Before and After: This $60 Lane Cedar Chest Makeover Is Remarkable
When Nicole Goodreau and her fiancé spotted this mid-century Lane cedar chest at their local Goodwill for $30, they knew they had to have it. While the existing army green color and retro knobs didn’t fit their home’s modern aesthetic, they were confident that, with a little elbow grease, they could transform it into the perfect storage piece for their petite city apartment.
Little by little the couple chipped away at their new upcycling project in between classes and other activities. After Nicole’s fiancé sanded and stained the top and bottom of the chest in a dark finish, they painted the middle section Nocturne Blue by Behr. Bar cabinet pulls from Home Depot in a golden champagne brass added a hint of modern sophistication.
The project was a gradual process that took about two weeks to complete from start to finish. In addition to the $30 it cost to purchase the chest, they spent $30 on materials, making the whole project cost a mere $60. When we asked Nicole what the hardest part about the process was, her answer surprised us:
The biggest setback was fitting it in our car! It took over an hour in a Goodwill parking lot to get it to fit get unscrewing the legs and other parts.
Nicole’s favorite part about the chest is the dual color and surprise cedar chest for maximum storage. While obtaining the perfect storage piece in this scenario may have taken more time and effort than shopping for a ready-made item, it’s the process that makes it special. Here are Nicole’s words of advice for those looking to take on a renovation project:
It takes a lot of love and hard work, but it is one of the most satisfying rewards getting to see it every day.
Thanks for sharing, Nicole!