Friday, July 27, 2012

Old World Blanket Chest

I had so much fun working on this piece even though it was over 100 degrees in the shade!  I can't wait to share it with you, but before I do I'd like to remind you of the Totally Transformed Tuesday linky party! The party is still going strong so hop on over and link up we would love to see what you have been up to!

Now here is the finished blanket chest!


I have been wanting to do something in the Old World style for some time now and when I saw this chest in Canton, Texas at First Monday Trade Days, I knew it was just the piece for the design I had running through my head.

Here is what she looked like when I bought her.


She did not have much going for her except that she was solid wood, fairly large, and had pretty little legs.

Here are the details of how I achieved that gorgeous finish.

First, I picked out three images that I thought would work together. In the beginning I thought I wanted a large old world  scene that I could split into three parts, but after a lot of thought I decided on two pictures of 18th century women (one I know is Marie Antoinette) and one with a mother and her children.  

The portraits of the two women came from the Graphics Fairy and the center image with the children is from my free graphics archive. I took the images and had them enlarged to fit the three panels in front.  


To start I painted different areas of the chest with layers of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Greek Blue, Louis Blue, and Paris Gray focusing on sections I knew later would be distressed. By doing so I created the illusion that it had been painted many times over the years, and in painting only certain areas I saved a lot of time and paint.  I then covered the back and all edges, center strips, and legs with Old White.  On the side panels I used Louis Blue. 


Now it looks like this:


Once that was dry I took a brush loaded with Greek Blue and painted around the outside edges of the side panel over the Louis Blue. I then added more Louis Blue, wet on wet, and using a damp rag blended and soften the colors into each other.


Once that was dry I chose one of my larger stencils that fit almost perfectly into the panel and painted it with a silver metallic acrylic.


While that was drying I very carefully decoupaged my images to the front of the chest.  I sealed them with two coats of Mod Podge.

I then applied a thin coat of clear wax to the entire piece and distressed. Once the was was dry I mixed my favorite Expresso glaze and applied it to the chest in large areas wiping it off with a dry cloth. I also waxed and glazed the images to help age them.  

The back of the chest was painted, glazed, and distressed also in case one wanted to place it in an open area. Next, I applied dark wax, very lightly, to the feet and any other area I wanted to have a more antiqued look.

The top was stripped and stained with dark walnut and sealed with three coats of matte polyurethane.


And there you have it! I hope you like it as much as I do. I'm having a hard time thinking about carrying it to the shop. :-)

Here are some closeups of the distressed areas.










This piece is sold.

I hope I have inspired you today.  Have a wonderful weekend!

31 comments:

Maureen Wyatt said...

That dingy, old blanket box has become a work of art! Well done. ~ Maureen

PJH Designs said...

Thanks Maureen

Myric said...

That is so talented! I saw you at Inspiration Friday, would love if you could join at link party I am having now.

xo
Myric

PJH Designs said...

Thank you Myric. I would love to come by and share thanks for the invite.

Ruffles and Relics said...

wow! very impressive work!

Kathy Bradshaw said...

Stopping by from the hop to say Hi, Come visit me sometime the tea is cold and no shoes are required. Kathy B. http://www.southernmadeintheshade.blogspot.com
Your so talented and the step by step photos are great!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Peggy,
Goodness! This is to absolutely doe for! What a transformation! LOVE IT!

Hugs,
Debbie

Patricia said...

Peggy, I really love the boldness and different technique on this chest. What a fabulous idea to decopage with old world pictures. It give the chest such charm and the colors are great. Awesome job Peggy. I'm now joining you!

fixitfaerie said...

Absolutely beautiful, Peggy. It looks like a very expensive piece. WOW Blessings Paula Lusk

PJH Designs said...

Thanks Tina. I'm glad you like it.

PJH Designs said...

Hi Kathy and thanks. I'll be sure to stop by it sounds like my kind of place. :-)

PJH Designs said...

Hi Patricia, I'm glad you like it and so glad to have you join me.

PJH Designs said...

Thanks Debbie so glad you came by.

PJH Designs said...

Thank you Paula I'm glad you like it.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! You did a fantastic make over with this! Thanks for the inspiration, found you at Passion Parade Friday

PJH Designs said...

Thank you Lori I'm glad you stopped by.

pipigirl said...

wow, what beautiful strokes, and ARTWORK. totally amazing transfer. it is old world....

PJH Designs said...

Thanks pipigirl

Biljana said...

Absolutely beautiful, I love it:-)) Hugs, Biljana

Sew a Fine Seam said...

You did an awesome job with that! You could enjoy it in your home for awhile before putting it in the shop!!

PJH Designs said...

Thank you Bijana.

PJH Designs said...

Thanks Jill and yes I could. Probably will. lol

Cassie Bustamante said...

peggy that is gorgeous! i love the old world look you gave it!

PJH Designs said...

Thank you Cassie and thanks for stopping by.

Cindy The Victorian Journey said...

Thank you for showing this beautiful work of art you did.. It looks beautiful. I am your newest follower.. I love Victorian this is great.. Hugs, Cindy

PJH Designs said...

Thank you Cindy. I'm so glad to have you following along and I'll return the favor.

Kammy's Korner said...

Now THAT is amazing. Looks like you spent MAJOR money on an expensive furniture piece. Way to go, PJ!!!!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Wow, that is awesome! It doesn't even look like the same piece!

marian said...

You have totally inspired me today. What a terrific job!

Beauty Boss Agnes said...

Hi although not my kind of art...must admit it is beautiful...love what you did..very inspirational. You definitely have talent..

Unknown said...

OMG Peggy - you knocked this one right out of the park - that is out of this world unbelievable!!!
You're amazing girl!
XXX

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