Here’s a secret, and a good tip if you’re new to painting furniture… this is probably the most forgiving, difficult-to-mess-up type of painted furniture makeover you can do.
This cabinet was a split-second decision – I was on Facebook and saw it advertised that the seller wanted it gone right away, and luckily for me the lady was only about ten minutes from my mom’s house, where I was visiting with the boys. I quickly asked my mom if she minded if I ran over to get it – and woohoo, it was even better in person.
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Sure it had some weird surface damage on the door panels, but I was going to paint it anyway. It was well-made and a solid storage piece with countless different uses.
While I was working on it, I referred to it as “the pantry,” which may have confused my husband a couple times. 😉
That orangey wood was destined to bleed through, so I primed it first with a couple coats of my favorite shellac primer and then lightly sanded for smoothness.
Then I gave this cabinet makeover a similar treatment as this weathered bench I updated awhile back. Lightly brush paint all over without worrying about perfectly even coverage.
It was painted using my favorite brand of paint brush with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – Old White and then sanded it all over, especially on the edges for a distressed, worn look.
Learn all my best advice for painting furniture with Chalk Paint here.
This piece was ready for its debut at a market, so that’s where I quickly snapped these After photos. (Just barely in time!)
Those plain porcelain pulls had to go, and she got some new textured bling instead from Hobby Lobby.
The inside was in good shape so I just cleaned it well and left it unpainted.
Here’s a look at the before and after of this simple yet beautiful cabinet makeover again:
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I could see this being used in a kitchen as a pantry, in a bedroom for shoes, in a bathroom for towels and toiletries, even in the living room for books or kids’ games. What would you use a piece like this for? – Jen
Robyn Wright says
I would love this as storage for my craft room. Curious: How long does a project like this take?
Naomi S. says
Jen, I have been looking for something like this to store my sewing fabric in. This would have to have shelves put in but otherwise it would be perfect.
Nice job!
Kathleen MacEllis says
Beautiful work, as always! You amaze me ! I would personally love to have one like this for my yarn and craft supplies !
Jamie says
What a beautiful transformation. Did you paint the inside as well or did you just leave it as is?
Cora says
Beautiful job! My daughter lives in a small NYC apt. and pieces like this work great for storage for cookware, pantry food or linens and don’t take up a lot of room.
Jen says
Robyn, it could easily be done in less than a day. It took me longer though with three kids and a puppy needing attention 😉
Jen says
Thank you, Jamie. I left the inside as-is.
LoriA says
This is the exact cabinet we have and I have been wrestling with whether to paint it so these posts are great! We got our cabinet 30 years ago from Kmart of all places. It needed to be sanded and finished and put together! A fun project for someone learning. Just thought you might like to know the ‘possible’ life of your cabinet 🙂