If you’ve been following around here for a while, you know this dresser. It’s been with me for many moons, and every time I bring it to a new home, I give it a new life. When I bought it in Brooklyn at a thrift shop about six years ago, it was a dark wood–and not a very pretty wood. Then I painted it white. When I moved to L.A. I painted it turquoise–and the picture above? That’s how it looked yesterday, before I painted it for the third time. Our brand new jungalow certainly called for a brand new, bold color for my favorite dresser–but which color??
After contemplating for a bit (a by a bit I mean incessantly for about two months) I decided to take a page from my own book and go dark. Inspired by this dressers from the home of Erica Tanov, I wanted to go dark and…wait for it–glossy. I have never painted anything glossy before. I usually consider myself to be a matte girl–but I wanted to go for it, like trying out new haircut or something. But black was a little too moody for my cheery vibe so I went ahead and picked…
Rich Navy by Glidden. I got the Extra High Gloss paint for trims and doors.
When I first opened the can of paint, I was shocked at how thick the paint was. There was a bit of oil on top and so I stirred the paint and mixed it in. The paint felt a bit lumpy, so I kept on mixing for a bit and then just went for it. The paint went on very smoothly. There we no drips and even after a single coat, the paint covered the area really nicely. I was surprised at how little paint I had to use to cover the entire dresser–it took about half the amount of paint (and time) as the last two times I had painted it. And the end results? Well–check it out for yourself:
I LOVE the high gloss. It was just the change I needed. It kinda turned up the chic on the dresser, don’t you think? I’m into the color but admittedly it looks a bit lighter than I thought it would. I think that’s because it’s so shiny that it’s reflecting the light and the white is bouncing off of it to make it read as a lighter hue. I am more used to picking matte colors that absorb the light.
I also love the way the high gloss plays off of the brass colors in the hardware.
And this will be the anchor piece that I built this room around, so stay tuned for more updates! And to make matters even more shiny and fun, today I’ve partnered with Glidden to offer one lucky reader a $100 gift card to Home Depot, so that you can go all glossy (or matte!) on one of your old dressers! Here’s how to enter:
1. Go to Glidden and peruse the colors.
2. Come back here and tell me what color you’d choose for an upcoming project in your home in the comments below.
3. For additional entries by writing a review on Glidden.com here.
*This post was created in partnership with Glidden. Sorry, open to U.S. readers only. $100 USD total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close on August 5th at 9AM PST and announced at the bottom of this post.
*Photography by Danae Horst
UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. The winner of the giveaway is #68, Rachel Shapiro. We will be sending you an email shortly!
Laura says
I would take the amethyst jewel,painting a buffet that looks very similar to yours and style but longer and taller….’
Blythe says
Ooh, the high gloss looks fabulous with the navy! I would repaint a long dresser I have with Glidden’s Peking Orange.
Maya says
I love the hemlock green!
Blythe says
I left a review on Glidden’s site, but it says it may take up to 72 hours to post: http://www.glidden.com/Products/Interior/HomeDepot/PremiumCollectionInteriorExteriorHousePaint/PremiumPaintPrimerInteriorExteriorHighGloss
Alison says
I love the Marshmallow White!
Andi says
I would love to paint a room in Urban Grey!
HS says
Dove White 10BB 83/020 is great for our living room.
Faviola G. says
Dusty Violet!
Aimee Graham says
I have a dresser that could use a new coat of paint, something like Orange TIger Lily. But, what I really want to do is paint a cement tile like pattern on the tiles in my entry way Forest Black. Banish the 80s!
Kara says
I would use wheat stalk to repaint a mid-century-esque dresser.
Tanya says
OMG, I don’t even have to check – I’ve had my eye on Glidden’s Red Delicious for a bookshelf makeover (it’s black in a room full of warm wood furniture, so it needs to play nicely with the others).
And I guess I never considered going glossy – seemed like you have to be super precise with it, but your post is very encouraging! Thanks!
Christine says
I love that blue on your dresser!
I definitely need to pick up Orange Tiger Lily to touch up the back of our cabinets in a butler’s pantry area of our kitchen. The previous owner of our house went with only one coat of orange/pink, and they plywood is still somewhat showing through. I’ve been working on finding other accents to put across the house in that same color.
Esha says
I love the Blue-Gray Slate, which would be perfect for my bathroom which I am in the middle of refreshing!
Holly says
Tropical Coral all the way!!!
Ellen says
I have two favorites, both of which I have used many times. Red Geranium (on my kitchen island) and Winter Rain which I like for ceilings. I would love to win some more, because I want to paint some cabinets.
Tammie Hulsey says
I have a chest of drawers that I need to paint. This will be the first piece of furniture I have done myself. I am loving the Egyptian Sun!
Angela says
I just inherited my grandmother’s armoire that could use a coat of something bright like Carribean sea!
Svetlana says
I want to paint the back panels on a shelving unit, and I’m really liking Graceful Green for that!
