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This piece was actually an accidental find. I went to meet a future antiques dealer in the hope a serpentine dresser was in good condition. When I arrived, I found it was not in great condition; further outside what I felt we could handle, but this guy had TONS of cool pieces in his storage unit. I noticed this piece right away, as it’s extremely hard to miss those turned legs! I looked around at all the other pieces he had and tried not to seem too excited, because I didn’t want him to drive the price up, so after pretending to be interested in some of the other pieces in his unit, eventually I asked him about it.
Every single one of his pieces had a flaw. Something needed replacing, secured, or missing pieces. I mean, I expect old vintage and antique pieces to not be in perfect condition, but I have found that most of them are easy repairs and this had a leg falling off. Fortunately for me, I knew this was an easy fix, although he didn’t and sold it to me for a great price.
Jake was a little surprised when I was supposed to come home with a dresser and instead pulled this out of the back of my car, but he was very happy that the only work this needed was stripping the original top (too many scratches)and securing the detached leg.
Then the fun began! I love the two-toned look of paint and contrasting wood. So I wanted to re-stain the top a medium wood color, especially since the top was a soft wood and would absorb the paint quickly and deeply.
I picked, General Finishes “Antique Walnut” with a satin wipe-on poly for the top. The based was painted in Fusion Mineral Paint’s “Homestead Blue.” Now let me tell you about this paint:
It is Acrylic Paint.
They have a sophisticated color choice palette.
The application of the paint is the smoothest I have EVER used.
Self-levels and their coverage is AMAZING!
And by the way, I was not paid or compensated in any way. When I say this is my own opinion, I mean that reducing the expensive learning curve of paint products means helping to make the refinishing life easier for you. This is seriously one of the most under rated paints on the market.
This piece used one coat. Seriously…O-N-E Coat of paint for solid coverage!. I used 1/4 cup total for this piece including touchups that I had missed! For someone as cheap/thrifty as I am, saving money where you can especially on supplies is always a winner in my book and I know in using Fusion Mineral Paint, I will save money on paint because I’m using less, so it lasts longer.
I just can’t get over those legs! They don’t make pieces like this anymore simply because it is a lot of work to be so detailed and creative. I wish the art of carpentry and furniture making was less MDF and more solid wood. Heirloom pieces are hard to come by but this piece could totally be one.
LouAnn Trischler says
Did you have to wax or use some type of sealant over this paint? The color is beautiful and your piece is amazing!
The Driftwood Home says
Hi LouAnn! I used General Finishes Top Coat in Satin over this piece.
Mary says
Beautiful! Did you use General Finishes satin on the stained top as well?
The Driftwood Home says
Hi Mary! I used the General Finishes Wipe on Poly topcoat!
Stephanie says
Is this by fusion too?
The Driftwood Home says
Hi Stephanie!
Yes this is Fusion Mineral Paint!
Kara says
Wow! Gorgeous! Short story… I was looking for a FMP color to paint a table that i found when i was meeting with an antiques dealer. I was there for something else but found that table in the back room.
The table is almost identical to yours. And last week i bought a framed canvas and feather stencil at hobby lobby..
I was reading your article and yelling to my husband that we could have written that ourselves! Except that i haven’t refinished it yet. The similarities were too much. Hopefully you will approve of me painting it homestead blue. I think its meant to be. This is only my second project with fusion and really liking it so far. Anyway… Your finish looks perfect and i couldnt look away.
The Driftwood Home says
Kara! Thats crazy! I think the stars have aligned and it was meant to be! Fusion is great and I love Homestead Blue! It’s one of my favorite colors of theirs! Glad you found something similar!