Art Deco Waterfall— Custom Furniture Painting

The graceful curves, extraordinary grain patterns, and ornate pulls make Art Deco Waterfall style furniture timelessly desirable. Most are made of plywood with veneer which allowed for the construction of round-molded edges, hence the name waterfall. This style from the 1930s and 1940s was the most prevalent art deco furniture design during this time. Due to the thin veneers, most waterfall pieces you’ll find today almost always include some damage. Although this piece that I transformed for Leah didn’t have extensive veneer damage, it certainly came with some challenges— and I was up for the task!

Featuring

Shop Rocky Mountain

Redesign with Prima Washed Damask Tissue Paper

SHop Washed Damask

Before & After

Art Deco Waterfall Dresser

Leah requested a charcoal grey, with slight distress, stained top, and decoupaged drawer sides for her waterfall dresser makeover.

Custom Furniture Painting by me

For LEAH

Rocky Mountain / Stained Top / Decoupaged Drawer Sides

view all photos my step-by-step

Rocky Mountain

Waterfall Dresser

Below you’ll find a few photos I took after completing my furniture transformation for Leah. On-screen colours are merely a digital representation, and will vary from screen to screen (device to device). Depending on your screen/device, the colour(s) seen here on my website may seem slightly different in person.

My Step-by-Step Transformation

FAQs TERMS

Removed hardware— Believed to be original, with 2 of the 7 plastic bakelites unfortunately missing
Searched for bakelite replacements— Was unsuccessful, however I did find similar waterfall style pulls with bakelites, for which I’ll give customer option of; I’m currently waiting for it to arrive via courier
Repaired damaged areas with Bondo and glue— Good as new!
Lightly sanded down body and drawers, and heavily sanded down top— In preparation for a two-toned transformation
Vacuumed and washed— In preparation for product application
Applied 3 coats of Country Chic Paint chalk paint in the colour Rocky Mountain to the body and drawers— A perfect charcoal grey colour, that lends itself ideally to industrial, masculine-style decor; brush application

Sanded down chalk paint— For a smooth and buttery farmhouse distressed finish
Applied 3 coats of my go-to Varathane Diamond Wood Finish (water-based, satin polyurethane) to the body and drawers— To achieve a crystal clear, water-resistant, and highly durable finish; sponge application
Applied Minwax conditioning, stain, and poly products in the colour Provincial to the top— For a two-toned exposed wood transformation; lint-free rag application
Attempted to also stain the top drawer— Didn’t however result in a pleasing finish, thus opted to paint
Decoupaged drawer sides with Re-Design with Prima’s Washed Damask Decoupage Tissue Paper ~ A charming pattern that I felt was a lovely pairing for this dresser transformation; also applied a coat of CCP in the colour Simplicity prior to decoupaging

Photos from My Workshop

Waterfall Furniture Repair and Transformation — Veneer and Base Damage

This post contains links to products I personally use, trust, and highly recommend, for which some I receive limited discounted use of.

PORTFOLIO

ABOUT

INSPIRATION

Custom Furniture Painting

Manitoba

I primarily select and purchase pieces on my own, and transform them with colours/techniques of my own choosing— Ready-For-Purchase. I do also carefully consider custom furniture painting for customers within Manitoba. If you’re interested in this service, I’d love to hear from you! Please fill out and submit a form so that we can start an exchange. I truly appreciate all interest and inquiries.

COMPLETE & SUBMIT FORM