When I first spotted this cedar chest, it looked like it came straight from Granny’s attic. Not my Granny, but someone’s. The flower decal, peeling veneer and cobwebs really dated this piece.
My first thought was that this could be a really versatile piece. I don’t often find chests like this, and I could picture so many great uses for it – at the end of a bed with blankets, next to an entry for hats and gloves, in a child’s room for toys and supplies, and the list goes on. I opened the drawer and the perfect condition of the cedar sold me.
Here it is all finished and staged next to my back door.
This piece had some major veneer issues. I removed all of the loose veneer from the side and repaired it using Bondo. This is my favorite way to repair missing veneer. It goes on with a thin coat that can be sanded smooth within 30 minutes. The smell is pretty strong, so definitely use a respirator or have plenty of ventilation when you use Bondo. The veneer on the top was in really bad shape, too. I was able to remove about 90% of it just by pulling it off. I used a wet towel and iron for the remaining 10%. I then sanded the entire piece and painted with 2 coats of General Finishes milk paint in a custom navy blue. I used roughly 5 parts coastal blue and 1 part persian blue. I sealed the entire piece with 2 coats of General Finishes high performance topcoat in flat.
The original pulls were in bad shape, too small in proportion to the large cedar drawer, and just ugly. I chose to use some gorgeous vintage glass knobs that I had salvaged from another project. They are big, chunky, and fabulous. They really pop and sparkle against the navy blue.
To rejuvenate the cedar, I lightly sanded, wiped it down, and applied a thin coat of cedar oil. It looks and smells amazing now.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Susan
Linking with Miss Mustard Seed, The Painted Drawer, and Brepurposed
Beautiful!!! Looks like it was made for that spot. Love the color and staging.
Thank you so much!
Just popped over from The Painted Drawer. Your piece is gorgeous! Checking out the rest of your site now!
Karen U
Thanks so much for checking out my blog! I do appreciate it.
I actually just realized that your pieces are ones that I regularly click over on from Miss Mustard Seed. I’m Following you directly now. Your work is gorgeous! I am curious how you get such a flawless finish with the GF topcoat? My (blue painted) piano doesn’t look quite so flawless and I’m not sure what to do. I used satin finish and think maybe I should do another coat in flat instead.
Karen
Hi Karen! Thanks so much for following my blog. As for the GF finish, definitely try using flat. The flat actually does have sheen, but seems to be easier to get an even finish. Also try lightly sanding (almost buffing) between coats with a very fine grit sandpaper 320 or higher. I have found that sometimes it takes a few coats with sanding in between to get a really nice finish. Good luck!
I just found your blog via The Painted Drawer. I love the finish on this piece.
The color is beautiful along with the glass knobs – you really gave this cedar chest a glam makeover. Love it!
I LOVE that color!! I turned out gorgeous! ~Susan
Absolutely LOVE what you did with that old chest. Love the navy!
Great makeover for this chest. I believe you made a really good choice with the color, what a POP it makes.