Upcycled Storage Cabinet Makeover – Trash to Treasure

Today I’m sharing a storage cabinet that I recently redid.  I use the word “storage” loosely.  It’s made out of pretty flimsy boards and I think it’s meant to hold CDs or DVDs. (Or maybe it’s a toilet paper tower? Ha!)  Anyway it is super tall and thin.  I bought it from someone on Facebook months ago and honestly had buyer’s remorse afterward.  I had no idea what to do with it!

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First I painted all of it in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.  Then I added a graphic on the front.  To do this I created a vertical word in PicMonkey, printed it onto a transparency sheet, and then used an overhead projector and traced the letters onto the cabinet with a pencil.

Then I laid the cabinet down and painted the letters with black craft paint and a thin brush.  The idea was for it to look like one of those old vintage signs that people often hang in their homes. 

I know it’s almost impossible to find an overhead projector anymore, so you could also easily add a rub-on image transfer instead.

I distressed it lightly by sanding, and finally applied a coat of Annie Sloan’s clear wax for protection.

And here it is all finished…

From plain old boring to so charming, right?

This little cabinet has so much character now, and would fit in any narrow space.

I adore these vintage suitcases I picked up awhile ago – they were an added bonus to my antique buffet I was buying from a lady.  They weren’t for sale until I asked and made her an offer.  There’s proof that it never hurts to ask!

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Now visit my friends’ awesome thrifty projects below: