Reuse crates and drawers

A year ago or maybe more, I told you about wine crates. I waxed some of them with an asphalt patina but forgot about the leftovers as I didn't know what to do with them...
 

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AFTER

Create a growth chart

This is a very simple DIY project I want to share with you today: a growing chart or... wall ruler made from a pallet plank.  I am about to refresh my craft room adding deco items made from reclaimed pieces so here is one! I used walnut stain for the first time and I must say I love it: mixed with water you can actually reduce the tone as much as you like; no smell, so easy to clean and more important: cheap (about 1€!). In 10cms intervals, I used short brush strokes of paint, then varnish, then paint, and so on, until completing the ruler. Check out the final result. Click here to see Pinterest board for more ideas and Hometalk graphic at the end of this post. 
 

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AFTER

Waxing a trunk

BEFORE

Antique steamer trunks have always been around at home.  They are generally travel trunk luggages like the one I have lined last month; click here if you missed it. Since my wood floor project is done I checked out every single piece of furniture and realized a new look and attention are needed.  About 10 years ago it has been lined inside with a Provence fabric and with linen fabric on the outside as the existing material was too dark and damaged.  I decided to take everything off: fabric, original cover and cleaned all of it. There were two  travelling labels applied on top of each other! One of them is the luggage registration number (nº423) and on the other one the Paris-Lyon-Marseille route is barely legible. I took them off and left them in water until they got detached. They are now back on the trunk and look gorgeous! This has been an extreme makeover and huge work: woodworn prevention, woodfiller all over, stripped, sanded and cleaned. I used heat gun to apply clear wax all over the wood.  This wonderful antique piece is now in good health and back to its place in the lounge. 

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Ongoing project: restore and wax old trunk

Project completed: click here

Ongoing project: restore old steamer trunk.  Now my floor and chairs are done I'm following my living area makeover! This trunk needs attention and to be transformed by removing old linen. It's a big job so see you in a few days... 
 

Anne

French café chairs

Since my painted floor is finished I decided to update my French chairs and turn them on something brighter and colorful. They are probably 100 years ago and I love them! If you follow me on Instagram I have already posted a few ones since my living area is done. Anyway when I rescued them about a year and a half ago, I restored and aged them applying asphalt on top of paint.

BEFORE

BEFORE

I loved the final result by then. This time I just used chalk paint and a colorless clear coat without an aging painting technique.

AFTER