Let's bring old grandmother's chest back to life. Restoration of the chest and how to create it with your own hands Decorating an old chest

Difficulty: medium
Working time: 21 days
Materials: old chest, burner, sandpaper, otex primer, acrylic paint, acrylic lacquer, accessories, papier-mâché, roller, wax, decoupage glue

This is the story of one chest, the beginning of which is very similar to the stories of other chests, but the end is pleasantly different!
The chest is not mine. It was brought to me by a customer with a request to refresh, restore and make it functional. His date of birth is 1913! The photo shows that it has been actively used all the years and has been battered a lot in its entire long life.

Initial state:

The chest was painted with several layers of paint, and different colors. The inside is covered with wallpaper, there are even two layers of wallpaper on the lid. Many chips, and very deep and in important places. The hardware is not working and needs to be replaced. There is a crack at the bottom. The legs are rotten (not visible in the photo).

STAGE 1: Purification.

1. The first thing to do is to remove all fittings. If the hinges and the lock were simply unscrewed, then the handles had to be messed with. Even a nail puller had to be used, but mostly pliers, a screwdriver, masculine strength and a great desire. Everything was done without damaging the chest. Thanks to my husband. Here you can not do without male power.
By the way, the handles, it seems, were screwed on later. I don't think there were such screws in 1913.

2. Next, you need to clean all the paint from the surface of the chest. To do this, we need a burner and a metal spatula. We heat the paint with a burner and immediately remove it with a spatula. It is very important to work quickly so that the paint is still soft and pliable. But do not overdo it with a burner, otherwise you can set fire to the surface of the chest itself.
Remember about safety! We do everything outdoors.

We used a huge burner that we had for a long time. But for these purposes, the usual one, which is sold in any hardware store, is quite suitable. For example, such.

Pay attention to how easily everything is removed with such sausages. The wood is visible under the paint. And in very good condition, and this is to our advantage.

3. After we remove the paint from all sides, everything needs to be sanded, since the surface remains not completely flat. I worked as a grinder.

4. Now you need to wash the chest inside from the paper. Usually it is glued to the paste, so it is very easy to wash it off with plain water. Wet the paper, leave it for a while. Then we clean it with our hands, a spatula and a metal sponge.

STAGE 2: Preparing for decoration.

1. After the chest is washed and dried, we proceed to the restoration of those parts that we have broken out. I'm not a carpenter, so I can't carve pieces of wood. I had to think long and hard about an alternative method. There is no photo of this process, but I will try to explain everything in great detail.

We are preparing a mass of papier-mâché from ordinary gray toilet paper and PVA glue. When papier-mâché hardens, it becomes very strong, and this is exactly what we need. Since the holes were deep, and one was even through, we put papier-mâché in several layers. Moreover, the layers must be thin so that they do not tear during drying (up to about 1 cm thick). Each layer should dry very well. For reliability, I dried each layer for two to three days. And so several layers. Where the holes were smaller, 1-2 layers were enough. Where deep, it was necessary to impose 6 - 7 layers. Therefore, this process was delayed for almost 3 weeks.
When everything was ready and the papier-mâché was dry, I covered it with putty to make it as even as possible with the surface of the chest. Next is the skin.

2. Now WARNING! very important point. We prime. For priming furniture, I use only Tikkurila Otex primer. There is it in almost all hardware stores.
Why this primer:

It adheres very strongly to the surface and you do not risk that in the process of using the furniture, some piece will fall off;
it covers the surface well. There are many stains on the chest of unknown origin, and if they are not covered with a reliable primer, they can show through layers of paint over time;
it self-levels and practically does not require sanding.
dense and opaque.

I primed with a foam roller. Some places in two layers. Then some more putty and sanded.

