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Refinishing the Vintage Blanket Chest

cottage style April 22, 2012

When hubby inherited a blanket chest from his Aunt Marion, he put his foot down and told me I couldn’t touch it with a paint brush. Well, after several pieces of furniture got a makeover in our home, he relented to my constant begging to re-do the vintage chest. Here she is wearing her new colors …

Aunt Marion’s blanket chest now wears Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White
and a special mixture of Louis Blue and Paris Grey.
This is what the chest looked like before hubby gave in to my girlish charms.
I knew the detailing on the front would pop with some paint.
Puddy loves to watch me paint. Not sure why, but he always sits and watches.
I primed the chest with Duck Egg Blue. My original thought was to leave the top in Duck Egg Blue,
and put a coat of Pure White on the bottom, so that the Duck Egg would show through after distressing.
But then a trip to Carter’s Cottage for more vintage mirrors changed my mind.
Sitting in the store was a beautiful bench in Louis Blue and I just had to have that shade.
So I bought the Louis Blue, but didn’t want it too blue (for this particular room),
 so toned it down with a bit of Paris Grey. About 3 parts Louis Blue, 1 part Paris Grey.
Distressing reveals a little bit of wood, and a teeny bit of Duck Egg Blue.
There’s a surprising pinkish hue that came through from the wood.
You can see the Duck Egg Blue peeking through the top coat of Pure White.
The blanket chest sits atop a script-patterned bamboo floor mat.
I’m totally lovin’ these mats. I think they deserve a blog post of their very own.
I love the crisp, snowy whiteness of Pure White.
I used Old White in my dining room and I kinda wish I’d chosen Pure White instead.
After painting and sanding to distress the chest, I used clear wax over the Pure White.
I used both clear and dark on the Louis Blue, starting with a layer of clear wax.
I then used a different rag to very lightly apply the dark wax (dark goes a looong way!),
 and then used the clear wax rag to blend the dark and even it out.
Here’s an important tip I found out: If you apply too much dark wax,
dip a separate rag in the clear wax. Rubbing the clear over the dark will remove some of the dark.
(If anyone has other tips about using dark wax, please feel free to post it in the comments.)
I asked hubby to rate the “new” blanket chest on a scale of 1 to 10.
He gave it a 9.5, which is more than good enough for me!

Filed Under: cottage style53 Comments

Comments

  1. Bridget Hedger says

    April 22, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Cute Mom! Looks so much better! I love the paint, it’s making me want to get some and redo my dresser..love the distressed part! Gotta love distressed wood 😉 Wouldn’t be a post w/ out Puddy!

    Reply
  2. Tangled Sweetpea says

    April 22, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Such a beautiful blanket box and what a fabulous paint job – looks gorgeous Jennifer!
    Victoria xx

    Reply
  3. Anne says

    April 22, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    I agree it needed to be painted and you did it beautifully.Love the St. Louis blue with the white.And Puddy is so cute too!
    Anne

    Reply
  4. Babs says

    April 22, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Great job! The blanket chest turned out so cute. Glad your hubby gave in and let you paint it.I like the bamboo floor mat, too.
    Happy Sunday,
    Babs

    Reply
  5. Vickie @ Ranger 911 says

    April 22, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    The details really pop with the new painted finish and it looks great on top of the bamboo rug!

    Reply
  6. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    April 22, 2012 at 10:42 pm

    That is so much better painted and hope he realizes that. Men!

    Reply
  7. sissie says

    April 22, 2012 at 11:49 pm

    What a great transformation! I love the color of the blanket chest and the technique you used.

    Very pretty. I give it a 10!!!

    hugs
    Sissie

    Reply
  8. Christie says

    April 22, 2012 at 11:59 pm

    That is VERY pretty! Nice colors too! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Shari Valicenti says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:15 am

    I love that this chest has legs…just gives it a whole new presence! It loves wonderful…great job…Shari

    Reply
  10. Tonya @ My Cozy Little Farmhouse says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:01 am

    adorable!

    Reply
  11. Designing Domesticity says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:24 am

    Looks beautiful. Love the color combo. Thanks for sharing, liz

    Reply
  12. Lynn @ UpCountry Olio says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:47 am

    I’d give it a perfect 10, but a 9.5 from a husband is pretty legendary! Such a cute piece and I love your color choices.

    Reply
  13. chateau chic says

    April 23, 2012 at 2:16 am

    I love how your chest turned out. Such pretty colors that show up the details on the chest so nicely. I give it a 10!
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  14. Tina says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    Absolutely beautiful. I love the touch of blue/grey on the medallion. You did a wonderful job. Hope you have a great week.

    Reply
  15. PAT says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    The blanket chest is absolutely beautiful, painted, Jennifer. Great job!

    Reply
  16. Roxanne Reinhart says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    Great transformation – it looks so much better with the paint!

    Reply
  17. Connie says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    Aren’t you glad you painted it and gave it new life.

    Puddy like that gently movement of a paint brush I bet.

    Reply
  18. Heather says

    April 23, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    You’ve sure got a knack for chalk paint, Jennifer. I recently painted a desk with Classic White, but I am feeling a bit ambivalent about the way it turned out. I do like the way you combined the colors. The blanket chest looks much happier now!

    Reply
  19. Renee says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:46 pm

    Very pretty.

    Reply
  20. LDH says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    You did a fantastic job and this chest is very beautiful!

    Reply
  21. Jenny says

    April 23, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    It looks so beautiful! I am your newest follower from the Networking Blog Hop! I would love if you would check out my blog and if you like what you see follow back 🙂
    Modern Modest Beauty

    Reply
  22. Patti says

    April 24, 2012 at 1:24 am

    Just perfect…I love the colors! Your rug/mat caught my eye – lovely!

    Reply
  23. ✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life says

    April 24, 2012 at 2:29 am

    Wow! Look at all the details now in the wood. The blanket chest is beautiful.

    Dee

    Reply
  24. Shabby chic Sandy says

    April 24, 2012 at 7:05 am

    Love the colors you chose–it looks great!

    Reply
  25. A Cottage Muse says

    April 24, 2012 at 10:34 am

    LOVE it…great color choices!

    Reply
  26. Swede Dreamer says

    April 24, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    You have given this chest a gorgeous new life!! Love the color~Angie

    Reply
  27. MONICA LIVAS says

    April 24, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    I LOVE it! Great job.

    Hugs,

    Monica.

    http://ahouseofonesown-monicalivas.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  28. [email protected] The Vintage Nest says

    April 24, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    I gave it a 10!!! and the details do pop with the makeover. It’s lovely and I love what it’s resting on too. xo

    Reply
  29. blhitchcock901 says

    April 24, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    LOOOVE IT. i found you through the link party. hope you will follow me. i am following you.

    Reply
  30. Ana says

    April 26, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    Hi Jennifer,
    Beautiful transformation. Its new coat of paint has certainly giving it a new life…Why is it with men and painted furniture? Hee, hee, hee…I have a grandfather clock that I have been wanting to paint but hubby says no…I guess I should turn up my girlish charms too 🙂 Anyway, also wanted to comment on that bamboo script mat, it’s gorgeous. I’ll be checking back for a post about them 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful day.

    Your newest follower,
    ♥Ana

    Reply
  31. A Ruffled Nest says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:07 am

    What a beautiful chest! You did a great job. You choose my favorite color combo. Thanks for linking up to Friday pretties.

    Sherrie

    Reply
  32. Whimsical Perspective says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:58 am

    Love it! Beautiful combination. You can’t go wrong with any of the Annie Blues. 🙂

    Reply
  33. Christina at I Gotta Create! says

    April 27, 2012 at 2:15 am

    Beautiful! The paint really gives it a light hearted, cottage-y feel. Love! Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina

    Reply
  34. breidag says

    April 27, 2012 at 2:45 am

    This is making me realize that I HAVE TO get some new Annie colors!! The chest looks great! Maybe you can talk to MY husband about some of our wooden furniture!

