100 Year Old Family Treasure Returned to Her Former Beauty

Franny Monaghan Lathe
by Franny Monaghan Lathe
2 Materials
$50
2 Days
Medium

I had recently refinished a TV credenza for this customer. They loved it so much they entrusted me to restore this Cedar chest that has been in their family for over 100 years . I was a bit nervous but I knew I could make it beautiful again. I love using the denatured alcohol it preserves the patina.

Over time the original finish and the one somebody else put on was starting to alligator [surface bumpy like an alligator] It had also darkened so you couldn't see the inlay wood.

The top had paint spatter and scrapes and water spots

I always have multiple projects going ,. The chest lower left was next up.

This shows the detail . I had to be careful because it a totally separate piece of wood and very delicate.

It was hared to see the difference between the 2 woods used on the front.

This is the top after cleaning with the denatured alcohol . I used a hand rubbed polyurethane .

this is the cleaned and polished trim work

And here she is ready to be back with her family. I tucked in a few hand knit hats as a holiday gift to thank them for letting me work on this beauty

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  • AnnieW AnnieW on Dec 06, 2018

    Could you please give me step by step instructions? Your finished piece is gorgeous. Thank you Annie

  • Brenda Stephens Butler Brenda Stephens Butler on Dec 18, 2018

    I too have a cedar chest that was my great aunts... I think it has blistered but I love it what brand of Denatured alcohol did you use? should I try just doing a small area first or go whole hog on it? thank-you...

  • Gloria tulip Gloria tulip on Dec 29, 2018

    Did you use steel wool along with the denatured alcohol? Or just a cloth and the denatured alcohol? Beautiful job.

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  • Starbright57 Starbright57 on Dec 15, 2018

    yes, thank goodness you didn't use chalk paint! I've seen so many beautiful pieces ruined by it. The only time one should use chalk paint is when the piece is falling apart and you have to replace wooden parts and the wood doesn't match. This piece is gorgeous!

  • Gloria tulip Gloria tulip on Dec 30, 2018

    Think I will try your method on a vintage tea cart. I think I will use oil-based poly.


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