How to Paint a French Provincial Dresser

Remove the drawers and the hardware, and wipe down the piece inside and out; wash it with mild soap and water if it is really dirty.

Use wood filler to repair any holes or gouges in the wood. Sand the wood filler to a smooth finish once it is dry. Sand any scratches or chipped areas of old paint.

If the piece has damage that needs repair, glue it with wood glue, place a wood shim over the glued area, and clamp the piece tightly until the glue sets.

Give the dresser and the drawer fronts two coats of primer, sanding between coats with fine-grade sandpaper. When the final coat of primer is dry, paint the dresser and the drawers. For a professional finish, apply two coats, sanding between the first and final coat.

Bring out the detail of the curvy, scrolled French provincial by lightly rubbing a silver or gold paint over the scrolled areas and into the excise design around feet, drawer panels and side moldings. Use a clean rage to wipe the metallic paint right off so only a trace of it is left in the lines of the piece.

Paint the hardware with the same metallic paint you used for detail work on the painted wood. Reinstall the drawer pulls, handles and medallions. Line drawers with scented paper for a dresser or use drawer dividers for media storage or a dining room buffet.