Before & After: Michelle’s Industrial Jewelry Chest

Carolyn PurnellHistorian
Carolyn PurnellHistorian
Carolyn is a lover of all things colorful and quirky. She grew up in Texas and settled in L.A. by way of Chicago, England and Paris. She is the author of The Sensational Past: How the Enlightenment Changed the Way We Use Our Senses.
published Feb 26, 2013
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Two rusty black metal cabinets outside on a concrete and brick surface, labeled "before."
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(Image credit: Michelle Tisdale)

When Michelle found these old tool chests at a fairground in Norman, Oklahoma, she immediately envisioned a way to restore them to their former glory and put them to good use. With a great deal of work and some serious elbow grease, they became what she calls her “keeper of treasures.”

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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
tan sofa on pink chair

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For some interiors the rustic industrial look might have worked, but the edges were sharp, the piece was covered in grime, and rust had overtaken the original finish. By refinishing the piece Michelle hoped not only to make the exterior more suitable for her decor but also to restore the smooth functionality of the piece.

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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

With some sanding, a coat of primer, three coats of paint, and some added felt drawer liners, Michelle was left with a fashionable piece of furniture that could safely house all of her most precious pieces. She reports, “I filled all but a couple drawers, so I have room to grow… Now I just need to memorize where I put everything!”

(Images: Michelle Tisdale)

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Organizing
before & after
organizing & storage

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