Ann says
I love the high gloss navy! I actually had something similar in mind for a tv stand we inherited from the previous owners of our home. I also love the parchment white for our dining room. It a calming neutral.
C-song says
Glidden has SO MANY amazing colors to choose from, and I love the way they have them organized into families. One of my faves is Natural Linen 40 YY 60/103, which I’m going to use on a hanging shelf display. BTW, I love, love, LOVE my New Bohemians book, and everyone I’ve shown it to wants a copy. I guess my holiday gift list is DONE! <3
Jessie says
So inspiring! I have been eyeing the “Charred Clay” as I’m looking to paint the insides of some built-ins. I might take a page from your book, too, and go high gloss. Bonus is that it’s easy to clean ;)
jessica says
Y58 August Moon would look incredible on a set of bookcases I am hoping to refinish. I wouldn’t have tried the high gloss finish but I LOVE the sheen!!
Rabea Ballin says
I have some dead trees in my small yard that I should like to paint! I will also paint some picture frames of mine.
I like the color “Bright Sailing Sky Blue” 25BB
aprilneverends says
Oh wow, the dresser is fabulous in high gloss navy. Looks almost alive, like it’s going to dance soon.
I want to paint something small in high gloss scarlet, but truth to be told, I don’t have this something yet. I just like the idea of high gloss scarlet.
Rachel Shapiro says
Ohhh I’ve been wanting to paint a plant stand I have a dark blue and love the way the Rich Navy you used on the dresser turned out! But I also like Federal Blue 50BB!
Rosie says
I have a dresser I would like to paint August Moon 66YY 85/231! It is a lighter yellow, so pretty!!! This post makes me want to run home and do it now!
Samantha says
I’m so inspired by your idea of painting with a different color for each house you move to! My partner and I are moving to a new house in a new city for a new job. I am really excited to begin our new life with fresh colors. I want to paint my walls Frosty Mint 70GY 83/100 and Clear Blue Sky 70BG 70/131!
Julie says
I want to paint my hallway in “Fresh Tangerines” – soooo pretty!
Doreen Hill says
Love Glidden’s Freshen Up Lime! I bought a vintage table recently at the local flea market, and it would look so beautiful with a new coat of paint! Thanks for the giveaway!
Terri H says
I would love to paint a wall “pure periwinkle”
Kelly D says
I would paint my end table in the “Window Garden Green” color.
alicia szemon says
I would use bubblegum pink for some cute little accents to my house(:
Elizabeth B says
I would love to paint something, maybe a console table, Peach Daiquiri! I mean, with that name!
Michelle says
I have been dying to try go dark in my bedroom and I think the blue -grey paint would be perfect! Not only would it add color, but really cozy up the space.
susan O'Keefe says
I would love to paint an old beat up trunk in the happy color Sunny! How fun!
Danielle says
I have an old and very tall windsor chair that would look lovely in “Lemon Lime Fiz”, I believe :)
Susan DeVaux says
My favorite color is Polished limestone. I would love to paint my nightstands those colors!! Thanks!
Evie says
I would refresh my dresser with Red Geranium and put it in my living room!
Dianne Hall says
I have a hutch that needs to be re-painted. I love the Teal Zeal!
Shavonda says
I loooooove Rich Navy. I painted the kitchen and family room in my last home rich navy. It looks amazing on your dresser. Coincidentally enough I JUST painted my new front door Glidden Orange Tiger Lily in high gloss. I Loooooove high gloss paint on both doors and furniture. Ive actually been wanting to try the trim and door paint bc of the gloss factor but i assumed they couldnt be color mixed, which is why I went with just regular high gloss.
Cheryl says
I could probably paint everything in my house the color of Freshen Up Lime.
rachel says
I’m loving the high gloss look. Really makes the piece pop! I need to paint a bookshelf and I’m thinking Greycliffe would be the perfect color.
Samantha Ott says
I would go with the green and sage color combination to spruce up my boring old black dresser in our bedroom. That would just bring everything in the room together!
rachel cartucci says
New world blue and regal purple would be both awesome in my bedroom.
Erin Ellis says
WOW! That looks fantastic! I love the navy color. I would love to use their Sunny yellow paint color to redo a little table that my grandfather made in the 1950’s. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
Alicia says
I want to paint my closet doors and the trim around the window in my bedroom Deep Shaded Grove.
Roxanne Hays says
I love the marshmallow white for a low secretary I have. It has damage on the front that I have to repair but it will look great once it’s painted.
Hannah @ The Homesteady says
Oh my gosh, I love Sutton Place Grey. It’s the perfect putty color for a bedroom!
Del says
What a great transformation! I’m drawn to Universal Grey 00NN 62/000 and Nova White 10BB 83/017. I would be be painting a vintage dresser that was gifted to me 2005!
Titi says
I’m drawn to either Tropical Coral or Bright Teal Surprised for a dresser. Btw I love how it came out!
Colleen Boudreau says
I love Thai Teal.
