the KC metro area a couple yrs ago that was a repo. The interior is pretty generic w/ a more open concept on the main level, so that presents challenges for making sure the décor ideas flow well. I think I’ve finally determined my style…something more French farmhouse/country, but not too rustic, w/ the provincial thrown in. You’ve been such an inspiration to me, as we slowly begin our own transformation of sorts (on a smaller scale than yours), but excited for things to come. I think a great idea would be for you to do an open house at some point, where you chg admission, so people like me could physically inhale the amazing transformation of your home! 😉 Many blessings to you!
Oh my goodness Roxie, thank you so much for your kind words! I just know that your home is going to transition beautifully! We come to KC once in awhile to the West Bottoms antique market, and we always drive through some the beautiful neighborhoods there. I can’t wait to hear about your renovations!
You’re welcome! Ahhh yes, the West Bottoms…you’re part of the growing thousands who’ve discovered that treasure. 😉 KC does have some beautiful neighborhoods on both sides of the line, w/ some extraordinary architectural features. 🙂
And thank you! I pulled up your blog post regarding one of your hutches you painted blue on the interior, w/ French Linen and a wash of Paris Grey/Old White on the exterior, followed by the dark wax mix…going to try and replicate that process on my own hutch I got from Craigslist. I’ll be holding my breath and hoping it’s going to look similar to yours, b/c I love what you did w/ that piece, as well! *fingers crossed! 😀
Do you apply a protective coating over the entire piece of furniture when you are finished? Your work is stunning and I too am inspired to breath some new life into some old pieces! 😉
Hi Karen! I always finish with a coat of clear wax. Currently, I’m using Annie Sloan clear wax. I let it cure 24 hours after applying and then I buff it to a soft sheen.
Thanks cindy!
Just beautiful you are so talented!!
Thank you Mary!
Cindy~
Beautiful !! You have a gift that is for sure:) The paints are a chalk paint?? Do you then paint the whole piece or just where you want the color?? I have been wanting to paint a dresser for awhile now, and when I go to get the paints I truly am lost hehe. I will just ship it to you 🙂
Have a super weekend
Paula
Thank you Paula! Yes, the paints are a chalk based paint. Usually when I paint a piece, my first coat will be the darker color, such as the dark gray on this dresser. I paint the entire piece in this color. The second coat {the lighter one}, I dry brushed on the edges, and raised areas, anywhere that I wanted highlighted. Actually when I finished with these two colors, it looked fine, but I felt like it was lacking something, I felt like I wanted a little more color, so I came back with the blue and just lightly went back over parts of it, adding the blue. The only complete, solid layer was the first coat. I hope that makes a little sense! And if you don’t like it, it’s just paint! Just paint over it! I wish I lived closer, I would help you with it!! 🙂
Cindy~
Thank you! You’re so sweet !! I wrote down the steps and will give it a go hehe:) Like you said “Its just paint!”
I will be heading to Jo~Anns tomorrow for my supplies !
You have a super weekend!
Paula
The efex moulding pieces are hollow.
My concern if little fingers or big fingers are playing around the furniture could you push in the molding destroying all the work you have done???
Or does the dried paint make it rock hard
Thank you for any info!
Hi Vicki! After reading your question, I went and checked out the mouldings on the dresser. I don’t see how any size finger could possibly destroy the mouldings. It is important to use contact cement which completely adheres them to the piece, and once you have the layers of paint added to them, I don’t see any way that they could be destroyed. Hope that helps!
I would love to see step by step pictures as you paint a piece. Your finishes aways look so gorgeous! Those moldings are to die for ❤
Thank you Jessica!
Hi! The piece is really stunning. I appreciate that you share the paint colors and your technique. I so enjoy your blog.
Thank you so much Carolee!
You are truly an artist! Your painting techniques – along with your choice of the mouldings – have made this piece a treasure! Thank you for continuing to inspire so many!
Thank you so much Debbie!
This turned out beautiful!
Thank you so much Emily!
Ok, that piece is spectactular!! I have a similar piece in our bedroom that I chalk painted a year ago….doesn’t look anything like that!! I need a lesson from you. Coming to California anytime soon?
Haha, Linda, not coming to CA anytime soon….but if I lived closer I would definitely help you repaint it! Thanks for commenting!
Wow!…this piece is stunning….you did a fantastic job as usual….such a great piece and love that it is a family treasure….I use a chest of drawers in my Great Room and close to the Dining room, that actually was in my bedroom previously…..I use it to store linens…I think Efex will be my new best friend in the future!!!
Thank you Shirley! I love using bedroom furniture in rooms other than the bedroom! You will love Efex mouldings, they are so easy to use and make an amazing difference to a piece of furniture!
