I have a fascination for vintage typography and have a blast adding it to the pieces I work on. It was a goal of mine to do something fun on a chest of drawers, but when I found this cedar chest in a thrift store, I knew just what to do with it.
Well…this is how I found it.
Lookin’ pretty rough, isn’t it? Overall it was in structurally good shape, aside from a couple of feet that were damaged.
DAMAGE
Really though, there’s oodles of potential, minus the busted foot. We’re talking about an Acme Chest made of red cedar. Not only is it a solid build,but also has real copper hardware = SCORE!! Goodwill had just set it out and it was meant to be mine with my 35% off coupon. tee hee hee.
Even my littlest was enjoying scoping out our new find.
BACKSTORY
Here’s what I found out after searching about this company:
“The Acme Chest Company of South Bend Indiana, originally founded in the early 1900’s, then on July the 4th, 1916 the plant was destroyed by a fire caused by fireworks. The company could not afford to rebuild, so was forced to close and never made another chest. Chest manufacturing was the primary business, and their motto was ‘An Acme must make well, or we will.’”
So cool, isn’t it? (not the fire…the story. tsk)
This month’s Themed Furniture Makeover Day theme is BLACK. This chest was perfect for the makeover. (my heart beats fast when I know I have a good one!)
DIY TIME
First, after NINE 80 grit sanding pads later (yes, NINE!), I finally got down past that gunk on top and saw the beauty that lie beneath.
I wasn’t about to cover up that gorgeous grain, so I used boiled linseed oil, just like I did to revive my antique church pew.
No better way to bring out the rich color of the wood and accent the grain. Just look at the difference.
PAINT TIME
Then, once dry, I painted the base of the chest with two coats of DecoArt Chalky Finish in Carbon. I was pleased as punch to also topcoat it with my own furniture wax I mentioned in this French themed makeover. Then, it was time for my fun. tee hee hee.
I wanted to revive this piece with a little bit of history using a vintage typography advertisement. Using my transfer method, I put the image on and hand-painted in the details. This is my therapy. ♥
THE REVEAL
Without further ado, I’d like you to meet my vintage industrial typography chest…
Doesn’t it look sweet up against that faux brick wallpaper we recently used in our boy’s bedroom makeover?
I am so stoked with the outcome of this one. It’s fun, functional, and creates that awe of days gone by I was after, don’t you think?
Also, the black accentuates those awesome knots in the cedar, and how about that copper hardware? swoon…
I don’t know about you, but wouldn’t it be fun to see your mailman looking that dapper?
I think I will cry when it sells, but alas, this sweet piece is available in my online store. sniff, sniff. Then it just gives me an excuse to find another, right?
INSPIRE
Likewise, I hope you’ve enjoyed this makeover (and the vintage typography). In addition, I would love it if you pinned and shared.
Up next… A fun project for you! Grab your DIY attitude and come on over HERE.
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Also, more makeovers like this vintage typography:
Love this makeover! Is that brick wallpaper or an actual brick wall? It is the perfect setting for this beautiful piece.
That graphic is PERFECTION! I would have a really hard time letting this one go too!
It turned out great!
Hugs,
Karin
I love the mailman! 😀 It just had to be a funky makeover…it’s more fun that way. Thank you, Karin!
Oh Acme cedar chest how I love thee!
hee hee hee…now to find another one. 🙂
Amazing! Love the typography and, of course, the combo of black and that gorgeous wood grain. You nailed another one, my dear! 🙂
Thanks, Kimm! I’m thinking of yanking this one from my shop…seriously. 😉
Wow, I’m so glad you were able to sand it all the way down and bring out the beauty of the wood grain. The stencil is also very pretty and appropriate to the piece. But you’re the expert at that stuff.
I had to go retro vintage for sure. It’s such an awesome piece and it was aboslutely a pleasure to work on it. Thank you for the love!
Wow, I LOVE it Larissa!!! That is an amazing, treasured piece now! 🙂
xo
Nancy
Thank you so much, Nancy!
Love this trunk Larissa! You did such a great job and it’s so fun.
Thank you, Adina! I just had to do one so I can say it’s out of my brain. 😉 I have no doubt you know what I mean.
Wowee Larissa, I LOVE what you did to this cedar chest!! I remember swooning over Bliss Ranch’s chest makeover and yours has me swooning again. Love it painted black and your hand painted typography is perfect. I’m with you on it being “therapy”. No surprise if it already sold. Re: the dapper mailman – heck I’d be happy just having a mailman (thing of the past).
Hahaha…I hear ya, Marie. Thanks for the awesome support. I’m happy it came out as I’d hoped. 🙂
Oh dear Larissa, you are giving me oodles of inspiration for the trunk my sweet daddy found me! Your vision with the typography was spot-on (as usual).
Woot! Yay for you! I can’t wait to see what you do with it, Amy.
I love everything about this, Larissa! I love how you kept the vintage charm of it with the graphic. Beautifully executed! XO
Thank you, Christy! It was so fun to work on and am happy it came out as I’d hoped. 🙂
You have a knack for bringing out the best in every piece you get your hands on! I love graphics on furniture and this one is gorgeous. The natural top compliments the black paint perfectly.
Thank you so much, Amy! I just love the contrast between paint and stain on pieces. 🙂
What a beautiful piece! I’m so glad you kept the top wood, it’s stunning!
Thank you, Bre. 🙂 What fun it is we get to play, isn’t it?
This is fabulous! What a find! I’ve read a lot about using boiled linseed oil on wood. I use it for making paint. As always, I love your project and your vision!
Woot! Thank you, Wendi. Yes, I use Tung Oil and Linseed Oil and love both of there classic effects.
You are so creative! I always love your makeovers. This piece reminds me of a cedar chest that I got in high school. I’ll have to check inside of it to see if there’s a brand in there anywhere. Most of the cedar chests in my area are Lane which was still in operation until about 10 years ago.
Ooh…do check and see! 😀 Yes, Lane chests are found all over around here and few have crossed my path too. Thnaks, Paula!
You should be stoked by the outcome. You always put so much love into your makeovers. This one is perfect.
I am, Kathy. Thanks! It just sold after listing, so time to find another – tee hee.
You have way more patience than I do to hand paint it. But it was well worth all of the work that you put into it. I love old style typography. Thanks for sharing at Friday’s Furniture Fix! ;o)
hahaha…it’s just fun for me. 😉 Thank you for stopping by!
Of course you did a fabulous job on this makeover! I love the graphics you chose. And congrats on it selling so quickly! 🙂
I’m stoked, that’s for sure. Thank you, Jen!
With the history of the Acme Co. I was disappointed that you didn’t refinish the piece to reflect it’s original beauty. Often times remakes such as this, ruin the resale value of a valuable find.
I understand your take on it and did contemplate refinishing, but the damage to the feet is what confirmed my decision and the fact that I knew it wouldn’t sell as well in a refinished state. The new owner is pleased as punch to have it and that is what matters to me. 😉
Larissa, I LOVE this! Do you create your own graphics, or do you have a recommendation as to where I might be able to find the vintage ads? I have an antique wooden crate that I have been wanting to ad a vintage looking ad to, and just don’t know the best places to find them, or what to search for in doing so. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
I found this graphic via Google, but Pinterest is another great source too. Have fun with it! 😀
you do beautiful work and this is no exception. Love the natural top.
Thank you so much, Jolinda!
You never cease to amaze me with your incredible eye to know just the perfect treatment to bring about the absolutely perfect new life to a piece… and the talent to bring it to fruition. Well done! This chest is gorgeous… now.
You are so sweet, Liz. Thank you for getting why I do what I do.
My daughter and I both have cedar chests to refurbish. Thanks for the inspiration!
ooh…wonderful! Have fun with them, Donna. 🙂
Hello Larissa,
My wife has been wanting a cedar chest for a good while. She has her bedroom decorated with antique furniture and with her 71 birthday just 3 days away, I was scouring the internet and antique shops looking for one for her birthday. Today I happened on one just like yours in this article at a price I could afford, so I bought it for her. Then finding your article was perfect. It’s nice to know a little history on the piece. She plans to store some of here quilts in it and with the large size she should be able to do that. We’ve been married for 53 years and still in love.
Danie;
That’s an awesome story. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
awesome work
Thank you. 🙂
I think I have the twin to your cedar chest, well, before the makeover. It belonged to my grandmother Neva Hill who was born in 1900. It still has hers and my Mom’s things in it! I love what you did with yours.
You have a true treasure, Janet. They hold so many memories. Enjoy!
My grand father Henry Burner started Acme in South Bend in the early 1900 s my father Kenneth H Burner worked there and opened a second plant in Niles MIchigan. My name is Bruce Burner. The plant did burn down. Hope to own one someday.
Wow! What a treat and a heritage to have. It would be wonderful for you to get ownership of it. I feel the same about a 6K sq ft log home my dad built in a state park. I grew up there and would love to own it. Only in my dreams, however. 🙁
I somehow missed this post and just discovered it from a link on your newest post. Can I ask where you find your awesome graphics? I seem to never find what I want but you always come up with some amazing ones.
I’m so tickled you took the time to click and read. I create my own graphics in most instances, but this one was a combination of vintage adverts (the man) and my own work. I enjoy graphic design! 😀
I grew up and went to school near The Acme Chest Company. For many years they gave every high school graduate one of these cedar chests. This was over 200 cedar chests per year. They were an amazing small family owned and operated company. Those chests were made by much more than just cedar and nails ❤
I’ve heard that somewhere before and it made my heart swell to know such a company existed in the USA. It’s sad that many of these kinds of companies have been run out and the mighty dollar wins instead. What a blessing The Acme Chest Company was to so many families.