Some pieces just speak to you. This solid dresser had great bones — sturdy construction, smooth drawers on runners, and a generous footprint that works in so many spaces. But the finish was tired and it needed a complete rethink to become the statement piece it was always meant to be.
The result? A coastal sage dresser that sold before we could even finish photographing it. Here's how we did it.
The Brief
The goal was a calming, modern coastal feel — the kind of piece that works as a bedroom dresser, an entranceway console, a TV unit or a feature piece in a living area. Versatile, beautiful and practical.
- Piece: Solid timber dresser with multiple drawers
- Style goal: Modern coastal — soft, calm, Hamptons-inspired
- Paint: Artisan Mineral Paint in Gumleaf
- Technique: Subtle textured finish on the top 3 drawers for depth and character
- Timber top: Lightly whitewashed and sealed for durability
- Hardware: Brand new designer knobs to complete the luxe coastal look
- Location: Charlestown, NSW
Why Gumleaf?
Gumleaf is one of our favourite colours in the Artisan Mineral Paint range — and one of the most distinctly Australian. It's a soft, muted green that captures the quiet beauty of the Australian bush without being loud or overpowering. In a coastal interior, it sits beautifully alongside whites, naturals and timber tones.
We chose Mineral Paint rather than chalk finish for this piece because of the durability. A dresser that's going to be used daily — especially one that might end up as a TV unit or entranceway piece — needs a finish that can handle regular handling and the occasional wipe-down. Artisan Mineral Paint's inbuilt sealer and water-resistant finish made it the right call.
Shop Artisan Mineral Paint in Gumleaf and the full range →
The Textured Drawer Finish
To add depth and character, the top three drawers were given a subtle textured finish — a technique that creates visual interest and breaks up what could otherwise be a flat, uniform surface. The contrast between the textured upper drawers and the smooth lower drawers gives the piece a layered, considered quality that elevates it from a simple paint job to something genuinely special.
This kind of layered artisan finish is one of the techniques we teach in our intermediate and advanced workshops.
The Whitewashed Timber Top
The timber top was lightly whitewashed rather than painted — a deliberate choice to preserve the natural grain and warmth of the timber while lightening it to sit harmoniously with the Gumleaf body. Once whitewashed, it was sealed for durability so it can handle everyday use.
The combination of the painted body and the natural timber top is a classic furniture makeover technique that adds warmth and stops the piece feeling too uniform.
The Hardware
The original hardware was replaced with brand new designer knobs chosen to complete the cohesive coastal look. Hardware is the jewellery of a furniture piece — and on a sage green dresser, the right knob makes all the difference.
If you're choosing hardware for a similar project, our guide to choosing cabinet handles and knobs walks you through exactly how to match hardware to your paint colour and style.
Browse our cabinet hardware range →
The Result
A calming, modern coastal statement piece with loads of storage, a one-of-a-kind finish, and the kind of quality that comes from using the right products and taking the time to do it properly. Solid and sturdy, smooth drawers, professionally refurbished — and gone within days of listing.
Pieces in this colour palette are consistently our most popular. There's something about that soft sage green against natural timber and coastal whites that resonates deeply with Australian interiors right now.
"Pieces in this colour palette are extremely popular and don't last long."
Want to Recreate This Look?
Everything you need is available at Sweet Pea Interiors:
- Artisan Mineral Paint in Gumleaf (and 45 other colours) →
- Cabinet Knobs & Hardware →
- Sealers & Finishes →
- Furniture Painting Brushes →
Or if you'd like to learn the techniques in person, join us for a furniture painting workshop in Newcastle or Lake Macquarie. We cover textured finishes, layering techniques and hardware fitting in our intermediate sessions.
