Chunky Welsh Dresser Redressed in Soft Minty Blue - Before & After

Prepping a Shiny Pine Dresser

Because this dresser had such a thick, high-shine varnish, prep was especially important.

The whole piece was scuff sanded first to give the surface a better key. I then used Fusion Ultra Grip over the dresser before painting. It's ideal when you need extra adhesion on glossy or tricky surfaces.

This was also a winter project, so drying and curing times needed a little more patience. Furniture upcycling is many things, but it's rarely a race. Especially not when the weather is cold and the varnish is stubborn!

Once the prep was done and the Ultra Grip had fully dried, the dresser was ready for paint.

From Orange Pine to Soft Blue-Green

The main body of the dresser was painted in Fusion Mineral Paint in Inglenook. I used three coats to build up a smooth, even finish across the whole piece, including all those lovely carved and shaped details.

Inglenook was such a good choice for this transformation. It lifted the dresser away from its heavy orange pine look and gave it a soft, fresh finish without making it feel too modern for the style of the piece.

It still looked like a Welsh dresser. Just a much calmer, prettier and more refreshed version of itself.

A Washed Wood Top

To keep some warmth and natural wood texture, the top was refinished rather than painted in the same colour.

I created a soft paint wash using Fusion Mineral Paint in Algonquin and Cashmere, giving the wood a lighter, more muted finish that worked beautifully with the Inglenook.

Once the wash had the look I wanted, the top was protected with a heavy-duty varnish to make it practical for everyday use. Because a Welsh dresser is there to be lived with, not just admired from a safe distance.

Finishing Touches in Gold

The original pine handles were replaced with gold knobs, which instantly helped the dresser feel more elegant and finished.

There was a little bit of furniture-upcycling faff along the way, as some of the first handles turned out to be the wrong size for the door frames. Thankfully, a smaller set solved the problem and the final look came together beautifully.

My client did not want too much extra detail, so I kept the gold accents subtle. I used Guild Lane Super Gild Gold on the carved grape detail at the top, adding just enough metallic richness to catch the light without overpowering the piece.

Light, Airy and Ready for Its New Home

The final result was exactly what this Welsh dresser needed.

The orange pine was gone, the heavy shine was softened, and the whole piece felt lighter, calmer and more in keeping with my client’s new extension.

It still had its traditional shape and character, but the soft blue-green paint, washed wood top and delicate gold details gave it a fresh new chapter.

My client was absolutely thrilled with it, which is always the best part of any commissioned upcycle.

And when I shared the before and after reveal online, this one went a bit viral and got people talking on TikTok. Some people loved the transformation, some had plenty to say about painting pine, and the usual internet opinions came out to play. But whether you are team 'never paint wood' or team 'paint can save a piece', this dresser certainly made an impression. And it was fun to have unintentionally caused a bit of a social stir!

For me, this is what commissioned furniture upcycling is all about: taking a piece that already means something to someone and helping it fit beautifully into the next stage of their home.