I'd let it be--the other stuff will be out of fashion soon enough and you'll be painting THEM to go with the dresser!

It's different enough that it doesn't clash as it is.

I'm betting your decorator thought you would re stain, not cover the graining detail with paint. Chalk paint seems a particularly bad idea here, and the time you save from sanding will be multiplied by time spent curing - and waxing, if you want any light reflectiveness left to the piece. Chalk looks better in country décor, which is not what you have going on. I'd look at re-staining or over staining this, and polishing up the original hardware.

So...You bought a dresser that has the wood grain matched across the drawers and you want to slap a coat of chalk paint on it. Priceless.

That is such an HGTV thing to do.

Are you really serious? If you want a Hobby Lobby foam-brush craft project why didn't you just buy something bare from Unfinished Furniture or Ikea?

You're trying to make a sow's ear out of a silk purse.

Don’t turn a Tiffany diamond into dollar store glass. That’s criminal.

Hard to tell exactly what kind of shape this is in. Does it really need to be sanded or would a nice coat or two of Howard's Restor-A-Finish suffice? In no case would I paint it.

This is a question Beth should answer she’s good at repurposing furniture.

It's a quality piece, as is.

If you really dislike the piece, as is - please consider selling it and get a piece that is already chalk painted, etc. or an unfinished piece that you can paint or any cheap piece that you can alter. There's a ton of stuff out there... so really no need to resort to destroying classic pieces.

I've seen many of these redone, but i would not choose a chalk paint. This dresser is a mid century/1960's classic. If the wood is chipped and scratched, and you want to paint, then use BM Advance in a medium gloss, or General Finishes Milk Paint (which is not milk paint but a similar acrylic to BM's paint).

this is GF milk paint in Lamp Black. it dries to a satin finish and is easy to brush.

I prefer the glossier, lacquer type finishes on these styles. I've done many similar to your drexel, but not exact. here are some other drexel campaign style dressers done in a gloss enamel.

this first one is from OneKingsLane and prob sold for over 2K

please,,no chalk paint. remove all hardware and mark the drawers so they go back in the same spot.

give it a light sanding to knock off the gloss and to smooth out the surface. prime w/Zinsser, oil base primer. Fine sand again with 220. wipe clean. Now paint. BM Advance in the semi gloss or hi gloss will be perfect.

here is a link that shows you how she did her Drexel

http://www.dorseydesigns.com/white-brass-campaign-dresser-game/

if you want a blue, pick one of these darker shades

Beth,the dresser linked is described as a "cheap laminate campaign dresser". And her pics show she wasn't exaggerating. Not Drexel & not in the shape this one looks to be in. That said,if the OP wants to go for it,you've certainly provided the resources.

holly,,yes,,I know. but Sarah(on the link) provided pics of the products to use and showed how to prep. same thing this OP would do. doesn't matter that the pieces aren't identical. I believe OP has a Heritage, but I'm not sure. All I could find pics for were the Accolade or the campaign style. I've painted at least 20 of these types and the prep is the same. the only diff is with laminate you have to be careful not to sand down to the rough underlayment. Otherwise, priming and painting and products used, are identical.

Your new cabinet need not be used as a bedroom dresser -- it would work as a credenza in your living room, perhaps behind a sofa if used as a room divider, or as a sideboard in a dining room.

You could clean it with Murphy's Oil Soap.

If you want to darken it, consider using a lint free cloth to rub it down evenly with Old English dark stain remover.

The Drexel dresser in the OP is a Heritage Consensus.

I used to paint furniture to sell, but wouldn’t paint this piece. No way. This line is very collectible and in some cases, somewhat valuable (as compared to others of the same timeframe).

Agree with others to use this somewhere else in your home or sell it. There are lots of less valuable pieces from the 1970s-1980s that would look very good painted and work well in your room.

I hope my post doesn’t offend you, OP, it’s not my intention. Just wanted to share some background about this dresser. If you do decide to paint it, I’d hire a professional for a piece of this quality.

Keep it original condition and resell it to someone that appreciates it for what it is.

That is roughly what it would sell for in my neck of the woods via private seller. Take a photo and talk to a local appraiser re. changing the colour (or selling). Today's collectible may not be tomorrow's - once the MCM revival calms down again, so may perceived value, as mass market pieces tend to lose cache more quickly once a revival has turned.

I think talking to a pro about restoring it is a great idea. :)

I wouldn’t change the color/finish personally. Going darker, just like painting, would take away from the character of the grain, etc.

I don’t mean to sound like it’s the most valuable, prized, sought after, rare furniture in the world, it’s not, but it is desired among collectors ... especially as one of these days, there won’t be many left that aren’t painted. If it just won’t work with your plans, I’d sell it and find the right piece for your room. I like painted furniture very much — in some cases it actually looks better — but not this particular piece, IMO.

It would take an exorbitant amount of money to have that professionally refinished to match your new furniture—much more than what it’s worth—but it certainly wouldn’t be criminal to do so. It’s a mass-produced vintage piece, not a one-of-a-kind 17th-century antique. Do what you like with it.

Sammy, thank you. took the words out my mouth. I see these all over the place on craigslist in my neck of the woods. hardly a collectable. it's a nice piece, yes, but it doesn't belong in the Smithsonian. In the condition it's in, it isn't worth anything.

does the finish resemble this one?

factory finish coating over a very, very thin pecan wood veneer. you have to be very careful when sanding these pieces because it is so thin.

Do what you like. getting it refinished will cost over 1K, easy. you can redo the hardware yourself. take it off and use a mild abrasive like Barkeepers friend or Brasso and fine steel wool.

i've redone many vintage dressers. some were in truly hideous condition and had no other option but paint. It's up to you if you think yours warrants a 'redo'. but I can assure you, that piece isn't a collectable!

want to see one my favorites I did? this Kent Coffey dresser top had been used as an ironing board for 30 years and was so badly discolored and warped, I had to replace the solid wood top. but I did manage to refinish the drawer fronts.

S, Sho, we have all seen a vast array of pieces painted,for years. With varying degrees of success. (Both aesthetically and monetarily) Sometimes the piece is improved,often it is not. (unless,of course,Beth H. has done it,then vast improvement is guaranteed) Sometimes de-valued,sometimes not. Maybe worth the considerable effort to paint it for you,maybe not to another. A bit like re-upholstery, different variables in play. As mentioned above,these pieces of "brown" (as Mario Buatta calls 'em) are not on trend nor are they fine antiques so ,imo,do what you want to do. & Best of luck with your project,whichever way you choose.

Without reading all these comments, one thing I would not do is strip and sand it. It is veneered and won't hold up to those processes. Drexel makes good furniture, but this isn't an antique.

Do not change a thing! Leave that beautiful piece of history as is, please! If you don't think it fits your bedroom as is and have no other use for it, sell it to someone who will appreciate it.

If you wish to sell the hardware to me, we need a few pulls. WE have this vanity with attached mirror, two nightstands, and a tall dresser. We donated away the Q headboard when we got a king. Love this stuff. It's a pecan veneer, btw, but not like the old veneer which would peel off. Ours is rock solid.