Sunday 12 April 2015

weekend projects :: upclying an old chest of drawers...


We lived with this old chest of drawers in the kitchen for a  while before deciding what to do with it. It was a bit of an impulse buy. We panicked a little when the builders were ripping out the old kitchen cupboards and they wanted to know what would replace them. The units were 90's plasticky ones, not at all pretty and in really bad condition. We couldn't do anything to restore them. I wished they'd been old wooden ones that I could paint. It wouldn't have mattered what style. 

We spotted this one when rooting around a barn at the back of a vintage shop. It was the right shape, solid, would make a good work surface, looked as though we could store a myriad things in it and was very cheap. We checked the top drawers and they opened smoothly, so we bought it. Perfect...we thought...

Then when it arrived I noticed that there were big pieces broken from the bottom two drawers. Filled with heavy pots and pans it was a struggle to open them. They got more and more decrepit each time I used them. 

Eventually I decided that I'd have to forgo the bottom drawer. The empty space makes a useful shelf and the drawer will probably end up being used for a raised fruit or vegetable bed in the garden. 

Then the debate...stain or paint? We lived with it for a while before deciding. It may be because I keep drooling over this kitchen here that I finally decided on paint. 

Here's how:
  • First a spot of hole filling with wood filler, followed by a gentle sanding with fine sandpaper.
  • A good wash down with soapy water.
  • Two coats of white undercoat of both the interior and exterior and all the drawers...I have finally succumbed to using sponge forms for this. Despite years of insisting that they waste too much paint. They give the smoothest finish and don't use as much paint as I suspected. I apologise Ahmad...you were right. 
  • A further two coats of eggshell paint. I used Dulux Diamond eggshell in shade chalky downs 4. This gives an amazing matt finish and is very easy to use. 
  • Finally I lined the drawers using a bargain charity shop £1 roll of wallpaper. I find that wallpaper is much stronger than wrapping or brown paper and easier to use. 
The resulting chest is perfect again. Much more useful now and brightens up my spring kitchen...and vaguely echoes a current favourite one...well maybe the colour's a bit similar...







11 comments:

  1. gosh, I cannot believe that is the same dresser! Lovely upcycle of a beloved antique. You have quite the talent!!

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    1. Thank you...that's kind Karen. I know...I couldn't believe how much better it looks either. When we first bought it a few weeks ago we were in a rush and it was in much worse condition than we thought. But it's very old and must have lots of history. I'm so glad that it's had a breath of fresh life.

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  2. don't you wish antiques could talk and tell their stories? this one would most definitely say 'thank you'! looks amazing.

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    1. I know...I can't help but wonder who previously owned things. Are thanks Steph. It was a bit the worse for wear when we bought it but somehow we didn't really notice until it was delivered just how battered it was.
      dx

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  3. I love how it turned out!!! The paint is perfect, and I like how it with the bottom drawer out, giving you a wonderful little shelf...how clever!
    Isn't Walnuts Farm lovely?!??!

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  4. I love how it turned out!!! The paint is perfect, and I like how it with the bottom drawer out, giving you a wonderful little shelf...how clever!
    Isn't Walnuts Farm lovely?!??!

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    1. Thank you Emily. We lived with it for quite a while before deciding what to do with it so I'm glad that it turned OK.

      I know...Walnut farm is gorgeous isn't it. I keep drooling over the photographs and the videos...life there looks idyllic...
      debx

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  5. Replies
    1. Hi thanks for coming over and your lovely comment.
      Nice to meet you...
      debx

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  6. Hello Debby!
    I love how as has transformed the old furniture! It is perfect in your kitchen!
    Hahaha green melon is Spanish!
    You know? the name of my blog is chest of drawers?
    Have a spring weekend

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    1. Oh hi Montse, thank you. The melon is my husbands favourite...lovely and sweet. It's all your lovely Spanish sunshine that does it. Oh that's interesting Montse. Unfortunately I don't speak Spanish and so always use Google translate to read it. I hadn't noticed the translation of your blog name though. I think it's a lovely name for a blog.
      I hope that your spring weekend has been a good one, the rest of the week too.
      bye for now,
      debx

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