Cassie Bustamante

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Aqua and Zebra Cedar Chest/Bench; Alternatively Titled “Why Running Early in the Morning is Good”

May 14, 2013 by Cassie 49 Comments

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In the last couple months I have gotten into a routine with my friends…. Tuesday and Thursday are running days.  We do the same 4.5 mile loop at 6:30 AM.  Some days I am tired and lacking motivation, but knowing that I am meeting my friends keeps me going!  One morning, we were on the second half of our run, and headed through a neighborhood, and what to my wandering I should appear, but a sweet little cedar chest with a sign on its rear: “FREE”.  Well, clearly I couldn’t haul it and run, so I made a mental note and headed back after the run to grab it!  Here it is in its before state….

Sorry for the cruddy iphone picture… it was hard to see what it took out in the sun!  Anyhow, it was in decent shape- just missing knobs and screws for the hinges and the cushion needed to be recovered.  It was also missing the lock, but frankly, who needs to lock up their blankets?  Maybe Linus, but other than that I am not too sure.  I replaced the screws for the hinges, and then got to work.  I removed the cushion, which screws on to the top.  I wanted to give it sort of a beachy look, and I also wanted to get rid of some paint cans that only had a little bit each left in them.  I mixed of Annie Sloan’s Old White and Duck Egg with CeCe Caldwell’s Alaska Tundra Green and came out with a pretty aqua.  I gave it two coats, distressed it and then waxed it with Annie Sloan clear wax.

The finishing steps were the knobs and the fabric.  I was going to use burlap, but I decided to let Emmy choose from a few I had.  She chose a chocolate zebra.

For the knobs, I needed some that did not have posts sticking out of the back, as I imagine someone will put blankets in this chest, and I don’t want them to get snagged.  That eliminated a lot of the choices I would normally use for glass or crystal.  I decided to use D. Lawless hardware for the knobs, as they have lots of glass and acrylic options which have screws rather than posts and nuts.  They had lots of choices, but eventually I settled on the Diamond Cut Acrylic Small Knob.  Not only was the price right at just $1.10 each, but they were the perfect scale for the piece.  Here is the picture from their website.

Diamond Cut Acrylic Small Knob - Antique Brass Base 1-1/16"
And now here is the cedar chest, complete with its new paint, fabric, and hardware!

I think Emmy did a stellar job choosing the fabric, don’t you?  The zebra adds a nice punch!  She said my burlap choice was “ugly”. 🙂

And how perfect are these knobs from D.Lawless?

So pretty!  I don’t think I will ever stop loving glass or acrylic knobs…. kind of like I will never stop loving glitter.  Or tin foil Or anything shiny.

I can’t wait to take this piece over to the barn for the June sale, although I am so tempted to put it at the foot of Emmy’s bed…. But I won’t.  But I might.

A special thank you goes out to D. Lawless Hardware for providing me with the knobs to complete this project!

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Comments

  1. bec says

    May 14, 2013 at 10:10 am

    gorgeous stuff ….love the knobs with such a soft colour and the zebra stripes….ummm…after a few looks …yeah! …it works.
    bec x

    Reply
  2. Susan @ homeroad.net says

    May 14, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Love the blue and the knobs! I go walking in our neighborhood on Sunday nights so we can see what people are throwing out… many times I go back and get my car for a great find!
    Susan

    Reply
  3. miss flibbertigibbet says

    May 14, 2013 at 10:41 am

    That came out just wonderful! I always think if these folks could see what the piece of furniture looks like after someone gave it some love…they’d never have dumped it like they did! of course then us trash pickers wouldn’t be so lucky I suppose,

    Reply
  4. Katie @ Wildwood Creek says

    May 14, 2013 at 10:58 am

    Love the color and the unexpected zebra!

    Reply
  5. Julia Konya says

    May 14, 2013 at 11:16 am

    I still don’t think I’ll start to run more LOL, I so admire you for running so much. Love the before and after of the bench. So pretty!

    Reply
  6. Stacey says

    May 14, 2013 at 11:26 am

    That is just beautiful! I love it – the color, the knobs, the zebra and the fact that it was FREE!
    Wow!
    Stacey

    Reply
  7. Alison @ Rubylicious Bespoke says

    May 14, 2013 at 11:31 am

    What a fabulous and FREE find! My streets never have goodies like that. Love it x

    Reply
  8. Catherine says

    May 14, 2013 at 11:47 am

    That’s such a great piece Cassie – and FREE is right in my price range 😉 Love the knobs too.

    Reply
  9. Restyled Vintage says

    May 14, 2013 at 11:51 am

    Emmy did good and so did you…love the colour and yes the knobs are perfect!

    Reply
  10. The Bold Abode says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    It’s fantastic, baby! Emmy has an innate sense of BOLDness… <3

    Reply
  11. [email protected] says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    Geez! That doesn’t even look like the same piece. It went from Granny to Lolita 🙂 xo Kristin

    Reply
  12. bonniegetchell says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    Wow! It looks incredible now! The paint really brings out all of the details. And the knobs– love, love, love!

    -Bonnie @ Revolutionaries
    http://www.revolutionariesblog.com

    Reply
  13. Anne @ Hello Newmans says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    what a great find! It looks awesome 🙂

    Reply
  14. Dana Frieling says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    That was worth the miles. Did it make you run faster since you didn’t want anyone else to scoop up your score?! And, look at Emmy…a girl who knows what she wants. Awesome!

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    If the person who threw this out could see this they would be kicking themselves!

