Cedar Hope Chest Makeover

23 July
Definition: "Hope Chest - a chest or the like in which a young woman collected clothing, linens, and other articles in anticipation of marriage" (dictionary.com)

Does anyone remember hope chests? Do people even have them anymore?

My parents gave me one for my high school graduation present and I still have it! It's a Lane cedar chest so very sturdy and well made. I used it as my daughter's hope chest too but it didn't make the move with her, just most of the stuff in it! I decided to re-purpose it as an entry storage bench but it needed a makeover first.


cedar hope chest makeover
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won't cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.


Supplies Needed





This was one of the easiest furniture redos I've done! :o) All I did was take off the handles and upholstered top, give it a quick sanding and then painted it!

Here is the before:


Perfectly fine and stylish 30 years ago!!


I like that it has storage for extra blankets and pillows and a nice padded top to sit on.


I found this pretty fabric at JoAnn's Fabric & Crafts (marked 50% off) and I just stapled it right over the top of the old fabric! If you are planning to cover existing fabric make sure you choose actual upholstery fabric, it is thicker and will cover the old fabric better.


I sprayed the handles with Rust-Oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze Metallic Finish Spray Paint. I love this paint, I've used it all over in my house... on the interior door handles, lamps, the sconce lights in my bathroom, etc.


I'm so pleased with the outcome!

I don't have a true entryway, my front door just opens up and BAM there you are... in the living room. I don't particularly like that but since there's nothing that I can really do about it I'm creating a faux entryway! :o)

PIN ME!


I've got a project planned for hanging on the wall behind it to help with the entryway feel (I hope)!
**Update** Come check out the up-cycled coat rack & shelf I made from an old door!

What it cost:
Fabric - $11.00 (marked 50% off)
Hope chest -free (mine from high school)
Paint - free (left over from my guest room redo)
Rust-Oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze Metallic Finish Spray Paint - free (already had)



Here are some great books about painting furniture you might like:

Posted by: at 23 July Tag:

Comments by Facebook

Comments by Blogger

  1. I love it! It turned out so pretty. I have a Lane hope chest too. My parents bought my sister and I both one for Christmas my senior year of high school. I've had mine for almost 27 years now! Too funny...:)I haven;t painted mine yet, but I did recover it and posted about it at some point earlier in the year. The Lane chests are so well made! Thanks for sharing and I can;t wait to see what you put over it....although I have an idea I know what it will be...:)

    Blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was a little leery, but it looks very pretty! Love the fabric and it looks good painted. (mom)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Susan Doerr SmithJanuary 29, 2018

    I'm motivated to paint mine now!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome Susan! I'm sure your's will look great once you're done!!

    Tania

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am in the middle of doing same to my Lane chest! It was an engagement gift 29 years ago and is almost identical to yours. I didn't want the etching along the bottom so I filled it in with wood filler to create a smooth finish; mine is transitioning from Early American to a very casual, coastal look. Fabric from fabric.com should arrive today; still shopping for new hardware. The 4-1/2" screw distance isn't too popular but I'm optimistic. Yours looks fantastic so I have renewed optimism that mine will too!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love your comments! If you want to be notified when I respond to you, check the "Notify Me" button under your comment.