When a keepsake doesn't fit in your suitcase

Seventeen years ago our family eagerly anticipated the arrival of a baby girl. As we nervously awaited her “Gotcha Day” we did what we Joneses do–we busied ourselves. My brother and sister-in-law busied themselves preparing a home for their new daughter. I busied myself making a small quilt, and Dad . . . well Dad did what a woodworker does. He built this wardrobe for her nursery.

You can tell by looking that a lot of time and a lot of love went into this piece. And if you try to move it, you can tell that it was built sturdy and strong . . . built to last. My sister-in-law painted the wardrobe white, made some pink gingham curtains, and even painted the drawer pulls to look like pink gingham. It looked absolutely precious in her nursery and it was loved. A few years later my brother’s family moved overseas, and as you can imagine, the wardrobe would not fit in their luggage. . . . and now it lives with me in my studio. Pink gingham is adorable in a nursery, but it didn’t quite fit the decor theme I had in mind for the studio.

So armed with some DIY paint, an IOD stamp, and some JRV stencils, I set out to give this beloved piece of furniture a makeover.

There were a few places where the tannins had bled through the paint. Even though I was going to be using darker colors, I didn’t want to take a chance on them bleeding through again. I used some clear DIY Salvation Solution on the drawer fronts that had tannin spots.

After one coat of DIY paint (weathered wood) I was seriously wondering, “Did I just ruin this piece?”

But it did get better after a second coat.

For the top coat, I used DIY paint (Old 57) After painting I wet distressed the piece to bring back some of the DIY Weathered Wood.

I was loving the way the paint was turning out, but what to do about the curtain? I had a beautiful fabric that I had intended to use as a curtain, but I just didn’t love it with the paint.

I hemmed and pressed some drop cloth and used the JRV stencil (American Mills) and DIY paint (weathered wood) at the top of the curtain. I also used JRV stencil (Grain Sack Stripes) and DIY paint (Old 57) at the bottom of the curtain.

So how did the piece turn out? A little bit of paint gave this piece a new life and a new purpose.

Now instead of holding baby clothes, it holds craft supplies in my studio and I’m super happy to hold on to this keepsake . . . at least until my niece can figure out a way to fit in her suitcase.

Update:

I am happy to report that this piece of furniture has been reunited with its rightful owner, who is now living in California and will soon be headed to college.