Hey there amazing Friends! I just love this day…it’s Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday!! I really love that I get to see four more fabulous makeovers from my friends, and you will too! Be sure to look for links to their makeovers at the bottom. 🙂
I had planned to share a desk that Jack and I planned to team up on, but we hit a little bump in the road so instead I am sharing another piece that I actually would have loved to throw in the trash!
Several years ago I shared the makeover of this French provincial chest:
I picked it up for around $30 at the thrift store and gave it a two-toned look with a metallic paint:
You can see more of that makeover HERE. I had a sweet reader recently ask me if I ever had any pieces that I just gave up on and stashed in a corner. I immediately thought of this chest.
You see when I was originally painting it, I wanted to use this cool metallic silver paint by Martha Stewart that I had used once before. The only problem was that I didn’t have quite enough to paint this piece, and the paint was no longer being sold, so I came up with the genius idea (NOT genius) to spray paint the entire piece with silver metallic paint as the first coat. Had I been using chalk paint, no problem. BUT I was using more like a latex paint and so I learned quickly that the top layer of Martha Stewart paint was coming right off with every nick and bump.
Such a bummer! It would need resanded to fix it, and so there it sat…for two years! I honestly just wanted to donate it back to the thrift store. For real, y’all.
Then when Jack mentioned he wanted to find a couple of pieces to paint to make some money over the Summer, I offered him this and told him he could have it if he would just get it out of the garage!
He doesn’t mind the sanding at all so he got right to it. I shared this pic of him painting it the other day:
Hasn’t he grown so much?? The only rule I have for him putting his own painted pieces in my booth is that it has to fit in with my style, so he opted for a simple white makeover.
I kept passing the drawers that he hadn’t gotten to yet, and decided they would be really pretty with a subtle pop of blue, so I hijacked them while he was spending the weekend with a friend and did just that:
He did all the real work and I got to add the fun details. I like that arrangement! 🙂
I’ve included a couple affiliate links so you can find the products I use.
Honestly if it weren’t for Jack, this may never have been redone. Such a shame because I love the curves of these French provincial pieces.
The white is Ultra Pure White by Behr made into DIY chalk paint and the blue is Sunken Pool by Behr, also made into DIY chalk paint. (Recipe with video on how to mix HERE.)
We reused the same hardware. This is how I had painted them originally and they worked perfectly here as well.
Everything was sealed with Annie Sloan’s clear soft wax.
The drawers were originally lined with zebra paper. I decided to replace that with fabric, but it ended up a big fail!
I attached it using matte Mod Podge, and the pigment from the bottom of the drawer bled through!
I usually use a black and white or heavily patterned fabric and it does great.
To fix it, I removed the fabric and painted the bottom of the drawer with regular white latex enamel:
Then I added the fabric again using matte Mod Podge, brushing it on the bottom with a chip brush like glue first. (Wash it with warm water and dish soap and you can use it again and again.)
I didn’t have enough of the first fabric I used, but I found this pretty one at Walmart on clearance for only $2 a yard:
I love it even more than the first one so I’m calling it a win!
I used my rotary cutter and cutting mat to cut the fabric in perfectly straight pieces:
I love that this little chest is no longer the reject in the corner of the garage now!
Which one do you prefer??
I think I’m partial to the blue! 🙂
Don’t go anywhere just yet, my friends are sharing their own trash-to-treasure transformations!
Visit the afters at the links below the image!
Want even more trash-to-treasure inspiration?? Check out all of my past Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday posts HERE!
See ya back here Thursday! Same time, same place. I’ll be bringing this old favorite back out:
UPDATE: See what I created with this junk that I hauled out of the corner of my garage HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
Well I LOVE the blue and white version 125 percent more! Nice job to Jack & Christy team!!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I can’t tell you how happy I am that Jack agreed to take this on! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Way to go, team!! Your new look is so refreshing and I like it better in blue too. I’m sure it will sell fast!
Christy says
Thanks, Larissa! Hoping so! 😀
Sheila DelCharco says
The silver was really pretty but I do love white and blue! Well done!! Both are leagues better than the original!
Christy says
Thank you, Sheila, and that is so true ha ha! XOXO
Debrashoppeno5 says
I like the new look so much. It is sure to sell quickly.
Christy says
Thanks, Debra! We hope so! 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I love both but the blue and white is my fave. And that blue fabric is definitely a win! xo
Christy says
Thanks, Nancy! Love that fabric…good ole Walmart! XOXO
Christina in FL says
Another beauty! You and Jack did a great job! I prefer the newest version… or course. 🙂 Your “hiccups” weren’t going to get you down. Love the fabric in the drawers. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! Yes, so glad we finally overcame that setback, and the fabric might be my favorite part! XOXO
Paula says
It looks great! Give Jack a pat on the back for me!
Christy says
Thanks, Paula, I sure will! XOXO
Lindy says
I thought it was” a pretty piece” before, but now it’s a “love it !” pretty piece in the after. Give Jack his own piece to do start to finish–I would love to see where he goes with it without borders to curb his creativity. I do think that you could put anything in front of those doors of yours however and it would become gorgeous.
Christy says
Thanks, Lindy! Jack did this piece from start to finish with all his own ideas: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/jacks-plant-stand-update/ Honestly though, I don’t think he loves the creative part as much as he loves the payout lol, so he usually just wants to do what will sell quickly. I agree about the doors…I love them as a backdrop too! 🙂
Michele Branham says
I love the white and blue. It looks fresh. I do have a couple of questions. When you go on your treasure hunts and you find a painted piece, do you check for lead paint? What do you do if you discover the furniture has been painted with it?