1. Next are the standard steps for creating interior items in the shabby style. Picked up a napkin. Under her color picked up the first coat of paint. I have it was sienna natural in its purest form. I painted on the chest those places that will be visible in places of scuffs.
2. I waxed the places where I want to see scuffs. I have a colorless wax from Stamperia. Another very good Liberon wax, which is in hardware stores.
3. The second paint color was milky. I mixed white paint, ocher and a little natural sienna. I buy white paint at the hardware store in large cans. This time I bought DULUX, I really liked it. I painted the whole chest with a roller. I had to paint in two layers.
4. Made scuffs. For abrasions, I used coarse sandpaper #40, soft sandpaper #100 and just such a brush.

Rubbed a little bit of everything. The main thing is that the result is exactly the one that suits you. It is important to rub along the fibers, then the scuffs will be beautiful and harmonious. Here in the photo new legs are already glued, because. those had to be disposed of. Then I also made scuffs on them.

5. Pasted a napkin. I have a standard napkin 33 * 33 cm. I removed two extra layers and left only the top layer, which is with a picture. Trimmed the edges to make them easier to hide under the paint. I first glued the napkin to clean water with a fan brush. From the middle to the edges. Then, while it was still wet, I went over it with decoupage glue. I used Turi glue, but you can use any other.

Some scuffs were visible through the napkin. It looked very beautiful.

6. To hide the edges of the napkin, I carefully sanded them after the napkin had thoroughly dried. Then she went over the milk paint again on the lid, going onto the napkin.
7. All covered with acrylic matte varnish. I have 3v3 polish. Very good reliable varnish that dries quickly, does not shine and does not yellow.
8. Even with all the scuffs, it seemed to me that something was missing. And I added a stencil. After several layers covered the entire chest with varnish.

9. To keep the style consistent, I patinated the entire chest with bitumen. I always use the real Tahir bitumen. Although it stinks, the effect is amazing. No water patina can replace it. I applied bitumen with sponges. Periodically diluting it with a solvent. Then I wiped off all the excess with a soft cloth and sandpaper.

STEP 4: Interior decoration.

1. Made everything easier inside. On a clean, dry tree, I applied several layers of milk paint. Drying each layer. Inside nothing was patinated and did not scuff. It was supposed to store fabrics and yarn. So we decided to just make a clean, flat surface.

2. Of course, I varnished everything inside so that I could wash it.

3. At the bottom, as you remember, there was a gap. I couldn't make her. So I made an inset bottom. I took a sheet of thick interwoven cardboard and covered it with milk leatherette. I did not glue this sheet, but simply put it on the bottom. It can be taken out and washed. In the photo, this leaf is not noticeable, as in fact, in life. So he fit into this chest.

STAGE 5: Final.
We ordered accessories via the Internet, because. in our city it is difficult to find such charms. All screwed up and cheers! The chest is ready!
Please note that I turned the bottom of the chest upside down. This is done so that the new fittings do not fall into the places where the old fittings were torn out. After all, I patched up those holes with papier-mâché, but it will not hold the screws in it as securely as I would like. Here is such a trick.

Now this chest is not hidden under a bunch of rags on the balcony, but proudly stands in the hallway and pleases the eye. It also reminds the owners of the grandmother from whom they got this chest.
I hope that the master class will be useful to everyone who is going to remake old interior items.
If the responses are positive, then I will tell you how I restored my table, which I also got from my grandmother.
Thanks to everyone who read to the end.

Over the past few years, decoupage has become a favorite type of decoration for thousands of needlewomen. And this is not surprising: how else can you make so many unique, luxurious things in any style and not using the most complex technique. A method of virtuoso application, wherever they are not used - and decorating a wooden chest, of course, is also possible. Even at home.

If you already have a chest or chest, which is the time to upgrade, you do not need to look for blanks. The easiest thing you could do before is to take a beautiful wallpaper and paste over the chest. No special technique is needed here, but the work will not be elegant either. The chest just changes a little.

But you can get a conceptually new thing with the help of decoupage. Moreover, you yourself will determine the style of the new chest - it can be shabby chic, and Provence, and ethnic style. Or maybe it will be a pirate chest (and toys of a little pirate will be stored there), and an imitation of a forged chest of a treasure island.