Cindy, it’s absolutely gorgeous, I love how you transformed her with paint….and the appliqués are the perfect touch…your dear mother in law would be so proud at how beautiful it turned out….
Smiles~~
Mari
Thanks so much Mari!
Wow what a stunning transformation! It’s truly a work of art and looks now looks like a very old, expensive French antique. I love all the brush marks and the three-dimensional look that you acquired through layering of paint colors, wax and glazing! It looks amazing!
Thank you Sandy, that’s a wonderful compliment!
Wow! It turned out beautiful. You have great taste and vision. Love to see all you do and transform – thanks for sharing! 😉
Thank you Mayra!
This piece is beautiful! I love your vision. It’s inspiring. I’m planning to make a moss covered vase. It’s so charming and useful. It looks pretty easy, too. Thanks for your lovely ideas.
Thank you Becky!
I really had never thought off adding these lovely appliques. This post was so inspiring for me. Thank you!!
That’s wonderful, Diane! Thank you so much for commenting!
Always love your pieces! You are a true artist!
I want to thank you for sharing your glaze recipe. I can not seem to get dark wax to look that pretty. Looking forward to trying your stain.
I can not wait to see the next finished project.
Thank you Gaylin! I love the look that dark wax can give, but I hate working with it! I’ve painted {canvas} since I was a child, and I used to “antique” some of my paintings by using Burnt Umber acrylic paint…applying it and then wiping back. I decided that it should work fine on furniture and it does! The great thing about it is that it’s water based, so if you get too much, just wipe off with a damp cloth! Thanks for commenting!
Oh, girl, you’re good! You have the best ideas. Always creative and amazing. That piece is simply beautiful, the pearling and soft satin shine just made the piece pop. But the Efex molding’s, so classy and EASY. Gotta get some this weekend, love the fact they are bendable. Well done you! and Thank you!
Thank you Suzanne! You will LOVE the Efex mouldings!
Such a beautiful job, Cindy. I have painted furniture for years and must say you have quite the talent for it! The mouldings really add so much to the piece. Love, love, love!
Thank you for your sweet comment Joi!
Absolutely love it!
Thank you Linda!
Another beautiful project Cindy!! Love it!! I have seen the Efex mouldings locally and would like to find the perfect piece to apply them to! Thanks for your tutorial!! Have you started painting the paneling in your office yet?
Celia
Thank you Celia! I haven’t painted the paneling in the office yet…..there’s actually a surprise coming with that….:)
Oooo – I love surprises!!
Beautiful Cindy! I wish you could give us a class on painting furniture. Maybe you could do a you tube video!! You are so good at it! Can’t wait to see the office when it is finished! Have a great day!
Susan
Thank you Susan!
This finished product is wonderful!
Thanks so much Julie!
Wow. this turned out so beautiful and fancy. You know, I have a piece just like the original. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks Patti!
Beautiful. Absolutely! Please, won’t you tell us what is gilding paste? I need to brighten an old brass chandelier and I think this would work. Thank you for your lovely post.
Thank you Kathryn! I use Rub-n-Buff gilding paste {Hobby Lobby} in color Gold Leaf. It’s very easy to use and dries quickly!
I love the way the piece turned out and I’m curious about how you organize the interior of the piece for office use. This is SO much more attractive than the boxy hanging file furniture available, and I’d love it to work for my husband and me!
Thank you so much Linda! On this particular piece, the center doors open and behind them is a wide drawer that slides out. I place a basket inside that holds file folders. The other drawers hold miscellaneous paperwork and supplies.I use a lot of different size baskets, from the craft and office store, inside the drawers to keep the items organized. Hope that helps!
Just stunning. I love the pieces you chose. It’s so fun transforming with those trims.
Thanks Kim!
Absolutely beautiful. What is the piece hanging above it?
Thank you Rhonda! The piece hanging above the dresser is an antique French register from a children’s orphanage, The Children of Mary, in France. It dates to the early 1800’s, and still has tiny slips of paper inserted into the slots with the children’s names written on them. It’s one of my favorite things! Thanks for asking!
Oh my… I fell in love at first sight. Great job.
Thanks you so much Lydia!
What kind of glaze did you use? It’s absolutely stunning
Hi Christy! I make my own glaze, using acrylic artist’s paint {from the craft store} in the color Burnt Umber. I just thin the paint with water until it’s the consistency I want and then apply with a brush to the areas that I want shading in. I work a section at a time and after I apply, I wipe back the excess with a damp cloth. It’s really easy to work with, if you get too much, a damp cloth wipes it off! And it gives a wonderful depth the paint.
Work of art! Absolutely beautiful!
Thanks so much Francesca!