Blue Painted Wardrobe

Getting this ombre blue coppery look for this wardrobe was a long road, but hopefully you agree it was worth it!  So much blending and re-blending and moving the colors around.  But when the process is difficult, it makes it that much sweeter!

If you want to see me beginning this project, you can catch the video here.  Here is what this piece looked like when I purchased it.

Here are the supplies I used.

Resource List:

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• Dresser (thrifted)
• White Lightning
• Haint Blue
• Vintage Duck Egg
• Dusty Blue
• Cobalt Blue
• Gemstone Mousse Amber
• Silkscreen stencil – Mandala
• Clear coat satin
• Hardware (Hobby Lobby)

If you want tons of information on Dixie Belle paint and products, you can check out this Comprehensive Guide post, and you can download it free here by clicking the picture:

Choosing Colors

If you watch the video I linked above, you’ll notice I started out including French Linen in my color blend.  I ended up deciding it was too blah for this piece, so I nixed it.

On the sides I blended from the top down – Haint Blue, Vintage Duck Egg, Dusty Blue, and Cobalt Blue.  On the front, I varied the colors a bit more carrying the Cobalt up into the crevices of the doors.

Not gonna lie, Friends, I struggled getting the blend to look the way I wanted.  Sometimes it looks perfectly blended when it’s wet and then looks a hot mess when it’s dry.

So, after some experimentation I ended up with this messy blend instead.

Messy Blending

I did go ahead and use my misting bottle and a clean dry brush to blend as usual.  But once the paint was getting dry and dragging a bit, I let it.  This leaves some brush strokes and harsher lines, but they fit perfectly with this style.

My favorite color discovery was the blend between Dusty Blue and Cobalt – so pretty!  

Copper Highlights

Have you tried the new Gemstone Mousse yet?  I love it!  In fact, I use them much more than gilding waxes these days.  They come in 4 colors – Garnet, Amber, Diamond, and Golden Gem.

I used the Amber Gemstone Mousse for the stencils and around the edges and on the hardware as a shimmery accent.  To me, copper and blue go together amazingly well.

I brushed the mousse on with a small artist brush, but I also went in with my finger and smudged it around on the edges.

The stencil is one of the new Silkscreen stencils.  They are self-adhesive, which makes them really easy to use.  You just peel off the white backing and stick it to the surface.

This is a sheet from the Mandala stencil – each package has 3 sheets.   I cut the borders from the same sheet and used those on the smaller rectangles on the doors.

One tip for the silkscreen stencils is to work the paint or mousse into the stencil openings in every direction with your brush for fuller coverage.

Mine came out a little broken and imperfectly faded in places here, but I love the character it adds.

Finishing Touches

The hardware is all new from Hobby Lobby.  It was white, so I painted it with the blues and highlighted with the Amber mousse.  Isn’t it gorgeous?

I sealed the whole piece and the hardware with 2 coats of Clear Coat Satin.

You can shop my favorite products here, and don’t forget to Pin this project for inspiration.

I hope you’ll check out these other blue projects too!

Elegant Vintage Table

Navy Blue Executive Desk with Gold Accents

Sky Blue Secretary Desk Before & After