By the way, a great idea for a nursery - and teach your child to clean up toys with such a chest, you will definitely be faster.

So - determine the theme that will be the basis of future decoration and look for decorative material. For example, London. So you need pictures, decoupage cards, napkins and prints related to London motifs.

Simple decoupage antique chest

If you want to imitate an old chest, then you need to find a suitable wooden blank. Ask your friends, it is possible that buying directly from the master will be much cheaper. It can be fired for more styling. After firing, you need to work with a brush, and cover the inside of the chest with stain.

It is necessary to make chips and notches. To do this, take a hacksaw, cut the ribs of the chest with it, but in the right amount, do not overdo it.
Pictures are needed to decorate the lid of the chest. Separate napkins or printouts on rice paper, get a thin film. Cut it into desired pieces.
Apply primer to the tree, if it is pine, then in several layers. Then a layer of acrylic paint is applied, and only then a printout. Each layer must dry.
When the printout has stuck and dried, it needs to be aged with a sanding sponge. You will get spectacular scratches.
Next, you can tint the tree. Look at the images of the chests, try to repeat the color and texture. You can impregnate a tree with several colors of paint. Usually taken green, dark green, light green, black, gray, beige. The sequence of application is from light to dark.
The printed cover is tinted in the same way.

Then the chest can be aged even more - saw through it, rub the bitumen into the wood with a hard brush. Wax can be applied to the wood, and varnish can be applied to the lid. It remains only to pick up the accessories and attach it. Here is the finished chest!

Do-it-yourself English chest decoupage: do it step by step

If you are interested in some other chest transformations, then the following tips may be suitable for you. You can make an English-style chest with chic roses and a delicate background. Girlish, touching, graceful.

For this you will need:

Preparation of a wooden chest;
High quality acrylic primer;
Scissors;
Brush;
PVA glue;
Napkins or decoupage cards;
Acrylic paints;
Stencil;
foam sponge;
File.

First, the wooden blank must be sanded, then possible cracks and the surface of the chest should be primed. After the primer dries, the chest is again sanded and covered with soil, then drying again takes place. While everything is drying, you select the desired patterns for decoupage.

Stylish chest: decoupage master class

The drawing is cut out from a napkin, printout or decoupage card. Then apply a thin adhesive layer on the chest, and the top layer of a napkin or printout is applied to it. And on top of the image, also apply glue.

Then you attach the file, and with a sponge move from the center so that excess glue comes out. So gradually all the images will stick to the chest. The file is carefully removed. On the surface you need to walk with a brush with glue. Leave the chest to dry.

Then you can apply the ornament through the stencil. You can pre-paint the chest with white acrylic paint, if you want the texture to be wooden, this is not necessary. To give an aged chest, you need to mix light and brown acrylic paints, and randomly apply the mixture to the surface of the chest. The edges will be stained with a shade a couple of tones darker.

Beautiful decoupage: chests and boxes

These vintage style items are very popular. Of course, you will also need a piece of wood. Also pick up various buttons, lace and braid for decoration. You will need a candle in the work.

Materials:

Wooden blank chest-casket;
Three synthetic brushes of different shapes;
Toothbrush;
Candle;
Universal paint based on brown acrylic;
PVA glue;
Light enamel;
Patina;
Sponge;
Double-sided tape;
Decor - buttons, braid, lace, decorative cord.

On all surfaces of a wooden blank, roughness must be cleaned. Then cover the workpiece with acrylic brown paint. Let the box dry.

Further progress of work:

With a candle, rub all the edges and corners, and the excess of the candle is easily erased with a toothbrush;
Next, the box is enameled on white acrylic, everything is dried;
Then, with any metal object, you need to scrape off the paint in those places that were rubbed with a candle;
Remove excess paint;
Dilute the glue with water one to three, attach the images to the surface of the chest-box, apply PVA glue on top of it;
With a brush, move from the center to the edges of the image;
You can simultaneously smooth out paper wrinkles;
Excess glue is removed with a brush;
Then the box must be allowed to dry again.

After that, take the patina and rub the corners and edges with a sponge. Then a varnish layer is applied throughout the chest, and the box is dried again. Attach double-sided tape to the bottom of the product. Then moisten the desired material in glue, let it dry, and fix it at the bottom of the box.

For decoration, any suitable decor is taken - beads, buttons, antique lace. And to make this very antique effect, just soak the same lace in coffee and dry it (without rinsing) on the battery. Fix the whole decor with glue on the box. It will turn out very nice!

Step by step instructions: chest decoupage (video)

Decoupage is unlimited decorating possibilities. Time after time things will turn out better, more interesting, more original. The main thing is not to rush, to give the right amount of time to each stage of work.

Good results!

In the attic or in the pantry of each house, there are many antiques that were used by our relatives. These include the chest - a bright representative of the furniture of past years, in which personal belongings were stored and a dowry was added. With a little skill and creativity, you can breathe new life into a chest by restoring it.

General repair and decor

Everyone has a different approach to repairing and decorating old chests. Someone processes only the front part, retaining the original ornament, some completely change the style and design of the product. There are several general rules that will help to carry out work on decorating antique furniture:

The vast majority of antique furniture is made of wood. With a long period of operation, the material begins to dry out. To extend the life of the product, it is necessary to disassemble its components and lower it into a bath of warm water. Moisture will saturate the wood, making it much stronger.
Old paint must be removed with care. In the last century, chests were treated with special solutions that were absorbed into the top layer of wood. To work, you need a planer, with which it is possible to completely remove the top layer.
Many chests are decorated with decorative elements made of iron. Taking them off is not recommended. During the removal process, the coils themselves or the wooden surface of the furniture can be damaged.

IMPORTANT! Please note that each type of wood requires a certain time to soak with moisture.

How to save an old painting

Many chests in the old days were decorated with patterns and ornaments for a brighter and more attractive appearance. If the painting is preserved, the bright pattern can be updated and left on the surface of the chest.

Materials:

solvent for removing the old coating;
brushes for applying the composition;
putty knife;
protective impregnation;
paints;
brushes for applying a new pattern;

Using a brush, apply the solvent to the surface of the chest. After application, the product must be left for some time for complete impregnation. In most cases, it takes several hours - depending on the composition. When the old varnish begins to bulge, remove it with a spatula. After removal, the surface should be carefully wiped with an unnecessary rag or a clean soft brush. Then we apply a protective impregnation and draw the peeling details of the painting. After drying, cover the chest with a new layer of protective varnish.

REFERENCE! The choice of cleanser depends on the number of layers of varnish. For one, an ordinary solvent is suitable. With several layers, you should use special powder products.

Antique decoupage: master class

This decoration method is one of the most popular. Decorating in vintage style takes a rather long period, so you should be patient to work.

Work process:

Using sandpaper, the surface of the chest is carefully cleaned until a smooth surface is formed. Cover with acrylic primer and leave to dry completely.
We paint on the walls. The color scheme depends on personal preferences. Corners and joints can be sealed with masking tape so that they are of a different shade.
After drying, a layer of craquelure varnish is applied to the paint. When dry, it gives the necessary cracks, gaps and visual damage.
With the help of stencils, we apply the selected drawings to the walls of the chest. Here you can use acrylic paints.

After thorough drying, the chest is ready for use.

English decoupage

Furniture, decorated in the style of English decoupage, is distinguished by a special chic, elegance and attractiveness.

The course of work is similar to the above method. The surface is carefully processed with sandpaper, and then covered with a primer. The primer will help correct all the chips and cracks that are on the surface. After drying, it is re-treated with sandpaper and primer. After thorough drying, you can apply a pattern to the surface. Acrylic paints are used for this. The top layer can be covered with a thin layer of varnish for reliable fixation.

REFERENCE! The English style involves a large number of delicate tones and pastel colors. Roses predominate from the ornament.

How to stylishly decorate a chest: photo

Modern interior designers are actively using antique pieces of furniture, decorating them in a fashionable way. The most popular trends in interior design are minimalism and loft.

