Before and After – Coffe Table Chest
January 31, 2010 at 8:59 pm 7 comments
Christmas this year was a little different now that we have a baby. So many presents! Crazy. Since we live in an 860 sq. ft. condo, space is always an issue. I’m trying to be very good about rethinking what I bring in, and always having a box to put things in to donate. I’m trying to live more simply. Having a kid makes living simply, well, really difficult!
She acquired a load of toys, and all I was thinking was “Where in the heck are we going to put these?” ”Oh no, our living room is going to look like a Gymboree!”
So the search began for a storage chest that could double as a coffee table. There are lots of options out there, but I couldn’t handle the ridiculous price tags. 80 bucks for a wicker chest at Target? Come on people.
Finally I found this beauty on Craigslist. Got it for 40 bucks after waiting about a week for the lazy seller to meet up with my husband. Don’t you hate the wait that is Craigslist? AHH!
Here’s the before picture. Obviously, I was so excited to take this picture I forgot to take the pic at the beginning 
I decided to paint it a dark red, distress it oh so slightly, and then put an antiquing glaze on top. I wanted it to resemble something you would pick up at Pottery Barn, but for way cheaper!
So I put about 2-3 coats of the red and let it dry completely. Then I took sand paper and sanded the edges. Some chunks of paint came off here and there, and that was ok with me. I wanted it to look worn – like it had happened over time.
After distressing it, I applied the antiquing glaze. This was my first try with the stuff, and I have to say I’m pretty pleased with the way it turned out. I just used an old soft cloth, and applied it in a circular motion. It really gives it a deep, rich tone – and makes mutes everything. I love it! Oh and I bought it at Lowes. It’s the Valspar Antiquing Glaze and it was around 7 bucks…I have almost the whole bottle left too. You don’t use that much.
What do you think? I’m really happy with it! The night I finished it, I went to bed thinking of all the other things I could glaze…my husband might just need to hide the bottle from me!
Entry filed under: Frugal Crafts. Tags: antique glaze, before and after, coffee table chest, DIY project, refinishing furniture.
1. pk @ Room Remix | February 1, 2010 at 11:30 am
It looks great red and looks like it adds a fun punch of color and coordinates with the red in your pillows. Pretty! Great job.
2. Sarah @ The Thriftress | February 1, 2010 at 11:59 am
So cute! I need one – the toys def. take over the family room. How did you cover the unfinished back side of the chest?
3. fabulouslyclassic | February 1, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for your comment! When I bought the chest off of craigs list, I didn’t realize the back wasn’t meant to be seen – it had that cheap fiber board stuff on the back – I pulled it off and put two pieces of wood on instead. We had that lying around, so I just cut it to size and fit it in. Then I painted and glazed the same way I did the rest of the chest.
4. Look-Alike Pottery Barn Number Pillows « Fabulously Classic | February 2, 2010 at 5:46 pm
[...] I love how it looks with my new chest! [...]
5. Shannon | February 4, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I love the red! So pretty!
6. Jennifer Allwood | February 5, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I always get going before i remember the before shots! Love the red!!!!
7. Miss Mustard Seed | February 6, 2010 at 7:55 pm
I love it in the red. It was worth the CL wait. I really like the lines of this piece and $40 was a good deal. Great find and great work!