Leelee the strip that you see is a groove in the wood where you would insert your fingers to pull the drawer out from underneath. I do like the idea of using teal. Someone suggested using teal and white. But my window panels, closet doors and floor boards are off-white. Not sure how the fresh white would look. So I do think a solid teal is the way to go.

BLee can you elaborate? I like your idea, it's just that I'm on the fence about using white with the teal because 1) I'm unsure of how to place the colors and 2) all of the trim and doors in my room are off white. Will the fresh white color compete?

Hi apglasper - a pretty blue you are wearing (and a pretty lady in blue, too, which I am allowed to say because I am a 74 year old little old lady). That blue would also, in a somewhat darker tone, be nice.

I am uneasy about solid color teal ... Might look too bulky or stark. What about a lighter, but still contrasting color, perhaps a paler teal - or a light shade in the pumpkin family. Grey with a bluish hint might be classy. Any black in your room? A black frame and top with light teal front sounds elegant. Anyway, a few kitchen towels added to my runner shows how many colors are compatible with teal, or with your pumpkin walls [congratulations for choosing such a warm, rich wall color; mine is more persimmon, because of art works I wanted there, and after 5 years here, I still love it].

No white frames above dresser - If you use metal hardware on dresser, consider metallic frames. Black frames always good, especially If black accents elsewhere in the room - black and white so classic, with colorful dresser as focal point.

Color placement? Dark frame with pale front, whatever colors you choose. You might wait on hardware until more of the room's decor is decided. Can you send more inclusive photo[s] of your room?

I see you liked the idea of the gold paint. How about going for great? Gold Leaf it for a stunning result or use a metallic gold paint. Silver would work too. Depends on your other accessories. But your overall look is warm. Have fun with it no matter what. It's only paint!

PS. Houzz is addictive - I set my kitchen timer to announce "STOP!" and then when I am really having a good time, ignore it. My 465 square feet is pretty much set except for accessories, so I adore decorating other people's homes … I plan a redo when I turn 80, maybe minimalist in quiet colors? In the meantime, am enclosing everything possible, since old knees (and new marvelous hip) prefer a dust free environment, except …..

my everchanging "grand circle".

Gold leaf? Stunning! Your MIL will need smelling salts :-)
Then gold frames above would be obvious choice, perhaps even a long rectangular gold framed mirror. [or one of those sunbursts - which I personally dislike, but it would look great on your wall.] Time for an hour of music before bedtime. Goodnight & sweet dreams.

Have you checked out any Sloan Chuck paint saves the step of priming and a great look

ColorSplashes I've never heard of Gold Leafing. So I googled and realized I've seen it numerous times and I think it's gorgeous! How would you go about gold leading a piece this size? Or would you just lead certain sections? I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

That should say "gold leafing". I really don't understand why auto correct won't let me say what I want to say!

apglasper, that's Sloan Chalk paint. I'm sticking with the idea of the whole dresser painted one color--even the top. It will stand out less and look classier if it's all the same color.

apglasper- I would do the whole thing. I will get some product names and references for you.

Base color the unit using either Sloan chalk paint suggested or a brand called Haute Couture - gorgeous colors and also primer and paint in one. Goes on beautifully. I would use a dark rust brown color to compliment the gold. Then start applying your gold leaf in small sections like just the drawer front.

Apply a water based size, wait until it is tacky and then put the gold leaf on. It is actually fake gold leaf and called Dutch Leaf. Real gold leaf is very expensive as you can imagine. They come in packs of 20 sheets of 5" x 5" squares. You can find Dutch leaf at a craft or art supply store. Online Dick Blick or similar supplier. They may have the water based size. For Sure you can get all the supplies from Brush and Trowel in Portland OR. They will ship to you. I will add links in another post.

Don't worry about perfect application. Half the fun is having irregularities. It is fairly labor intensive vs simply painting but the end Wow factor is huge.

The photo of an old dresser I added is one I did for myself in silver leaf. I then found some suede drawer liner online and lined all the drawers with suede which makes it extra luxe. Added crystal pulls. I did do a final top coat in a gloss varnish to protect the top. I love this $40 find and it makes me smile every time I look at it.