Christy says
Thanks, Michele! I try to avoid already-painted pieces if possible. They are just too much work! You can buy a lead paint kit at just about any hardware store, but the real harm is injesting the dust. This article from Country Living has more info: http://www.countryliving.com/shopping/antiques/a338/lead-paint-antique-furniture/ 🙂 Hope this helps!
Michele Branham says
Thanks!
Sue says
Definitely love the second version better!!! Love that you High “Jacked” it!!!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Sue!! 😀
Debra Wise says
Great teamwork! I love the blue/white – it’s gorgeous.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Debra! XO
Donna says
So pretty! Well done, Jack!
Christy says
Thanks, Donna! I’m so grateful he took that on and it is no longer mocking me from the corner of the garage! XOXO
Denise says
I have more pieces than I care to admit that I’ve abanded for one reason or another. Jack did an amazing job and the blue drawers and liner – beautiful! ????
Christy says
Oh that’s too funny…glad to hear I’m not alone! Thanks, Denise! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
Wow, the blue makes this piece so fabulous! The details, drawers and hardware are pretty, and this piece could be useful in all sorts of ways. Very worthwhile project because of all the time and effort you and your son put into it. Love it : ) XO
Christy says
Thanks so much, Debbie! I can’t believe I was so ready to just drop it back off to the thrift store! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Oh, yeah, that’s a win! I think it was worth all the struggles, in the end, and I really like the fabric much better than the original one. Good work, team!
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie!! I love the new fabric too! XOXO
Sherry Darlington says
Love the blue for sure! How do you get the look of white where the blue looks worn off? Did you paint the drawers white, then blue, then distress?
Christy says
Thanks, Sherry! Yep, the original makeover had white drawers, so they were already white to start. 🙂
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Oh, I love the new look! It reminds me of a little blue box from Tiffany. <3 The fabric surprise is so fun. And I think this one is much more your style too. Great job Jack and Christy!
Christy says
Thanks, Jen! Yes this is definitely more me! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
WOW! WOW! WOW! I love this piece!! It is so perfect.
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! Just dropped it off at my booth yesterday…was a little sad to leave it behind!
Nancy Walden says
I just finished my own Trash to Treasure I was waling my dog on July 4 when I spotted an antique looking cabinet across the street. It’s unheard of to find something like that in my neighborhood! I checked it out and is was an old phonograph cabinet that had “good bones.” Someone had torn the veneer off the top but the rest seemed like it might be salvageable. My neighbors were kind enough to help me go pick it up. After I dusted it off, I found a label with a manufacturers date. It was made by Brunswick on Feb 13, 1923! Liberal applications of Howard Feed n Wax restored the body and legs but the top was just raw wood with remnants of veneer. I steamed the veneer off, filled in some spaces with wood putty and painted the top with black chalk paint., Looks fantastic now and is a great addition to my entry!
Christy says
Sounds like you found an amazing treasure! It feels so good to rescue an older piece, doesn’t it? XOXO
Terri Hughes says
I love the blue. You and Jack did a great job. I had the same thing happen to me with a roll top desk, that I was redoing. I removed the roll top, because it was broken. I didn’t want the roll top anyway. I painted it antique white and navy blue. Both paint colors did fine, except the top parts of the desk that I painted blue. I let it dry for several days before bringing it inside. Everything that I placed on the desk, when removed, pulled the paint off. I didn’t know why it was doing this. The rest of the desk was not sticky, like the top of the desk. Still haven’t tried to fix it. It was so much work down the drain:(
Christy says
Thanks, Terri! I feel your pain for sure. If it were not for Jack, this would still be stuck in the corner of my garage! Hopefully you’ll be inspired to give the desk another go some day! XO
Julie Briones says
So pretty! Tell Jack it looks great! I, actually, like both! However, I would purchase the blue/white before the metallic… for *my* home. 😉 My daughter might actually be partial to the metallic. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Julie, I will! The blue is the clear winner for my home too! XOXO
Cathy says
I love French provincial pieces! I’ve been trying to find just the right piece for a bathroom vanity – it’s been 3 years now. LOL
Christy says
Oh I definitely have a soft spot for them too! They would make a lovely vanity! XO
Sandra powell says
Oh very pretty, love this colour! Great helper you have as well ???? ????
Christy says
Thank you, Sandra, and yes I love having my helper out there! XOXO
Bonnie says
I love the blue and white version and the fabric which you chose to line the drawers. It is so pretty!
Christy says
Thanks, Bonnie! I loved the original when I did it, but I much prefer the blue too! XO
Marie says
Oh Christy, the blue is as pretty as its name – just lovely! The fabric botch was a blessing in disguise too as your second choice is perfect for a French Provincial piece. I suspect Jack will soon have some money coming to him because this won’t last long in the booth. Pinned
Christy says
Thanks, Marie! I am in love with this color! And yes that fabric was a lucky accident and a steal at $2 a yard. XOXO
Nette says
To be honest, I like French Provincial in its original form. I grew up with a F.P. bedroom and I miss the ivory and gold look. You did a great job making it over according to your taste and I look forward to the old look coming back and you redoing it again!
Christy says
Thank you, Nette! I actually love the original look as well, but it is sad that many have yellowed over time. I bet they were beautiful in their brand-new state! XO
Jane says
I LOVE the blue and white, so fresh and I’m going to use your ideas when painting my old chest. New subscriber too!
Christy says
Thank you, Jane! Welcome, and thanks for choosing to follow along! XO