    Reply
  35. Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says

    April 27, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    That turned out so beautiful! I haven’t tried chalk paint yet, but you’ve inspired me!

    Reply
  36. Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    Gorgeous piece. I love the colors and it’s just the right amount of distressing. Now I want to paint my cedar trunk like this. Thanks for showing it!
    Have a great weekend. Adding you to my follow list.
    Angie

    Reply
  37. GardenofDaisies says

    April 27, 2012 at 5:33 pm

    I like it both ways. With it’s original stain or it’s new paint job, it looks marvelous! The trimwork and feet really make it unique. I’ve heard so many good things about annie’s paint.

    Reply
  38. [email protected] says

    April 28, 2012 at 12:12 am

    very very nice! you started with a great piece, but glad you painted it.

    Reply
  39. Restoration House Interiors says

    April 28, 2012 at 4:01 am

    love ur blog and all of your awesome redos! So awesome!Looking forward to seeing more! Hop on over and say hi if you have time! Have an awesome weekend!

    Reply
  40. Claudine from CondensedLoveHome says

    April 28, 2012 at 7:13 am

    I love what you did with this chest!
    I recently painted two, but was not as bold as you and kept them all white. I will become a follower!
    Cheers,

    Reply
  41. Jenn Gray says

    April 28, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Love lOve loVe lovE! Bythewayjenngray.blogspot.com

    Reply
  42. aimee says

    April 29, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    i love it, it looks so good white. it would be great if you could stop by and link up to my party at http://www.twiggstudios.com/2012/04/sunday-show-off-party-and-features.html

    thankyou so much xxxx

    Reply
  43. Nita {ModVintageLife} says

    April 30, 2012 at 8:47 am

    I featured this today at Mod Mix Monday!

    http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2012/04/mod-mix-monday-48.html

    Reply
  44. Jessica @ {The Junk Nest} says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    I’m drooling over this! What an amazing job 🙂

    Reply
  45. Stacey says

    May 1, 2012 at 2:07 am

    I am loving this chest – it looks amazing! I am picking up a blanket chest tomorrow and now that I am seeing yours, I am getting excited!!
    Thanks for linking up!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

    Reply
  46. Terry says

    May 1, 2012 at 2:30 am

    The paint really updated this beautiful piece and even brought out its highest qualities even better. Glad hubby relented.

    Reply
  47. Danielle says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    When the hubby says to paint it you have to do it. So many times my hubby and i have argued about different pieces, but then he always comes around. Love how it came out! Beautiful!

    Reply
  48. Violetas Rendadas says

    June 11, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    linda mesa, já combinei com meu filho Vinicius para pintar a mesa da nossa sala de branco, adorei os enfeites

    Reply
  49. My Little Corner says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    You have given me some wonderful ideas! I am getting ready to paint an armoire that I bought at a yard sale. I found you through Where Bloggers Create and have enjoyed looking at all of your projects!

    Reply
  50. Whimsical Perspective says

    July 30, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Hi Jennifer,
    May I feature this piece in my “Meet Pure White” post. I would love to show what others have done with the color.

    Laura 🙂

    Reply
  51. Kathy Shea Mormino says

    November 11, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    Hello! I’m stopping in to invite you to join us at the Clever Chicks Blog Hop
    this week!

    http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/11/clever-chicks-blog-hop-7-country-craft.html

    I hope to see you there!
    Cheers!
    Kathy
    The Chicken Chick

    Reply
  52. ngnrdgrl says

    December 29, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    Beautiful! Stopping by from Saturday Night Special. 🙂

    Reply
  53. suzyq says

    January 4, 2013 at 6:27 am

    What a gorgeous transformation!!!
    XXX

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. Visit my new sister site, Pond and Garden, for outdoor ideas and inspiration.

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