Making a wooden dresser with a French country finish combines the beauty of craftsmanship with the rustic, shabby-chic elegance of French design. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of building a dresser and achieving that vintage, distressed look characteristic of French country furniture.
Materials Needed:
- Wood (Pine, Oak, or MDF for the frame and drawer fronts)
- Wood screws or nails
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper (80, 120, 220 grit)
- French country style handles or knobs
- Paint (chalk paint or milk paint)
- Wood stain (optional)
- Wax or polyurethane finish
- Decorative moulding (optional)
- Tools: Circular saw or miter saw, drill, clamps, screwdriver, paintbrushes, sanding block, tape measure, square, wood filler, level
Step 1: Designing the Dresser
Before you begin cutting any wood, it’s important to sketch out a design or find inspiration. A traditional French country dresser often has:
- Wide, simple drawers that can be either single or multiple.
- Cabinet doors at the bottom for additional storage.
- Curved legs or block feet for a soft, rustic look.
- Decorative carvings or appliques that add charm and authenticity.
For a basic dresser, the following components are needed:
- Top panel
- Side panels
- Drawer front panels
- Drawer side panels
- Back panel
- Base and feet
Step 2: Cutting the Wood
Using your design measurements, cut all the necessary panels. If you are using solid wood like pine, ensure the cuts are clean and smooth. For the base of the dresser, cut the legs and base panel. If you prefer a more traditional French look, consider adding curved legs, which can either be purchased pre-made or cut from templates.
- Top panel: Cut to the width and depth of the dresser.
- Side panels: These will be the height of your dresser. Cut two.
- Drawer fronts and sides: Cut the panels for each drawer. If you are using several smaller drawers, make sure they are uniform in size.
- Back panel: Cut the back panel of the dresser, which is typically made of thin plywood or MDF.
Step 3: Assembling the Frame
Assemble the sides: Attach the two side panels to the back panel, ensuring the edges are square. Use wood screws or nails, applying wood glue to the joints for added strength. Clamp the sides in place while they dry.
Attach the top: Secure the top panel to the sides and back, making sure it’s level and flush with the side edges. Use screws or nails for this, and reinforce with wood glue.
Build the base: Attach the base panel to the bottom of the side panels. If you’re using decorative feet or curved legs, attach them at this stage. French country dressers often have simple, turned wood legs, but you can customize the feet as desired.
Step 4: Building and Installing the Drawers
Assemble the drawers: The drawers should be built individually using the drawer front, sides, back, and bottom panels. Attach the sides to the drawer front, then attach the back and bottom, securing the edges with wood glue and screws. Ensure the drawers slide smoothly by checking the fit and making adjustments as necessary.
Install drawer glides or rails: You can install traditional wooden glides or metal rails for a smoother slide. Wooden glides are more typical of French country furniture, but either option will work depending on your preference.
Fit the drawers into the frame: Slide each drawer into the dresser frame and ensure that they open and close freely. If necessary, adjust the fit by sanding the edges or the sides of the drawer.
Step 5: Sanding and Preparing for Finishing
Sand all the surfaces: Once the dresser is assembled, use 80-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges or areas where glue has dried. Follow this with 120-grit sandpaper for a finer finish. Finally, use 220-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth surface. Pay special attention to the corners and edges where wear will naturally occur.
Fill any gaps: Use wood filler to fill any gaps, holes, or imperfections. Let the filler dry completely before sanding the filled areas smooth.
Step 6: Applying the French Country Finish
The hallmark of French country furniture is its distressed, vintage finish. You can achieve this look with chalk paint, milk paint, or a combination of paint and wood stain.
Base coat: Apply a coat of chalk paint in a soft, muted color like soft white, pale blue, light grey, or sage green. Use a paintbrush to apply it evenly across the entire surface. Let the paint dry completely.
Distressing the paint: Once the base coat is dry, lightly sand the edges, corners, and other high-wear areas to reveal some of the wood underneath. This will create the aged, distressed effect typical of French country pieces. Focus on places where natural wear would occur over time, like drawer edges and the corners of the dresser.
Antiquing with wax: To give the dresser a more authentic, vintage look, apply a dark wax over the entire piece. This will enhance the distressed areas and add depth to the finish. Use a soft cloth to rub the wax into the surface, then buff it off to your desired level of antiquing.
Sealing the finish: Once the wax has dried, seal the dresser with a clear wax or polyurethane finish to protect the surface. If you want a softer, more matte finish, go with a wax. For a shinier look, use polyurethane.
Step 7: Attaching Hardware
Finally, attach the hardware to the drawers and doors. French country dressers often feature simple yet elegant hardware, such as vintage-style metal knobs or ornate handles. Choose hardware that complements the distressed finish, and secure the pieces with screws.
Step 8: Final Touches
If desired, you can add additional decorative elements like floral appliques, moldings, or carvings to the dresser’s front panels or drawers to further enhance the French country aesthetic. These can either be purchased pre-made or carved by hand for a custom look.
Conclusion
Once your dresser is fully assembled and finished, step back and admire your work. The French country finish gives the piece a timeless, rustic charm that will blend beautifully with a variety of home decors. Whether you use it as a focal point in a bedroom or as a functional storage piece, this dresser will bring warmth and elegance to any room.
For more woodworking tips and plans, check out Ted’s Woodworking Course here.
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