Unfortunately, I did forget to take a picture of the "before."
So I brought it home. I spent a day sandpapering the heck out of the entire piece. I then filled in all the cracks, dents, scratches and bite marks with wood filler. Let dry for a day, then sand paper again.
...But I really could not fix the "Crystal" in the front. I tried sanding it down, but I could not get it to blend. Frustrated I went online to find a fix. I thought of all the woodworking pieces that JoAnn Fabrics sells. I went online and found a perfect fit! a 19in by 4 in pine wood plaque. It would fit over the "Crystal" issue perfectly!
I found a coupon code online for 50% off any purchase for JoAnn Fabric online purchase. So the plaque was only $7. I then went to the store looking for a wood word to put on the front. Luckily I came across a small bin in the back corner that had just what I was looking for.. "family" in wood. Best part.... it was on clearance for only 50 cents AND I had another 50% off coupon!
With three different kinds of woods and a different color wood filler, I decided it would be easiest to paint the chest to match my green, brown and white bedroom. Found paint brushes, painters tape and drip sheet at the dollar store and used paint and spray paint I had left over from other projects. I took apart the chest, spray painted the hinges/bolts, primed all the wood and painted it white/green. After I finished the project. I looked at it. It looked so freshly painted, it bugged me. I took sandpaper to distressed it.... giving me my finished project.
"Family" Hope Chest --- Total Cost: $10.25
