HOW TO UPDATE YOUR FURNITURE WITH DIXIE BELLE’S MOST POPULAR DROP CLOTH PAINT COLOR! | $25 THRIFTED KROEHLER MCM TALLBOY GETS AN EASY-TO-DO MODERN FINISH!
If you’re looking for THE MOST POPULAR color for your painted furniture, then this makeover is for you! This neutral is a number one seller. You’ll see why when I share this stunning $25 MCM Dresser Makeover!
Hello, beautiful creative friends, and Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed your holiday season. I had planned all these things I wanted to do over the holidays but it ended up being more relaxing than ‘doing’. I’m perfectly fine with this. We are human beings – not human doings, right?! 😉 I did take some to sew (which I’m not exceptionally great at but I love to pretend!) and do some other hobbies which I rarely get to do. That said, it’s FABULOUS to be back so thanks for joining me today!
Let’s get this first-of-the-year makeover started!
I found this Kroehler MCM Tallboy at my local thrift store for selling for $25! It was looking and smiling at me so I had to take it home.
Some of the wood was a little banged up and there were a few chips in the veneer as you can see on the top drawer.
But Kroehler was an established furniture manufacturer so what a lucky find for the price. It’s a great piece to salvage and give new life.
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
Kroehler Dresser – SALVAGED
White Lightening
Sand Paper | Tack Cloth
Shop Towels
Bondo All-Purpose Putty
Wood Filler
BIN Shellac Base Primer
2″ Chip Brush
Oval Medium Paint Brush
Au Naturel Water-Based Stain
Drop Cloth Chalk Mineral Paint
Satin Clear Coat
TOOL LIST
Orbital Sander
Paint Gun Sprayer
Fine Spray Water Mister
DROP CLOTH TO THE RESCUE
I’m always amazed at how paint can totally transform a piece of furniture. And if you’re a fan of clean-looking neutrals like I am, why not go for a tried and true winner – this Drop Cloth Chalk Mineral Paint. This is Dixie Belle’s top seller and I can see why.
PREP | CLEAN | SAND
To give this dresser a good cleaning I used White Lightening in a spray bottle and a large sponge. After it was cleaned, I made sure to wipe it down with a clean sponge to remove any residue.
The drawers had someone’s name and initials written in black Sharpie so while I was scuff sanding the finish, I made sure to sand the name off the sides. While I was at it, I sanded the inside of the drawers to look brand spank’n new as well.
FILLING WITH WOOD FILLER
I used a ‘softer’ wood filler for the smaller knicks and cracks. This wood filler is very easy to apply and easy to sand.
FILLING WITH BONDO
I used Bondo All Purpose Putty for the hardware holes and larger areas where the veneer was missing. Bondo is super durable and dries extremely fast. I have a full tutorial on how to use Bondo for Repairs here.
TAPING & PRIMING
To get a clean professional look, I taped off the inside of the dresser with painter’s tape.
Then I used BIN Shellac Based Primer to prep for paint. Two coats were applied with a very light sanding in-between. I removed all the dust with my tack cloth and it was ready for paint.
PAINTING AND SANDING BETWEEN COATS
Okay, here’s the fun part! Picking my color was EASY. To kick off the year, I went with Dixie Belle’s most popular color – Drop Cloth Chalk Mineral Paint. It’s a lovely linen white with gorgeous warm undertones. The perfect neutral for any furniture makeover.
I painted two coats using my Medium Oval Brush and fine spray mister. Misting my brush before dipping it into the paint allows the paint to glide onto the dresser and prevents brush strokes.
STAINING THE BASE
I really liked the natural wood base against the Drop Cloth. To keep them looking natural but ‘finished’ I used this Au Natural Water Based Stain. I poured a little into a plastic container and applied it with an inexpensive chip brush. Working in sections, I applied the stain and then wiped it back with a shop towel. One coat did the trick.
TINTED TOPCOAT
To protect and finish this painted dresser I used this Satin Clear Coat. I also tinted it with a tiny bit of paint. I sprayed three coats sanding very lightly between the first and second coats. No need to sand the last coat.
ADDING HARDWARE
To give this dresser a modern look (and keep the original smiley theme…hehe) I found these gorgeous Brushed Brass Handles on Amazon. I paired and installed two of them together to create a circular hardware detail on the top drawer. I LOVE the way this looks! What do you think?
And here’s the finished look!
I love the way the ‘circle hardware’ lines up with the detail on the top drawer.
And the sides and insides of the wood drawers complement the Drop Cloth finish perfectly.
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on Youtube. If you have any problems viewing it below, feel free to watch it on my Youtube Channel HERE. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 33.8K so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already! So exciting, thank YOU! 🙂
Here’s another look at this MCM tallboy before and after. I hope it’s inspired you and given you some new ideas for your projects. Feel free to PIN and SHARE so you can save it for later!
I’ll be back next Tuesday with my Trash To Treasure Crew sharing this trash-bound mirror makeover. You’re not going to believe the night and day difference. Perfect for staging and styling your painted furniture or home. I can’t wait to share!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS DROP CLOTH DRESSER MAKEOVER. FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂
Happy furniture painting friends!
Denise x
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So talented! I love your ideas and inspirations!!! Now if I only had room in my house for more furniture, I could be dangerous!!
lol, I hear you Rosanne! There are so many of these makeovers I would LOVE to keep but I just don’t have the space. 🙂
Happy New Year, Denise! WOW, is all I can say! This dresser is stunning! No wonder it sold in two hours!
As I was watching the You Tube video, I was thinking why not keep the original hardware? But the hardware you chose totally changed the vibe of the dresser and made it stunning!
I really appreciate the tips you include in your videos! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Hi Leeeeee!🤗 Happy New Year to you as well! I kept the original hardware for another project because it is unique. And so happy you’re enjoying my Youtube Channel. I appreciate you following along here and there! TY XOXO
Absolutely gorgeous! You are such an inspiration!
Thanks so much Susan! 🙂
Happy New Year Denise! I’m looking forward to seeing all the makeovers you have in store for us in 2023. I LOVE your brilliant idea for the hardware on the top drawer of this lovely dresser makeover.
Happy Happy New Year my friend! Thanks so much. I’m looking forward to seeing all YOUR creative makeovers in 2023!🤗 XOXO
You had me at drop cloth but those pulls… perfection. 👌 Beautiful update, Denise. Thanks for sharing. Pinned. 😘 Happy New Year 🎆
Thanks so much and Happy New Year my friend! I hope you had some downtime and a lovely holiday. XOXO
You always deliver beautiful furniture
.I tried using chalk paint before and was not successful. What is your trick?
I hated chalk paint the first time I used it which was many many years ago, but I absolutely LOVE it now. I would say the trick is to spray your brush with water or add a tiny bit of water before brushing it on. You end up with the same gorgeous finish, but it eliminates brush marks and makes it easier to apply. And the bonus is the paint goes a lot further as well. Meaning it’s very pigmented so less paint is needed. Hope this helps. 🙂
I LOVE this. This is a beautiful piece that will work in many types of decor and will be relevant through many trends.
I think so too Rose! This neutral paint color is amazing for any style of decor! Thanks so much. 🙂
Very clever use of the hardware!
Happy New Year!
Thanks Anne! Happy New Year to you as well! XOXO
This color is so soft I love the curved hardware – esp the circle mounting !!
Thanks for writing such thorough tutorials. You make it sound so easy – but I know there’s lots of elbow grease used too 🙂
As always – your vision is perfect.
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You’re so sweet P, thank you! Happy New Year! XOXO
This piece is beautiful, thank you for sharing! I always learn so much from you. I noticed that you used the medium oval brush over the angled brush. Do you prefer the oval brush? I’d like to get it but need to wait just a bit since it’s priced a little higher. I will wait for my birthday. 😉
Thanks so much Shari! 🙂 I don’t have a preference and I like switching them up depending on my mood. The oval is fabulous for flat surfaces as it holds a ton of paint and fans out beautifully. The angle works better on drawer lips and corners. The oval will make a wonderful gift!😃
Denise, honestly? to me this is your best piece yet. It is stunning in its beautiful modern simplicity. ♥
Awww, thaannnk youuuu Michele! Sometimes simple is best, right?!💚
The color is beautiful and I love, love, love the hardware! Very upscale looking. Thanks for sharing all the details and Happy New Year Denise!
My pleasure and thanks so much Nicki! Happy New Year to YOU! XOXO
Excellent – great color and the hardware is perfect.- you are such an artist.
Sheila
Aw, thanks so much Sheila! XOXO
Beautiful, everything you do turns out so perfect! I have always painted with a brush but it doesn’t compare at all to your sprayed finish. I have decided to get a sprayer & hope I am able to learn to use it! Thank you for your detailed tutorials also. Come on spring ; )
Thanks! And a sprayer is a great investment Carol! When I first bought my sprayer there was a little bit of a learning curve but it’s fun to have the choice on whether to spray or brush. I might get bored if I could only do one or the other.
