Storybook land

Beatrix Potter Decoupage Changing Table/Dresser

When I found out I was pregnant, my mom, who had been eagerly anticipating this event for a very, very long time, immediately jumped into action.  She, of course being very familiar with my tastes, knows that I have a fondness for vintage items and began hunting for unique, classic nursery decor.  She hit the jackpot at a local bookstore that was sadly going out of business.  They had a number of old prints and illustrations from children's books that had been gathering dust in the basement of the bookstore since the '50's.  She scooped up a bunch of these treasures at thrift store prices.  Among them were these fantastic Beatrix Potter illustration panels.  I remember being enthralled with the adventures and misadventures of all of these characters when I was young, Tom Kitten, Benjamin Bunny, The Tailor of Gloucester.  And the colors of the illustrations are so calming and lovely, perfect for a nursery.  At first I wasn't quite sure I could incorporate the panels into our decorating scheme; they were an odd shape for framing, but I had to put them to use somehow.  

So I decided to get crafty.  

Here's what I did:  

1.  I found a changing table on Craigslist.  The girls would need a changing table, of course.  It was actually in pretty good shape.  Just not my style, see:

2.  I removed the drawer pulls and roughed up all the surfaces with sand paper to give the paint something to adhere to.  

3.  I chose a new paint color.  I finally went with 'Gumdrop' from Benjamin Moore.  I used their High Gloss Impervo oil-based paint, because I read that it is the best for repainting furniture.  It is fantastic paint.  But, all you pregnant ladies out there, fumes from oil-based paint are very, very harmful to your baby.  I didn't know this at first, but it's true.  Thankfully, darling, patient Brian was lovely enough to do the painting for me.  This crafting thing is definitely not his gig, but I think he did a great job.  

4.  Brian painted the changing table and the outside edges of the drawers.  Then I measured and cut the illustration panels to fit the inner rectangle of the drawer fronts.  I was very deliberate with my measuring and precise with my cutting.  I think my patience paid off; the panels look as if they were designed specifically for this piece of furniture.  

5.  I then used a sponge brush and Mod Podge (which ROCKS, by the way) to adhere the panels to the drawers.  I've learned that the key to a great Mod Podge project is applying a very thin coat.  It dries pretty quickly - about 15 minutes.  Then I sealed it with 3 more very thin coats.  

6.  I then drilled new holes and put in some awesome glass drawer pulls.  I found these at Rejuvenation.

7.  Et voila.  Fancy decoupage changing table for the twins' little nursery storybook land.

Comments

[EvelynB]

SOOOO beautiful!!! I love it!

[Grandpa Larson]

Those little Sweeties will remember this forever.

[Jill]

I'm in love with it! Poor Jackson just got a cruddy old dresser from babies r' us... I need to start taking lessons from you!

[Mod Podge Amy]

OMG - I LOVE Beatrix Potter. My grandmother used to buy me the music boxes and books. So pretty! And how exciting that you are pregs - congratulations!

[briana]

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for your sweet comments! I am really kind of proud of how it turned out.

[Carmen]

Hi there!

I just wanted to tell you that your dresser inspired me to do something similar for my sister in law, who absolutely loves Beatrix Potter! I managed to find exactly the same panels you used on eBay and a second hand changing table which I painted white. It looks so pretty, very vintage but I love it (and I hope she does too, I'm presenting it today to her at her babyshower). The only thing I would've done differently was to rough up the areas a bit with sandpaper. I painted over the varnish and if you chip the paint it comes off easily, but I've sealed all the areas with a clear gloss lacquer so hopefully that will help.

Thank you for being my inspiration :)

[caroline maier]

Hi -- Like everyone else, including all those that didn't leave a comment, I adore what you have done with this dresser. It would be dreamy to find panels remotely like those you have used -- is there any specific jargon, like a brand name, you could share that would help me locate something like that for my project? Thanks for the glimpse of the pinnacle of creative and clever. Caroline

[Nursery Furniture]

Lovely pattern.. I really like it.. The pink one is looking awesome.. I will look forward to such design.. Great job!

[Monica Kasandra]

Hi, I saw your wonderfull dresser, for some time ago and I could not find your site again, until now.
Please, I am a big fan of Beatrix Potter, collecting figurines and have rubber stamps from Crafters Companion.

Please, may I aske where you bought the Beatrix Potter decoupage paper? I have an small chair (child) I would like to decorate.
Thanks
Yours sincerely
Monica Kasandra from Denmark

And your things are beatyfull