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Curated by: Olive Street Designs (240 videos)
This project was more than just refinishing furniture—it was preserving a piece of family history. My client brought me her father’s cedar hope chest, a piece he lovingly built by hand in high school nearly 70 years ago. Over time, it had become worn and tired. Deep gouges and scratches from years of use and even the family dogs had left their mark, and the once-rich finish had dulled to a lifeless tone. I wanted to honor both the craftsmanship and the memories this chest held, so I began the delicate process of bringing it back to life. My first attempt with chemical stripper quickly turned into a sticky mess, so I moved on to lacquer thinner and a carbide scraper. Eventually, I found my rhythm using a 60-grit sanding net—carefully removing decades of wear without harming the cedar beneath. Each curve of the trim, each contour of the handles, was cleaned and smoothed by hand. After thoughtful conversations with my client about how she envisioned this piece’s future, she decided on a natural finish—a choice that allowed the cedar’s warmth and grain to shine. I moved through each sanding stage, ending at a smooth 220 grit, and applied multiple layers of topcoat, sanding between each one. Slowly, the wood’s true character emerged, its color rich and glowing once again. Now, this hope chest stands ready for another 70 years, its story continuing for future generations. For me, it was an honor to be trusted with such a meaningful piece, knowing I played a part in preserving not just furniture, but family history. Thank you for watching and following along. Be sure to subscribe if you enjoy seeing furniture transformations that blend craftsmanship, creativity, and a little bit of heart. Amazon Storefront – Lists of my favorite products! https://www.amazon.com/shop/olive.street.designs Products: Jasco stripper https://amzn.to/4bb8fCw Lacquer thinner https://amzn.to/3XfgmbD Wood glue https://amzn.to/42taE9d Glue Syringes https://amzn.to/4hFK41z Topcoat https://amzn.to/3PUJy3i Carbide Scraper https://amzn.to/4j8eQ3K Detail Carbide Scraper https://amzn.to/45zqTlf Sanding Pads https://amzn.to/3TtxYiG Poly Brushes https://amzn.to/3CFyxAa Equipment: Long clamps https://amzn.to/4bc8UUe SurfPrep Detail Sander (use link for discount!) Https://surfprepsanding.com/product/sanding-system-kits/?aff=181 Furniture Dollies https://amzn.to/4ix6qSP DISCOUNT CODES – use these codes or links to save with every order! Farmhouse Paint https://farmhousepaint.rfrl.co/oqzxr OR use code olivestreet10 Fusion Mineral Paint https://shop.fusionmineralpaint.com?sca_ref=7908488.jnYbzqmz8NT7y Surfprep Sanding Https://surfprepsanding.com/product/sanding-system-kits/?aff=181 #FurnitureRefinishing #VintageFurniture #UpcycledFurniture #DIYFurniture #FurnitureTransformation #PaintedFurniture #ChalkPaint #FurnitureRestoration #ThriftFlip #FurnitureFlip #CustomFurniture #potterybarndupe #Hopechest #FurnitureRestoration #girlswithpowertools #BeforeAndAfter #ModernVintage #OliveStreetDesigns