Transform an old dresser into an antiqued treasure

A coveted aesthetic of antique furniture is the crackled look of the paint that comes after decades of use. This look, however, is made by lead paint on authentically antique furniture. Balancing the aesthetic appeal of a weathered antique and the safety concern of lead paint can be difficult. Luckily, there are safer options that you can do yourself to achieve this style. You can turn any old painted dresser into a focal piece of your home.

You can also use this DIY to create a garden curio in which you store your garden tools and accessories. Place it in a covered garden area, and the already weathered look you create with the tutorial will be forgiving on any weathering that might happen outside. Wherever you decide to place your soon-to-be treasured dresser, ensure your workspace is well-ventilated and that you use all the proper safety gear.

Materials
- Ear protection
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Respirator mask
- Work gloves
- Old dresser, preferably painted
- Power sander
- Clean, slightly damp cloth
- FolkArt Crackle Medium
- Two paintbrushes
- FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint, Glacier
- Drawer pulls (optional)

Instructions
1. Remove the drawers and set them aside. Sand the dresser with a power sander, keeping an uneven pattern to create a worn look. Avoid making the wear look too consistent or intentional for a more antique look. Continue sanding the front and sides of the dresser.

2. Remove the hardware from the drawers. In the same manner as the frame, sand the front of the drawers. Wipe all the sanded areas with a clean, damp cloth.

3. Next, apply an even layer of FolkArt Home Decor Crackle Medium to the front of the drawers and the frame.

4. On top of the crackle medium, apply a layer of FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint. You can match the paint to any existing color on the dresser. On ours, we used the color Glacier. Allow the paint to dry, and you'll begin to see a crackled, antique look begin to form.

5. Replace the hardware, and return the drawers to the frame. This antiqued dresser will go well as a focal piece in your home, or you could place it in a covered garden area to store gardening tools and supplies.