Aubusson Blue Chest

Happy New Year!!! I'm so excited to start a fresh year. Like many of you, I find myself pondering what life changes I should institute in 2014. I've always been one to set new year resolutions. There seems to a general, reoccurring theme of less spending and weight, and more saving, patience, and prayer each year.

Last year I gave up drinking pop. It took me until May to actually start but it's been 8 months since I've had a Coke! This year I'm going to try to add hot tea to my diet. I also told my kids I'm going to be using the phrase, "Thank you for choosing to be helpful." We'll see if these changes cut down on 90% of my mommy melt downs. I want to spend more time cooking and baking with my daughters this year and make time sit in the deer stand with my son. I also want to teach my children more sign language this year.

A couple years ago, I started asking my kids what new year resolution they would choose for me. At first they were pretty cautious about not wanting to hurt my feelings, but then one by one they voiced their honest opinions. You should try it with your loved ones. It's pretty sobering (and inspiring).

I made a 2014 To Do List for my blog. The list could go on and on but these are the big 5:

1) makeover the sunroom (without Don noticing)
2) make an upholstered head board for the cabin (without Don noticing)
3) build a farmer's table for the sunroom (without Don noticing)
4) build a sofa table for the cabin (without Don noticing)
5) paint my front door (move to #1 position)

First things first though. I need to get my garage cleared out. I found this chest of drawers at a second hand store for $30. I was immediately drawn to its modern design:  clean/simple lines, boxy design, extra wide drawer base, etc.

Say hello to my faithful assistant, Blanche.

In my experience, hidden surprises are a guarantee in most restoration projects. When purchasing used furniture you really, really have to look the piece over for structural flaws, especially if plan to resale the piece. Take the time to open and shut every drawer. Don't forget to look inside the drawers, too. Check to make sure the legs are sturdy (kind of like kicking the tires of car). It was clear to me the chest had been refinished by the previous owner but I thought it was made of solid wood based on the dove tailing, drawers, legs, back, etc. Wrong!

 After I sanded off the funky varnish, I realized the base of the chest
was made of solid wood...

 the drawers were solid wood...

but the top was a laminate. Not veneer...laminate:( Yuck.

Laminate is not porous like wood or wood veneer so you can't stain it. Fortunately, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint will adhere to almost any surface so I painted the top and sides Aubusson Blue. I coated the paint with clear wax and may follow with a dark wax down the road if I decide I want the color to be more teal.

Next I stained the drawers with Minwax Dark Walnut and applied two coats of Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane to draw out the beauty of the wood.

Removing the varnish on the drawers unveiled a second hiccup. Apparently the previous owner decided to putty the drawer holes so he could convert them to single knobs. *!#*!*#! I really wanted to use some brass Sioux Nation knobs I came upon last summer....but unfortunately the putty holes were very obvious without the dark varnish.

My solution? Redrill the original holes and create a rope handles. I spent less than $2 at our local True Value to purchase hemp rope. I explored different designs. Then I bought some inexpensive drawer brass plates to give the rope handles a more finished look. Guess what? I didn't like it. Well, I liked them. They just weren't "keepers". I ended up buying some 'soft iron' pulls from Target. They'll match the stenciled chest I took to the cabin this summer. I will find a way to incorporate the rope handles on another project.

Here's the finished product. What'cha think?

I love the look. 

It reminds me something you might see at West Elm or Crate & Barrel.

It's perfect for our cabin and it will look great with the other pieces 

that have made the pilgrimage from our home to the river.

I'm going to use the chest as a TV stand.

xoxox

As always thanks for reading 13CCF and good luck with those new year resolutions. For those of you contemplating the idea of giving up soda...Lord have mercy, DON'T go there! I've missed it every single day since I quit!*#!*!

~Wendy