Vintage Cedar Chest in Tiffany Blue

A few posts ago I told you about a couple that was cleaning out a relative's house and had invited me to come over.  I was able to take a tour to see all of their amazing treasures.  When we got up to the attic is was full of things and we did a little poking around.  I happened to see the corner of this cedar chest peeking out of the corner off the back wall.  I said, "What is that?"  They said, "I don't know.  Let's take a look."  He uncovered part of it and it was all I needed to see.  I told him I would take it when he dug it out. :)  Fast forward a few days and I get a message saying she would like to keep the cedar chest, but would like me to redo it for her.  Yea!  I love that. 

She said she didn't know exactly what she wanted but she did want Tiffany Blue. I don't work with really bright colors a lot, so I was happy to oblige! 

This seriously is the sweetest little chest.  It's very petite and has the prettiest feet on it.  

 BEFORE

 AFTER

 Because this color is very bright and the chest is very small I wanted to leave the top wood to contrast the paint (and to give the eye a place to rest).  It is a beautiful piece of mahogany and refinished nicely.  I love the deep tone of the wood with the paint. 

 I tried gold in the groove and didn't like it, so opted to just sand the edges of it instead.  I like the simplicity of it. 

 See? Cute feet!

The key hole cover was missing so I replaced it with one I had in my stash.  I like the detail it adds. I didn't want to create holes where there weren't any (in case they want to strip this down someday) so I adhered it with Modge Podge.  Love that stuff!

Vintage Lane Cedar Chest

Someone tagged this Lane cedar chest on FB for me.  Now, if I'm being honest with you, I don't really like mid century or 70's furniture.  I don't really get into the clean lines and I absolutely do not like the original hardware on almost any of these kinds of pieces.  With that being said, when I saw this piece I knew it was a one-of-a-kind and it was in mint condition.  Perfect candidate for a make-over.  

I think I've already mentioned, a few times, that I am usually mindful of the feel of a piece before I decide what to do with it.  There is no changing the fact that this piece of furniture is what it is and came from the 70's (the original tags are still inside).  BUT, I know it is possible to meld vintage with modern to come up with something I think is workable with what people are looking for today.  I also love Reeves', from The Weathered Door, style and she has helped me look at this style of furniture in a different way.  So, I came up with a plan to do something that I thought was fitting for this piece but still was "me".  

 BEFORE

 AFTER

The color is Thermal Springs from SW with dark wax.  I love how it is an updated color but still has a little bit of vintage vibe.  I also wanted to do something a little different with the bottom drawer.   I didn't want to do it in dark wood because I didn't want it to look too heavy.   I opted to do stripes but stayed within a shade on the color card so they weren't too over bearing and slanted them to mimic inlays in many of these pieces. 

 You know hardware can instantly update a piece and that's why I have a stash of these cup pulls. I actually wanted to do them in library style, but could only find one. Boo!  It's ok, because I never get tired of these. :)

 Waxing leaves such a soft sheen and I love that. 

 The top was cherry so I sanded it down, gave it one coat of Jave Gel, and 3 coats of Varathane. 

 The drawer still had the original green felt and it was pretty worn, so I lined it with this leftover fabric I had.  Yep, still am gaga over it. :)

Cedar Chest in custom stone (color)

I almost kept this one for myself and left it just the way it was, BUT it didn't fit! :(  Big boo!

This is not an antique, but it is beautifully made and such a unique piece.  The top opens and the chest part is lined with cedar and then the bottom drawer opens and it is also lined with cedar.  I just love it. 

When I sold the highboy earlier this week my client said she was looking for a chest, too.  I was sad to give it up but I knew it was getting a good home! 

 BEFORE

AFTER

She wanted it to "match" the highboy, but not be "matchy-matchy".  She also wanted to go a little darker with it.  It's such an elegant looking piece so I like how the neutral color lets all those pretty details stand out. 

I mixed the colors Weimeraner from SW, Wheat Bread from Behr,  and Driftwood from General Finishes to get this color.

