ALL Videos

Currently Playing: Can vintage colonial be MODERN?

This vintage colonial dresser had great bones — but the orange undertones, heavy base, and dated hardware made it feel stuck in another era. In this video, I walk you step-by-step through how I modernized it while still respecting the original character. I trimmed the base for a cleaner profile, stripped both the top and base to bring the wood back to raw, and used a subtle paint wash to soften and neutralize the tone. The body was refinished in a warm, neutral taupe, and I finished it off with new champagne gold hardware to give it a completely updated look. The goal wasn’t to erase the piece’s history — it was to refine it. If you’ve ever wondered how to take a traditional, colonial-style dresser and make it feel current, this video breaks down the entire process from prep to final reveal. Was I able to make it modern? Watch and decide. _____________________________ If you’re interested in learning more about the paint wash technique I used, my Tan Washing Made Easy guide walks you through the exact steps, ratios, and application process so you can confidently neutralize red and orange undertones in your own projects. And if you’re new to refinishing or want a solid foundation, my Beginner’s Guide to Furniture Refinishing covers everything from prep and sanding to painting and sealing so you can avoid the common mistakes that cause finishes to fail. You can find all of my books and resources on my website. https://www.olivestreetdesigns.com/ebooks ____________________________ If you enjoy vintage furniture makeovers, paint sprayer tutorials, refinishing techniques, and step-by-step transformations, you’re in the right place. Amazon Storefront – Lists of my favorite products! https://www.amazon.com/shop/olive.street.designs Products: Cleaner https://amzn.to/3FVMcEM Microfiber towels in box https://amzn.to/3ZG7Tiq Sanding Sponges https://amzn.to/49mgNGo Bondo https://amzn.to/43nrdCl Spot Putty https://amzn.to/44yavSQ Carbide Scraper https://amzn.to/4j8eQ3K Detail Scraper https://amzn.to/4aOdFUt Contour Sanding Blocks https://amzn.to/4eACzHr Hardware Jig https://amzn.to/42Bqq1Y Cordless Screwdriver https://amzn.to/4bhW495 Scrubber https://amzn.to/3MAWQEm Poly brush https://amzn.to/4c7AlBd Strainer https://amzn.to/3MI5elh Mini Vacuum https://amzn.to/4aD9koh Primer https://amzn.to/3zt3kP0 Topcoat https://amzn.to/3PUJy3i Sprayer https://amzn.to/3LFFVzN Knobs https://amzn.to/3ZCbo9y Pulls https://amzn.to/3MlRSv3 Spray tent Dollies https://amzn.to/4ix6qSP Painted and tan washed using Algonquin by Fusion https://amzn.to/4tSHCLO - Amazon Or buy it on the fusion website and SAVE! Use the link for a discount at checkout! https://bit.ly/4lMCH9R SurfPrep Detail Sander Use the link or code OLIVEST for a discount https://surfprepsanding.com/product/3x4-electric-ray-sanders?aff=181Furniture CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 00:45 Stripping off the old finish 01:23 Using a carbide scraper 02:20 Trimming the base with saw 03:30 Applying tan wash 04:40 Filling in hardware holes with Bondo 05:30 Applying topcoat 06:11 Drilling new hardware holes with jig 07:30 Paint Primer and Topcoat 09:02 Installing New Hardware