Whitewashed 1950s Dresser Makeover

I have a handsome, solid-wood dresser from the 1950s that needs a fresh life while still feeling true to its mid-century spirit. The piece must be completely stripped, sanded smooth, then white-washed and lightly distressed so the original grain peeks through. Think soft, sun-bleached tones rather than solid paint—almost a coastal matte white that lets the wood character stay centre stage.

Key points for the refinish
• Strip and sand every surface, inside and out, including drawer fronts and moulding details.
• Apply a controlled whitewash stain (not opaque paint), keeping the finish matte to satin at most.
• Introduce only light distressing on natural wear points—drawer edges, corners, and hardware surrounds—so it looks authentically aged, not over-worked.
• Seal with a clear, non-yellowing topcoat that protects without adding shine.

I can deliver or have the dresser collected within the city. Please tell me how you plan to achieve an even whitewash (brushed, ragged, or spray), what grit sequence you like for sanding old varnish, and your typical turnaround time. Before final hand-off, I’ll need a few high-resolution photos in natural light to confirm colour depth and distressing level.

If you love coaxing vintage wood back to life without erasing its story, this project should be a perfect fit.

I will want the mirror removed but think it would be a cool stand alone piece as a vertical mirror. Attaching some current images of the piece