Jillian Simmang says
Orange Tiger Lilly all the way! I have a buffet that needs a makeover for our sitting room with Cuban flair.
Marty C. says
Watermelon Smoothie, for the dresser in my toddler’s room. It’s not exactly what I’d pick for myself, but it’s not going to be on public display and it’s her favorite color, so…
Jen says
I think my nightstands could go from turquoise (which they are now, the same as your dresser was) to a quiet, velvety matte Sea Glass Green…or maybe even Bittersweet Chocolate :)
Dandi D says
I would choose the Sugared Plum color for our new little one’s nursery.
coral says
My kitchen cabinets are due for some paint, and while I’ll probably do boring white, I’d secretly love pastorale jade. I think it would be so pretty with palest gray walls and our maple floor!
Veronica says
Thai teal for a wooden cradle and shelves in my daughter’s room.
cassie says
i love winterscape blue… our family room is in desperate need of repainting
Kurston says
We just bought our first home and were inspired by our summer European travels. I’d choose Sunspot to brighten up our kitchen. It’s very similar to the yellow the Moors used to paint the Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. And what a beautiful pop of sunshine to come home to after a long day.
Kenny says
I like urban gray. It would look great in my son’s room.
tammyCA says
I zeroed in on “island shores”..for an end table that desperately needs repainting.
kim says
I have a dresser that’s calling for “Icy Teal”!
Elizabeth says
Mild Wind blue would be great for our bathroom!
jacquelyn says
Spring Green for my garage door! I want to get it painted before summer is over. My front door is turquoise and side door orange, cannot wait to see it all together! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sarah Fox says
I’m going to be painting three different side tables the same color so that there is a more cohesive feel in my bedroom and I am thinking Pale Jade would give them a fresh face lift.
Michaela says
I dig stony white. We are moving into a new house and have a TON of projects to do.
Kelley says
I just love that pinky-salmon armoire/cabinet you did a while back and I have a great dark wood sideboard in my dark dining room that I think would do SO great in Glidden’s Peach Daiquiri, in high gloss of course! Yay!
susan says
sunbeam for an old nightstand that I now use as storage in the bathroom.
Carla S says
I would repaint my folding wooden tables in sugared plum.
Hannah says
Lime Foam 50GG 61/134
and
Peach Daiquiri 46YR 69/173
Would love painting some flower pots this color.
Denise Konkel says
Fresh Tangerines..I would like my bedroom painted this color
Kim c says
Color me Periwinkle Petal.
Steph D says
I’ve been wanting a green dresser for the longest time… I’d go with jungle vine!
Nicki J. says
I would repaint my living rooms & the bedrooms “Marshmallow White”
Cindy A. says
I would love to use Thai Teal on my vintage cedar chest.
http://www.glidden.com/Color/Paint-Colors/Blues/53GG_50-360
Ashley | Free Wills Studio says
Thanks for the giveaway! I love your project and have a huge list of things to paint. I too am loving the darker, moodier colors and really like Black Tulip. :)
Tasha says
I love the yellow August Moon for a piece i want to do for my little boy’s room. Thanks!
Kristina says
Periwinkle Petal and Sutton Place Grey are my favorite
ann lawson says
I’d use red geranium to repaint old wooden chairs on the patio!
Christeen says
I plan on painting our bookshelf and Blushing Pink 90RR 58/177 would be perfect!
Rose Boccella says
Green woods for my front door.
Ryan says
I have been needing to paint my antique entry table for FAR too long. I like Ascot Blue!
Stephenie says
I’d love to paint my bedroom Fresh Arboretum Green. I’ve got a thing for green. :)
Janna says
I’m in love with Marine Blue! I think it would be a great color to use to add some detail to a beautiful midcentury tallboy dresser I own.
Tonya Ricucci says
oooh, True Turquoise for me. love that painted dresser.
miranda says
oh i like that! i was scared for you at first but that looks great! can never go wrong with navy and gold/brass!
i’m so afraid to paint furniture. i think i’m making it way harder…than it actually it is. all the sanding and priming. bleh.
love it! excited for more! really liked the white too.
Gloria Holmes says
It’s Capri Teal for my tired bookshelf!
Anita Breach says
Thai Teal for a bar cart!
Debra says
I absolutely love the glossy navy blue color – the dresser looks stunning wearing it.
I have a side table I found at the dumpster that I want to paint and I would pick Red Geranium 19YR 14/629.
manda collins says
What a relief to find someone who isn’t afraid of color! I have felt alone for a while…..
Are you also into striking colors on walls? I love dark and moody with pops of colour! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.magpiehomes.wordpress.com
Jasmine says
Do you bypass sanding/priming and just paint over each color? Have you ever had issues with peeling? I have a chest of drawers, somewhat similar but with a mirror at the top, that I would love to paint, but I want to make sure I do it right so it lasts!
amy williams says
I would use this color to redo my buffet! http://www.glidden.com/Color/Paint-Colors/Greys-Charcoals
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Mike says
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