Today’s the day! It’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday, one of my favorite days of the month because I get to share alongside my blogger friends our latest projects. You’ll see their inspiring work in a bit. However, take a peek at this vintage French provincial lingerie chest that has waited far too long for a restoration.
My daughters have been using this chest as a place to store hair accessories, legging, tights, etc. It did, however, look this shabby when I got it. I have been patiently waiting until we got our girls’ room remodeled to work on it. Not only will that remodel not be happening too soon, but also the chippy paint is getting to me. blucky.
TIME FOR NEW LIFE
I don’t know about you, but that gorgeous white oak peeking out begged me to remove that yellowish paint and primer. This beauty needed to shine! This is where I ask myself…why would they paint such gorgeous wood…and with gold??
Even better is the hardware is present, intact, and brass. SCORE! With that, my first order of business is to break out my sander and remove what is left of the original finish.
While the finish came of fairly easy, it still took me hours of sanding with this sander, my Corner Cat, hand-sanding, and using my Dremel for those tough spots.
Even my daughters chipped in to get it done. These are the moments I live for. What a blessing!
THE NEXT STEP
Finally, the French Provincial lingerie chest is relieved of its awful finish. It’s now time to put the finishing touches on it. First, I used my limewash technique (click for details), the same finish I used on our dining table. I apply a thinned paint and quickly wipe it off.
My goal is to fill the grain with the white color but remove the majority of it from the surface.
Then, I let the limewash cure for about an hour or so. Now that my surfaces are ready, I just need to add a topcoat. Since I have four girls that put this lingerie chest to work, I wanted a fairly sturdy finish. I chose this matte poly to finish it off.
Afterward, I apply one coat, and let cure. Finally, I use steel wool to knock it down, wipe off debris with a tack cloth, and then apply a second coat.
FINISHING UP
While their bedroom isn’t complete, I thought it fun to see this lingerie chest set up in my bedroom. Maybe I should keep it, eh?
My daughters and I adore the outcome. They are more than happy to have rid themselves of the chippy mess they have dealt with. I only wish I had made the time to do it sooner. In any event, I am anxiously waiting on the time to remodel their space.
Additionally, the pulls were brass, so I didn’t have the heart to paint them. Last, to match them up with the limewash, I simply used a bit of white wax to soften them up.
Above all, my goal is to have inspired you to tackle that worn out piece of furniture in your own home and give it new life. Likewise, getting the look we love doesn’t have to be about a big budget.
SHARE
In addition, pin and share this French Provincial lingerie chest makeover. Inspire others to see the potential in these dated pieces.
Up next I’ll be giving this 1992 paper plate holder a new lease on life. Any guesses? Take a peek HERE.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Now it’s time to see what my Trash to Treasure ladies have for you!
Likewise, check out these four other Trash to Treasure makeovers from my blogger friends.
Additionally, more furniture makeovers like this French Provincial lingerie chest:
My bedframe bench that now in process of working on.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway opportunity
I love it! Thanks for the giveaway
Thank you.
You’re welcome. I hope you enjoyed my project too. 🙂
Everything you do its so inspiring!! I love this finish!!
How sweet for me to hear, Marti. Thank you!
This looks gorgeous. I have a dresser and kitchen island that need to be painted.
Thanks! Sounds like some DIY fun headed your way. 😀
Another great finish. I enjoy reading how you tackle and finish your projects.
That is wonderful to hear, Nita. I try to share what I can to help anyone else out.
Beautiful job, as always.
Thank you for that, Kim.
This is a really beautiful makeover, and using the dremmel for small areas is a great tip! I have a couple of projects I would love to use the brushes on: a vintage mirror and my grandfather’s dresser.
I soooo love my Dremel. tee hee. The brushes are da bomb too! 😀
Another great makeover! You have the best ideas, Larissa!
Thank you for the smile, Kim. 😀
Pretty! My first project would be a buffet in my dining room.
Thank you.
Oh wow! After seeing this, I wish I hadn’t given away my French Provincial bedroom set years ago! Lovely Larissa!
aww…thanks! Some have good underneath and others not so much. Just depends on the manufacturer.
Thank you! I would paint two chairs I am working on. One is a wing back and the other is a trashure to match my desk.
I hope you enjoyed my fun today. Sounds like you have a great project too. 😀
I’d love some new brushes. I have two pieces to paint, however it’s been so hot lately. Waiting for cooler weather. You’ve given me so many ideas and handy tips. Thank you!!
Nice to be able to”see” beautiful wood grain and still update!