Another fun and high impact finish is to do a high gloss automotive paint finish. If you take it to the local car body shop they can do it for you! And imagine the colors you could do then.

One color for sure. You can make your own chalk paint & save a bundle. Just google chalk paint recipe.

Flip a coin? I am still in 2- tone camp .... If it is to be one color, aqua might be too alarming on such a large piece. I have trouble visualizing all gilt, though it could be spectacular - for a solid, consider a pumpkin family color lighter than your walls.

I would paint it with a burgandy/white with decals on the front draws to suit the room you are putting it into!

Here are some ideas for painting furniture.... as far as colors go, look at the other furniture, fabrics and artwork you may want to use as well... http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/ is just one site where you can look for color combination inspirations and patterns as well :-)

GREY!!!

I would do a flat black with chrome handles

The teal and white like this but I would leave the top the stained wood

Tin foil painting is very pretty

leave the wood top---distressed gray/blue

I used to have this wall color. I agree with going across the color wheel to the complimentary color. Teal a bit to dark? then a rich turquoise will also work.

I like the turquoise idea.

charcoal/black, perhaps distressed but not necessarily. I also think it would be great to use trendy black&white wallpaper on the drawers in the middle.

I would like to see it in distressed copper leaf. Would look stunning.

I gave a coat of blue latex paint then sanded it lightly on the front but not on the top because it was made of MDF. Painted gold trimings, then I gave 3 coats of latex varnish for the durabiliy. Added brass handles and brass plumbing for bottom shoes. Just love this old piece of furniture!

I love the suggestion of the tin foil painting in a silver/gold color with a wood or mirror top.

Lena, that's gorgeous! I don't know if I have to skill it would take to do that;-( but it's beautiful! I like the idea of copper/silver leafing. I'm just not sure how much of it to cover with the leafing. It's a pretty substantial size, so covering it all with leafing makes me think it will look heavy and gaudy. I would like to maybe do some stenciling on the center drawers.

Definitely gray. Check out the entire strip of Historical Colors on the Benjamin Moore Classic Colors deck from HC-169 to HC-173. All nice options from cool to warm grays.

Also, I think that the leafing can act as more of a neutral color for when I move.

dark neutral top and sides like; CHARCOAL or CHOCOLATE
then bold pattern wall paper the front drawers!

I am thinking of using a wine or deep berry color for my accessories (ie. bed spread, drapes, lamp shade). I would like the bedroom to have a regal appearance. I think that's why I'm leaning toward the leafing. I love how elegant and luxe it looks.

Forget teal aqua and turquoise!!! Soooo over it! Do a peach with some stencil..

A lemon green color will do.....

It would look fabulous refaced in mirrors!

Turquoise

just put some glans to show the natural wool beauty....

Maybe a light gray with some silver or white handles…perhaps?

I once did a desk over; i stripped the top and refinished it with a cherry...really pretty. I also stripped the bottom and drawers but I painted it a nice vanilla color. Very nice...I sold it :)

Each line of boxes with three different colours (light orange, beige and white)

I would paint it Black maybe a gold image painted or rather streaked across the front of the draws. Nothing great only an impression.

A lacquered look using fine paints of Europe brilliant. Their expresso color would look great.

I opt for high gloss white on top and rich turquoise base, Change center hardware to apothecary handles to match metal banding grip on drawers.

bright collors are in ,so maybe bright poppy red with metal or white knobs will be good idea ,also orange or nice sea blue !

paint it platinum. pumpkin & platinum are a beautiful combo. I agree that a lacquered look is perfect for this & get some fine hardware

Bj, what do you mean by "lacquered look"? I'm new to all this terminology.

shiny black with silver/chrome hardware

What would you do Muriel if you saw an ugly spider on you?By the way you are very pretty,Muriel!!

I'm sorry this dresser is hideous. Free or not. However my golden rule is "if you don't like it, paint it." If the top is actually made of wood, I would refinish it in a walnut stain with a flat finish poly. Get rid of the the middle knobs by plugging the holes and highlight the metal strips with long bar like hardware on the middle drawers. I would paint the rest of the dresser a dark mossy green to counter that very orange wall.