Sometimes, a "bright and airy" makeover just doesn’t fit the vibe. I found this standing jewelry armoire after it had already been given a white and gold facelift by someone else, but it felt a bit too "glam" for many people. I knew it had the potential to be something much more sophisticated, mysterious, and—of course—moody.
In this tutorial, I’m taking you through the process of retaining some of the previous DIY and layering on a deep, velvety dark green finish. We’ll be leaning into those shadows, highlighting the unique curved silhouette.
Whether you're looking to tone down a piece that's "too bright" or you're ready to embrace the dark academia aesthetic, here is how I turned a high-contrast piece into a seamless, moody masterpiece.
The chest has lots of storage via drawers some divided, some with ring cushions as well as swing open doors that store hanging necklaces and a large mirror.
Step one is always cleaning, I started with my hand held Dyson to get any loose fluff from all the drawers and crannies.
A damp rag was next wiping the soft cream colored lining.
To smooth the filler and surfaces as well as give the surfaces some tooth for the paint to adhere to, the entire armoire was hand sanded with a Gator medium/fine sanding sponge. Everything was wiped clean with a damp cloth. I chose a deep green color called sanctuary from the newly released Dixie Belle Paint mineral paint color line.
This is the first coat on. Do not be alarmed as first coats always look sketchy, especially dark colors.
With the drawers removed, I used an artist brush to paint a narrow inner edge around the drawer edges. This is important as you will see the bright white when the drawers are in if you don't do this step.
The second coat of green looks lovely. I painted all sides so this jewelry armoire is viewable from all sides in the harmonious forest green. All 4 edges of each drawer were painted as well with the artist brush.
I had left the hardware the spray painted gold but wanted a brighter gold so used this handy gold marker to repaint each pull.
The spray painted gold around the flip up mirror was refreshed in a brighter gold too using the artist brush and gold Gilding Wax.
The same was done to a portion of the gold spray painted legs.
How I use Scrubby Soap to easily clean the gold paint off brushes and my hands.
Dark colors are notrious for showing white streaks when touched and I wanted more of a sheen to the paint so I applied clear best dang wax with my dedicated best dang brush. The size of this brush makes waxing much faster than by hand. I buffed the wax about 20 minutes after applying with a rag from the bag of rags.
The chest is complete.
Elevate your morning routine with a statement piece that blends high-end drama with effortless organization. This isn't just a jewelry chest; it’s a moody masterpiece finished in a rich, velvety dark green on all 4 sides and accented with sophisticated hand-painted gold details.
Whether you’re a fan of the dark academia aesthetic or simply want to add a touch of "boutique hotel" luxury to your bedroom, this armoire is designed to keep your most precious items safe and beautifully displayed.
The Details:
Ample Storage: Features 5 smooth-sliding drawers, including a specialized divided drawer for smaller items like earrings and charms.
The "Secret" Sides: Both side panels swing open to reveal dedicated hooks for long necklace storage, ensuring your favorite chains stay tangle-free.
Vanity Top: The flip-open top features a built-in mirror, ring rolls, and divided compartments—perfect for staging your look of the day.
The Finish: A deep forest green paired with gold accents on the hardware and trim for a timeless, storied look.
Dimensions: Height: 40" X Width: 16" X Depth: 11 1/2"
NOTE - there are a few marks in the cream lining, this is a reloved piece
This color is perfect in a moody setting isn't it?
The AI generated photos even include a mystery woman in the mirror :)
For your convenience, I've included links to the Dixie Belle products I use. Please note that my affiliation with Dixie Belle doesn't increase your prices. Instead, your purchases through my links may provide a small subsidy that helps me continue creating and sharing these free tutorials. Thank you for your support! The Amazon affiliate links are for your convenience to see the products I used as well. Ordering via the links may get me a small commission but does not affect your pricing. Thank you if you do choose to order them.
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Beautiful!!!😍 Thank you so much
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!! You are most welcome!
DeleteThe dark green is beautiful. I personally do not have the patience to refurnish furniture. My mother has refurnished antiques. My dinning room furniture she refinished in the natural wood color. It's amazing how the furniture looks brand new.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun week.
All the best.
Debra @ Life Captured
Thank you for stopping by and sharing such kind words. Natural wood is timeless indeed and yes updated pieces really can make an impact.
DeleteYour re-do is phenomenal. Absolutely stunning! I love the color. Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #84 linkup.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer!!
DeleteWhat a beautiful makeover, Lee Ann.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your standing armoire at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring it at the party tomorrow and pinning too.
Thank you, I appreciate your kindness and the feature
Delete