    Reply
  16. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    Oh wow, that is awesome! Love the fabric/paint combination! Almost makes me want to take up running!

    Reply
  17. Between Blue and Yellow says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Great find, love anything free!

    Reply
  18. Angela Santaniello says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    Love the color and Emmy’s fabric choice! Perfect & unexpected!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

    Reply
  19. Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    Another beautiful transformation!

    Reply
  20. pam {simple details} says

    May 14, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Oooh, I absolutely think Emmy needs it! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Anne says

    May 14, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    Love it, cute choice of fabric Emmy!
    Anne

    Reply
  22. Megan Vaughn says

    May 14, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    That color you’ve created is so pretty! Love the fabric that your daughter chose to go with it. You are so right the knobs fit perfectly.

    Reply
  23. Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell says

    May 14, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    “Maybe Linus”….you kill me.
    The zebra is perfect, and so are the knobs!

    Reply
  24. vintageshabbychicks says

    May 14, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Beautiful job…just goes to show “early bird gets the worm” Love Emmy’s choice of fabric:)

    Reply
  25. [email protected] says

    May 14, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    Very pretty, Cassie! You and Emmy make a great team.

    Reply
  26. Twice Nice says

    May 14, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    I think Emmy’s fabric choice was perfect for this chest! Pretty custom color too. I need to try mixing more paints to create more options. Nice reward for the morning run I’d say!

    Reply
  27. Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies says

    May 14, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    Emmy you are a genius! The cushion is PERFECT.
    This can’t possibly be the same piece that was in the street!
    It’s a good thing I live hundreds of miles from you…..I’d go broke!
    The color, cushion and those fabulous knobs are one of my favorite pieces I have seen!!!!!

    Reply
  28. Vintage Prairie Style says

    May 14, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    look at you killing 2 birds with one stone – exercise and shopping… very cute. loving the blue!
    keya

    Reply
  29. amber-wills says

    May 14, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    So cute! Little Ms. Emmy is letting her style show! 😉

    Reply
  30. Shannon Fox says

    May 14, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    So cute.
    Color. love!
    Zebra, so FUN :)))

    Reply
  31. Self Sagacity says

    May 14, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Nice shade of blue. What is the color name and brand? It is so chic!

    Reply
  32. Jane Craske says

    May 14, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    What a gem now!

    Reply
  33. Dear Emmeline says

    May 14, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    can’t believe those knobs are that cheap! they look stunning!

    Reply
  34. Ali Richardson says

    May 14, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    Love love love! Those knobs are perf! Great work 🙂

    Reply
  35. Rita says

    May 14, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    How lucky were you to find this!! Love it and Miss Emmy is following in her momma’s footsteps alright 🙂

    Reply
  36. Erin @ His and Hers says

    May 14, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Roadside finds are the BEST! That is an amazing piece– even without boring burlap. 😉

    Reply
  37. Hetty says

    May 14, 2013 at 8:43 pm

    Huge transformation Cassie, love the zebra fabric.

    Reply
  38. Bliss says

    May 14, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    Emmy’s got the eye, and I love it.

    Bliss

    Reply
  39. [email protected] says

    May 14, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    I love it, keep it! PUT IT BY THE BED!! Love the paint choice and the zebra kicks up the glam/fun factor!

    Reply
  40. Fiona, LilyfieldLife says

    May 14, 2013 at 11:48 pm

    hi Cassie – Emmy is very much your girl -such fun! this is a great piece and the before is so terrible but you’ve made it look beautiful. great idea to use up all your paint leftovers – the colour is gorgeous.
    I can so relate to your indecision on keeping pieces – so hard sometimes
    Fiona xx

    Reply
  41. cindy the cottage chick says

    May 15, 2013 at 1:05 am

    perfection. And I’ll be needing to check out that knob place fo sho.

    Reply
  42. Renee says

    May 15, 2013 at 1:18 am

    Nice grab. I never see stuff like that when I run my route. It’s always old office chairs with stains or some laminate bookshelf! Emmy has a future in design!

    Reply
  43. Marlen says

    May 15, 2013 at 2:01 am

    i am seriously BLOWN AWAY, that looks so, so radically different! i need to start running more often 😉

    xo Marlen
    Messages on a Napkin

    Reply
  44. Allison says

    May 15, 2013 at 2:04 am

    Miss Emmy has a great eye and is a mini you. So adorable! The bench looks fantastic and Emmy’s fabric is perfect for it. Love those knobs, too. Hope you and Sawyer are feeling better today.

    Reply
  45. Gail Wilson says

    May 15, 2013 at 2:32 am

    free is great! and.. how nice of someone else to give you a great base coat of paint! 🙂
    love the new look, and the knobs.
    gail
    ps I hope sawyer is feeling better!

    Reply
  46. 17 Perth says

    May 15, 2013 at 4:25 am

    I seriously cannot believe you got that for free!!! Lol. I run and that has never happened to me!! Lol

    Reply
  47. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    May 15, 2013 at 11:14 am

    Gotta love a freebie and how cute is that!!?? Emmy’s got great taste!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  48. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    May 15, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    ” With a sign on its rear”, ha!!! I can just picture this in a fun mud room. the perfect place to plopping down and take shoes on and off. Great fabric choice by Miss Emmy!

    Reply
  49. Good Time Charlie says

    May 19, 2013 at 11:37 pm

    ooo, I so love free things! That is the best when you find them out on a run too! Emmy did a great job with the Zebra fabric. What a fun piece!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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