Another Ceruse Project!

It's been awhile since I've taken on a ceruse technique on another dresser, but when I came across this vintage oak piece with the great grain detail, I knew I had to work on it! This time, I chose a turquoise color instead of black. 
 For the original post I did on how to ceruse, click HERE  and HERE 

Ok, lets see what I started with! Feast your eyes! 

           Yeah I know, why in the world would I ever want to cover up this gem? Oh stop! 

 I'm going to jump ahead and let you peek right quick at the finished piece,,,,just so you will follow along and wonder, " How in the heck did you turn that 'thing' into THIS":

Well, first off, lots o' stripping w/my fave stripper. Why people insist on using chemicals when this perfectly fine, natural, non-chemical product is available, I'll never know. This Soy Gel cleans up with water! Does Citri-strip do that?? Can you use your bare hands?? No. 'Nuff said. 

Now would be a good time to click on the link above if you have no idea about cerusing. It's too involved to go into again.  I'll be here when you're done.  Ga'head' 

Got it now? 

Ok, lets go on.At this point, I though I would just do the top and the two drawers. Here it is,
perfectly stripped. I used a wire brush to get in that grain and open it up. 

 Aniline dye comes in many colors, along with regular stain colors. This dye penetrates deeper than a regular stain. You mix w/water and brush it on. (or wipe). It dries quickly. Wear gloves. It stains your skin like nobodies business! 

I brushed on about 3 coats and then gave everything the once over with the half and half shellac/alcohol mixture. This seals the wood but still leaves open the grain. Remember, this will bring up the fuzzies on your wood, don't knock them down w/too fine a grit or you will close off the grain. 

Now I wanted to use a glossy top coat on my finished piece. If you don't know, you can't apply a top coat (poly or a urethane) over wax. So, I couldn't use my liming wax on this now could I??! I meant to reach for the white paint, but grabbed the white stain (whitewash) by General Finishes. Very difficult to wipe off, so I had to be quick. I worked in small areas. Dipped one rag in the white, rubbed it in, and then quickly grabbed my other rag dipped in ms and wiped it off. If you don't, you just get a gigantic white wash over everything. 

This is the look you want. Clearly defined areas between the grain and the dyed part. 

I had planned on only doing the top and drawers and painting the rest, but as I went on, I figured that would look dumb. So I bit the bullet and did the entire piece! Yes. Very time consuming and very tedious. However, I love the finished look! 

What to do about the innards? Hmmm,, the oak was fine behind the doors, but the doors were just blah. Out came my new Fine Paints of Europe Eco line in a nice Peacock! 

 And of course my signature, "Paint the drawer sides" got a few coats too! 

 Dumbo me forgot to fill in the FIVE holes on each drawer, so I went with these large cup pulls to hide them. I did fill the ones on doors and decided on some bling. 

To finish it off, I coated everything 3-4 times with GF Arm r Seal. 

 And that's all there is ! 

 Stacey Embracing Change - Thursday  

The Painted Drawer - Friday Link Up Party 
The Chelsea Project-Friday linkup
 Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Night Special  

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