Refinished Oak Chest, The General

Posted by Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine

I don’t normally name my furniture but the name “the General” (not really a name I know) just came to me as I was waxing this beautiful vintage oak chest. I was so very lucky to have found the chest in the condition it was in… only cosmetic issues. All of the escutcheon plates and handles were still attached, the drawers were in fabulous condition and there were no gouges or missing anything… pretty rare for a piece with this kind of age to it!

BEFORE

I opted to sand the finish off of the top (versus stripping) it was cold and I prefer to sand a finish away if possible… having said that it did take me quite a long time to remove the old finish from the top as oak is a VERY hard wood species! I used 100-150-220 grit sandpaper in that order to remove the old finish.

Here he is all gussied up! The finish on the handles is what I discovered under all of the years of dirt and grime. I soaked the handles overnight in a solution of ammonia and water and brushed them with a soft brush… super easy! I had planned on painting them but I really like how the finish looks with the new paint scheme! Can you see the stars..?

I The stained the top “Kona” and I applied a coat of Briwax Dark Wax to the oak top once the stain had dried, about 24 hours.

The drawers and cabinet are painted in a base coat of Old Ochre and a top coat of Coco Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I didn’t use any sandpaper to distress the chest, just warm water and a scrub sponge, super easy!

I applied a coat of clear Briwax to the painted areas… that wax smells but it is so much easier to work with than some of the other popular waxes, I really do love it!

I actually was able to stage the chest in our library and I love how it looks in there… but I cannot keep it as there are other pieces that belong in this space that I am not ready to give up!

So the “General” will be for sale, but maybe I will enjoy looking at him in this spot for a few days first!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time…

Linking up to these parties!

Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, The Ivy Cottage, A Stroll Thru Life, The Dedicated House, Elizabeth & Co., Savvy Southern Style, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, PJH Designs, Miss Mustard Seed, French Country Cottage, My Romantic Home, Chic on a Shoestring

About Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine

Hi, my name is Susan and I’m a furniture hoarder… whew, now that I have said that I feel so much better! Anyway, I started this whole furniture refinishing and blogging business in 2011 and I have LOVED every minute of it! It’s not “easy” by any means but it allows me to utilize my creative side and meet lots of wonderful people… it is seriously my dream occupation! I have been refinishing furniture for myself for over 20 years but never gave any thought to doing this for others until my kids had gotten to the point that they didn’t need me as much… sad but true! So now I’m a stay at home mom and wife who has decided that fixing up and painting furniture is so much more rewarding than vacuuming and grocery shopping… my house is never quite as clean as I would like for it to be and there is furniture everywhere… but I couldn’t be happier! I hope you can come along on this journey with me!

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Posted on February 3, 2013, in Furniture and tagged Annie Sloan chalk paint, ASCP, coco chalk paint, kona stain, oak chest, oak dresser, Old Ochre chalk paint, painted chest, Painted furniture, Refinishing furniture, staining furniture, stripping furniture, Vintage furniture. Bookmark the permalink. 35 Comments.

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Comments (35)

Alyson | February 3, 2013 at 7:53 am

Great tip on the ammonia and water to shine up old pulls. Does that always work? They look great.

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 3, 2013 at 7:58 am
  
  Alyson, the ammonia with a small amount of warm water will strip of any finish that is on the metal… paint, protective coatings, everything! The solution will take the piece back to its base metal finish… I have been doing this for at least 20 years and have never had any issues.
  
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Susan @ sunflowerhugs.blogspot.com | February 3, 2013 at 9:09 am

Wow! It is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the tip on the ammonia–I will definitely try it.
Thanks!
Susan

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 3, 2013 at 1:49 pm
  
  Thanks Susan! The ammonia smell is very strong, I would use something that you can put a top on
  
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Geri Wurth | February 3, 2013 at 9:28 am

Your piece turned out absolutely gorgeous – nice colors with the wood top! And thank you for the tip about the ammonia and water!

Best, Geri

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 3, 2013 at 1:48 pm
  
  Thanks so much Geri! It came out so much better than could have hoped for… he’s just handsome
  
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Joy Cornell | February 3, 2013 at 10:09 am

Just beautiful.

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frenchhensnest | February 3, 2013 at 10:31 am

Great job Susan, love the color. I’m sure it won’t be around long.
Jeannie

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 3, 2013 at 1:49 pm
  
  Thanks Jeannie! I kind of like looking at him, but he does need a new home..
  
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mj | February 3, 2013 at 12:57 pm

I might be way off here, but I wonder if that piece once had caster feet. It just looks like it needs them. I am going to use the ammonia treatment on some hardware i have in the shop. Thanks for the tip. You have done a great job on the finish…I hope it sells right away and finds a new home. It would live with me but I’m not in your neighborhood!

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 3, 2013 at 1:15 pm
  
  You are absolutely right! It did originally have casters, but they were not there when I bought the piece. I thought about buying some replacement wheels for it, but it really doesn’t need it to function properly.. You are on the ball though!
  
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Astor | February 3, 2013 at 6:32 pm

This is really unique and beautiful. I love the Coco over the Old Ochre! Did you use a wash of Coco? Fantastic choice of paint & wax.

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 4, 2013 at 7:18 am
  
  Thanks so much Astor! The Coco is not a wash over Old Ochre, it is just a normal coat of paint.. When I distressed it with a wet sponge it may have acted similar to a wash though..
  
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Sandy | February 4, 2013 at 7:30 pm

I love that chest, and the paint and wax were perfect for it! Thanks for sharing.
Sandy

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 5, 2013 at 1:55 pm
  
  Thanks Sandy! It’s sometimes difficult to pick just the right finish, but I do love this one!
  
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amber | February 4, 2013 at 8:31 pm

Love it!! You did a great job. Feel free to link this up at The Honeysuckle Bus Stop for {MoonShine Monday}!

Smooches!
Amber
http://www.thehoneysucklebusstop.blogspot.com

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 5, 2013 at 1:55 pm
  
  Thanks Amber! I certainly will stop by!
  
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Megan | February 5, 2013 at 9:53 am

That’s just so beautiful! I love it. I’m a new follower from the Elizabeth & Co link party. Megan

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 5, 2013 at 1:56 pm
  
  Thanks so much Megan… for the compliment as well as signing up to be a follower!
  
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Deb Owen | February 5, 2013 at 10:51 am

Love that finish, and those stars on the hardware…super cool! The General definitely fits this piece!

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 5, 2013 at 1:56 pm
  
  I’m glad you thought the General fit him too!! I thought I was going crazy for a while
  
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Marty@A Stroll Thru Life | February 5, 2013 at 2:35 pm

Wow, I love it, such a great piece and the finish is perfect. Looks fabulous in your furniture arrangement. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, marty

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 6, 2013 at 5:15 pm
  
  Thanks Marty! I wish it could be a keeper!
  
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Tamsyn | February 6, 2013 at 3:32 pm

That looks so incredibly fantastic! Great choice leaving the handles as they are

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 6, 2013 at 5:21 pm
  
  Thank you Tamsyn… I’m glad you like the handles too!
  
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Kathleen | February 8, 2013 at 9:32 am

Looks great! Love the white and gold combo.

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 9, 2013 at 7:42 am
  
  Thank you Kathleen! The color combo is one of my favs!
  
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Kathryn Griffin | February 8, 2013 at 11:35 am

Susan, That is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 9, 2013 at 7:43 am
  
  Thank you Kathyrn! I am a little in love with it myself
  
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Peggy Hale | February 9, 2013 at 5:06 pm

Susan you did a beautiful job on this piece. I love the top and the hardware! Thanks so much for linking up at Transformed Tuesday. xoxo Peggy~PJH Designs

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 11, 2013 at 7:43 am
  
  Thanks Peggy! It was already a gorgeous piece, I was lucky to find it!
  
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Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse | February 10, 2013 at 12:16 pm

Susan, wanted to let you know you will be one of the features tomorrow at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. See you tomorrow at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | February 11, 2013 at 7:43 am
  
  Wow! Thanks Kathryn! I’m super thrilled to be featured!
  
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Uk Vintage Chic | March 10, 2013 at 1:45 pm

I love this, what a beautiful item, anyone would be proud to own it!

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- Susan @ Uniquely Yours or Mine | March 12, 2013 at 6:30 am
  
  Thank you so much.. it’s so nice to be able to give an old piece a new life!
  
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