This week’s makeover combined three of our favourite things: blue paint, burled wood and Malcolm furniture.
We got this stunning burled wood dresser through an online auction. There was no way we were going to paint the gorgeous burled wood veneer! However, this piece still needed a modern update. We decided to paint the frame in a gorgeous teal blue by Cottage Paint – Naples blue.
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The before – What is this beautiful wood?
Burled wood is the name given to wood which has a beautiful twisted pattern in the grain.
The pattern comes from a wood burl – a deformity in the growth of a tree caused by some sort of stress (injury, virus or fungus).
The unique grain pattern in these burls is highly desirable. This, combined with the relative scarcity of burls, makes this wood very valuable. Burled wood on antique furniture is usually a veneer (you can read more about what wood veneers are here).
We wouldn’t dare paint such a natural beauty! Unless of course it was damaged beyond repair, that is.
Our favorite color to pair with natural wood is always blue. For this particular piece we wanted a color that could hold its own beside that beautiful grain. Cottage Paint’s Naples blue is that color! It is a deep teal that in bright light looks blue and in dark light has a more mellow greenish tone.
The process – how to refinish burled wood
We cleaned, sanded and filled a small missing chunk on the bottom of the dresser before painting. You can read more about why we use mineral paint here.
The wood was in pretty good condition but the finish had started to wear in a few places. To replenish the wood, we lightly sanded each drawer and then conditioned them with hemp oil.
We chose to also leave the legs wood because who doesn’t love a naked leg!
The after – showstopper!
We’re always on the lookout for Malcolm furniture. The iconic Canadian furniture manufacturer did exceptional work and it’s always a joy to work on these pieces.
If you’re interested in reading more about Malcolm furniture, click here. The burled wood and teal combination on this piece turned out sensational! This piece is sure to be a focal point in any space.
What do you think of this makeover? Would you ever paint over burled wood? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Hi I’m loving your tips and photos. I’m about to tackle an Art Deco buffet with burled wood veneer like you have shown. I’m wanting to light sand and oil as you have but I’m so confused which direction to sand as grain appears to go many ways. Also would linseed oil be ok to use?
I have a burled wood frame on some needlework, but the stain on the burled wood is too orange and I hate it. Can I paint over it to darken the finish ? will the burl still show, like the wood grain in a dresser?
Hi Melinda, great question! If you use a product like Fusion’s Stain and Finishing Oil in a slightly darker colour, you should still be able to see the grain though it. I would start out with a very light coat and build in layers until you get the right balance of grain and colour that you want. Good luck!