Earthy Elegance: A Vintage Four‑Drawer Dresser Makeover

A Dresser With Hidden Potential

Some pieces arrive in my workshop looking a little rough, but full of promise. This vintage four‑drawer dresser was exactly that. It was coated in two different colors of latex paint, both flaking off in patches. Not the prettiest sight — but I could see the beautiful wood hiding underneath.

I knew I wanted to give this piece an earthy, grounded vibe, something that celebrated the natural wood rather than covering it up.  Once the wood started peeking through, I knew I was on the right track.

Stripping Back the Layers

The first step was removing all that peeling paint. I scraped off the loose areas, then sanded the entire dresser with 100‑grit, followed by 120, and finally 180‑grit to smooth everything out. 

Painting furniture often comes to me in stages. Sometimes I have a clear vision from the start; other times, the piece tells me what it wants as I go. This dresser definitely fell into the second category.

After the sanding was finished, I gave the piece a cleaning inside and out with TSP Alternative to get all the dust and grime off.

Choosing an Earthy Color Palette

I decided to keep as much of the natural wood as possible, but I wanted a pop of color to complement it. I painted the sides in Fusion Mineral Paint Upper Canada, a gorgeous earthy green that instantly brought life back to the dresser.

To tie everything together, I painted the original wooden handles in the same Upper Canada shade. Then, for a subtle artistic touch, I added stenciling over the wood on the drawer fronts — just enough to add interest without overwhelming the natural grain.

Finishing With Warm, Rich Depth

Once the paint and stenciling were complete, it was time to bring everything together. I applied Cappuccino Stain & Finishing Oil over the entire piece and wiped it back. This step deepened the green paint beautifully and enriched the exposed wood, giving it a warm, earthy glow.

The transformation was exactly what I hoped for — natural, organic, and full of character.

A Beautiful, Earth‑Inspired Transformation

This dresser went from flaky and forgotten to warm, grounded, and full of charm. The combination of exposed wood, earthy green paint, and subtle stenciling created a piece that feels both rustic and refined.