Originally she had wanted the top wood and the rest painted.  Problem:  when I got to looking at the top I wasn't sure exactly what it was made of or what kind of treatment it had on it.  It needed to be refinished because it had scratches on it, so it had to be painted.  So, I asked her if I could leave the drawer fronts wood instead.  They aren't perfect but in a lot better shape than the top.  I didn't do anything to them but wipe them down. ;)

My favorite part about this chest is the feet!  I will quietly admit I did sit on my garage floor and rub them (just a little and not for too long...shhhh).

Vintage Waterfall Chest in Linen

One of my most favorite things about refinishing furniture is doing family pieces.  My client told me this vintage chest belonged to her mother. Her mother almost threw it out, but she convinced her to keep it.  Her mother passed away and she thought the cedar chest was gone.  She said she found it again, by accident, and wanted to have it refinished to remember her mother by.  What an honor for me! 

We discussed what she wanted and decided the front needed a little something and we both hated the blond wood.  So, we brainstormed and came up with a plan for a brand new look! :)

Before

After

Yes, it really is the same piece!! :)

I sanded down the front panel, same as the top, being careful not to sand through the extremely thin veneer.  I then stained it with Java Gel, two coats, from General Finishes.  We both thought the front needed a little extra something and I suggested an applique.  I love the creamy white against the dark wood. 

The rest of the chest was painted in Linen from General Finishes. 

 It is my most popular color now! 

I also refinished the top the same as the front panel. 

It truly is amazing what paint can do! 

Vintage Storage Chest in Linen

Someone tagged me on FB for this little cutie.  I instantly loved the clean lines and simple shape.  And, it's on casters!  What could be better than that?! 

The woman I purchased it from actually delivered it right to my front door.  I was so grateful I didn't have to go out in the horrendously cold weather we've been having.  I know, I'm a baby!

Before

The finish was rough but the chest, itself, was in nice shape.  A pretty easy re-do. 

My client wanted something neutral so I went to my new favorite color for a little help. It's Linen from General Finishes.  I get a little tired of white and cream.  This color has the benefit of going with everything and has a  little more depth than your traditional whites.

 After

So pretty,  I will not keep it...I will not keep it...

 I absolutely love this color with a dark wood top, too.  They compliment each other so well!

This top was sanded down and received 2 coats of Java Gel from General Finishes and 3 coats of Varathane in Satin. 

 Is there anything prettier than a delicate bunch of baby's breath in a rusty old oil can?

I think not! 

Black Cedar Chest

This cedar chest is such a great, solid piece and I've never seen one this tall.  

It's very rustic and due to it's blocky shape and geometric designs I decided to redo the top and paint the rest of it black.  It would be awesome in an entry way to sit on while you put your shoes on and to store extra hat, coats, mittens, etc. 

Before

Please excuse my garage.  It has to wait until nice weather to be completed so all of our stuff is just stacked against the work bench right now.  I'm sure you could care less, but I kinda do. ;)

 After

I never get tired of black with warm wood tones peeking through!

 It's got lots of little details that add interest.  I thought about doing this one two tone, but decided it would look too busy, so basic black it is!  

Antique Waterfall Cedar Chest

I found this cedar chest in a cramped little thrift store.  I'm so glad it went unnoticed!  I wish I knew who it first belonged to and how many people stored their treasures in it over the decades. 

You already know I'm not a huge fan of waterfall furniture, but this had a great scalloped base and a beautiful top (and the inside is perfect) so it went in the back of the truck to come home and be loved again. :)

 Before

 After

I decided I wasn't going to take the wardrobe I recently finished to my furniture show, so I wanted to take something else that color (because I love it!).  This is Drizzle from SW mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with another turquoise I had on hand.  

 Such a pretty piece of wood on the top.  Stained in Java Gel from General Finishes.  Love the light and dark in the grain!

I can see this piece at the end of some little princess's bed!

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