Storage Unit Blues-Cedar Chest Restored

This poor cedar chest had been in storage for five years and storage conditions were not good.  

How disappointing to retrieve your grandmother's cedar chest and find that moisture had warped the veneer and REALLY damaged the finish.

The veneer was completely detached from parts of the chest. 

One of the legs had fallen off.

She was pretty sad looking.   The veneer almost looks like fabric and not wood!

So....

We glued the legs, removed the warped veneer, wood filled, sanded and sanded and sanded.  I stained the lid a rich dark walnut colour.  After a couple of coats of paint and a varathan finish coat, we have one pretty little cedar chest.

I painted the exterior a warm white, gently distressed by sanding and finished with a couple coats of varathane for strength

The cedar chest is 40 1/2 inches long, 18 1/12 inches wide and 19 inches tall.  It is a small cedar chest that could easily fit at the bottom of bed.  I did consider upholstering the top, but I liked the trim too much to cover.

I love cedar chests that are on legs and don't sit flat on the floor.

$200.

For *&%#'s and Giggles

This is a very plain, very boring little table.  Stained a blah dark brown, over not very interesting wood.  There is a little handle to add interest, and interest only as there is no drawer.

So...I thought I could brighten it up a bit just for fun.  I have wanted to try spray painting over lace for ages.  I have a collection of lace that I have picked up over the years just for this.  This is not good lace by any means, machine made but with a nice pattern that I could cut out.

And this is what we have.

$40.

One Beautiful Buffet

 This buffet had been stored in a very damp basement for a number of years.  The drawers and doors were almost impossible to open.  The large bottom drawer fell apart when opened. The backboard was broken and was just nailed together.

And this buffet is big!

You can see the nails holding the scrolled detail in place.

The bottom drawer had fallen to pieces, sides missing, bottom warped and split.

And here she is today. She looks like she is wearing ear rings!  

I gently distressed the buffet to accent the scrolled front detailing. 

The buffet is 66 1/2 inches long, 21 1/2 inches wide and 41 inches tall.

$350.

Repurposed China Cabinet

Originally this was a china cabinet.  I took off the door and opened it up thinking the piece would be good in a child's room or kitchen.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, asked if the shelves could be removed.  A lot of interest but no buyers.

So.....

We had a beautiful walnut table top in the shop that we repurposed.  Isn't she pretty?  

The Cabinet is 41 inches tall, 17 1/2 inches deep and 33 inches tall.  The single drawer is 9 inches deep for lots of storage.

Pretty in Pink Repeat

I love this dresser.  

When I bought the dresser it was in really poor condition; basically falling apart.  I think that every joint had to be re-glued

The trim has a soft pattern that just screamed for some colour; and pink is perfect!

The dresser is 46 inches tall, 17 1/2 inches deep and 29 1/2 inches wide.

I spray painted the handles and the drawer sides to make things "matchy matchy"

Same routine, paint, sand, paint sand and then a couple coats of varnish.

$100.00

Dainty Vanity

I have a weakness for vanities.  

This vanity was in pretty good order.  It is a rare day when you purchase an older piece of furniture that is in perfect shape.  There are always nails missing, drawer guides lost, chipped veneers.

A little bit of fabric to tidy up the hanky drawer

The vanity is painted a soft white and lightly distressed.

The hardware is original and in perfect condition.  

The hanky drawer handles remind me of 

butter scotch candies.

The bevelled mirror is in excellent condition.

$325.

I have been busy painting furniture...and I will be posting pictures later this week.  I just thought I would share this idea.  This is for everyone that forgets to water their houseplants.  Create a small vignette with your plants with a pretty container.  I use a wine bottle.  Just keep it filled with water.  When you pass by, the water is already there so it only takes a moment to water your plants.  Add some liquid fertilizer during the appropriate season.  Easy Peasy.

Water in a wine bottle

My Kitchen Chairs

I have taken a bit of a break from sanding, painting, sanding, etc.  I have recently rediscovered knitting.  Everyone loves hand knit socks!

I decided to actually paint some furniture for myself.

These are very sold oak chairs.  When I first purchased them, they reminded me of an old sturdy woman, solid with thick legs. lol

The white paint softens the look of the chair.

I sand, paint, sand, paint, sand and then finish with 2 coats of satin finish varathane.  These chairs will be used everyday and the varathane will help to protect the finish.

Not so clunky looking any more!

Aren't they pretty?