Of course, it’s lovely! Those handles are just gorgeous, Denise.
Hope you have a wonderful New Year. Glad your took some time off and enjoyed other hobbies. It’s good for the soul.
Thanks Caye! First time using these handles and I think they are gorgeous as well. And yes, it was fun to dabble in other things other than paint!😃
Love what you did with the dresser. Love the pulls as well. The colour is divine. Beautiful, as always.
Thanks Margaret! Drop Cloth is divine… totally agree!😁
The hardware. Is amazing! That circle on the top two. So cool!
Thanks Kellee, I love this hardware as well. I think lining up the two to create a circle would be perfect for a cabinet or dresser that has swinging doors too!
Love it! Especially the original top pull!
Yay! Thanks my friend and Happy New Year to you!!!🥂
Beautiful work! I love the color. I may have to pick that one up.
Thank you! And I know you’d create something GORGEOUS with it Lizzy!😀
Love the look of this dresser, especially how you utilized that hardware. Looks amazing. Definitely inspirational.
Thanks so much Jill! 🙂
I’d like to do my mother’s dresser to become a dining room/living room china cabinet with transfer in front.
That sounds amazing Michelle! Drop Cloth is a wonderful backdrop for any transfer because its so neutral!
Love this look, and the hardware is perfection!
Aw, thanks Dana! XOXO
What a lovely fresh look for the New Year – and the hardware is the perfect finishing touch. Beautiful!
Happy New Year, Denise!
Happy New Year Marcia!!!🥂 Thank you! And I hope your holidays were fabulous. XOXO
Gorgeous! Love the color and hardware. Thanks for detailed instructions.
My pleasure and so glad you love it Marty!😀
That was one ugly dresser when you started. It looks so much better now. Congradulations!
lol… I’ve worked on uglier.😂 Thanks Michael!
This is gorgeous!
Thanks Carla! 🙂
An exciting look created from an ugly duckling! The handles just make it gorgeous.
Thanks so much Fran! This one did clean up nice…hehe. 😉
Wow! That turned out so beautiful! You always pick just the right hardware.
Thanks so much Julie! XOXO
Hi Denise! Happy New Year! This is such a pretty and clean piece! I love the circle hardware on the top drawer! I haven’t painted a piece in Drop Cloth yet but I have definitely put it on my list of colors to use. Thank you for sharing.
Hey my friend, Happy New Year to you!! I know you’d do something amazing with Drop Cloth. And if you decide to sell, I find this is a color that sells fast too.
Love, love, love! That hardware is spectacular! Beautiful job!
Thanks so much Susan! XOXO
Wow! That is really beautiful. And the curved pulls are perfect. It always amazes me to read your technical expertise with paint. I bet those coats of paint are just as hard wearing as what I think might have been an original almost baked on finish! 🙂 no cutting corners for you!
I do have one question: I love that Drop Cloth color so much, I might consider it as a wall color. I’m doing a small house that has a living room/dining room/kitchen area that needs a warm white color for all and I think that would be perfect. Do you know what wall color might be a good match?
Again, beautiful job on the dresser. I have really ‘come around’ to loving the MCM lines. You really breathed fresh life into that piece.
Thanks Shelley! And yes, once this paint is top-coated and cured, it’s super durable! As for a good Drop Cloth Match, Sherwin Williams “Moderate White” SW6140 is a fabulous match for walls. I would suggest testing it first though because like any wall paint, it does look slightly different depending on the light in the room. 🙂
GORGEOUS! A great post for the New Year.
Yay! Thanks so much Rebecca! Happy New Year to you!
Very pretty! Do you mist your brush before each time you load your brush? Thanks!
Thanks Donna and yes, I like misting my brush before loading it with paint. This chalk mineral paint is pretty thick so it helps to smooth it out. 🙂
Wow wow wow!! What a difference! The hardware did it for me…absolutely stunning choice, my friend! Happy New Year! XOXO
Happy New Year Christy!!!🎉 I hope your holidays were amazing and thanks so much! XOXO
Hi Denise. This dresser turned out beautifully. The handles are the icing on the cake. I didn’t used to be a big fan of MCM furniture until you started up cycling pieces on your blog. I’m sad for all the sturdy MCM dressers I overlooked because I could not see their potential:(. Glad I know better now!
Happy New Year my friend!!! I wasn’t a huge fan of MCM myself up until a few years ago. Then I started seeing these FABULOUS MCM makeovers on IG and had to give it a try. 🙂