New Hope for an old Hope Chest

I absolutely love when people think of me before they get rid of things.

There is nothing better than scoring a beautiful find and doing nothing more than answering your phone!

My grandmother (a different one than I have been referring to in the previous posts) called me the other day and asked me if I would like to have her old hope chest.  She said it was a Lane cedar chest that used to be whitewood, but after being in the attic for many years it had yellowed.  She wasn't sure if I had anything that I could do with it.

To me it was a "DUH?!"  An old cedar chest that I have been given permission to paint... not to mention family ties :o)

I pulled up and it was so much better than I could have imagined.  Hello Sunshine :o)

This piece is screaming vintage cool!

All original hardware ~ including the lock labeled LANE.

Remember back when I said it was a chest?  Up 'til now, it just looks like a dresser, but wait... I tricked you :o)

~*swoon*~

I really can't get enough of opening this chest.  The blast of cedar smell and that rich, red color.... I pretty much heart it :o)

The inside looks like it was just brought home from a show room.  Seriously, it still has the tag hanging it.   Not because it was never used.  This thing was packed to the brim with a wedding dress, cards, letters, baby clothes, handmade family blankets, and a ton more. 

I LOVE a good yellow piece of furniture.  But this particular yellow was faded and dirty.  It needed some love.

This was my first attempt with using the homemade chalk paint that is spreading like wildfire.  I put 2 tablespoons of Plaster of Paris into a sample size of paint.  The color was called celtic gray, but on this chest in looks a little more blue and in my bedroom it looks a little more green.  I will share my frustrations with the color gray very soon.

The homemade chalk paint was amazing.  It spread so beautifully.  Once I painted it on, I sanded over it with some 220 grit sandpaper.  I have never felt a piece of furniture that was so smooth and soft.  I hear it distresses really well too, but I didn't want to take my sander to this piece... weird, I know.

I left all the hardware in it's original color.  I'm not sure if it's the right decision or not.  I'm gonna let it simmer for awhile.  What do you think?  Should it go brushed bronze?

I glazed over the gray with a little black glaze.   I'm always a little worried about a piece of furniture until I glaze it.  The glaze gives it so much depth and really makes it pop.

Man I love the inside of this thing!!

This isn't it's permanent home, it has a place in my bedroom.  But since that room is far from a pretty sight right now, it's gonna stay here until I'm ready for it.

Sorry, sometimes I get a little carried away with the photography :o)  I love to take pictures.

I can't believe what an amazing gift this was and I hope my grandmother is pleased with what I did with it.  It might be my new favorite piece of furniture!

On a side note, I have officially bought my first piece of furniture to sell!  As the pockets are empty right now, I had to invest small. This baby should be done soon.  I hope somebody loves her :o) 

Purchasing a new camera lens today... can we say EXCITED!?!?

Also got to meet my favorite rock star last night before what turned out to be an awesome show.  Next to my family and refinishing furniture, Butch Walker is my favorite thing ever! 

But what was the biggest thing I learned last night by going to a rock concert in Athens, GA (home of the Georgia Bulldogs).... I'm not 18 anymore!

Linky Party Love

Perfectly Imperfect
The Shabby Nest
Miss Mustard Seed
Metamorphosis Monday with Between Naps on the Porch
Show Me What Ya Got with Not Just a Housewife
Kammy's Korner