I Hand Painted An Unfinished Cabinet

[@ArielBissett]

About a finishing layer! This is part of what got cut out when my mic stopped recording but basically I’m going to let the paint fully dry for a week or so and then go in with a clear coat to protect everything 👍🏼

[@SpooderCace]

You should consider a glass pane for the top! It could also elevate the feel, while protecting from scratches! (: It's SO CUTE.

[@joyindrelie6715]

​@tilly4755 Yes! And adds another texture and more light reflection in the room!

[@devinalexandra3858]

I feel like a furniture wax could give it even more character and dimension! Great job Ariel 😊

[@AnnaReed42]

A clear varnish will really help those colors pop against the wood! ❤

[@jk3253]

I’d give it longer to cure before adding the varnish! Maybe closer to a month.

[@charmainearongay6448]

As an artist who manically and messily painted on her desk and armoire, I can say that this dresser was really well done and just super charming. To everyone nervous about painting a furniture piece of theirs, remember you're not going to try and sell the thing. You're not even gonna try to show it all that often to other people. It's so you can see your personality on a functional piece. Go have fun, live your Tangled "when will my life begin" moment.

[@mathi3933]

I really like this comment and the way you're thinking! ❤

[@jaybee4118]

I think what is scaring people into not painting furniture these days is the wailing about “ruined” pieces when someone has painted it. Sometimes it’s a bad paint job, but so what? It’s rarely actually ruined, someone has been enjoying it for a long time as it was and now someone else gets a project.

[@bethaniejify]

I think that often what stops people being creative isn’t lack of ability, but lack of courage. I love how you painted this cabinet and the beautiful flower patterns you made.

[@fvs3189]

I feel like anne of green gables would have something like this in her room! It's so lovely and whimsical, i love it❤

[@hannahkamerman3882]

I love the finished product so much!!!! Once I have my own house, I want to paint around it in a folk style. ❤ I love love love it!

[@solarbirdyz]

One suggestion on keeping paints around to use on later projects - you can keep latex house paints usable for easily a decade, 15 years even, as long as you keep the seals tight and mix them again every few years. One really important tip for making this work is keeping the lid shape (and therefore, seal on the tin) as unblemished as possible, and the best way to help do _that_ is always use the special paint opener tool they give away at paint stores to open the tins. It's _much_ better than using a screwdriver if you want to keep the paint around for later use, and I say this from a lot of experience. (It reaches under the lip of the lid, rather than compressing the lip. Doesn't sound like it'd matter but believe me it does.) Since I lose those stupid things constantly I ended up buying a pack of 10 - they cost nothing, seriously - and putting them everywhere I stored paint and/or brushes and in each of my toolboxes. It is totally worth it. It's also good to use a rubber or plastic mallet for closing paint tins if you have one. That's not as important but it's still helpful in terms of keeping the can lid circular and making a good seal. But you can still use a regular hammer, it's fine as long as you're careful. Anyway just wanted to share that from one diy-supply-hoarder to another. xD

[@huevosatld]

Another tip is to clean the rim well, and it will make it easier to open, less paint that dries the lid to the can. -Sharon

[@denisejones1863]

I like to put my left over paint in glass jars with a metal lid. You can write all the info on some masking tape, and you can see the color without opening it.

[@heatherplastow2502]

Also when closing the can, use the mallet to hit the edges of the lid and not the center to not deform the lid

[@xingcat]

Oh, that's so cute! It looks like something you'd see in an artist's furniture gallery. It's folksy and light and makes me smile.

[@elizabethclark8374]

Hi Ariel, I really like your taste in decor!! I admire how creative you are and what a hard worker you are! Also, your hair is GLORIOUS!!! Elizabeth Clark Goodrich, Texas USA

[@eileenmiller9914]

Art is supposed to be fun, or relaxing. Its beautiful and creative. I paint and I think your cabinet is beautiful. What's more important is that you love it♥️

[@patapain0128]

Hey The artist in the photo that inspired you is Peter Hunt ! :) He was known for is folk art. Love from France, you're my safe place

[@bialinsbear2681]

ariel posting videos often? YES PLEASE 🩵✨️

[@zoeycat365]

Im laying in bed with a broken leg and this video brought such a smile to my face!! You can see the delight of the cabinet and I love all the care you put into it. It’s so easy to get caught up in worries when youre working on long projects like this. you share the same joy the man did with the pink cabinet!

[@samc2]

It turned out beautifully. I really enjoyed watching you paint, you are right about painting freely and joyfully for fun :) I should have a go at painting again, thank you for the little prompt in that direction 😊♥️🌻

[@Vanessa-pl3br]

"Lâcher prise" is not so easy; you managed to have fun and to make this boring cabinet so charming, bravo!

[@stefanimcgehee5140]

I really love the cabinet ....dresser....we would call it in the states...You are so talented..... a real whimsical fun piece of furniture....and now I am thinking you should do some of this kind of painting in your kitchen cabinets when you get to that room...I just love whimsy and that is why I love Maudie...Just go for it...capture that inner child...have fun!!

[@Dudikaaaaa]

I loved seeing how when you decided to have fun with it, it immediately started to pop and became so much more beautiful ❤

[@zulejkajaversek9161]

I think whenever you will look at this dresser it will hive you joy!

[@brendajackson2651]

When I see your cabinet, it exudes happiness.

[@leafleafkris]

the music and painting montages were so relaxing, i’m drinking coffee and it’s snowy outside while watching this vid… immaculate vibes here

[@karnakh]

This is super cute! And a lot of your inspiration also reminded me of “rosemaling”, a traditional Norwegian painting style that they used on walls, ceilings, furniture, crockery, basically anything wood 🌸 It is floral and fun, so if you decide to do something like this again, I recommend looking it up for inspo ✨ I loved seeing the final piece of yours, so inspiring! Maybe I need to find a piece of furniture to paint myself now 😍

[@collinbeal]

Yes! The important thing is not the mastery of the craft, because that does not come easily; it is in the doing. Every single artist started somewhere, and as long as you allow yourself to be creative and feel inspired, the result will naturally feel creative and inspired. If anything, a lack of experience tends to result in some of the most creative art, as you are unbound from the confines of your own expertise. There's a genre of art called "outsider art", which is art created by those who are completely amateur to their craft, many who experience some sort of setback in their life or atypical assemblage, whether physically or mentally, and the entire charm of it is their freedom of expression, outside of what is conventional. Never be afraid to express yourself, because it is that fear that holds the world back from being a lovely place. I truly think everyone has the capacity to create interesting art. Also, no matter what you do, it will never end up as badly as the person who painted over a hand-painted antique chinese dresser with a wide brush, so there is a floor that you will always be far above when it comes to painting furniture; you are starting halfway up the ladder, not at the base of it.

[@jokeith1722]

Your cabinet turned out Beautiful! I tell myself when doing something creative 'their are no mistakes, just happy accidents' quote from my favorite painter Bob Ross. Just bring out your inner child and don' t think, just have fun!! Key to creativity. Again, just Beautiful!!

[@LifefulLife]

I really love that you reached out to work with a brand you already love. I always wondered why more creators didn't do this! It makes me trust that you actually stand by the things you promote. I think that's really cool.

[@pigletinbed]

[@alisakimi1]

Thank you for picking sustainable companies as your sponsors!

[@LynneWilliams101]

This would be so adorable for a nursery!!

[@KatjeKat86]

I love your cabinet painting style, everything is coming out quite beautifully, I just wish that you had painted the whole thing first as I think the natural wood grain is competing with your design not assisting it. But what really matters as if you are happy. It's not going in my house it's going in yours, so that's matters more than what I would have done.

[@charoraimondogarcia]

I was going to say the same thing. It would have protected the wood better, because the parts that doesn't have pain are still raw. You can seal it with wax.

[@fountainpeninsanity3344]

This is what I was thinking too.

[@WildatHeart123]

I was thinking the same, Ariel’s design would have had so much more impact on a painted background.

