Every little girl that I have ever met….LOVES to play dress up! I love the trend of providing the little princess with a "dress up station"! However…the stations that you purchase from Target or Amazon often lack personality….so this is where I step in….with nothing other than my paint and a paint brush!
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Months ago I posted my first NEW dress up station that I added MEGA personality to! You can see it right here. I was contacted by a new mom that wanted something similar but in a much more subtle tone. She
ordered a similar cart from Amazon…you can see that here
So I took care of that……
I was asked to use shades of pink, ivory and gray.
I first sprayed the piece down with a spray primer in white. I knew it would experience a lot of use…and I wanted to ensure durability. A little primer never hurt any project!
I then covered the entire piece in one coat of Soft Pink (all products and links will be listed at the bottom of this post).
I began by painting the tutu on one end. It was so very easy and didn't even need to be drawn on first. I encourage each of you to attempt free-handing with your paint brushes. It is very empowering…and it's ONLY paint…if you mess you you just paint over and try again! I did not add the hanger, crown or polka dots until the very end.
I then added the ballet slippers and the little purse to the rod section of the piece. This was a bit challenging because of the angle of which I had to paint…reaching inside this area. The monogrammed "C" was the very last thing I added to this piece. I honestly started with ZERO plans and just added as I went along.
I knew I wanted her name on the dress up station…I just wasn't sure where. So I opted for the little space on the top shelf. I did the identical thing to the opposite side. I drew the plaque….taped of the stripes….painted the name…and used my finger tip to trim out the little plaque in polka dots. It still seemed unfinished to me….
So I added a damask stencil in Irish Cream….randomly placed in all the shelf spaces. I then decided to add the polka dot pattern to the sides…brighter pink Peony on the outside wall…and a charcoal gray called Mason Dixon Gray to the inside rod area (even though it looks black…it's a lovely dark gray). I also trimmed out the edges with the dark gray…and again…used my finger to do this (just letting you in on my "fancy" secrets here).
I then used Mason Dixon Gray to frame out the mirror that was already there….and even gave it a faux stand! And again….added the Peony polka (finger) dots. :)
It was at this point that I knew I wanted to add the monogram to the bottom with the initial. Let me let you in on another little secret….I make these monogram plaque templates myself….and then save them. I have them in soooo many sizes…so I just pulled from my collection the one that fit this space the best…and traced out the shape and painted! And then of course…yes…I free handed the "C". You won't get better at it until you practice…over and over…and I promise you will gain confidence!
If you are interested in learning more about Hand Lettering, check out my course below!! Lots of tips and tricks to help perfect your skills in no time!
Lastly….I added the hanger…and the crown to the tutu side!
It felt complete to me at this point…and I was quite pleased!
I have so many little tricks….like my finger polka dots…and eraser polka dots…and jumbo polka dots with a spinning brush….and how to cut the perfect template…etc. I have recently decided to share some of my tips and tricks with you in a blog series geared to "furniture design"…and I am really excited about it! I'll keep you posted! You …as my readers….will be the first to know!
As always….I thank you for being here! I hope I have inspired you to make something pretty!
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The products listed here are exactly what I used on this adorable dress up cart! Dixie Belle Paint company offers amazing products that will make all of your projects successful no matter what your skill level! You can also my favorite products and tools in my Amazon influencer list here.
If you would like to paint your own furniture ....but lack confidence with where to start....I offer furniture design consultation! Contact me here and we can get you started on your next project!
If you want more ideas of fun items to paint, read my previous post: 11 Children's furniture items to personalize with paint.
Now go paint something pretty!! (And sign up to get my emails here...)
See you next week!
XOXO,
Tracey
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