Lane Cedar Chest Makeover
Do you guys know why I distress so many of my paint projects? It’s because distressed paint hides furniture flaws. The furniture I buy to paint usually is not in the best of shape. There may be missing veneer, dings in the finish, chipped corners, split wood…….just to name a few possible condition issues.
I can’t spend an arm and a leg for good furniture to paint because I could never recoup what I have in it after the makeover. If the furniture is in good condition I usually will not paint it so I get the beat up stuff. The cedar chest for my makeover today was definitely needed help.
Today is Furniture Fixer Upper day and we have some great project tutorials to share.
Distressed Paint Hides Furniture Flaws | Lane Cedar Chest Makeover
The Lane cedar chest looks great now. The color I selected is neutral and will fit in just about any color scheme. There is a good story behind the paint color decision.
This is how the chest looked when I brought it home. It came from my favorite junk shop. I can’t remember the price but maybe around $20. It had a padded top at one time. I have a similar Lane Cedar Chest with a padded top and I re-covered the top not too long ago (here). The padded top is a separate piece that just screws to the wood top of the cedar chest. The top on this one was gone and I just needed to fill the screw holes before painting.
The metal latch plate had come off of the chest top. The JTS worked on that for me and now the latch works. No key though. I put painters tape over the screw holes on the inside of the top so wood filler wouldn’t seep inside the chest.
I used Elmer’s Wood Putty to fill the holes. Once it was dry I sanded it flush with the wood. Originally there were two drawer pulls on the front of the chest. At first I planned to replace those with a couple of cool looking pulls. On second thought I decided to just fill those holes too. Makes the front of the cedar chest more modern looking.
I applied a coat of Glidden Gripper tinted gray as a basecoat. The plan was to paint the cedar chest a pale gray. I found a can of semi-gloss white paint and added gray to it from another can of paint. Still trying to use up that paint stash. The bottom photo on the left shows where I started applying the pale gray over the dark gray primer.
The pale gray was really pale. I painted the whole chest then decided it was too pale for me. Back to the paint shelf. I found a jar of FolkArt Home Décor Chalk color Castle. That is the color on the right photo. It’s gray with a slight brown tint. The color is really warm and I like it a lot.
The photo above shows the Castle color on the bottom of the chest and the top still painted the pale gray.
I distressed all the flaws and edges of the cedar chest. The bottom board on the chest was a bit chewed up where the corners met and the top where the padded top came off had several funny indentations around the edges. More good things to show some distressing love.
I sanded down to the original finish in some areas and in some just down to the pale gray paint. A distressed paint finish has depth and character.
{Find my favorite furniture paints, spray paints, brushes, tools, etc. on the Petticoat Junktion Amazon page here.}
I really do love the color. I need to get more of the paint. What do you guys think? Like the color? Like the distressed look? Having a great week so far? Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
You need to see this cedar chest I painted using the Vaseline distress technique. It’s a doozy. Click the video below the paint colors are amazing…..
Vaseline Paint Distress Trick
Time to take the Furniture Fixer Upper Tour. Leave me a note please before you head on the tour. I love to read your comments. Just click the text links below the “Before Makeover” photo collage.
Two Simple Furniture Makeovers – Girl In The Garage
Thrift Store Dresser Makeover – Confessions Of A Serial Diyer
DIY Clock Face Table – Prodigal Pieces
Beach Finish Furniture Paint – Just The Woods
Decoupaged Napkin Serpentine Dresser – The Interior Frugalista
Distressed Paint Hides Furniture Flaws – Petticoat Junktion (you are here)
As always, thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Kathy, the chest turned out perfectly distressed and beautiful – but I especially LOVE the suitcase on top! If I was closer I might have to steal it from you! 😉
Kathy Owen says
Maybe when I get tired of it I’ll ship it to you. Don’t hold your breath though 😉
Karen Marie Kedzuch says
Kathy,
Absolutely love the color! My day is great. You did a beautiful job on this beauty from Mr. B’s? I need to contact Lane asap. Thanks girlfriend you learn something new every day.
Keep brightening the world,
Karen Marie
Christie says
The color is beautiful – it could become a new favorite. The chest is fantastic now!
kandice kullmann says
what a great makeover Kathy!
Rose Lefebvre says
I like it! Looks nice!
Marie says
The warm grey is lovely and the distressing gives it so much character – another great makeover Kathy! I’m having a very productive week. Hope your week has been a good one 🙂
Christy James says
This turned out great, Kathy! Love this warm gray tone, and I’m having a great week so far…thanks for asking! 😀 XO
Teri says
Kathy, just a note about the Lane cedar chests- you can get a free replacement latch and lock by emailing Lane. The original latches are self locking and children have suffocated inside. The company strongly recommends everyone replace them with the free safety latches they will send out. Sorry to be a “buzzkill” but everyone should be made aware of this. Off my soap box now, I love what you did to the piece! Great color.
Cece says
Thank you for mentioning this. I own a Brick and Mortar and have been visited by the State looking to make sure we aren’t selling Cedar Chest with these old locks. Fortunately we were aware of the replacement latches and had replaced the latch on the one we had for sale, otherwise they would have confiscated it on the spot and fined us heavily. And yes there have been several children that have suffocated inside these old cedar chests. I don’t want that on my conscience. Contact Lane Cedar Chest Company and they will send you a free conversion kit. It only takes a few minutes to change it out! Be safe, not sorry!
Kathy Owen says
Oh gosh, thanks so much for the information. I need to do that before I take it to the shop.
Teri says
Cece, thanks for the information. I did not know that you could be fined and the piece confiscated. Very serious. Passing along this message help all of us.
Handy Squad says
Grey was a brilliant choice! Great work!
Nancy says
If I was ever in your neck of the woods, close to where you sell your pieces, I would fill up a truck and bring them home. I love how you paint and distress!
I also love to read about you and your friends on trash to treasure.
Kaycee says
Hi Kathy, I’m having a great week, and I hope you are too, lol!! This chest is so pretty, and I do like the colors that you layered onto her. I agree with you about leaving the pulls off, it looks fresh and more modern!!! Well done!!
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Who doesn’t love a blanket chest, right?! Your choice in a soothing gray is perfect for this pieces, Kathy. Love it!