[@irhonda31]

@@WildatHeart123Yes, I think her design would have popped on a solid background.

[@GreenGiant96]

Still looks fantastic as-is!

[@pigletinbed]

Yay! The linen colors you chose work so well, they look so cozy! So so happy that you like them and it was such a pleasure to collab with you :)

[@darcydraws]

I have the tall dresser version of this and have been putting off doing anything to it for YEARS! This is such a good reminder to just have fun and make it however whimsical you want! Thank you for the inspiration push! ♡

[@csengea]

Ariel, I'm OBSESSED with your house renovation series. Just came here to say that. 😄Ok, I'm gonna go watch the rest of the video.

[@elimeg]

when i was a teenager, i accidentally made a weird spot on my desk with nail polish remover. i proceeded to paint the whole desk grey to cover up the patch. but the grey color kept chipping off, revealing the wood underneath. so one day i was bored and i started to draw on it with my pen. i didn't think about it, i just drew random lines and squares and zentangle stuff on it, and whenever i sat there in the evening bored, i would continue my silly canvas and in the end, my weird patchy terrible desk was so unique because i had covered the whole thing with something fun. :)

[@bookswithruth]

I absolutely love how it turned out! It reminds me of a dresser I painted with my best friend when we were teenagers. I want to do this again!

[@puffmaggie]

those establishing shots before you started painting of your garden were so so cozy and beautiful, love details like that. this came out so incredibly sweet looking and fit the space so much! we put so much pressure on ourselves to do perfect things and sometimes the fun factor of just letting ourselves do something creative is way more important!

[@Tsuki04wolf]

That image of the old man reminded me of Swedish kurbits. Painted furniture is iconic to the Dalarna region, I think you’d be really interested in those designs as well!

[@heatherburrill]

So beautiful! Folk art style and bringing the pallet that you have been using in the house reminds me of how an old quilt tells a story with every piece of fabric… in your bureau every colour tells a story of your first house and renovation journey 😊

[@AlliesBeautyTips]

Everything you do comes from a place of love and that shows!

[@jordynoleymom]

You did a great job! I have an old dresser at my cabin that the previous owner must have painted. It’s not a beautiful piece of furniture or I should say it wouldn’t have been before the artist transformed it. The drawers stick and it’s not all real wood from what I can tell but they painted it all blue and added colourful fish and bubbles all over the drawers. It’s perfect for a cabin at the lake! They left a second dresser that one day I would like to paint myself. I don’t have the paint collection you have on hand so I will have to think on it over the winter to prepare for a spring project! I painted the walls of the upstairs blue and yellow to get a sun and water theme going on in 2018 and ended up not really liking it but it’s too awkward a space to repaint as it’s an A frame cabin. The walls themselves could potentially become a mural since hanging artwork on a slanted wall is next to impossible! Your channel gives me lots of ideas! I love the way you tackle projects and enjoy the finished results!! Looking forward to your next video!

[@vintagecameragirl]

Piece of advice from my Art tutor, "It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be good" I take that with me for every project that I overthink on. I hope it helps remind you that having fun, and creativity should go hand in hand.

[@zanesutherland406]

Oooo this would be a fun hobby to have! Get some free or cheap furniture that can be painted in fun ways!

[@lauramitchell6725]

Go for it!👍🙌🏻🤣😂😅

[@jourdainjardin846]

The wood texture is busy and cheap looking unfinished, so the busy design is probably blending in to that and not standing out like the reference photos

[@wildrosie]

I can't believe you've got me considering painting all of my woodwork now. I love that folksy one with the cat at the bottom!

[@ArielBissett]

Yes Rosie!!!! Your beautiful house has so much wood just begging for it 🙈 maybe ONE little shelf…. Hehehe

[@catherine5541]

I read this tip years ago. Put leftover paint in plastic containers with a twist top. Empty peanut butter containers etc. I even put a piece of plastic wrap on the top of jar, before I twist the top on. Write color and year on top.

