An orange wood thrifted dresser gets a French blue makeover using Fusion Mineral Paint in Champness and Homestead House Wax in Espresso.
Before I dive back into more updates on the guest bedroom makeover, I have to stop and say a huge thank you to everyone who sent encouragement on Facebook and Instagram after we shared our moving news. It’s been an emotional few weeks, and your kind messages mean the world. As of yesterday, Robert and I put in an offer on a house! I can’t wait to share more about our new place once everything is finalized, but I don’t want to count my chickens just yet.
Now, back to the guest bedroom — this dresser makeover might be my favorite furniture transformation ever. And that’s saying something.
I found this worn dresser in my local buy/sell group for just $20 — a total steal. It arrived with plenty of wear, but those carved side details were gorgeous and full of potential.
I was determined to remove the orange tone but still preserve some natural wood warmth on the top, so I sanded the top down completely with a mouse sander: first using a coarse grit to strip the finish, then a medium grit to smooth it out.
After wiping away the sanding dust, I applied two coats of Minwax Weathered Oak to the top, following the product directions. This stain pulls out subtle grain variation and adds a touch of gray that I adore — it’s been a go-to for several projects around the house and provides a lovely, slightly weathered look.
For the body of the dresser I used Fusion Mineral Paint in the shade Champness, brushing on two even coats. Champness has such a soft, French-blue quality that felt perfect for the antique-inspired look I wanted.
To give the dresser an aged, French-country feel, I toned down the brightness of the blue with Homestead House Wax in Espresso. I worked the wax into the painted finish and all of the carved details using a wax brush, allowing the darker wax to settle into crevices and around moldings. This wax behaves nicely — it gives control and a smooth, translucent depth without drying too quickly or becoming overly opaque.
I swapped the original hardware for new cast iron knobs and handles I found on sale, and the difference is dramatic. If I passed this dresser on the street now, I might not even recognize it. The painted body, waxed accents, and weathered top came together to create an elegant yet relaxed piece that feels like it could have come from a French flea market.
I left a touch more wax in the drawer corners and along the detailing to enhance depth and shadow, and the stained top balances the painted body beautifully. It feels just right for the guest room’s evolving look.
I dressed the top simply: a thrifted lamp, botanical prints made from book pages, and a few accessories I borrowed from my mom’s house. Since we’re in the middle of moving things around, those little touches were the fastest way to stage the space and show how the piece will look in use.
Supplies used:
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Champness
- Homestead House Wax in Espresso
- Minwax Weathered Oak stain
- Mouse sander with coarse and medium grit sanding pads
- Minwax Polycrylic in matte finish
- Paintbrushes, wax brush, clean lint-free rags
- Cast iron knobs and handles
Current to-do list for the guest room:
- Makeover bed headboard and footboard
- Update nightstands
- Buy and hang art
- Update lighting
- Sew a window seat cushion (my mom’s department — I’m hopeless at sewing)
- Decide on curtains
I just picked up the perfect rug and some coordinating pillows, and the room is starting to come together exactly as I hoped. The dresser anchors the space with personality and charm, and proves that paint (and a little elbow grease) can transform something overlooked into a standout piece.
What do you think — does it look like something shipped over from France? I’m so excited to finish the rest of the room and share the full reveal soon.
*A big thanks to Fusion Mineral Paint for providing paint for this project. As always, all opinions are my own.
