Sunday, March 31, 2013

Vintage Red Cedar Chest

A couple of weeks ago I found a gorgeous cedar chest for sale on craigslist in a neighboring town. I was kind of freaked out to go and get it because the messages back and forth to the seller were extremely brief and they never provided a name, so I had no clue if I was even meeting a man or a woman.  Of course, I also happened to have no other adult available to go with me, so I brought my boys. (And then I emailed my husband the address so he would know where to tell the police I went should I never return because I'm totally a big chicken and sometimes assume the worst.)



 

 
My nine year old was totally oblivious the entire trip; having brought a stack of books to keep him occupied.  My eleven year old sensed my worry and asked what I was upset about.  When I told him my concern over meeting this person and getting the furniture he totally told me not to worry.  He is a blue stripe belt in Kung Fu you know! He even had his uniform on because he had a class later that night.
 
 

 
Anyway, I obviously completely overreacted because the transaction was totally fine, I got my furniture and made it home safely.  Here's a before:
 
 

 
That's Antonio sanding; he takes his job very seriously and makes a percentage of my profit when I sell a piece of furniture he helps on.
  
 

 
I painted the cedar chest Martha Stewart's Sealing Wax.  Two coats covered it beautifully, although my Mom kept telling me that is was a very pink red. Sigh. Obviously not the look I was going for. When the paint had dried, I sanded just slightly to distress and then decided to stain the piece with Minwax Dark Walnut to deepen the color and give it an aged appearance.  I was completely happy with the results of layering both the paint and stain!



 
I love how it looks against our black and white rug and think it makes a perfect coffee table with loads of storage.
 


 
This piece is also for sale at Village Primitives on Main Street in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Linking to: 
DIY Show Off Mod Vintage Lifehttp://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/02/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no151.htmlthurCozyLittleHousebadge150xhttp://www.cozylittlehouse.com/ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia52 MantelsBeyond The Picket FencePhotobucket A Delightsome Life vif187http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/ Boogieboard Cottage”Fall  http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/


 
Green Willow PondWorking With What You Have link up at emilyaclark.com

18 comments:

  1. How can you part with it?.....it looks so perfect in that spot! Awesome paint job! And I think you were perfectly smart to worry and take your Kung Fu body guard! You just never know!

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  2. I love the legs on it and the color you did with the stain came out beautiful! Oh, how I wish I lived near your store!

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  3. I love it! You are so funny - that is EXACTLY me when picking up a Craigslist piece of furniture. Oh the stories I could tell!
    Stacey :O)

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  4. i love it! i love those feet! and i know what you mean about you just never know....

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  5. You can let it go???? And it looks perfect right where it is! :) Beautiful and I wish you were closer.

    xo
    Pat
    P.S. I think it's good that you had some reservations re: the seller. One just never knows these days ~

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  6. looks perfect...well done!
    Bec x

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  7. Hi Angela, It came out perfect! I can't believe you'd sell it ... you must be tough.

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  8. Lovely job on the hope chest, opts showing my age. Oh well what's to do.
    Blessings from Canada
    Bernice

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  9. It is beautiful! I love the color!
    Linda
    mysewwhatblog.blogspot.com

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  10. It is always good to be careful when dealing with Craig's List. How sweet is your son to want to protect you. I have taken my son with me a few times too, but he is 6'2". The color turned out beautifully.
    Traci

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  11. It's beautiful! :) Reminds me of a big one my grandparents used to have

    HEY you have steam heat radiators in your pic!! :) ( I have them too )

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  12. Found you through WOW, love this chest...now following.

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  13. I love, love your new chest! The color is gorgeous! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria

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  14. I struggle with this all the time. Having to decide what to keep and what to sell. I love the chest and would have a hard time parting with it too.
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  15. Hi Angela. That is an absolutely beautiful chest and I love the paint job and color you put on it. I have a very similar one that my dad built when he had shop in highschool back in the very early 1930's. I am getting it out of storage soon and plan to paint it so I'm so happy I got to see how beautiful it will be..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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  16. Angela,you and your helper did a great job. I have a chest as a coffee table too. I like that look. :)

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  17. That is a great piece and a good idea to darken a bit with the stain. Love your little industrious helper.

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Thank you so much for stopping by Number Fifty-Three! I look forward to your comments.