[@aaardie]

WHAT!! TWO videos in 6 days? You spoil us! 💕💕 love love love the updates whenever they come, but pls don’t feel pressured to make content quickly-burnout is fr! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for the ~Bathroom~🏡❤️

[@aaardie]

Just finished the video and oh my lord it’s SO beautiful!!

[@roarmaus]

Me, letting my mom know: Ariel Bissett just posted a new video 😊🎉

[@ArielBissett]

omg people watching my videos with their moms is my FAVOURITE

[@rachelcurit7504]

I do this too 😂

[@dawnsfields]

Wow! It turned out fantastic! Well done! People forget that your home is personal. It NEEDS to reflect who you are or who you imagine yourself to be. Who could not break into a smile upon entering your home! You are doing an amazing job! Thank you for taking us along on your journey.

[@jenniferbuhler461]

Every time I open the youtube app I hope there's a video from you. So happy that today there was one here☺️ Love the drawer and really inspiring me!

[@anitak_ilovepink]

As someone who has done tole painting for years. I always picked a pattern and used tracing paper and graphite to transfer the image Always base coat first.

[@Really-cool-dog]

After watching most of your renovation and other house project videos i find myself feeling very limited by being a renter. You've made me want to work harder so that i can afford to own a home. Love your content and vibes, thanks for being great.

[@joym944]

I don't comment often but i love to see everything you've done with your house! Your cheerful openness, bringing viewers into your world, gives us such joy! Thank you for being honest with your internal struggles and keeping it real! I love your style and am in awe of your ability to tackle so many things on your own. I am slowly renovating my house too and the laborious unending projects can get to you! (I spent four days in my hallway recently doing finish work 😢lol). Anyway - all that to say: great job! You are an inspiration!!!!

[@megmccormack1]

I’m so glad you’re prioritizing your happiness with this project! All the work you do must be wicked stressful at times; you deserve to enjoy a part of the process purely for the sake of enjoyment! Thank you for sharing this with us - it’s a welcome reminder that not everything we do has to be polished to the nth degree or fit someone else’s standard of perfection. And honestly, the botanical theme with the colors from around the house work super well in that space! Bravo, Ariel☺️

[@Travelwiththetwins]

How amazing would it be if you attached the old dresser you had there to the top and continued the painting!? What a statement piece that would be!! 🥰

[@Neliel97]

I think that in an increasingly mechanized and industrialized world, there's nothing more beatiful than seeing human touches in everyday things 💜 furniture has become lifeless and identity-less, so just by being handmade something is so much more beautiful and valuable

[@SuperBlondenerd]

I can COMPLETELY understand the mounting pressure that builds from any creative project. That's the wonderful thing about personalized, custom pieces. It's YOURS and as long as you love it and love how it turned out, then it is a beautiful piece! (I also think it's adorable and you did a wonderful job) but the main thing is, as long as you love your piece, that's all that matters.

[@Ms.SpookyNerd]

Such a cute cottagecore style designs on the cabinet

[@suesilva5252]

A cool stain colour and then a protective clear coat would look great.

[@Stinkincutecrochet]

These painted cabinets remind me of the village of Zalipie in Poland. The town is painted with flowers! Def look it up, its beautiful.

[@laurieg673]

This dresser just screams you. Its so fun and whimsical. When in doubt, always keep going and just add more.

[@saraymss]

Hi Ariel, I Googled the picture you found on Pinterest of a man painting a cabinet. I believe it’s Peter Hunt, an American folk artist 🤗

[@salomeydraws]

Folksy whimsy, lovely and chill expression of you! ❤

[@suehall3298]

By not painting the whole chest of Draws with a base colour then putting a design on top. .Yours look so cool the way you have done it brilliant 🤗👍 💐☕🍰 Love Sue ❤❤❤🇬🇧❤❤❤

[@brenna_adel]

couldn't possibly love this more. it's pure joy in cabinet form. 💐

[@AM-bm2xw]

I was skeptical at first, about you paining on the natural wood, but I really like the way that it turned out! :)

[@lb6770]

The beauty of folk art (probably all art) is in the joy of making it. You absolutely captured that joy!!

