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The Nantucket Chest (Before & After)

Nantucket_ChestNantucket.

Just the thought of this special island off the coast of Cape Cod transports you to another time.  A simpler, easy, quieter time.  The streets are lined with cobblestones.  There are gorgeous galleries and fish restaurants. Shimmering sand beaches and white sails hoisted high. Beach roses, Nantucket red shorts and flip flops are all you need on this island.  That and maybe a good book if you tire of the view.

But that is highly unlikely.

vintage_map_nantucket

Anyway, my parents honeymooned on Nantucket before it was fashionable to go there and I’ve always heard beautiful stories of the island.  I have been a handful of times and it is as gorgeous as the pictures.

This chest is for Nantucket.

Nantucket_map_chest

Here is the before:

pine_chestA very yellow-ish chest devoid of character and class with a broken handle.

I knew I wanted a beachy effect so I did a wash with Pure White Chalk Paint® wiping back in sections all over the piece.  I wipe back with Viva paper towels.  Once that dried I did a wash of French Linen Chalk Paint® wiping back in areas.  I wanted to create that limed oak look.  As if the chest had a storied past of times by the sea.

close_up_washed_oak

The inside was dry brushed with Pure White.

interior_chest_dry_brushing

But the thing that makes this chest is Nantucket.

The vintage map with its folds and wrinkles.  It makes me wonder, “Who used this chart to sail around this gorgeous island?”

After flattening the map for a week with books.  We then cut it out to match the inserts in the tray.  This “we” that I’m talking about is the royal we as in Luke (you all know I hate to measure!).  I just was so scared of cutting it wrong and my whole vision for the Nantucket Chest would not come to fruition.

What can I say?!?  Luke is a genius and precise!

provence_chalk_paint_tray

I used 5 coats of Annie Sloan’s Decoupage to seal it in.  The first coat took a very long time to dry because the map is so thick.

The tray was painted with Annie’s Sloan’s Pure White and then Provence and distressed.  I waxed the entire piece with the exception of the map which is decoupaged.

We created our own rope pulls which add to the coastal effect.

rope_pulls

My friend Sara fell madly in the love with this chest at the Open Studio.  I had painted Beatrice for her two years ago which is in her entry.  The Nantucket Chest will be going in their sunroom which has water views.

So happy the Nantucket Chest has gone to a happy home!

starfish_interior_beachy_chest

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cassie
10 years ago

beautiful finish and i love the surprise inside! 🙂

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
10 years ago

Oh I just love Nantucket – the island and the chest! The map is such a cool surprise!

Jamie Farman
Jamie Farman
10 years ago

Omg I love this…..you are so creative! I LOVE everything about this.

Nancy
10 years ago

We honeymooned on Nantucket and I just love repurposed chart maps so this is the perfect combo for me. What a great transformation!

Jasmine
10 years ago

Looks great! did you need to water down the paint at all?

Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

I love it, Danielle! Such a cute surprise inside. I visited Nantucket many years ago before I had kids and loved it.

Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

Cynthia
10 years ago

I have never been to Nantucket and know people who have and they say it is gorgeous. You transported me there with your description above. This piece is so perfect that kind of space. I love the washed look and adding t he map really gives it charm and character.

Cynthia

Sarah
10 years ago

Oh, wow!!! The inside of this is amazing!! I have such a thing for maps. You/Luke did an awesome job piecing it together into the different sections…so cool!!!! Glad it went to a good home. Haven’t been to Nantucket in a while, but we might be heading there for the day (or maybe the Vineyard) this summer, yay!

Suzanne
10 years ago

Such a great idea! Love it!

Wendi @ H2OBungalow
10 years ago

Lovely! Found your beautiful project through Hometalk Tuesday and had to stop by! Amazing transformation adding the map inside was brilliant!

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique

The map is the perfect finishing touch Danielle – love it and the colours!!
I’m delighted to be featuring The Nantucket at tomorrow’s Shabbilicious Friday party.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

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