the french ceramics linen press.

Published on by Quandie

I’m so excited to share today’s makeover with you.  I put a lot of effort into this piece.  I really think it paid off and I’m hoping you think so too.

I’m a big fan of linen press dressers, so when I saw this one on Craigslist it was a no-brainer even though it was at the very top of my usual price range.

What makes this a ‘linen press’ are the interior drawers.

Every time I see one of these I want to save it, even though I know it’s a bit more work than a traditional dresser.

This one didn’t require much in the way of repairs, just a little adjusting for one of the doors that was sticking.  I simply sanded the bottom of the door a bit, tightened up the hinges and now it works fine.  You’ll also notice that some of the detail trim has broken off, but I’m OK with that.  I think it just adds to its vintage charm.

As soon as I brought this piece home I knew I wanted to use the French Ceramics transfer from Prima Marketing’s re.design line on those interior drawers.

I thought Dixie Belle’s In the Navy would be the perfect compliment to the transfer.

I began by stripping the top of the dresser with Citristrip.  Next I lightly sanded the entire piece and then cleaned it with a damp cloth.  Then I painted the shell with Dixie Belle’s In the Navy and the interior drawer fronts with Fusion’s Limestone.

The Limestone took two coats, but believe it or not I got away with just one coat of the In the Navy.

I waxed the top of the dresser using Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax in Brown.

That walnut burl wood veneer is kinda gorgeous, so I wanted to bring it back to its former glory.

I waxed the areas painted in In the Navy with Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax in Clear.  By the way, you can feel perfectly safe using DB’s Best Dang Wax inside your home.  It has almost no scent at all and it contains no petroleum distillates.

Once that was done I got out my Bronze Age art alchemy metallique wax from Prima Marketing …

and applied that to the details on the fronts of the doors using a q-tip.

The Bronze Age provided just the right look.  I think a brighter metallic would have overpowered the piece.

And now for the really fun part.  Yep, there’s more!  I applied the French Ceramics transfer over the Limestone on the inner drawers.

Yowza!  I absolutely love it!

Let’s talk logistics for a minute.  I needed two sets of the transfer for this project.  I used the entire first set and just the left 6″ from the 2nd set.  The transfer comes on three sheets that are 22″ wide x 10″ tall each.  The pattern has a repeat both horizontally and vertically.  Meaning that you could line up the design into perpetuity going either across or down. Since the drawers are 28″ wide that meant that I could add another 6″ to the width by lining up the sheets from the 2nd set for that remaining 6″.  Boy, that was about as clear as mud, right?

Suffice to say that you can line this pattern up fairly easily both across and down and it will look seamless.

I gotta say, whoever ends up owning this lovely linen press might find it difficult to keep the doors closed.

Maybe that makes it perfect for a messy person who never quite gets doors shut.

If you’re wondering where to purchase the Prima Marketing re.design French Ceramics transfer or their art alchemy metallique waxes, check out their ‘where to buy’ page.

If you’re wondering where to buy the Fusion paint in Limestone, check out their ‘where to buy‘ page.

If you’re wondering where to buy the Dixie Belle In the Navy paint or any of their waxes, you can shop with them directly online or find a retailer near you.

And finally, if you happen to be local (Twin Cities, MN) and in need of a gorgeous linen press dresser, check out my ‘available for local sale’ page for more details.

Many thanks to Dixie Belle, Fusion and Prima Marketing for sponsoring this project by providing the paint, waxes and transfers.  As always, although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.

62 thoughts on “the french ceramics linen press.”

  4. Highlighting the details on the chest with wax really makes this piece pop, I just love the effect. It must have taken you a bit of time with your q-tip, however, it is gorgeous. Who would have thought it could get any better but it does when the doors are opened. Beautiful!

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  8. You always do beautiful work but I have to say this is my favorite piece you’ve done so far. Absolutely gorgeous right down to the styling of the top. I love the painting and the gilt frame, even though it’s broken in places, tugs at my heart.

