I AM obsessed with natural and raw wood tones …. they are TIMELESS! The simplicity and organic look make it a perfect piece for any decor style that can be used in any room of the house. I bought this used dresser on Craigslist for $80 dollars and transformed it into a beautiful raw-looking piece that definitely catches the eye. I was inspired by a gorgeous dresser I found on West Elm that costs over $1200. You have definitely lost your mind if you are spending this type of money on furniture!!! I’m about to release the Kraken and teach you how to achieve this look. Buckle up Casa Davis family.

It is worth highlighting that this project only works with real wood. So, no MDF okay!

Art by Edwin Davis: www.edwindavisfineart.com
For the items used in this decoration, visit: www.casadavisdecor.com/bleached-dresser-shopping-list
MATERIALS
(I added links for the products I used in this project)
1. Surface cleaner and cloth to clean the wood (you can use any product of your preference)
2. Rubber gloves ... plastic, and rags for spills
3. Paint & varnish stripping gel (use one that is safe for the indoor use/no fumes. I used the one below)
4. OPTIONAL: Plastic film to cover the paint stripper
5. Brush or sponge to apply the paint remover
6. Putty knife
7. Sandpaper ( RECOMMENDED: Random Orbit Sander)
8. Clorox and cloth to apply it
9. Sponges to clean the wood and apply wood wax at the end
10. Wood wax to seal up and polish the wood
DISTRESS PROCESS
1. CLEAN UP YOUR WOODEN PIECE AND REMOVE DRAWERS PULLS OR ANY OTHER HARDWARE
2. CLEAN YOUR FURNITURE WITH ANY SURFACE CLEANING PRODUCT. SAND THE SURFACE LIGHTLY.
3. APPLY A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF PAINT & VARNISH STRIPPING GEL WITH A SPONGE OR BRUSH - REPEAT IF NECESSARY
Apply the product heavily, especially in areas where there is a lot of old topcoats. Let it sit from 3 to 6 hours. If you let the product rest for 6 hours, you'll most likely have less work ahead of you (this comes from my own experience). You can also cover the furniture with a plastic film to allow the product to catalyze, which optimizes the removal process of the varnish. Repeat this process at least one more time if you feel you have not achieved the desired appearance.
4. SCRAPE AND SAND
Use your metal putty knife to scrape off the lifted gunk - this part is so satisfying! Go towards the wood grain ... PUSH AGAINST the wood hard, even if it hurts the wood a little (you will love the imperfections). After removing everything. Clean the wood with a damp cloth.
NOTE: This dresser was made of natural oak and it was renovated at least twice before I bought it - so, to remove that orange stain, I had to sand the wood a bit after removing the paint stripper.
5. Apply bleach over to the entire surface of the furniture and repeat the process until you obtain the desired color.
This is the easiest part. You literally pour bleach evenly all over the wood and spread it with a rag or brush. Let the bleach rest on the wood until it feels dry... Repeat the process as many times as you would like. Each time the wood will appear lighter. For this dresser, I did 5 layers of Clorox. Remember that darker woods may need more layers, while lighter woods fade off more quickly.
6. CLEAN UP WITH WATER
Clean up the bleach with a dishwasher sponge and water - let it dry and you're done!
FINISHING DETAILS
1. Seal the wood with a layer of wood wax - I used FolkArt Home Decor wax to maintain a rustic and matte appearance.
2. Install pulls of your choice. I got these modern farmhouse style ones.
3. DONE! SHOW IT OFF IF YOU LOVE IT!
Leave questions and comments below. You can also watch this project on YouTube in Portuguese or on Instagram Stories in English.
Stay Simple!
Emanuela Davis
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