Yes! I am a wood lover and doesn’t mean it has to be stain in any regard. Just fun to change it up. 😀
I’m so glad to hear you are inspired, Susan. Thanks!
I have some chairs I would like to paint.
you’re work is beautiful, as I read many of your posts I often wish I found myself in your nevk of the woods to find the curbside goodies. I was born there but haven’t been back in over 40 years.
Road trip time! 😀 You should come back during city clean-up with a trailer…no joke. 😉
I have an old coffee table- that’s been waiting…..
Love this DYI. This chester now looks so soft and pretty, just right for your girls. Great job.
Thanks! Fun for me to share my work.
Wow! That turned out beautifully, but then I love all your work! I have tons of stuff I’m hoarding to paint. The most needy would be my Marketplace coffee table! Thanks for being so prolific it’s great inspiration and for the giveaway, too!
What a sweetie you are, Glenda. Thank you!!
That thing is Beautiful!!! I gotta get to painting my stored pieces of furniture now that we are moved!!! Love your creative mind, Larissa
Ooh…sounds like fun! Congrats on the new place too. Thank you for the love.
Love your ideas and enjoy reading the “how to do”. It’s nice to see how you find a new purpose for old things,
I’m tickled you think so, Vicki. Thanks!
The chest is beautiful. It’s one of my most favorite items that you have refinished.
It is one of mine too. I see them valued around $700 in this solid of state. I’m delighted with the outcome.
Your chest looks great. So much better and now has a lovely new finish.
Thank you, Frances. 😀
It is soo sweet to see your littles helping Mama with the project! And it came out beautifully. When I saw the pic of the gorgeous wood top I thought, oh I hope she doesn’t paint it! Sometimes, not always, but sometimes a piece needs to be wood- proudly wood. You brought out the best in this chest and i’m sure your girls are loving it.
They are always at my side, helping or encouraging me with loving words. I will miss them one day! I save wood any time I can and when it’s worth it. They so love it. 🙂
Wow! That elbow grease really paid off! I never would have thought to look below the surface. There’s a lesson there I think. Lol. The first thing I would paint with the brushes is this cute bean shaped child’s vanity I got from Facebook Marketplace. Thanks for the inspiration!
Some of these are made of pressed wood, but when you score big is when they have this beautiful skeleton. You know it’s made well when you find that. Love those little vanities too!
It’s Beautiful! Sanding out all those groves wouldn’t be fun, but the result was worth it!
Those are the kind of nit-picky details I love to take time on because it makes all the difference. Thanks so much, Micah.
I love seeing your cuties helping you! This chest is gorgeous and will fit in well as they grow. Thanks for the opportunity to win the Zibra brushes!
That is the perfect finish for it!! Just beautiful!! xo
I’m so glad you think so. That wood needed to be relieved of that finish. haha.
Oh my, do you have perseverance!!! What a finish though! (Good thing you have a built-in sanding team. : ) ) Great job, ladies!
Maybe this is all the inspiration I need to paint my “command center”? We’ll see, haha! We’re keeping a couple brushes in constant usage around here these days!
It was a huge stress reliever for me to get it done, so it was well worth it. Plus, the value of this is far beyond what I paid for it which even makes my heart even happier. tee hee! You sound like me, Becky! 😀
Hi Laressa! I love the lime washed look. You did a great job. I haven’t removed a finish yet so please tell me the truth, does it really take hours? Does that count breaks? 🙂
Thanks! Yes, hours with getting the easy part done with a couple of sanders and then hand-sanding the rest. So worth it though.
I love the look of this! Limewash is one of my favorite looks. Sanding…ugh. But your tools made it easier! Love zibra brushes, thanks for the chance to win!
It would have taken me days without my tools for sure. Especially when switching out grits to make it just right. I love these brushes too!
Love this project and finish. I have a hall tree in my garage – that’s what I’d be using these gorgeous brushes on! Thanks!
Thanks! The brushes would be perfect for that.
This chest is my favorite so far! I love it! Winning the Zibra brushes would be a true gift because I could never afford them!
Wonderful! I’m so excited to share this amazing set.
I’m currently working on a kitchen redo, but the brushes would be useful for a coffee table makeover that is my next project. Love what you do and envy your energy!
Sweet! That sounds perfect.
Larissa,
I love this limewash makeover! I have an antique buffet (sideboard?) with the tall mirror candle shelfs, and carved doors that is my next project. I an tl do a limewash look on it too. The wood and details are beautiful, but the finish- not so much. I think it’s going to look amazing to show off the oak grain and all the details!
Ooh…you speak my language, Melanie! 😀
So nice to find your blog. I’m sure to become a fan favorite.
I’m delighted to have you, Linda. Hugs!
❤️❤️❤️ this! Can’t wait to try these brushes!
Hooray! I’m excited to see who wins too.
I love this. You always inspire me!
Happy dance over here! Thank you.
Wonderful job. Elegant and understated.
Thank you for getting what I was after. Hugs!
Great transformation…
Thanks, Dottie! 😀
love this dresser, just the size I need! i must keep looking! i got involved with the video to the right of the “bath 25 cent” box. i’ve had those two tools forever and have never used them! i’m gonna now! you’re always an inspiration – thanks!
They are so super handy! I want one for me too. tee hee. Too funny about the tools. I think we all have those…
Love it and the giveaway. The chest is a great piece. I need to start looking for one for myself.
Thanks! You will love the brushes and I hope you find one too. 😉
You are so lucky to have a source for nice second hand furniture pieces. Everything in my area is “antique” or trash, definitely not solid wood. I wood love to be able to find a nice MSM buffet and love the two cane back chairs I purchased from you several years ago 🙂
I definitely have been blessed many times, and have also had junk too. haha. I hope you find what you’re looking for. May the #trashure be with you!
I hadn’t thought of whitewashing furniture before but the look is fantastic. I would use this technique on a media centre that I find too dark for the basement family room where it resides
It’s totally a favorite of mine. Not just with white, but other colors too. I’ve used blues, grays, green, and blacks too. So fun!
Lovely make over!
Thank you so much.
Lovely. Your daughters will enjoy this chest for many years to come.
Thanks for inspiring me to work on my own environment and to redo the furniture and things I already have to make my home more beautiful!
You are so awesome, Dianne. Thanks!
Great to see you and your girls working together on a piece.
If I won the brushes I would do my kitchen table over. I really want to paint it
a fun color with a stencil on it.
We do all the time, I just don’t often share pics. I like to savor those moments for sure. 😀
Wow! It looks super high end!
But of course…tee hee. Actually, these sell for a several hundred dollars in great condition. I was happy to find it in a hot mess state so I could revive it.
Another wonderful project! I love the ones that you do for our own home or family the best! 🙂
That’s so fun to hear. Thanks!
Hi Larissa, well you girls did an amazing job on this chest!! I love the details on the piece and your white wash/limewash looks perfect on her! I am so happy you and your daughters took on their chest together, well done!
Thanks! Having their help makes it even more memorable. All four of my girls played a part in helping restore it.
Would love to win the brushes and make our makeovers easier!
Fun! I hope you enjoyed my work on this project. The brushes help me get that finish I’m after every time.
Recently I purchased a nightstand from a thrift store and would love to try out these new brushes on it. Your chest turned out beautiful. So happy your daughters like to help out. Lifelong memories!
That’s the best part…the memories purchasing, restoring, and enjoying. Thanks, Michelle!
I love all your projects. You seem to have endless ideas. I have an old trunk that needs to be painted and an old stand up radio cabinet that needs something done to it. I just need to get motivated to get it done. Maybe some new brushes would do it??
That makes my day, Anita. Thanks so much!
Gorgeous results on that chest! Thanks for the giveaway
Thanks so much, Julia! 😀
What a perfect finish to showcase that lovely wood!
Thanks! It’s certainly one of my favorites ways to work with any color, not just white.
Wonderful – yet again – Larissa!! Love your make overs!!
woot! That’s so fun for me to hear. Thank you!
Love the simple treatment on this chest, Larissa, instead of putting on another coat of paint.
Thank you. I use it often and keep wood whenever possible. 🙂
The chest turned out really nice.
Thank you.
I have an old 2 drawer chest and a few frames that need updating…Zibra to the rescue!
😀
Hi, I’m working on a dated golden oak drop leaf table that these brushes would be great to finish the job with, fingers crossed ♡
You are very creative and I hope to learn more about how to give new life to thrifted pieces by following your projects on your blog. Winning the paint brushes would be an added bonus. Fingers crossed!
Johanna
I am eager to help, Johanna! Thank you so much. I wish I had some for everyone.
Love how you finished the chest…looks great!!! I have a small wooden storage chest that is just ‘screaming’ for a makeover…thanks for the sweet giveaway!!
We are delighted with the outcome too. Yay! Thank you!
Love the new finish!
Thank you. It’s one of my favorites to do. 😀
What a beautiful redo, Larissa! I’m sure your girls will cherish it for a long time.
Thank you, Jen. The fact that it’s so solid I think it will hold up to their aging fun awesomely.
I Love your projects and I bet this one made your girls happy!?
I think I was more happy because it drove me nuts! haha! Thanks so much, Sherry.
Wow, Larissa! This looks amazing now!! Love how the limewash looks on this piece!! XOXO
Thanks! I seriously am so stoked at how well this thing is built. It made it easy to work on. I’m sure you can understand what I mean.
Lovely makeover Larissa! What lucky little girls you have!
Those are some great brushes! The first thing I’d paint is my ‘built in’ in the livingroom where j house my milk glass collection!
Thanks! I’m glad I am able to DIY a few things for them. It just takes time. Your piece sounds like fun!
Knowing me… and I do fortunately….. I’d use them to make goatees and mustaches…. then Paint something (mom???) nawwwww she’d get mad…. seriously these brushes are the best!!!
Dude…hahaha! I agree with you on the brushes. 😀
The first thing I will be painting are our kitchen cupboards. It will be so nice to have some Zibras to help me. As always I enjoyed watching you transform another ugly duckling. Back in the 70’s my mother painted an antique dresser and a Singer sewing machine cabinet white with gold trim. The French Provincial Look was so popular. They had belonged to her grandmother. About 30 years ago I stripped the dresser and found gorgeous Birdseye maple in almost perfect condition. Now I have torn apart the machine and it is prepped to paint. That will be my next project after the kitchen. Plenty of projects for brushes.
Wow! That sounds like quite the project. You go girl!
I have a built in cabinet that I tore out of a closet in our last home. It’s screaming for a makeover in it’s new home. Thanks for your inspiration!
It sounds like you have your work cut out for you, Deborah. Go girl!
I am totallllly jealous you found a lingerie chest cuz I have always wanted one and I have finally given up on ever finding one (at least one I can afford). Great job on the remodel of your lingerie chest. I am sure you will cherish it for years to come.
I was elated to find this one for cheap, but also with the promise that it can have new life. Thanks so much.
The first thing I would make over would be a beautiful coffee table I purchased several years ago that someone unfortunately did an awful black paint job on. It has sooooo much potential once it has been redone.
That sounds like a perfect reno project. I hope you win!
I love the finish on this piece! I haven’t had any luck finding French Provincial pieces with wood tops-they all seem to be ?formica. I saw the makeover you did in that lovely shade of blue and wonder how you treated the top before painting? Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful projects.
Thanks! I have many with a fiberboard top…blucky. You can see the entire post if you click on the blue furniture image you saw. Please feel free to email with questions. 🙂
Nice to see the wood grain. I agree that not every piece needs to receive a full coat of paint to cover it up.
Wood is my favorite. 🙂
I love makeovers! So fun to see not only the outcome, but the steps it took to get there.
I’m glad to hear it as I truly help to inspire and inform. Thanks!
So many projects waiting, but I have a nice dresser just calling out to be painted.
I hear ya. 🙂
That piece you did is beautiful! The first thing I would do if I won the brushes is paint this child’s dresser I bought, on a whim and not needing it, because you and your fixer upper friends make it look easy to do with all the steps that you explain along the way. Makes me want to try it. Thank you for the giveaway.
Thank you, Marty. My pleasure to share. 🙂
So beautiful and unique! The first thing I would paint with a lovely new set of brushes is a sturdy table I picked up on Facebook marketplace that I plan to use for a computer desk. I already have the paint and just need the time to get started.
I hear you on the time…it’s always an issue. 🙂
It looks lovely, Larissa! Your girls must be so excited about their room makeover and I can’t wait to see it. Hope you are well and your summer has been a good one. xo
Thanks! With all we’ve had going on we may just move. Long story… 🙂
You did such a fantastic job on this piece! I would love to try this on the new desk we just got!
Ashleigh, you are sweet to say so. Thank you!
I would like to repaint our cabinets with the brushes.
I recently rescued a queen size headboard from the trash that is ready for a makeover. The palm pro brush would make it easier.
I’d paint some frames for our house.
I WOULD PAINT MY DAUGHTER’S DRESSER FIRST.
I’d love to try these brushes. I have many items waiting to get painted. Thanks for the chance to win and all your tutorials.
You are most welcome, Susie.
I have a basement full of projects just waiting to start…..some fabulous brushes would really help!!!
Thank you for running this contest!!!
You are welcome! 😀
The chest is so beautiful! I especially liked seeing the girls helping their mama-no better way to learn than hands-on! If I were to win I wouldn’t know where to start. I have a storage shed full of projects just waiting to be tackled…