What better way to start the day, the week and the month than with a #trashure makeover, right? Check out this damaged blanket chest I found curbside.
Yes, there are other goodies there (I took the mirror for my daughter’s new place), but someone else got the rack and I left the damaged highchair.
Since I had to load the loot myself, I didn’t peek in the chest until I got it home.
INSIDE TREASURE
At first glance, as you can see, it isn’t the prettiest thing in its current state.
We have an obviously damaged top, all the side panels are torn, and it is wobbly.
Meanwhile, on the inside there is treasure.
I had no idea the original casters were on the inside.
SCORE!! I also didn’t realize this damaged blanket chest originally had casters. You know I’m a sucker for casters. On top of that, there is this vintage newspaper lining it from June 22, 1982. I picked this up 42 years and three days later! {{officially mind-blown}}
Yours truly was five years old at that time. On top of that, check out these photos and ads… I do believe those chairs have made a huge comeback. haha.
How about this near-full-page cigarette ad?
Or how about these movie showings?
I can’t remember if I saw any of these in theater but have seen all but one. Now, for the crazy cherry on top. I found my dad.
While I grew up with him being in various places in print, radio, etc. this still brought me to tears. How much time has flown by… and so much going on in both of our lives right now. I thank God for reminding me how far I’ve come and where I’m going.
TIME FOR REVIVAL
As you can see, this chest is kind of reminiscent of myself and what I’m experiencing right now. It’s time for my own revival as well as this damaged blanket chest. Let’s get this DIY party started!
First, I take off that center lid panel that originally had a woven cover that went to the inside and held on by dozens of tacks. (oh, the joy that I get to remove each and every one – sarcasm)
Then, after I remove that, I take off the torn side panels as well.
As soon as I have everything ready, I insert the casters back in and sand it down where needed, especially the top.
CLEANING UP
If you scroll back up and look at that top center panel, you can see how I have some staining to deal with that will bleed through. In the past, you can see my other blanket chest makeovers:
- Lane Cedar Chest
- Waterfall Hope Chest
- Reclaimed Pallet Wood Chest
- Farmhouse Blanket Chest
- Vintage Blanket Chest
- Pottery Barn Chest Hack
To remedy the stain bleed, I use my Zinsser BIN primer to block stains (and also blocks odors too).
It took me a few coats of primer to block it fully but once I complete, I paint several layers of a white paint. Finally, once I have the paint layers as I like, I dig into my stash to pull out this cane webbing roll. My dad gave this to me many moons ago and I have the perfect use today.
However, I only have enough for the two front panels, but that’s perfect for me. While typically you take the webbing and stretch it over frames, this time around I’m cutting it larger than the space so I can trim to fit. Once cut, I place it in cool water for about thirty minutes and let hang for about ten minutes after.
After gluing the caning on with e6000 adhesive, I use these remnant bamboo pieces from my DIY valances to frame up the caning.
REVIVAL
Finally, this damaged blanket chest is revived and ready to go.
It’s white and refreshed for many more uses. Further, what’s great about this style of chest is that it can go in any room of the house, serve as a bench, and even work as a coffee table.
Also, do you see the bamboo in two different colors? I had just enough – woot!
Is it perfect? Nah. But it definitely has a new story to tell and offers function as well.
SHARE
Now it’s your turn… would you have picked it up from Curb le Chic? In addition to leaving some comment love below, pin and share to inspire others too!
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While you’re at it, check out these other #trashure makeovers like this damaged blanket chest:
So very sweet!!! GREAT makeover!! I hate to admit this, but I was 20 in 1981!! 😱 It doesn’t seem that long ago…. 🤣😍
I couldn’t let it go to the trash. It still had so much potential, even if just in the wood alone. You were a young’un!
You did an amazing job reviving this piece, Larissa! And what a treasure trove of blasts from the past you found, including your handsome dad! XOXO
It was a bugger, but not as much as your project! 😀 He was always stopped for being Tom Selleck. It’s funny because I would watch Magnum P.I. and swear I was watching my dad.
You did an AMAZING job on this!!!! I just love that you found your Dad in the paper….I have been thinking about my Mom this morning and it made me happy that you had this great experience!! I wish I live near you to learn some of your techniques in person! I’m upcycling jean jackets right now adding crochet panels and inserting lace panels…hoping to sell them in Fall and winter shows.
You are so sweet to say so, Denise. Thank you! It was crazy to see him there and I looked for him instantly when I saw the date. That sounds like a sweet project for the season for sure.
I love this makeover. Beautiful. I’m working on a cedar chest now from the early 1900s. Thank you for your inspiration. I don’t always comment, but I love everything you do and you are a special woman❤️🙏
ooh… that sounds just lovely! Lori, I hope you have fun with it. Sending a hug for the love.
I love the sentiment behind creating a brand new chapter for this piece Larissa. So touching that you found the newspaper with your Dad and then used the rattan he gave you. I absolutely love the new fresh look! Thanks for sharing. Pinned! XOXO
It was totally providential! Thank you so much, Denise.
Well done, Larissa! Wow. You would never guess what horrible shape it had been in until you rescued it. It’s just great.
A hearty thanks so you, Caye. It took me a few days, but glad I got it done and it’s not in the landfill. 😀
It’s beautiful now!! And how crazy cool was it that you found your dad on one of the newspapers!! xoxo
I recognize that newspaper! A blast from the past for me too! We must be neighbors. Thanks for sharing and the chest looks great!
Sweet! 😀 Thank you for the kind words, Wendy.
Beatiful and so roomy. For blankets, extra pillows, or children toys. Everyone will immediately find a use for it. Oldnewspaper , books, and manuscripts always touch my heart and when I look at the year of their creation , I wonder where I was then. And in 1982 I was 13 years old :))) Regards Eve 🙂
Yay! That’s my line of thinking too. Everyone loves multi-functional storage. You and me both. My mind instantly went back to that time and I have various memories.
That chest is beautiful! I always wonder when you find curbside recycles in your neighborhood, how many of the previous owners see the transformation and wish they had their “trashure”” back!
I’ve often been tempted to show them what I do with their castoffs. It’d be fun!