Replies

1. 
   Gretchen | Sep 09, 2009 05:47pm | #1

   I think the painted ones are very handsome when old and authentic. Actually blanket chests were often painted with milk paint without designs. I have several and love them all--painted and clear finish.

   When you say the grain isn't "pleasing" what do you mean--is it a big flame grain?  Have you wiped it down with mineral spirits to see what it would look like with a clear finish?  I do have a chest that has that big grain, and it did blotch badly, but I have become "one" with it over the years.

   Gretchen
1. 
   GoYouSalukis | Sep 09, 2009 07:31pm | #2

   Thanks,

   I like the ones painted without patterns as well. I may start there and then see if we still want to try a more complex pattern.

   The chest itself isn't too bad, although it consits of joined multiple boards, not a single plank and the grain match isn't so hot. The top is a bit of a mess. It has some deep water stains and a couple of somewhat poorly exectuted repairs (by the hinge attachement portion). I have been cruising the internet and see quite a few that have some sort of a faux finish as well. 

   I found one Dover book that says it has measured drawings

   http://books.google.com/books?id=e5RsrgSbVQQC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

   I assume that the drawings apply to the chest itself, not the patterns. I am not very artistically oriented, so any detailed photos or plans of the decorations would be great.

1. 
   webby | Sep 09, 2009 11:55pm | #3

   Often I have good luck with seemingly vague searches on the computer. My homepage, for no good reason, is set to yahoo. Often I will do an image search for something and see what returns I get.

   Go to yahoo and above the search bar click images. Then type in painted blanket chests. See what you get. You might try also antique painted chests.

   I have been away from my woodworking for a month or so, and as soon as I did the search, I saw some images that just quickened my pulse . I am definitely feeling the need to build something.

   Just my two cents worth, hope it helps.

   Webby 

    

   Edited 9/9/2009 4:58 pm ET by webby

2. 
   Gretchen | Sep 10, 2009 03:31pm | #4

   If the boards aren't single, as you say, I would paint it.  Milk paint with a little glaze over it for some "age" would be nice, in my opinion.Gretchen