For decoration in the style of minimalism, it is necessary to sand and prime the surface of the chest. After complete drying, cover the corners, joints and handles with paint (for example, brown). When the paint dries, the surface is sealed with masking tape. The chest itself is covered with a dense layer of paint of a different shade. After drying, remove the tapes from the closed surface. The minimalist chest is ready. The product can be used as a coffee table or a table for storing souvenirs in the living room.

ATTENTION! Choose shades in accordance with the color scheme of the room in which the piece of furniture will be placed.

Decoration in volumetric technique

Decoration in volumetric technique is one of the most creative and unusual methods. After staining and complete drying, it is necessary to select stencils and a shade for application. For work, you will need a special paste and a palette knife - a spatula for applying soil. We place the stencil on the surface of the wall. Using a palette knife, apply the paste with dense strokes. The larger the layer, the more voluminous the drawing will be. Remove the stencil after application. Drying time depends on the material used for painting. The chest, decorated in three-dimensional technique, is ready.

Many owners needlessly throw away antique pieces of furniture. Following simple tips, you can transform an old chest with additional decor. This piece of furniture will decorate any home.

It has long been firmly established in interior design. Therefore, even in the most modern apartment, you can now see an old chest of drawers or a chest that will not seem like some kind of foreign object, but, on the contrary, will attract the eye and noticeably enliven the space.

In addition, it can store clothes, shoes, children's toys and books, and can also be used as a table or bedside table.

To restore an old chest, we need:

Sander
screwdriver or screwdriver
sandpaper set
paint brushes
putty on wood
acrylic primer or stain
acrylic lacquer

Step 1. First of all, you need to clean the metal parts from rust or old paint. After that, they can either be sealed with masking tape, or carefully unscrewed with a screwdriver so that they do not interfere with further work.

Step 2 Using a grinder or an emery bar, clean the surface of the chest from old varnish or paint. If you want to show the natural texture of the wood, you need to sand more carefully, first with coarse sandpaper, then with finer sandpaper. If the restoration of the chest involves painting, it is enough just to remove the cracks in the paint and prepare the work surface with a fine “sandpaper”.

Step 3 In the event that the chest is badly damaged and there are deep cracks in the wood, cover them with wood putty, let it dry and sand these places (preferably by hand).

Step 4 Wipe the chest of dust and start applying the primer. For fully sanded surfaces, use wood stain - it will give the wood the right color and highlight its texture. The stain should be applied in several layers, depending on how rich the color you want to get.

Step 5 After the primer dries, paint the chest in the chosen color and after a while varnish it in two or three layers.

Step 6 Now you can screw the metal parts into place. If desired, they can also be painted in any suitable color. If, nevertheless, it was not possible to clean the handles and rivets from rust, they can simply be replaced with new, modern or “antique” fittings.

Your super chest is ready! Take him into the living room.

You can decorate the chest in a variety of ways: from artificial aging with the help of craquelure varnish, to decoupage and hand painting. The main thing is to show imagination and be patient, and your “new” old chest will please the eye for many years.

Do you have a chest whose age is no longer taken by anyone? We can say lucky, because our topic today is the restoration of the chest with our own hands. It is still difficult to see a masterpiece of hand-made in this peeling box, but soon our ugly duckling will become a decoration of the house. All it takes is a little skill and good taste. We offer two simple options for the transformation of old furniture.

Restoration of chest in vintage style

Once upon a time, English lords and miladies, moving on horseback, carried their belongings in wonderful trunks. There was no Internet at that time, and artisans created things slowly, excelling in the art of decoration. Let's also try to create an English travel chest from an unsightly box, trimmed with an elegant pattern.

Materials and tools for creativity

An old chest (if there is none, a wooden box from under some equipment will do).
Abrasive paper number 1 and 2.
Masking tape.
Cardboard and transfer paper.
Palette.
Acrylic primer.
Acrylic putty.
Acrylic paint kit, including gold acrylic.
Varnish for craquelure. Decorating a chest with your own hands in vintage style involves applying the effect of artificial aging.
Oil varnish.
Template or decal.
Round synthetic brushes number 2 and 3, as well as wide flats.
Hole puncher.

