Painted Antique Furniture Chest: Guest Remodel

written by:Cassity Kmetzsch
 
 
 
 
 
Over at Our Southern Nest they have taken a painted antique furniture chest and brightened it up with a little more color.
 
After:
 

A few years ago we purchase a distressed red painted chest for our home in Alabama.  I loved the curves of the chest but thought the color was too dark for our current home.  I decided to repaint it, and I love how it turned out.  Here is what it looked like originally.

Before:
 

First, I removed the drawers and lightly sanded the chest.  I used a hammer and a screwdriver to distress it even more.  Then I painted it Peacock Blue by Benjamin Moore.

 

 

I then used a tobacco glaze to highlight the grooves and the distressing.  I think I may still go back and add more glaze to make it more rustic.  It is always better to go light with the glaze.  You can always go back and add more, but it is very difficult to remove it if you have too much.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Once I put the furniture inside I decided to add a few gold highlights to help the detailing stand out.  I had to replace the original knobs because one broke during our move.  The bronze knobs will do for now but I think it would be pretty with glass knobs. 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
It was an easy projects, and it took two days to complete it.  The most time consuming part was the drying time between coats.  Please feel free to email me with any questions about the project!
 
Thanks,
Our Southern Nest
 
P.S.
I had a few questions about where to get the glaze and/or how to mix it.  Your local paint store (i.e. Ben Moore, Sherwin Williams, etc.) will have glazes in stock.  If they do not have the color you would prefer, ask them to mix a glaze for you.  I needed a light brown color to glaze cabinets and could not find a premixed glaze that was the right color.  I picked a color from a fan deck and asked to man behind to mix the colors in the glaze instead of the paint base.  You can also mix equals parts of paint (in your preferred color) and clear glaze and get great results.  I hope this helps!
 
The painted antique furniture chest looks beautiful!  How do you like the new look with the two tones of distressed color?
Cassity Kmetzsch
Website | + posts

Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.

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24 Comments

  4. >It turned out just beautiful!! I want to do it on an old amoire that I have, I may be asking lots of questions when I get into it. Thanks for posting this.

    Reply

  5. >This is the PERFECT shade of blue. I love it! I would love to redo my bedroom dresser to look just like this one! Great tips on the glaze…

    Reply

  6. >I love your chest. I am doing a blue dresser right now. I can' wait to distress it and put on the glaze. Love & blessings from NC!

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  7. >Wow! I seriously LOVE it!! It was beautiful before, but now…AMAZING!! Great job! Thanks for the tips!

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  8. >I would be so scared to redo such a pretty piece of furniture but you did a fabulous job. I just love the color and the finish.

    Hugs…Tracy 🙂

    Reply

  11. >So beautiful! Love the glaze and the furniture piece, what an amazing find?! I just added some flair to our dining room wall with a pearl glaze. Lot's of fun!

    Reply

  13. >This is beautiful! I've been hunting, recently, for a piece just like this for a client. You should know, they are not inexpensive! You've done an amazing job!!!

    Reply

  15. >Love this redo! This is my fav color right now…and the shape of this dresser is so cool! Plus extra storage is always a plus!

    Reply

  16. >Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments! And thank you Remodelaholic for featuring me on your blog! You have made my day. 🙂

    Reply

  18. Oh my…I love this. You did a great job! Just wanting to know if you used a regular paintbrush to paint on the blue or did you spray it? Also, did you use flat paint?

    Thanks so much!

    Lisa

    Reply

    1. Lisa, this was a guest feature, but I think the answer is that she brushed or rolled the paint on, since she used a color from Benjamin Moore. I don’t think they have spray paint in that color? I would go flat or eggshell at the most.

      Reply