Redoux: Monsieur Haut Garçon, or Mr. "High Boy" Dresser

I always thought this a very funny name for this style of dresser. There are several different version of this style of dresser, all can be called "high boy", I have more of this style to share in weeks to come!

I Lovvvvve this Princess Style Furniture. The ideas and finishes you can do with it are endless. Usually it is solidly made, with dovetail drawers and solid construction, however, not usually solid hard wood. So imagine my joy when I found this solid wood "High Boy" at a garage sale and talked the price down to $25. It was in perfect condition, but just needed a bit of a "Redoux":

le highboy before:

I sanded the entire piece, taking the very thin, and very outdated "golden finish" completely off the top. I stained the top with my new fave, "Dark Walnut Stain". The contrast with a light color is stunning.

I used Annie Sloan Chalk paint in "Old White" for the body and drawers. Two coats, a light sanding, a bit of distressing on the edges and high points, then I topped it with a custom blend of glaze mixed with a color called "Tobacco Brown". I used a very weak glaze because I didn't want to change the color too dramatically and just wanted it mostly to highlight the recesses. I topped the whole thing off with Liberon Paste Wax. It is thinner than the ASCP Wax, dries faster, but you don't get as much of a sheen from it when polished. I like different waxes for different projects, and this one seemed to suit Monsieur High Boy perfectly.

I didn't love the brassy finish on the handles, so I changed those up a bit by spray painting them Gold, then lightly distressing with a piece of steel wool.