This liming wax oak wood chest “before and after” is brought to you in part by RYOBI Power Tools. Get the full tutorial on RYOBI Nation. For more liming wax projects, watch this tutorial on how to use liming wax.
The first time I saw a piece of wood furniture with liming wax on oak, I melted. All this time I’ve been painting furniture, covering up that beautiful wood grain, and not even realizing that white liming wax had the transformational power to make me fall in love with wood!
Ever since I built my custom bathroom vanity from scratch (I used red oak), I discovered how magical liming wax on raw wood can look. I also learned how expensive red oak is. So when I was at the thrift store months ago and saw this amazing oak chest for $40, I knew it could be beautiful with liming wax, just like my vanity does!
The best part is that I had a gift card for the thrift store because I had won a thrifting contest months before. There’s nothing like finding “free” furniture at the thrift store, am I right??
This is what it looked like when I was ready to refinish the wood chest. I’m not a fan of that outdated honey-colored oak. Not one bit.
BEFORE
I lugged that baby home with me, stored in the garage for a few months. And I’ll admit--as I pulled the oak chest out into the driveway to refinish it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this chest looked an awful lot like--gasp!--a coffin! Would you believe I went online and started googling “coffins” just to see how similar mine was to an actual coffin. It was so morbid that I immediately closed the window and vowed to just keep moving forward, despite the--ahem--design challenges.
Although I think it still looks a tad bit like a coffin, let’s just say it’s a more modern and upscale coffin now! LOL
AFTER!
I monogramed my initials on the front out of aluminum sheet metal, too, which gives this wood chest a personal touch. If you can believe it, hubby said he actually likes this project (if you have known him, he tends to not really care much about my projects, LOL). But this project--he says I should have put his initials because he wants it. That’s a promising sign that I did something right!
Someone on my YouTube channel had a great idea: to replace the handles with something else more sleek. I love that idea. I had tried to remove these handles but they’re glued on. I would hav had to cut them off. Not impossible, but one extra step that I didn’t feel like doing. So refinishing them was the best option.
I dyed the inside of this wood chest, as well, to darken up the wood a bit. You can find all the details of this project on RYOBI Nation.
What I love about using liming wax is that the grain comes alive. On the “BEFORE,” there was nothing about the wood chest that stood out to me. It was good quality but very boring. But with the liming wax it looks….expensive. And that metal monogram takes it to a whole ‘nother level, if I do say so myself.
To get the materials list for how I used liming wax on this oak chest, visit RYOBI Nation. Or you can watch the tutorial on my YouTube channel, as well!
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Jean C. says
The chest is so much better! And what an easy update. The great thing about your blog ideas is that they make me look differently at the stuff I find in thrift shops. Instead of walking past an ugly piece of wood furniture or decor, I can reimagine them by using liming wax. Thank you!
Theresa says
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your Family!!! The chest is gorgeous. It looks like a brand new piece of furniture. You’re awesome and I enjoy looking at your projects. You give me the push I need to do my own projects.
Christy says
Love what you did!
two questions:
1- it was hard to tell the size….did you mention that?
2-Where did you get your initials?
Thanks!
Barbara Warner says
Serena,
Your chest turned out beautifully! I like the color and what a difference in the look of the wood. The initials/monogram add so much to the whole piece. Job well done!
Serena Appiah says
Hi Barbara! Thank you so much! It turned out much better than I expected! I was worried that stripping the wood wouldn’t allow the finishing to turn out as great as if it were new wood, but the sanding worked wonders! 🙂
Clearissa Coward says
Oh my, I have never heard of liming wax. But let me tell you that that is one beautiful piece. You always do beautiful work, but this is just gorgeous. No wonder your husband wants it. 🙂
Serena Appiah says
Oooh, you’ve got to get your hands on some liming wax!! It’s great for oak. I have a table in my basement that someone gave me years ago from an old job. I am thinking of stripping it and using liming wax on it with the raw wood! 🙂 Thank you so much for the compliments!
Lynn says
Wow! Major difference!!!
Great you had that vision.
This is something I would never have considered doing, now Im thinking “YEAH!”
Serena Appiah says
YAY! Glad you like it, Lynn!! 🙂
Suzie says
I love how the piece looks with the liming wax and monogram. It’s a lovely trunk. All the time you were describing it as a coffin, I was thinking that if you were to swap the handles and locking clasps with leather straps, it would look like a steamer trunk, much less coffin-y, but then I got to the part where you said the handles were immovable. It was mostly the original colour that set the coffin vibe, tho, so the wax and the monogram really make a difference, now it’s a beautiful box for storing whatever you need.
Serena Appiah says
Thanks, Suzie! I agree with the handles! I would have had to cut them off. And while I could have done that, I was worried I would have damaged the wood, so I figured I would just refinish it with the handles. But you’re right–new sleek metal handles would have been fabulous! Thanks for checking out my project!! 🙂
Celia Albert says
I really enjoy your projects and you’ve inspired me a lot, although often more than I think I can take on, so admire your work! You also are funny, and did look like a coffin but you did a great makeover!
Serena Appiah says
Awww, thanks, Celia! Great to know I’ve inspired you! That’s my goal! 🙂
Margaret Albert says
OMG I love it now! It did look like a coffin LOL. BEAUTIFUL now, good for storing extra blankets, etc. Thanks again!
Serena Appiah says
Thanks, Margaret! Hubby has laid claim to it so I need to find a great place to put it. Probably in his office. But that office is SUCH a mess, I have no idea how it will even “fit” in there. It’s such a hodge podge of stuff in there. LOL
Rachelmary says
I so enjoy watching your projects. Please keep them coming.🙂🐢
Serena Appiah says
I definitely will, Rachel!! 🙂 Thank you!