We’re thrilled to welcome Lee Ann from Creative Moments back to the blog for another inspiring transformation. This time, she tackles a dark, outdated wooden bedroom set and gives it a fresh, bright makeover using Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint. Step by step, Lee Ann guides us through her process, demonstrating how easy it is to achieve a beautiful, smooth finish with minimal prep, thanks to Silk’s built-in primer and topcoat. If you’ve been looking for a simple way to brighten up a room or refresh your furniture, this project is perfect for you!

(The following is an excerpt from Creative Moments. Read the full article here.) 

White painted dresser that has a mirror attached to the top sitting on a wooden floor, in front of a tan painted all. A flowered rug is in front of the dresser and two rectangular shaped pieces of decor are to the left of the dresser.

Supplies needed:

This custom-painted bedroom set beautifully transitions from a medium dark stain to a soft, warm white with dark waxed detailing. The dark wax accents elegantly highlight the intricate curves and carvings, adding depth and character. The soft white finish instantly creates a serene and inviting atmosphere, perfectly capturing the customer’s vision for her refreshed bedroom. This transformation not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also gives the space a fresh, modern look, truly reflecting her unique style and taste.

"Before" picture of the dresser sitting on a wooden floor, in front of a tan painted wall. A picture frame and wooden decor pieces sit on top of the dresser. A "before" photo of a nightstand, brown wood sitting on a wooden floor in front of a tan painted wall.

Step 1: Clean with White Lightning

First, the pieces were cleaned well with spray white lightning cleaner, then wiped down with clean water to remove any residue.

A hand cleaning the brown wooden dresser using a white and red cloth.

Step 2: Remove hardware

Next, the hardware was removed on all the pieces. 

A photo of a brown wooden dresser with the hardware removed, sitting on a wooden cart Two brown wooden nightstands with the hardware removed sitting on a gray cement floor. Various tools are in the background.

Step 3: Scuff sand and repair dings and scratches

All of the edges and areas with past wear and dings were sanded smooth using a sanding sponge. Then, wood filler was applied where needed and sanded smooth once dry.

A brown wooden dresser top being sanded by a hand holding a gray sanding sponge.

Step 4: Apply Bonding BOSS

Dixie Belle Bonding Boss blocks bleed-through, odors, and ensures excellent paint adhesion on slick, smooth surfaces. It comes in grey, white, and clear. Since my paint color will be a warm white, I chose the white Bonding Boss for this set.

The first coat going on the mirror, 

A mirror with a jar of Bonding BOSS sitting on it. The frame has been coated with white Bonding BOSS

and the nightstands, being sure to get the drawer edges as well. I apply it with a premium chip brush. 

A nightstand being painted with Bonding BOSS nightstands being painted with Bonding BOSS

On one of the nightstands, a couple of areas started showing bleed-through. Do you see the yellowing in the crevice?

 A nightstand that has been painted with Bonding BOSS that has a jar of Bonding BOSS sitting on top of it. A hand holds an artist brush in front of the nightstand.

Allow the first coat to dry thoroughly before applying the second coat of Bonding BOSS. After applying two coats, let them dry for 24 hours.

A pair of white painted nightstands sit on top of a table covered with newspapers. A dresser that has been painted with Bonding BOSS; a hand holds a paint brush and an empty jar of Bonding BOSS in front of the dresser.

Step 5: Paint

Dixie Belle Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint in Endless Shore was the color of choice. 

After each coat, I sponge sand the surfaces again to maintain a smooth, silky finish.

The nightstands with their first coat of warm white. 

A pair of white painted nightstands sit on top of a table covered with newspapers. 

And it going on the end of the big dresser. This angle shows the warmth of the color against pure white. 

A dresser that has been painted with Bonding BOSS and partially painted with Endless Shore Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint. A spray bottle and open jar of Endless Shore Silk paint sits on top of the dresser. 

The drawer edges were painted with the drawers still in place; however, to reach the inner edges, they had to be removed. Afterward, an Artist Brush was used for precise detailing.

A closeup picture of a white painted dresser drawer partially open with a hand holding a paint brush in front and an open jar of Endless Shore Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint sitting on top of the dresser. A white painted dresser with the drawers all removed sits on a cement floor

I always paint under the edges, including the bottom. By laying the nightstands on their back, I can easily reach every corner and fully paint around the feet.

A white painted nightstand that has the drawers removed sits on it's back with a hand holding a paint brush next to the circular feet

Step 6: Clean hardware and put back onto furniture

Once the paint dried, we cleaned the original hardware and reattached it. It pairs beautifully with the new paint color, don’t you think?

A white painted nightstand and a white painted dresser with the hardware applied

Step 7: Apply dimension

Brown Best Dang Wax was applied around the edges to add dimension. 

The side of a white painted nightstand that has "grungy" edges from brown Best Dang Wax

With the wax applied, the ornate details on the mirror corners instantly pop.

The corner of a white painted mirror frame The corner of a white painted mirror frame with Brown Best Dang Wax applied to the ornamental part; an open can of brown Best Dang Wax sits on the mirror and a hand holding a paint brush is over the frame A white painted mirror frame with Best Dang Wax on the ornamental corner. An open can of brown Best Dang Wax sits on top of the mirror.

Step 8: Seal

For extra durability to the tops of the dressers, I applied clear Best Dang Wax using a Best Dang Brush. 

A white painted dresser top with an open can of clear Best Dang Wax and a hand holding the Best Dang Brush on top of the dresser. A pair of white painted nightstands sit on top of a brown wooden table

Here are the final photos from my customer’s home. What do you think of the transformation?

A white painted dresser with a mirror on top sits on a brown wooden floor, in front of an off white painted wall. A flowery rug sits on the floor in front of the dresser. Two rectangular brown pieces of decor sit on the floor to the left of the dresser. A white painted nightstand sits on a brown wooden floor in front of a tan painted wall; to the left is a bed with a pink and flowery quilted bespread

Lee Ann’s incredible transformation shows how easily even the darkest, most dated pieces can gain new life with the right tools and techniques. By using Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint, she effortlessly transformed a once-overlooked bedroom set into a bright and airy focal point. If you’re ready to start your own Silk makeover, check out our blog,  Revitalize with Dixie Belle’s Silk All-In-One, for inspiration. Then, visit your local Dixie Belle retailer to gather everything you need!

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