Over at Our Southern Nest they have taken a painted antique furniture chest and brightened it up with a little more color.
After:
A few years ago we purchase a distressed red painted chest for our home in Alabama. I loved the curves of the chest but thought the color was too dark for our current home. I decided to repaint it, and I love how it turned out. Here is what it looked like originally.
Before:
First, I removed the drawers and lightly sanded the chest. I used a hammer and a screwdriver to distress it even more. Then I painted it Peacock Blue by Benjamin Moore.
I then used a tobacco glaze to highlight the grooves and the distressing. I think I may still go back and add more glaze to make it more rustic. It is always better to go light with the glaze. You can always go back and add more, but it is very difficult to remove it if you have too much.
Once I put the furniture inside I decided to add a few gold highlights to help the detailing stand out. I had to replace the original knobs because one broke during our move. The bronze knobs will do for now but I think it would be pretty with glass knobs.
It was an easy projects, and it took two days to complete it. The most time consuming part was the drying time between coats. Please feel free to email me with any questions about the project!
Thanks,
Our Southern Nest
P.S.
I had a few questions about where to get the glaze and/or how to mix it. Your local paint store (i.e. Ben Moore, Sherwin Williams, etc.) will have glazes in stock. If they do not have the color you would prefer, ask them to mix a glaze for you. I needed a light brown color to glaze cabinets and could not find a premixed glaze that was the right color. I picked a color from a fan deck and asked to man behind to mix the colors in the glaze instead of the paint base. You can also mix equals parts of paint (in your preferred color) and clear glaze and get great results. I hope this helps!
The painted antique furniture chest looks beautiful! How do you like the new look with the two tones of distressed color?
Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.
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I have a Bombay chest as well. My question is do you know what type of wood is under all those layers of paint? I’m trying to determine if I am going to repainted it or take it down to the wood.
What did you use to add the gold highlights?? It’s beautiful!
What did you use to add the gold on this chest? And how did you do it?
It’s beautiful!
Thank you
I have a Bombay chest as well. My question is do you know what type of wood is under all those layers of paint? I’m trying to determine if I am going to repainted it or take it down to the wood.