I have this set in my guest room...I didn't know it was for a little girl...mine has a queen size headboard... the house is a Victorian.

I guess I thought it was for a little girl b/c the sellers said it was their daughters.

I told DH that the four pieces of floral carved wood on the bottom might make interesting sides for a tray. :-)

Kathie738p--is your home decorated in Victorian style?

That was originally sold at Pier One 6-8 years ago. It came with the headboard and some side tables.

I thought so b/c the back of it has a tag that says "Pier 1 Jamaican collection" or something like that. I especially liked the height, the smooth drawer operation, the storage opportunity, and that it was only $60.

I drew a little mock-up of what I imagined it would look like painted red w/black handles and I think it will look unique in my LR with the tv mounted on the wall above it.

I like the idea of a deep red... not a bright red. Metal pulls would look better than black IMHO.

Keep in mind that it would be so easy/inexpensive to get a sheet of glass for the top. You could then do all sorts of really cool things under the glass in the way of fabric, paper, photos, etc....... really make it into a personal piece for you.

Syllabus--I was thinking deep red too, something muted and understated (not a bright red). I actually have a pillow I want to match. DH would prefer metal handles, as well. What type of pull and what color? I was thinking black metal, but if I do black metal then how's that too different from painted black wood handle?

Glass top is a great idea!

Hi everyone.....I am back from my visit home............now then....very cute dresser indeed, and I would definitely go with a deep red, but I have to say in MVHO, I cannot see the black handles doing it any justice....... distressed brass handles???? Just a suggestion.
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Maddya

I do like antique brass but my LR has mostly black accents. The only brass we have in the house is bright brass on the door handles. I also have the "brushed nickel" metal accent in the house. Would antique brass be too much?

Do it fire engine red and then knock it down with a walnut glaze that catches in the crevices, use antique brass handles. I don't think you will regret it.

Being eclectic I think you would be fine with the antique brass......and I still like the darker red colour......I really don't understand what "knocking it down" means.....but maybe that would work:-) ??
You know....just look at the piece as completely separate.....and then decide how you would like it......do whatever you would like, and it will fit anywhere in your house, because you love it and it could stand on its own.
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Maddya

I think Patricia meant "tone down the fire engine red a few notches" by "knock it down!" The glaze would catch in the crevices of the wicker and perhaps give it more dimension/depth than just a straight coat of paint. My MIL has this exact set in her guest room and I have often thought it would look great painted and without the carved trim. I don't think you can go wrong. A splash of red is always energizing and brings a lot of vibrancy to a space.

I like the idea of giving it depth by using a glaze, but I think I'm too chicken to start w/fire engine red! I'll probably still get a muted red but not as dark (since it should darken a little w/the glaze).

I'm really excited, I wouldn't have considered glaze but now I'd like to try it. I also wouldn't have considered antique brass handles but if I look at this dresser all on it's own, w/o trying to tie it in, they would be a good choice b/c of their appearance of age and the depth they offer that black just won't have. The red color will help it fit b/c I have muted, dark red accents in an otherwise neutral LR.

Thanks for all the ideas, I'll post progress pix when it's done!

Melanie

I think the dresser is darling. If I glazed over the red with a walnut, I think I'd try to leave the outer edges of the drawer darker and maybe around the handles darker, and rub the rest off more so it was lighter. That would give it a cool aged look and make it more interesting.

Good luck with it and please post pics when you're done!

Thanks, All, Yes, "knock it down" means to "calm it down" or take it to another more subtle place.

If you use a muddled paint, and then glaze with walnut, you will end up with a near-brown rust product. You really want vibrant red and the walnut will take it to the subtle place with great dimension and "aplomb."

patricia43--I have never glazed anything before so I will trust your advice. Bright, vibrant red it is :-)

I can't wait to see how this turns out, it should be very pretty.
My Victorian is going in the shabby/cottage style, I'm afraid it would look like the Adams family if I went truly Victorian.

Lurking... did you paint this yet? Would love to see the final result.

;)