Blood, Sweat and Tears



Well I don't mean the band...

...but what I put into stripping this cedar chest. My grandfather gave this to my grandmother (both deceased) on her 18th birthday. She painted it white over varnish I am pretty sure by the way it all came off. Lots of scraping, sanding, and steel wool-ing.


Whew - I got it all off. I started stripping this a year ago (before I started blogging, so no real "before" picture), got busy with other things and it sat in the garage for months until my husband got tired of seeing it there and moved it to the basement. You know the old saying, "out of sight, out of mind", it was certainly true here. So about 3 weeks ago, I hauled it back upstairs (more blood sweat and tears) and finished up.

I painted it my favorite colour...

...and it now sits in one of my guest rooms.

I temporarily hung some art that one of my sons did until I find just the right mirror. I think every guest room needs a long mirror. I have a silver starburst in mind for over the pillows between the posts. I don't always like a bed skirt, so I covered the boxed spring with a fitted bottom sheet in the blue that is in the pillows. To see how I like to put my beds together go here.
Why does everything take so long to pull together? For me part of the reason is I really don't like shopping.


What little projects are you doing or just completed? Stop by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see what others are doing this Metamorphosis Monday!

Blood Sweat and Tears image from Wikipedia
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27 comments:

  1. PatriciaJune 28, 2009 at 9:16 PM

    OMGoodnes it is stunning!
    Your grandma would be so proud, what a way to honor her!

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  2. KammyJune 28, 2009 at 9:33 PM

    So beautiful and I bet your Grandma and Grandpa is smiling down from heaven ! Wonderful job and looks great in your bedroom !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

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  3. Maria KillamJune 28, 2009 at 9:54 PM

    Always fun to see transformations like that! Love the after photo, thanks for sharing it with us!

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  4. Verdigris VieJune 28, 2009 at 10:12 PM

    Renae, your Blood Sweat and Tears paid off - Well worth the effort, and what a wonderul piece to have and keep in the family..

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  5. AnonymousJune 28, 2009 at 11:10 PM

    Love the results of your blood, sweat and tears! The trunk is such a treasure to start with being your grandmothers. You've done a marvelous job of refinishing it. It looks fantastic black!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  6. Kathy's Red Door WelcomeJune 28, 2009 at 11:29 PM

    It looks awesome and how special to have something that your grandfather gave your grandmother!

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  7. susanJune 29, 2009 at 12:59 AM

    The apple doesn't fall far from the tree--even your grandmother was revamping furniture! I love the new look and that you are able to keep this treasure and use it.

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  8. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)June 29, 2009 at 1:17 AM

    Renae...what a great job you did...it turned out beautifully! And it looks great in your guest room! I know you must feel really good about having it done...what a feeling of accomplishment! :-) susan

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  9. Fifi FlowersJune 29, 2009 at 1:52 AM

    What a GREAT piece of furniture and FAB redo!
    BTW... I too was thrilled to hear from Petunia... you know how she seems to disappear... she is always off on an adventure!

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  10. UnknownJune 29, 2009 at 3:27 AM

    Beautiful transformation! And I love your idea to put a fitted sheet over the box spring whe a bed skirt isn't being used! Thanks for that great idea! Stop by my blog for my 100th post giveaway if you get a chance!
    Have a great week!
    ~Really Rainey~

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  11. Willow DecorJune 29, 2009 at 3:43 AM

    Renae,
    The ches came out beautifully! So sorry to miss you in Atlanta. Next time we will plan something!
    xx-Gina

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  12. Purple FlowersJune 29, 2009 at 5:12 AM

    A beautiful renovation! Your Grandmother is smiling.

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  13. Hill Country House GirlJune 29, 2009 at 8:34 AM

    Renae - The chest is beautiful and isn't it gratifying to finally complete something like that! I have way too may "out of sight, out of mind" projects, so I know you must be thrilled with your progress and the end result!

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  14. Renée FinbergJune 29, 2009 at 10:10 AM

    well...YOU know how i feel about black.
    i love it.
    you did a great job. it is a beautiful piece.

    xx

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  15. Anita@TheycallmejammiJune 29, 2009 at 10:46 AM

    Beautiful restoration.

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  16. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeJune 29, 2009 at 12:17 PM

    What a fabulous heirloom. It is so lovely and I really like it painted black. Hugs, Marty

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  17. Brenda PruittJune 29, 2009 at 12:34 PM

    This is a complete transformation! At first it was plain and looked like it was ready for the trash heap. And now it's painted and just gorgeous. Looks like something from Pottery Barn, just more antique-ish! (Better!)
    Brenda

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  18. AnonymousJune 29, 2009 at 2:44 PM

    What a beautiful transformation! It looks great in your bedroom.

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  19. Room Service ~ Decorating 101June 29, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    Thanks for coming by and I love that fabric , wish I could see the room that you did.

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  20. TerriJune 29, 2009 at 9:40 PM

    Wow! What a change! I love that you preserved your family heritage by rescuing that piece!

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  21. annechovieJune 29, 2009 at 10:03 PM

    Nice work, Renae! What a precious treasure and such an unusual and pretty design. Thank you for your sweet comment - your support means a lot! XO

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  22. Julia @ Hooked on HousesJune 29, 2009 at 11:17 PM

    Oh, it's really lovely. And what a nice story to go with it!

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  23. Maria KillamJune 29, 2009 at 11:22 PM

    Thanks for your sweet comment! I still think what you did here is so amazing, appropriate name for a post (I have done the same thing, but it took me an entire weekend)
    xo
    Maria

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  24. Lorna ~ Lace and Ivy CottageJune 30, 2009 at 2:59 AM

    Wow, that looks stunning. What a beautiful and sentimental piece.

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  25. cotedetexasJuly 1, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    that looks great!

    hey - don't join blogrankings if you feel funny about it. it' no big deal = just for fun.
    Joni

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  26. Signing OutJuly 2, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    What a lovely piece! You did a great job refinishing it, and it looks fantastic in your guest room!

    Jane

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  27. K@The Thrifty TeacherJuly 2, 2009 at 1:17 PM

    That looks great!!!

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