[@sewme1468]

knitting and watching this. perfect combination ❤

[@RebeccaVinyard-h1c]

What a lovely piece. You did good Ariel! 🩷

[@daisyd90]

I love how your cabinet turned out! It's so pretty!

[@joyindrelie6715]

I feel the joy you added the second day! ❤️

[@everausten]

You checked every box - it's so sweet and happy! ✨

[@miacs3351]

I have been unwell for the last two days and found your channel through your secret bathroom video and have gone and watched all your house related videos to catch up! i have absolutely loved seeing the whole process and i have realised that i will now have to actually wait patiently for the coming videos rather than more binging 😅 can't wait to continue to follow you on this journey!

[@lynvoyager5976]

I love your folk art design but wish you had done a paint wash over the whole dresser to tone down the wood. Your style is what I aspire to be. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your masterpiece.

[@sarahannekerley8681]

This was such a fun project! You know how sewing is unexpectedly like 70% ironing and pinning? I think designing and creating this sort of work is 90% deciding when to add more and when to stop. You did a lovely job navigating that as well as the ups-downs of getting tired and feeling like it's hot garbage. Every craftsperson hits that point in every project. You did great!

[@jinnymay3371]

I think Mauds paintings are loved because you feel the joy she had in the creating. So happy you realized this and enjoyed the creative process 🥰

[@mariacabrera2850]

Is there a link to this artists prints? I love the cat one shown 👀 thanks

[@patriciathomas1502]

Dresser is amazing!! You are very talented!!

[@authormaryanngestwicki]

I was about to get bored, and then your video popped up. I love how you painted the dresser drawer, So Fun and magical. Reminds me of the German designs with their furniture.

[@hiwakoo]

Yes, naive Bauernmalerei 💕

[@okayheykae]

It turned out SO cute! I love how detailed it is. Hand painted things add so much character 💜

[@pnhnut]

Thank you for making this video - seriously! You are an inspiration. I am going to be brave and make over this dear old chest of drawers I rescued off the side of the road! Thanks for sharing your awesome project.

[@janetjohnson373]

Beautiful Maude Lewis would be so proud of you. I love it. It looks happy!

[@lorrainethomas241]

I have a plain old hutch that is crying out for some whimsy. I do believe you've inspired me over the hump.

[@FilomenaJackStudio]

Lovely project! I’m a *professional* painter and I OFTEN go through the “awkward painting stage”. It’s a requirement 😂! Well done!

[@northwoodfalls1403]

Oh, Ariel, it’s so sweet and pretty ❤ I love that it incorporates so many of the colours you have used throughout your home thus far. It’s like an ode to your creative journey and I love it.

[@SarahsShipwreck]

Just keep working on it until it feels right, the great thing about paint is if you dont like it you can just paint over it! I think smaller paint brushes always help me! You got this! Don’t compare yourself to others!

[@Rach.907]

It’s charming! I love how it turned out and the color palette is so relaxing. Beautiful

[@brackalack1]

You could try some acrylic paint markers too? I'd do it on a sample board first though to make sure it didn't drag the bottom layer. I think if it was over dry paint it would be fine. You could use them for outlining or small details. Furniture paint stencils are cool. And you can buy stencils that you stick on, then jutst spray varnish over the top. So many possibilities! I ❤️ your chest of drawers. It looks just the way you wanted. Folksy, romantic and delicate.

[@CandlewickLibrary]

It looks really pretty. And it looks perfect in that spot.

[@Groganee]

The beddings are heavenly 😍🩷

[@rabczanska]

If you love doing this, may I suggest buying a bunch of fine and thick tip acrylic paint pens. More control. This was lovely and well done.

[@rNeyshabur]

You did such a beautiful job!! Loved seeing your attitude about letting it stay fun!!

[@karenstairs8273]

I love your creativeness on the chest of drawers!! I have a table I am going to try painting

[@adeleetherton2665]

Very Cute... and very charming! Fun is the name of the game... I have begun watercolors to making all my cards to friends, family and thank you notes... They are not perfect, but always loved! You got it!

