When I went up to the cedar chest and opened it, it was full of trash, dead bugs, and ...bluck. It had been gorgeously weathered from the elements and was falling apart on the top and bottom.
The one good thing this cedar chest had going for it was that the actual cabinet part was still intact and was actually pretty cool. (you're welcome I removed the old underwear before snapping a picture. hahaha...)
Check out some these cool elements it still had...
...this original lock box with escutcheon...
...and this stamped marking. My kinda stuff!
DIY TIME
My husband thought I was crazy to bring this home (what's new, right?), but he does have an appreciation for wood like I do and that cedar still had life in it that just needed revived. So, I took off that top and bottom and had this remaining box left to work with. I am salvaging as much of that gorgeous wood as possible. You just can't find natural patina like that anywhere, especially in the store. Here it is after a good cleaning and a little glue for one of the boards.
At this point, I could have used linseed oil to revive that wood, just like I did for my pew and this industrial style chest. For this chest though, I wanted to showcase the gorgeous gray patina, so I left it as-is.
NEXT STEPS
Here is where I call in a bit of help. (ugh...I hated to pull away from our kitchen remodel!) I am all about power tools, but I get a little uneasy when ripping a board on the table saw. A few years ago, a big oak board kicked back on me and nailed me in my side, and not long after I buzzed my fingers on my left hand during our closet remodel. This is after 12 years of using that crazy saw! tsk. So... somtimes I leave the ripping to him on longer stuff. I still do some, but since I've been under the weather this week, I thought it best to be left to him. He cut the new top and bottom planks for me and then I took over from there. Much like the custom trunks I designed, I decided to use the same stain that I always talk about for our bedroom, Early American by RustOleum. I added the old trim onto the new lid, and attached it all together. Just for fun and height, I even added some funky industrial style casters.THE REVEAL
Ready to see it in action? Here it is!
It's sorta farmhouse chic with an industrial twist, isn't it? I love the contrast of the gray and stained wood. And I couldn't resist adding the number using my Old World Number Stencil just like I did on another free trunk and my industrial dresser makeover.
The dark wood contrasting the old wood totally floats my boat and makes for a great conversation piece.
This cedar chest is awesome for storage, a coffee table, end of bed bench, or sitting pretty in an entry. And, like most of my work, you can find it available for purchase in my online store.
Do pin and share to inspire others to see past the trash and be able to see the trashure instead. ♥
Next up I'll be giving wire thingy a new purpose. Whatever it is I liked it enough to pay a whole quarter for it and show you what it became HERE.
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WAIT! Before you go, don't miss out on the treat that my Trash to Treasure ladies have worked on for you!
While you're at it, here are more of projects like this cedar chest:
