Have you ever looked at furniture in a store and wondered how that perfectly smooth antique looking finish was created? I have. I often shop HomeGoods, Tuesday Morning, and Kirkland’s, mainly looking for home décor ideas. I sometimes fall in love with an item but I very seldom buy it. I come home and try to find a way to recreate that fabulous look…..on a budget.
There are a couple of different techniques I use to antique furniture. I don’t know that any one technique is better than the other, they’re just different.
antiqued red cedar chest
Several years ago when we lived in Florida and I started my painting/diy adventures I painted a number of hope chests/trunks/cedar chests similar to this one. The look was very popular and the chests usually sold right away. I antiqued the paint on this cedar chest using a very, very, simple process. I promise to post the how-to next week.
I bought the cedar chest at the Nashville Flea Market. It’s in great shape and the wood is really pretty. I planned to clean it up and renew the wood finish with hemp oil. Every time I looked at the chest all I could see was a coffin….I know…I hated to say it….but that’s what it looked like to me. I decided to paint it. I know some of you will probably think I shouldn’t have and you can tell me…..nicely.
Now it doesn’t look like ….well, that word I said earlier. I’m happy with the finished look. The iron stars are nailed on. The stars have a nail on them. Not sure what the proper name is….star head nails?
What do you guys think of the project? Have you tried to reproduce a specific furniture finish or look?
I’ll post the technique for this finish next week.
update July 8, 2015 Tutorial on this paint finish How To Antique Furniture The Easy Way
Have a great weekend, Kathy
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Jennifer Dominguez says
Hello Petticoat Junktion ! So story to tell ! My husband and I live to antique window shop. We are military and don’t have room to be frivolous 😉 wish we could ! Anyways, we saw the chest in a cute store in Clarksville and my husband and I fell instantly in love. But, we didn’t leave with it. We just moved to the army base and we were still deciding decor. Well, today I was fed up with poor furniture quality and I remembered about the chest that we o-so- loved. Hoping it was still there, dashed down as quick as I could and it was. It was meant to be and I am in love. My husband lives it too, especially, it matches his military decor part of the house. I will send a picture once set in place and decorated. Thank you, Thank you, thank you for your finds and talents. Most of all being on a military budget it was an affordable piece !
Kathy Owen says
You are so sweet. I’m glad the red cedar chest with the iron stars is going to a good home. My husband is retired from the Army so I know all about Army life. He was in the service for 25 years. I hope you are enjoying Clarksville.
Fiona says
The antiqued red finish is beautiful,Fiona x
Pam P. says
What is the brand/color of the red paint?
Kathy Owen says
I can’t tell you specifically Pam. It’s a mix of colors. I do that sometimes. I just start mixing what I have on hand until I get the color I want.
Amy Jenkins says
Thank you so much for showing us all these colors! When I finally get brave enough to tackle some furniture, I know just which colors I want to use!
Wendy Johnson says
I don’t always like painted wood but I would paint my cedar chest that color in a heart beat! It looks like old painted ones I have seen. I look forward to the post about the technique…not that I will really be able to copy it..lol
[email protected] Interior Frugalista says
You definitely took it from coffin to mouth drop’n Kathy! Love the color, love the antiquing, and love those fabulous stars. Very nice makeover.
ruth says
Love the chest!!!
Rose L. says
I love the way it looks!
chris aka monkey says
i love it now before it looked like a million other chest blech now it is eye catching and gorgeous leave the keyhole like it is if you had wanted it painted you would have done it xx
Karen says
I give it 3 Stars! Awesome!
I agree~paint keyhole.
Sherry Fram says
Love the red and the metal stars! I thought it looked a little coffin like as well. lol
Donna Marie says
The only thing I would have done would be to paint the lock the same color as the stars; I know a lot of trouble but just my opinion!!!
Kathy Owen says
Thanks for the comment Donna. That’s an idea. I wonder if that would take the focus off of the stars?
Kammy's Korner says
Love those stars! 🙂
http://www.kammyskorner.com
Kathy Owen says
I know. They are cool. I used to order them by the dozen from Ebay. I only had small stars left in my stash and when I went to order more stars the price was higher and there was not a large range of sizes. I used to be able to get larger stars.
Kay says
I went to the flea market Saturday – it was a beautiful day for it! Came home with a cute stool to paint and recover. I sure enjoy seeing the pieces you have redone!