[@elizabethvargas1438]

Soooo pretty, you did great! You are such a lovely girl!!! Just found you last night, when you found secret room behind medicine cabinet, so I binged a few vlogs. Your voice is so unique and soothing. You are creating your own style to this old house and keeping it still original, love it for you.

[@jayantiiamonico6966]

Charming piece Ariel, bravO! Well done!

[@gwendolyn6210]

So fun! Good job Ariel!

[@the_other_apg]

We only just came across your channel and really like it. Our first was 'I literally found a hidden room behind my sink. My partner, Ann, also has a degree in English and is a book worm. She scrolled through your episodes and selected 'Top 5 classics I need to read soon'. We watched and enjoyed and were curious when you talked about film/TV adaptations of classics that you liked. Then we checked with the ones you didn't like. We would like to suggest 'Lost in Austen'. Amanda leads a normal life in London with her boyfriend Michael. She loves reading Jane Austen. However, things take a turn when she mysteriously swaps places with a fictional character in one of Jane Austen's novels, Pride and Prejudice. UK ITV Mini series Adapted from: Pride and Prejudice Directed by: Dan Zeff Genre: Comedy-drama; Fantasy; Romance Production company: Mammoth Screen Ltd Written by: Guy Andrews. We feel it's a nice respecrful twist on a classic and hope you enjoy it too! Dafydd & Ann

[@Jess-np5er]

Watching you paint the drawers was like a love letter to furniture ❤️

[@Uneclipsed]

First off I want to say that I applaud your effort! This turned out really cute and sweet and I love the concept. I do, however, have some tips to make the process a little easier if you continue painting furniture and doors! (This is intended as practical advice, not critique.) And don't be discouraged as you continue if something doesn't come out exactly as you envision. This is a skill that improves over time, and the more you do it, the better you'll get! First, the tools: rulers, masking tape, and pencil are all your friends if you want straight, symmetrical lines! Heck, even stencils can be fun and are not in any way cheating. (You can make some your self or buy some you like. The world is your oyster.) Next, creating a primer layer under the areas you want to paint would really help your colors pop. Wood is super absorbent, so directly painting unfinished wood is going to have a different vibrancy and less longevity overall. It's still a vibe though, so do you. But if you want more saturated colors, a primer layer will help. Finally, I'd recommend practicing painting your designs once or twice on paper before painting the furniture, especially if you're not used to painting. There is a lot of charm in the hand painted, folk art feel of the designs you used as references, but they're also deceptively simple. Line width and symmetry are stars of the show for most of them. Practicing on paper will give you time to refine the design and make any corrections to line width and repeated patterns that you might want without sacrificing an organic, painterly feel. And I'm so glad that you added that bit at the end about remembering that this is about having fun! Because that's what's most important. It's just some wood and some paint. You can always change it later and experimentation is key when it comes to art. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but at the end of the day what matters is having fun with the process!

[@Beachbum471]

It looks absolutely beautiful! The process caused me a bunch of anxiety for you but adore the outcome 👍😘🥹

[@ladylandlubber499]

As someone who works in a paint shop... watching you go through the old cans was hilarious XD It's always fun seeing people with no experience go through a daily aspect of your job XD Also giving Feyre vibes XD

[@soarinsuzi7206]

What a lovely and delightful project

[@PotterytothePeople]

Ariel!! I’m not even finished with the video yet but I loved what you said about putting pressure on yourself. It is so ridiculous how much pressure we put on ourselves when being creative and it is why so people say they cant make art! Art is literally self-expression and human nature and the beauty of folk are comes from the unsure hand. We are all artists! We just have to be brave enough to pick up that brush. Thanks for setting a good example. 🙌

[@calibrieleven]

You've inspired me! I also have a boring unfinished dresser in my guest room that I had planned to paint just a solid color, but this is so much better. To Pinterest I go!

[@Larissa_KD]

Oeh small detail, love the green progress bar during the ad at the bottom!

[@spiriterised2886]

You painting on your carpet and seat gave me so much anxiety lol. The result is absolutely lovely and I'm sure this cabinet will bring your joy every time you look at it! :)