Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Re-Purposed Vintage Chest

A couple of weeks ago Louie found this great vintage chest at an estate sale.   You can go back and check out that post if you want to here.   But this is what the chest looked like when we brought it home...


It was pretty beat up and very rusted....


The inside still had some of the original herringbone paper, but it was torn and shredded, as well as slightly moldy.  It had some nice dents and dings on it, but basically it was sound and sturdy....


Not many people would even give this little chest a second glance, but that's exactly the kind of thing that we pounce on.  Because it's so easy for me to see past the ugly and imagine what I can do with it.


I couldn't wait to get started on it.  First I washed it and let it sit outside in my shed for a few days to air out. Then I gave the outside a quick sanding to remove as much of the rust as possible and I tore out as much of the inside paper as I could.   Then I dry brushed a layer of white paint over the entire box, including the black metal edging and the original hardware...


After that I added a layer of blue paint, again, dry brushing it on here and there until I got the coverage that I liked.  Once it was dry I took a sanding block and distressed the entire chest, including the metal edging and the hardware....

Next I took my stencils and added one of my favorite quotes.  I think it pairs well with the map theme you'll see in a minute...


Next I brushed a thin layer of white paint on the inside.  Why?  I don't know, just because....


Last week at another estate sale we had picked  up an old book of maps, so I leafed through it until I found some ocean maps that I liked.  I cut them down to size to fit inside the chest and then secured them with a couple of layers of Mod Podge.....




I  wanted to darken and antique the paint on the outside of the box so I pulled out some wood stain and my Finishing Wax.   I brushed on a thin layer of the stain and immediately wiped it off. 


If you look at the next picture you can see the difference - the top half of the box has been stained and the bottom half hasn't.  Which color do you like better?  I prefer the stained antique look, so the entire box got a coat of stain.


 Once that was dry I wiped on the wax and then polished it off...





I was really happy with the way it turned out....


It's a great size -
17 3/4" long
9" wide
9" high


It will make a cute keepsake or a wonderful gift.  If anyone is interested, it's for sale here.


I had such a good time re-purposing this chest.  They really are a labor of love, you know?

33 comments:

  1. Clever use of maps to line the inside! Very nice makeover.

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    1. Thanks Linda - I love maps and use them whenever possible.

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  2. This is nothing sort of amazing, Kim! Love the olden maps. Now, I just wish I knew someone who'd really appreciate having it!

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    1. Thanks Myra - it was such a joy to make this. I hope it finds a good home because I'd love to do more of these.

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  3. LOVE what you did! Someone will be very happy to receive this one! You did such a nice job!!

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  4. Quite a transformation! Using the maps was a good idea!

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    1. Thank you - I love using old maps whenever possible.

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  5. Adding the maps inside was the icing. Love the way you changed the little trunk. Visiting from Bella Rosa Antiques.
    Joy

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    1. It makes my day when a new blogger stops by and leaves a message - thanks so much!

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  6. Kim, this is just gorgeous! You have such a great eye for creating beautiful treasures!

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  7. I truly love everything you did to the trunk and absolutely love the saying on top. That is you Kim!

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  8. Kim,
    What a great up-cycle! I love how you fixed the inside with the maps!

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    1. Thank you so much and I sure appreciate you coming by and leaving a message.

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  9. Love this!! Have you tried the chalk paint?? I just read about it, and want to try it, too late for a cabinet I've been working on now, but it looks like it works REALLY well.....here is the link I found...http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/copy_of_How_to_use_the_paint.html Also I have never tried the wax, how does that work....you have become the expert and some of us beginners need some schooling!! I just LOVE this trunk!!!

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    1. Thanks Cheri. I am far from an expert - I just wing it. :-) I'll do a post about the wax some time soon.

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    1. Ok, now I'm going to have Sonny and Cher in my head all day. :-)

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  11. Very nice makeover! I especially like the map interior....brilliant!

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    1. Thank you - I have such a love for maps and use them whenever possible. Especially old ones.

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  12. Awesome! I love the map idea inside. Nice job! Thank you so much for linking with "Let's Talk Vintage!"

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  13. I love a great challenge...this is something I would have jumped on for sure!
    You did a wonderful job transforming this trunk...with paint and those MAPS!
    L@@KS great!

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm on the hunt for another chest now. I just like re-doing them so much.

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  14. This is a super makeover!! I have one in my stash pretty much like your before. I think I will try a redo on it.

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  15. Hi Kim ... Love how the chest turned out. Covering the insides with maps looks great ... good decision. The saying on the top is so suitable.
    Also, I wanted to thank you for your visit and nice comment on Timeless Treasures blog feature by Diana Adirondack Girl @ Heart:Blog of the Week. She does such a good job of that. I hope you will come visit my blog again.
    Audrey Z.@ Timeless Treasures

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    1. Hi Audrey - Oh, I know I'll be back - I'm already following your blog. :-) Thanks so much for coming by and leaving a comment!

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  16. Wow, I just love how that trunk turned out Kim! I have to admit that even I was having a hard time seeing how nice it could be and I haul home some JUNK sometimes because I can see beauty! That quote is also one of my favorites and it goes so good with the maps! I have that quote written on the chalkboard wall in my vintage trailer and the inside of the closet is lined with maps!

    Tania

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