Stages of work

First, we wash our chest from age-old dust and soot using a rag, a soft brush, and soapy water. It is not necessary to wet it strongly, the tree does not like this. We dry the surface and clean it with emery cloth to the fullest possible smoothness.

We cover the chest with acrylic primer. After waiting for it to dry, we seal the handles and corner edges of the box with masking tape.

We apply green paint to the primed walls.

After the paint dries, cover with craquelure varnish on top. After drying the varnish, apply a layer of white paint from a spray can.

After 10 minutes, a network of cracks should form. After half an hour, the paint will dry, and the craquelure effect will appear in all its glory. Decorating a chest with your own hands becomes an exciting activity.

If there is no stencil with a beautiful pattern, we translate the drawing through carbon paper. We paint the whole picture (except for unopened buds) with gold acrylic paint.

When the acrylic dries, outline the roses with a gold outline. After drying the contour, paint over it with pink acrylic, then shade the petals with light pink.

We cover the golden contour with craquelure varnish. After keeping the varnish for 30 minutes, we cover the stems, leaves and buds with green acrylic.

Remove tape from corners. Mix putty with green acrylic paint and paint over the edges.

Solving the problem of how to decorate the chest in an original and inexpensive way, we lay rows of confetti cut with a hole punch on wet putty. This will be an imitation of nails fastening the walls of a chest full of treasures. We paint the "nail heads" in gold color. We also tint the metal corners of the box with green acrylic.

After thorough drying of the paint, the chest can be used for its intended purpose: to store various necessary things in it. You can also make an unusual coffee table out of it by screwing furniture rollers to the bottom.

Restoration of a chest in the old Russian style

We will turn a box beaten by life into a merchant's chest, in which the maidens once kept their dowry.

We need these materials

Old wooden chest.
Leather and fabric.
Straps or synthetic webbing.
Figured handles with overlays - 18 pcs.
Water stain.
Furniture nails with hats, self-tapping screws.
Semi-matt parquet varnish.
PVA glue.

Tools for the job

Screwdriver or screwdriver.
Drill, metal and nylon brushes to it.
Furniture stapler.
A hammer.
Wide brush.

Stages of chest restoration

As in the first case, first we wash the chest from age-old layers. When deciding how to restore the chest beyond recognition, we take a drill with a metal brush attached and methodically clean the surface, removing the old coating along with the top layer of wood.

We process wooden planes with a nylon brush.

We clean the dust with a brush and cover the chest with stain, paying special attention to the processing of protruding elements.

We apply several layers of varnish to the walls.

Cut out circles and stripes from a piece of brown leather to upholster the corners and corner edges of the box. We try on round overlays on corners. We cut out a sector from one edge of the circle and nail the workpiece to the corner with furniture nails. Glue the cut joint with glue.

We impose strips of skin on the ribs of the chest. We fix them with furniture nails, placing the hardware symmetrically.

To give the chest a solid look, we fasten the lining from the furniture handles using self-tapping screws. If there are no self-tapping screws of the desired color, you can paint them with brown paint or nail polish. We have the linings in pairs, on the upper and lower sides of the box.

We drill holes for handles in the side walls of the chest. We fasten the handles with screws.

We cut the belts to limit the cover when tilted. We shoot the ends of the tapes to the inside of the base of the box. We shoot the opposite ends to the lid. Our task is to make sure that when opening the chest, the lid does not fall back, but is kept on tight straps.

We measure the box from the inside. We make a pattern of the interior upholstery. Having sewn it on a typewriter, we put it inside the box. The cover can be nailed with furniture nails along the edges, you can shoot with a stapler.

The restoration of the chest is completed. Looking at this beauty, we ourselves are surprised how we could see the prototype of a magnificent exclusive thing in an old wooden box.

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