We all have them. . . the old hope chest we either inherited from a family relative or that were gifted to us in our teens.  A friend (Deana), I met online asked me if there was anything we could do to update an old hope chest of hers.  She referred to another I had sold about a month earlier.

Deana really liked the chevron pattern on top and asked if I could do the same to her chest.  Unfortunately her hope chest was a little different.  It had a fabric top.  I was pretty certain that the wood underneath would be “unfinished” but thought we could just recover with a cheveron fabric.

I got to work on this chest by cleaning it and detaching the fabric top.  It was screwed in to the top of the chest with 8 screws.

I started painting the chest keeping the other grey and white one in mind.  I used the same colors (Annie Sloan Pure White and Paris Grey) and asked Deana if she wanted it aged and distressed just like the one she liked.  She said yes so I got to work on the fun part…..beating up the furniture a bit.  🙂

Next I went upholstery shopping.  I sent Deana several samples but in the end we knew we wanted the grey and white chevron.

Once the staples were removed, I measured the fabric and used the original fabric as my template.  I was able to use the original foam as well.  It was still in great shape.  Using a heavy duty staple gun, I attached the fabric to the original board.

Finally I waxed the chest using Shabby Paints Vax and using Annie Sloan dark wax for aging.

I have to say the best part was delivering this chest back to Deana.  I am always nervous when a person entrusts a piece of furntiture to me.  The look on Deana’s face and her reaction made my day.  Most excited about my new friendship with Deana….she is so sweet and shares my passion for all things repurposed.  We were “texting buddies” for sure during this process.  Deana kept sending other pieces around her house asking if we could make those over as well.  And let me just say, she has GREAT ideas and fabulous taste!  How gorgeous is Deana??

A before and after of this chest back home!

What do you think?  Do you have an old hope chest like this?  If so please share your makeovers.