Friday, August 23, 2013

Generations Cedar Chest - Painted and Stained

When it's been in the family
 
for generations,
 
furniture becomes sentimental.
 
Sometimes there are pieces
 
that you know you need to keep
 
and even want to keep,
 
but they are just a little worn and dated
 
and need a "pick-me-up".
 
 
 
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Grandma Pat Hemje
 
received this Lane Cedar Chest
 
when she was 16.
 
Now it has a home with her son's family.
 
 
 
 
 
 
So we decided it should bear the family name.
 
 
 
 
 
The body of the chest was painted white with camel shade.
 
 
 
 
The lid was stripped and stained,
 
first applying wood conditioner,
 
then Early American Minwax
 
with black paint on the edges.
 
 
 
 
 
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For the sealer, I used semi-gloss polyurethane
 
mixed with just a tiny bit of paint thinner.
 
Cut a square of foam,
 
fold in half,
 
dip in poly mix,
 
and brush on full stroke
 
with the grain.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beautiful.
 
No streaks.
 
 
 
 
Then for the stamp,
 
I worked the design in Photoshop,
 
flipped the text,
 
and printed on paper
 
so that I could do a mod podge transfer.
 
 
 
 
I should have used gray instead of black.
 
Because after application I decided to go for a softer look.
 
That's okay - I just painted over the transfer.
 
 
 
 
Then using a liner brush,
 
painted in the text
 
and dry brushed over in cream.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The simple design
 
makes it a piece of furniture
 
that can live in any room.
 
So maybe you have something that is a little drab
 
and needs a "pick-me-up".
 
It's so fun what a little paint and stain can do!
 
I paint everyday
 
and still never get tired of seeing fun paint changes!
 
Deb
 
 
Sharing at:
 
 


37 comments:

Unknown said...

Simply gorgeous! Lesa

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Wow! What a transformation!
I Love this! You did a wonderful job, Deb.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Sandi

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Oh, this is a fabulous transformation! I adore the transfer you put on the chest! Again another perfect piece! You work such magic with a paintbrush!

Courtney said...

I never tire of it either :-) beautiful transformation Deb and love the folded foam trick! Perfect for a small piece!

Jaime Costiglio said...

DEb that came out so nice. Fresh, updated and looks totally complete now. You are a painting queen!

20 North Ora said...

Another gorgeous transformation!

Judy

Bliss said...

Fantastic! Pinning.

Fanciful Ponderings said...

I have an old cedar chest I have been kinda glaring at lately. Maybe this is just the thing she needs to make me smile! Thanks for sharing : )

Feral Turtle said...

If I could paint like you I would do it everyday too! You have created such a beautiful looking family heirloom. I love the family name on it! This one is a real jewel Deb!!

girlsgonescrappin said...

This piece is gorgeous and EXACTLY the look I am going for with a set of bedroom furniture I have. It has a light wood top and white bottom and I plan on repainting the bottom and stripping and staining the top darker. I also just painted my old Lane Cedar Chest that I got right after I got married 33 years ago (mine is from the 60's) But I did mine in a pale green distressed look and love the way it came out. But here is my question....what kind of paper did you print on before mod-podging? Love, love, love this chest.

Deb Hrabik said...

I just used regular computer printing paper, but next time I am going to try freezer paper or waxed paper.

Gina Kleinworth said...

It's absolutely stunning. I love how it turned out & the history behind it is so nice.

Unknown said...

You are amazing. I can't wait to see every project you do. You don't stick to the standards and have no fear with taking chances. I would have never thought to add paint to the edge and stain too. LOVE IT!

Jennifer said...

It's perfect! I love it!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Wow the chest turned out looking awesome!! You did such a great job on it!

Rhonda @ home.made. said...

This turned out so beautiful! I have my grandmother's hope chest and I've never thought of painting it until now!

Krista Aasen said...

Wow - this is stunning Deb! I am sharing it on my facebook tomorrow!!

Kayla @ Home Coming said...

Beautiful update! I'd love for you to link up to The DIY'ers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-diyers-and-last-weeks-top-three.html

Allison said...

Perfect update! I have an old chest we used for toys (braced it open so it wouldn't close/injure anyone!) that I've been hesitating to paint. Now, I think I need to. Dropping by from Met Monday. Hope you'll come see my grandson's playroom. Maybe he could use the chest now!

Allison
Atticmag

Unknown said...

I am amazed!! What a beautiful transformation and I love the monogram on the front. Adds so much character and sentimental meaning. You are so talented!

Chubby Chieque said...

Hi,
My first time to visit you.

Me and GH (great hubby) are really drooling your ability. I am doing some projects and the next is also a cedar chest.
Thank you for sharing as I will do your tips (in any ways).

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Greetings from D´Box in Stockholm,
/CC girl

EveryDay Bloom said...

Beautifully done and inspiring as ever. I aspire to paint every day... and love visiting here to see what you've come up with (tucking the polyurethane with a tiny bit of thinner detail away for future use...)

DIY Vintage Chic said...

Looks great! I love the contrast of the top from the bottom. I'm getting ready to redo my chest and never thought of having separate colors. Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fabulous treasure to have and I love the new finish. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, marty

Simply Simplisticated said...

Great now I have trunk envy! lol BEAUTIFUL!! following you now!

Leslie Anne Tarabella said...

This is one of my favorite projects you've done - although I think that about every new project you do! Just beautiful.

Jenn said...

Beautiful job! I 'm sure this will be treasured for many years to come. Thanks so much for sharing at The Inspiration Exchange - we'll be featuring this tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend! :)

My Repurposed Life said...

found you at Beckie's RR.

absolutely beautiful! You did a fabulous job on giving this gal a new life!

gail

Unknown said...

So beautiful Deb. What a great update to a family heirloom. Thanks for the "how to" and blessings to you, Patti

Laurel Stephens said...

Oh, this turned out so beautifully! I remember when all young brides my age wanted a Lane Cedar Chest of their own. What a wonderful family heirloom.

Kathy said...

this chest is so fabulous - LOVE the look - I'm showing it to my daughter - maybe she'll let me paint hers! I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy

Danielle said...

This is so beautiful! x

miss flibbertigibbet said...

Looks just great Deb! I love the simplicity of the graphic. I have my Granny's Lane chest (which unfortunately has had wood grain contact paper applied to the top) and I want to bring it out of the closet and refinish it! This is inspiring!

Sarah said...

Coming over from Better After. That chest is take-your-breath-away-gorgeous. *sigh*

girlsgonescrappin said...

I have what appears to be the EXACT same cedar chest, which I just chalk painted. I really like the way ti came out but I LOVE yours....wish I had seen it first :-)

Unknown said...

I love this CHEST! I've been working on MINE BUT don't know how to get the shading. I have painted the chest white and stained the top kona. The stain is a little darker than I wanted . I would like to soft the contrast between top and bottom. Any iddas?

Deb Hrabik said...

If you want to shade that top edge, take a 2 inch wide chip brush and dip into either clear glaze or floetrol (a paint extender) Then double load your brush....meaning dip one side of the brush in cream base and the other side of the brush in light brown. Wipe the brush back and forth on a paper plate until it looks blended, then wipe on to top edge keeping the brown on the top and cream to the inside. Keep adding glaze and repeating around the top edge.
Hope that helps.
Deb