Today is Themed Furniture Makeover Day and this month’s theme is Storage and Organization. There are some sneak peeks of my friends’ fantastic projects at the end of this post, so I’d love for you to visit them after you’re finished reading my tutorial. {See all of my other TFMD projects HERE.}
I got this grungy metal cabinet this past summer and I knew it would be perfect for this theme. When I was cleaning it, I saw papers through the holes on the bottom. After removing the last drawer, I found a “secret” storage area filled with someone’s paystubs from the mid-70s through the mid-80s and some other random paperwork.
I’m not gonna lie, I was really hoping for a stash of cash hiding in there. 😉
A couple weeks ago I FINALLY bought Duck Egg Blue in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I’ve been wanting to try this color forever! Honestly I thought my first project with it would be some super feminine piece, but this grungy cabinet was screaming for some moody blue loveliness.
I put three coats of paint on (no sanding at all, and the Chalk Paint worked wonderfully on the metal!) and had to be careful around the hardware because it can’t be removed.
I did make a few mistakes but they’ll be easy to fix.
Next I’m going to seal it with Annie Sloan’s clear wax.
Here’s a handy before/after comparison:
So what do you think of my painted metal cabinet makeover?
I’m loving it in Duck Egg!!
Jen
Susan says
I absolutely adore your moody blue cabinet. It combines 3 of my favorite things – organizing, the color blue, and a funky mid-century vibe.
Lindsay Eidahl says
I love the little drawers on this piece! Great find. Looks so much better with that pretty paint color.
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
Love that file cabinet and the color is perfect! That would be such a good place to store stencils!
Kimm at Reinvented & Roadkill Rescue says
Oh how I love that color. It’s perfect for that piece. And yay for vintage drawers of loveliness!
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
What a fresh new look for an outdated piece, Jen! And to think it was all done with chalk paint. Maahvelous!
Amy Rattleff says
Duck egg was a perfect choice for this metal cabinet! I would say marvelous blue over moody blue!
Marie at the Interior Frugalista says
I think duck egg is the perfect color for this metal file cabinet – so fresh and far from industrial looking now!
Jolinda says
what a great storage cabinet. The choice of paint made all the difference and I love the handles with room for description cards.
Amy | Canary Street Crafts says
SO much better! I love the fresh new color. It’s so pretty now! And how cool is a secret compartment? Wish there would’ve been something good in there!
Shanna Gilbert says
What a difference some paint can make! Love that color!
[email protected] says
Paint gives this piece a fresh look. I know I’d like to have this piece in my craft room for storage.
Breanna says
Such a pretty color! Love it.
Lucy @ Patina Paradise says
Great find and the color updates it so nicely!
[email protected] of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
I love this in Duck Egg Blue, Jen! SO much better! XO
kandice says
this is awesome! love it
Susan says
Great color! I painted mine too and it is still in perfect shape a year later with a lot of use.
Jen says
Thank you Susan! I couldn’t go through with painting the insides of all the drawers, but it sold quickly anyway. 😉