Renovating an Antique Sea Chest
by
Emily
5 Materials
$75
10 Days
Advanced
Our town has a wonderful facility called a "swap shop" people leave items they no longer want and other people are free to take them (can be anything except food, chemicals, computers or t.v.s) One day I saw this chest I recognized to be an antique sea chest but it was in terrible condition, no top, missing moulding from one side and generally a mess. But I took it anyway as I knew my husband could refinish it.
Working out side with paint stripper, sanding, rags, nails and hammer husband started working on it. See the heart shaped key hole? We knew there had to have been a metal heart shaped piece there so that needed also to be replaced.
The molding was missing on this side, and the rope grommets (see the cleats that hold them?) also. They needed to be replaced. The dove tails on the corners are all hand cut.
My husband did all the work on this. It was very time consuming but we are retired. Also my husband is a sculptor and is used to making things he needs. This project was before Hometalk so I did not take step by step pictures but the difference is so remarkable between before and after that I thought others might be inspired. The most difficult part was the French polish with which he finished the piece. This is very labor intensive but well worth the care.
Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 14 comments
-
That is a great looking chest. Thank God it didn't get throwed away
-
I love the restoration! It's hard to believe it's the same chest, but wow the finish is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your project.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?