Years ago, I rebuilt and refinished the teal dresser above — it had beautiful curves and great potential, so I brought it back to life. I held onto it, hoping I’d eventually find something to pair with it. Thankfully, I did. The second dresser pictured below had a similar silhouette but was in bad shape… and needed just as much love. So I rebuilt it too, and finally turned the vision of a matching set into reality.
Rebuilding the Dressers
Both pieces needed structural work. I replaced the side panels on one with smooth bead board and gave it a new top. Both dressers have brand new drawer bottoms. To add extra charm and continuity, I applied scalloped wood roofing strips to the bottom skirts and around the top edges. After sanding the strips smooth, I attached them with a brad nailer and filled the holes with wood filler.
The entire surface was sanded, working through the grits and stopping at 180. After vacuuming away the dust, they were ready for finish.
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Joinery Details
Both dressers were built with traditional joinery — mortise and tenon joints for strength and dado grooves to hold the side panels in place. I re-glued the original joints where needed and replaced damaged panels. Classic joinery like this is a sign of antique craftsmanship — and worth preserving whenever possible.
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Prepping with SealCoat
Before doing a paint wash, I sealed both pieces to prevent blotchiness and control absorption.
Here’s my full tutorial on applying SealCoat before a paint wash
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The Paint Wash
I used a 3:1 water-to-paint ratio, wiping it on and then off for a soft, layered effect that still shows off the wood grain.
The color is Woodwick by Fusion Mineral Paint — a rich, moody taupe that pairs beautifully with antique silhouettes.
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Topcoat + Wax Finish
Once the wash was fully dry, I sealed the finish with Polyvine Wax Finish Varnish in Satin for a soft, natural sheen.
To deepen the color and bring out the character, I applied dark walnut wax, let it sit for five minutes, then buffed it off.
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Miscellaneous Supplies
Drawer hardware, liner, and refinishing essentials can be found here.
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Now they’re the perfect his-and-hers pair — two completely rebuilt and refinished antique dressers that share history, character, and a custom finish that ties them together beautifully.
