Credenza Makeover-How To Make Outside Furniture Weather-Resistant | Days of Chalk and Chocolate

Credenza Makeover-How To Make Outside Furniture Weather-Resistant

Share It:
I recently refinished an old credenza I found in my neighbor's garbage. My grandma used to say things like credenza. I guess I should also call jeans dungarees now too since I'm using the word credenza. But I really don't know what else to call it. So anyway, I took it out of the garbage and it looked like this.



and with a little sanding, painting, and waxing I made it into this!


I wanted to have something on our deck that I could store some things in for impromptu snacks, drinks, etc. Not really a bar, although I'm not sure what else to call it. But I will put napkins, paper towels, plastic cups and plates, utensils, etc. in the bottom for those times the kids want a picnic or we end up with a gajillion kids over to play. 

I knew I wanted to use it outside so I wanted it to be rustic and maybe even a little nautical. And I wanted to spend as little money as I could to get it looking that way (hence the rope-knot handles in lieu of hardware).

I sanded it down smooth and stained the top. Once that was dry I taped it off from the rest of the piece. I used Valspar spray paint in red.


Then I just used some sand paper to rub a little of the red paint off.


I rubbed some dark walnut stain on and then rubbed it right off just to darken the paint a bit.  

I knew I wanted it to be a little more weather resistant than just varnished wood so I gave it several coats with a marine grade (boat) varnish. I chose Rustoleum Spar Varnish and it went on so nicely. No drips, smooth application, and a nice semi-glossy finish even though it says glossy.


The doors on either side don't open so I wasn't worried about hardware. I used some white rope and it works just fine!  We kept extra soda in it yesterday during Ellie's birthday party and it was quite handy!






 Hope you had a great weekend!

Cheers!
Jenny  

9 comments:

  1. I LOVE it! You did a great job and I love how the color came out. I'm wanting to make something for our deck and you have given me inspiration. Thanks for the tip about the marine varnish I think that will come in handy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! What a fun makeover and I love the color. Great tip on the spray on marine finish. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh wow, Jenny! It's gorgeous! I'm including a link back in this week's DIY highlights. Thanks so much for sharing! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful Jenny! Thanks for sharing the tip about using boat varnish. I will try this on my potting bench. Blessings to you, Patti

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great idea to use it outside. It is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this piece, so fun and the color is perfect. Great redo. Thanks tons for the visit and your gracious comments. This would be a perfect piece for you to link up to my ongoing Inspire Me Tuesday party. http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/06/170th-inspire-me-tuesday.html Hope to see you there. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  7. Totally digging the nautical look here! Great job, and what a cool idea to keep it outside!
    -Lindsey@BetterAfter

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looking at the date, I feel like it's a good time to ask, has it held up to the elements? Would you do anything differently now? Looks great, by the way. Would love to do something like this too.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments!