Using Chalk Style Paint to Give a Vintage Chest a Fresh Start

Have you ever been given a fresh start?

A do over?

A second chance?

Vintage chest on front porch - fresh start with chalk style paint - thediybungalow.com

Hank and Elvis have… we rescued them and they got a fresh start with our family.

Hank and Elvis got a fresh start - thediybungalow.com
Hi boys!

I was given a fresh start in my career – from lawyer to teacher, from teacher to DIYer and blogger.

And now I give pieces like this a fresh start:

vintage chest before - thediybungalow.com

I bought this chest in 2012. It’s been sitting like this – paint peeling, looking like it’s seen better days – by our front entry since then.

I’m participating in the January Fab Furniture Flippin Contest, and this month’s contest is sponsored by General Finishes. (See my disclosure policy HERE.) General Finishes sent me a quart of its Chalk Style paint in the color of my choice to give a piece of furniture in my home a fresh start. I thought Charleton Blue would be perfect for my vintage chest.

General Finishes Charleton Blue - chalk style paint - thediybungalow.com

Because of all the peeling paint on the chest, I sanded it really well before painting. A finished paint job is only as good as the prep work you do, and I didn’t want peeling paint on this chest any more! I sanded it with 220-grit sandpaper until the surface was smooth, then wiped it down with a tack cloth.

Vintage chest with chalk style paint - thediybungalow.com

I painted two coats of Charleton Blue Chalk Style Paint on it, sanding lightly in between coats. Two coats covered the original dark gray paint really well.

Update and refresh a vintage chest with chalk style paint and a wallpaper drawer liner - thediybungalow.com

I added peel-and-stick wallpaper inside the drawers and bottom cabinet, and new hardware.

Vintage chest in entry for keys and mail - thediybungalow.com

This silver tray is the perfect spot for keys and mail.

From this:

vintage chest before - thediybungalow.com

To this:

Vintage chest after chalk style paint - thediybungalow.com

A fresh start. Amazing what a coat of paint can do!

I gave a vintage chest a fresh start with General Finishes Chalk Style Paint - thediybungalow.com

Thank you to General Finishes for the paint for this project and sponsoring this month’s contest!

Please see all of the projects participating in the January Fab Furniture Flippin’ contest HERE:

FFFC main graphic updated (10.2015)

If you are a blogger and you are interested in participating in future contests, please email the organizers at info@fabfurnitureflippincontest.com.

For more of my “fresh starts” (repurposing projects), click HERE.

26 responses to “Using Chalk Style Paint to Give a Vintage Chest a Fresh Start”

  1. Brenda Young Avatar

    What a big differences coat of paint makes, it’s new lease on life all crisp and clean. Love your color choice, that’s one great blue hue! That color is on my to do list for sure…

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar
  2. Lisa B. Avatar

    This turned out fantastic but then again everything you do turns out rather great!! I love the color too. The peal and stick wallpaper is pretty. Great job as always!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you! I’m going to check out your projects (and the others, too!) tomorrow. Too tired tonight. Hank is up because it’s raining!!

      Like

  3. Jessica @Finding Purpose Avatar

    What a great transformation! I really like this color, and the paper inside the drawers is a great touch!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thanks, Jessica!!

      Like

  4. Rachel, aka Queen Patina Avatar

    Wowza! This looks a thousand and one times better! And its a great size too: big enough to be useful, but small enough to tuck into a nook if need be. It must feel so GOOD to have it done! 🙂

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Rachel! It’s perfect for our front porch entry! I’m soooo glad to have it finally, finally done!

      Like

  5. Ashley @ Handmade with Ashley Avatar

    Wow! That’s a drastic transformation. I love the final look. The drawers looks great too. I really like that idea.

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you so much, Ashley!!

      Like

  6. Cynthia Avatar

    So glad to see you finally tackled that one. Love the color.

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you. Me, too! Glad it’s finally done.

      Like

  7. Dee @Cupcakes&Crowbars Avatar

    Karen, I’ll be over in a bit to pick this up and bring it home. It’s fantastic! I love love love the print inside the drawers – the little pops of surprise make these projects so fun & interesting. Love it!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      HA! I’d love for you to come over, but this one’s staying with me!! Thanks!!

      Like

  8. Jenny @ Refresh Living Avatar

    This is so pretty! The shape is phenomenal, and you definitely brought it back to life!!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Jenny!!

      Like

  9. Paula@SweetPea Avatar

    This looks amazing, Karen! Good luck in the contest.

    Like

  10. Lucy @ Patina Paradise Avatar

    You certainly gave this cabinet a great fresh start! I was almost going to choose that color! Nothing like a deadline and great free paint to help get a project finished. I know that’s what I needed! ;o)

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Lucy, that is so true! It’s such a relief to have it done…and it makes me happy each time I look at it! Thank you!!

      Like

  11. darrielle Tennenbaum Avatar

    The cabinet is a stunner and I love the dials on the front. The color is FAB too!

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    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Darrielle!

      Like

  12. Sue at Blu Avatar

    Absolutely beautiful! What a great color for this piece! Love GF Chalky style paint!

    Like

  13. Jenna Avatar

    Wow! That is one incredible before and after! Thanks for linking up at Best of the Weekend. You’re chest is going to be one of my features tomorrow night…I love it!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Jenna!! I love it, too. Amazing what a little elbow grease can do. Thank you for featuring it!!

      Like

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I’m Karen

I’m a recovering lawyer. Join me on my DIY and organizing adventures!