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  9. This is so gorgeous and the pop of color when you open the doors is breathtaking. Can you see the limestone color or is it covered up by the transfer? Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Sometimes I think that very same thing and I know there’s going to come a point where I just can’t top the last piece I did. I put way too much pressure on myself sometimes (don’t we all?). But when a piece turns out like this one, I’m always happy I pushed myself!

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  15. You’ve truly outdone yourself! This piece is even better looking in person. The metallic wax is gorgeous with the blue, and then the big surprise when you open it! Just beautiful. Lucky person to be able to take this one home…

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    1. I always want to say that pieces are better looking in person, but you are an unbiased observer (well, mostly) so it means so much more coming from you 😉

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  17. If that piece was mine, I could not part with it! You have gotta have a place to squeeze that in! (Coming from a professional squeeze it in borderline furniture hoarder!)
    I literally gasped when I saw the picture with the doors open! That blue and white is right up my alley! Linda, you keep knocking it out of the ball park! I read a ton of blogs (that’s why my house is messy), but you definitely are THE BEST, at re doing furniture!
    I have never wanted to move, but you really make me want to move to Minesota!
    You are just crazy good at this!

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  18. Brilliant Q just brilliant! Like you I love linen presses. Your creativity genes are on overdrive. Love the color, the wax accenting and those drawers.

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    1. This piece just had the perfect storm of qualities (that trim, the inner drawers, the gorgeous veneer top) that allowed me to make it sing with the addition of a bunch of different products!

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  19. Well Miss Quandie……you did do a lot of work and got such a pretty result! I love the burled top 😀 and the navy and bronze look so rich together! Kuddos and bravos as per usual! By the way I’m curious, what IS the top of your price range for a piece to quandie-fy?

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    1. Generally the top is $100. I have paid more than that once or twice, but only if a piece is really special and doesn’t need any repairs. Also, I’ll note here that I normally pay less in the summer. Pieces at garage sales tend to be cheaper, and it seems like there are more pieces to choose from on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist at lower prices in the summer too. For that reason I try to stock up at least a little this time of year (as much as I can with limited storage). If I run out of pieces to work on during the darkest days of winter I often end up having to pay more to replenish my supply.

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  20. That press is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! Wish I lived “locally”!
    Love the floral design. I love blue anyway. What a talent you have for this. Keep up the great work

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    1. Thanks so much Charleen! The French Ceramics floral is so pretty! They also have another similar design called French Ceramics II that is just the floral without the black wording that this one has. I’ll have to use that one on a piece soon too!

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  24. The first view of the linen press made my heart drop. It was so pretty but in major need of a refresh. I never imagined how stunning it could be! The colors you chose were perfect and the Bronze Age wax pushed it over the edge to breath-taking. You’re right – any other color would have been too much but the Bronze Age brought out gorgeous details that were lost before. The drawers inside are fantastic and the transfer is icing on the cake. I think this may be my new favorite of yours. It’s definitely a show-stopper! I haven’t even mentioned the wonderful work you did saving the beautiful burled top. This piece is amazing. The missing detailing pays honor to its heritage and just makes it more beautiful. There are no words though I used many trying to describe its beauty. You’ve outdone yourself again! What I wouldn’t give to have this in a place of honor in my own home.

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  27. Oh my! What a beautiful piece of furniture!! I love the transfers. I also love how you brought out the details of the piece with the bronze wax. Once again a perfect vision!!

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  28. Can you tell me how strong the adhesive is on the transfers? I have allergy problems. Something like packing tape will give me a severe reaction, but I’m fine with frog tape. Borderline with bandaids. I’d love to try one of those.

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    1. Actually, I get rashes from band aids myself. But really, if you’re applying the transfers carefully you should never be coming into contact with the adhesive side of the transfer. That side should go flat down onto your surface and in fact you want to avoid touching it. You’ll be rubbing over the plastic cover sheet that is on top of the transfer, so again, no contact with the adhesive. The only time I’ve come into contact with the adhesive is when I’ve accidentally stuck the transfer to myself instead of the furniture, which is certainly not the way you’re supposed to do it 😉

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  29. Oh lordy. Two things, no three. Your work is stunning. You have the patience of a saint. I need to put addition on our house to fit in at least one of your works of art.

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