Rustic Revival: Breathing New Life into a Simple Chest of Drawers
In the world of creative inspiration, ideas for a project often unfold at their own pace. Such was the case with a simple chest of drawers discovered in a client’s cellar, where the inspiration for its transformation emerged gradually yet distinctly. With its new purpose envisioned as a decorative piece for a physiotherapy centre’s seating area, visible from all angles, I was fortunate to have the client’s trust to create as I wished, allowing for a thoughtful exploration of its potential.
Having settled on an earthy green palette, chosen for its calming and relaxed qualities, I found inspiration for the design during my daily walks amidst dry, stalky grasses and plants silhouetted against the sky. This imagery inspired the concept for the front and rear of the piece, leading me to discover the perfect stencil created by Julie Brightman, titled Cow Parsley with Grass. After a brief email exchange, I eagerly ordered it, despite the challenges posed by Brexit for small businesses operating across new economic borders. Though the process tested my patience and incurred some expense, the end result was well worth the wait, with Julie’s stencil exceeding my expectations.
While awaiting the arrival of the stencil, I prepped and painted the body and bottom two drawers in Fusion Mineral Paint’s new color, Everett. Additionally, the piece required a new top, as the old one had gone missing over time. To achieve an aged look that would blend seamlessly with the rest of the piece, I utilized bicarb of soda mixed with warm water to paint over the freshly sanded wood. This produced a gorgeous tone that aged perfectly, and I sealed it with Oli Natura’s Hard Wax Oil for lasting protection.
Addressing the back of the piece presented its own set of challenges, including re-joining split wood, filling gaps between boards, and hand-painting dried thistles for a decorative touch using Fusion Mineral Paint’s Coal Black and Eucalyptus. To enhance the rustic charm, I sanded the back frame to reveal the wood grain, creating a subtle window frame effect
Further refinements were made to the drawers, ensuring smooth functionality by sanding back rough areas, readjusting bases, and meticulously oiling and waxing them. Inside the chest, sanding and repairs to the drawer guides were carried out, with extensive wax application rejuvenating the wood and facilitating smooth drawer movement.
Upon the arrival of the stencil, the final task was to stencil the front and sides of the drawers. Employing Fusion’s embossing paste in pearl for a slight 3D effect on the front, and using their Coal Black and Eucalyptus for added color and texture, I achieved a cohesive and visually appealing design. Finally, wood stain by Borma Wachs was applied to the sides of the drawers, followed by sealing the body and drawer fronts with hemp oil and wax for protection and a gorgeous sheen.
Handing over the completed piece to the client was a moment of nervous anticipation, yet witnessing her reaction filled me with immense satisfaction. Seeing her happiness confirmed that the inspiration, effort, and occasional stress were all worthwhile.
