EXPERT ADVICE

When scouting for an old piece to revamp as a basin dresser, look for something with architectural interest such as carvings or mouldings as these lend themselves to a paint technique, says Talia Botha of My Shabby Shack.

“If you’re keen on a French style, like Ramona, consider greens as well as pinks and whites when choosing paint colours,” she says. “If you’d like the cabinet to look as if it was discovered in an old French chateau, try Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White, French Linen or Chateau Grey. When it comes to the design, anything with roses or other beautiful blooms is perfect for a romantic aesthetic. Look at tapestries or old floral paintings for inspiration and take your cue from there.

“I always layer colours with the darkest at the bottom and use acrylic paints on top of chalk paint; after that, I seal it all with wax. For bathrooms, applying two coats of wax is preferable in order to keep most moisture from affecting the paint job.”

Ramona’s dresser was fitted with a new marble top. If yours has a wooden surface, you can paint it with chalk paint but it may chip and peel – which isn’t necessarily a problem if you like a weathered look. Alternatively, leave the wood as is and simply seal it with a product such as Woodoc 25 or Woodoc Water-Borne Floor Sealer. Although it’s a floor sealer, it can be used effectively on a basin cabinet top.

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