The #1 goal of the New Year was so finish Tootsie’s Bedroom Makeover. There’s a DIY Dress Up Station, budget friendly art on the walls, even a sweet little jewelry box for her princess rings. All the projects are moving right along.
But there’s a big green elephant. Smack in the middle of the room.
It’s my grandmother’s cedar Hope Chest. It was one of the pieces she insisted Tootsie have.
When I first opened it there were a few handmade quilts inside but nothing else. Or so I thought.
Down in one of the cracks was one of my grandfather’s dog tags from his service in the second World War. It is a precious reminder of his sacrifice for our country.
This Hope Chest is a cherished piece of furniture that will never leave my home.
It hasn’t always been this lovely shade of green. My mother said she got inspired to paint it back in the 1970’s.
So not only is it avocado green, the piece is freckled with bits of chipping veneer.
See the children’s book crammed underneath? That’s my quick fix for the broken back foot.
I have visions of a creamy white chest with Tootsie’s monogram on the bottom corner. But first I have to repair the broken foot and replace the chipped veneer. My fingers are crossed that my Daddy might be able to help with the broken foot but I think the veneer can be done by me.
Here’s the two tutorials I’ve found to repair chipping veneer.
The first comes from Sunday with A Sunday Afternoon {Just Your Everyday DIY Mom} suggests using iron on veneer edging to Easily Fix Veneer. Measuring, trimming and ironing on thin sheets of veneer.
Mmm… sounds tricky.
The second tutorial is from Angie at Slipcovered Gray used Automotive Body Filler in her Fix Chipped Veneer the Easy Way. Quick hardening filler and lots of sanding.
Alright bloggy friends, anyone out there have experience repairing missing and chipped veneer? Any advice would be welcome.
I am thinking the Automotive Body Filler might be the easiest way to go.
Your comments totally make my day! They give me huge motivation to keep creating and having fun with my 3 Little Greenwoods!
I link up with these fun parties!
I’ve never worked with much veneer before. In doing small patches, I’ve used wood filler, but I don’t know if it will work for larger patches. I can’t wait to hear what works for you. It’s a beautiful chest and I’m so glad you’re using it and keeping such a piece of history in your family!
I’m making myself get started on the chest next week. Wish me luck!
Oh! I loved your post about not spring cleaning! With three children, I will never know the feeling of a completely clean house either. Stealth cleaning?! HA!
This is beautiful! What a neat piece to have!
Thanks again for joining the Link Up this week!
Thank you so much Jess! My Grandmother’s chest is a very dear piece to me.
As always thanks for hosting your fun linky party!
I want to try the auto filler some time. I just posted a dresser that had chipped veneer here http://www.mycreativedays.com/hurricane-saved-dresser/. My dresser was in a lot worse shape so I needed to remove it all.
Girl! That was a huge job but the outcome was so worth it! Love your hurricane dresser!
Don’t you worry! I will give a full report on how well the body filler works. I’m getting started on the chest next week.
I loved your dress-up station, so want to do something like that for my girls. Hmm, avocado green that is tough. Looking forward to seeing what you turn it into 🙂
Whoop whoop! I bought the Bondo Automotive Filler today! I couldn’t believe that Home Depot had it!
Oh my goodness, the dog tag! What an AMAZING find! I can’t wait to see what you do to the chest, it’s going to look great!!!
Going to by the Automotive Filler today! Crossing my fingers it ends up looking like the idea in my imagination! 😉
What a great treasure you have. I love that you found your grandfather’s dog tags too! Thank you for linking up to Tips and Tricks.
I love that I found my grandfather’s dog tag tucked into the inside folds of my grandmother’s hope chest. I’d like to have it framed. Wouldn’t that be neat?
Oh my goodness. I have a white one waiting for me to re do ( passed down from my Mother). It has a veneer finish too. Not sure yet how I will tackle it. Thank you for sharing your lovely blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop xo
Hey Katherine! I just repaired the chipped veneer on my Grandmother’s hope chest today.
Whew! What a job! Post coming soon!
Hi, I’m coming here from the Be.You.Tiful link party. What a special piece! I actually don’t mind the green, but I think creamy white will be very pretty, too!
I know the green color on the hope chest isn’t that bad but I can’t wait to see it painted and pretty! I hope you will follow along to see the final result! 😉
Hi Ashley,
I can’t give you any advice on finishing your beautiful hope chest but I will express my admiration for you keeping it in your daughter’s room and wanting to bring it back to life. I’m sure it will be beautiful and it will become one of your daughter’s most cherished possessions.
Visiting from Think Pink – so glad I found your beautiful blog!
I am so excited to have my grandmother’s hope chest in Tootsie’s bedroom. It will be a wonderful place for her to store all her treasures. Thanks you so much for your sweet compliment about my blog!
Sorry I can’t help you with the veneer, but it looks beautiful and what a neat find from your grandfather!
Girl ~ That veneer was a tricky fix! Post coming soon. 😉
Can’t wait to see the final result!! It’s going to be gorgeous!! Thanks so much for linking up at Thursday STYLE! Have a great weekend 🙂
Thanks so much for the sweet comment! I can’t wait to get the hope chest painted and finally be finished with one room in the house. 😉
Hi Ashley,
This is beautiful and a beautiful memory. It would look nice in creamy white, but I like the green also. Thanks so much for sharing with Adorned From Above’s Link Party.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly
Hey Debi and Charly,
Thanks so much for hosting your fun party! I appreciate you sweet comment!
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. Can’t wait to see it when you are finished. Sorry, I’m not a lot of help. Had some veneer replaced once on an old sewing machine cabinet, but it’s starting to peel again after many years. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I have almost the same chest that was my grandmother’s. It is kind of thrashed and has been in my garage for 10 years because I haven’t had space for it in my current house. I am moving to a new bigger house soon and had thought about just getting rid of it rather than move it long distance, but am now inspired to keep it and repair it myself when we get to our new house.
Since this was a couple years ago, I’m hoping there’s a post with a finished piece. Going to look for it!