Is it really day #13?? How did we get here so fast? March is flying by! Not to worry though , I still have 18 more fantastic thrifty makeovers on their way! 🙂
Let’s get to today’s makeover…this clock from the heart of the 80’s. This was a staple in 80’s décor:
Mine was navy blue, and I loved it. When I came across this one at the thrift store, I saw past the clock and instead envisioned it as a cool cabinet. I told you the other day I rarely pass up little cabinets since they are great sellers. I included a few affiliate links in this post so you can easily find the products I love too. Read my full Disclosure here.
Here is how I reimagined this one:
Cool, huh? The inside is where all the pretty is hiding…
Tada! I removed the original backing, all the clock parts, and the glass from both doors. Then I painted the whole piece in Behr’s Sparrow made into chalk paint.
The glass was replaced with this wire mesh we had leftover from a previous home reno project. I’ve used it on a couple of other projects like this DIY Spice Rack. We purchased ours online but I could not locate the exact one. I did find this option online and that retailer has a few options to choose from at a reasonable price. Grab a pair of tin snips while you’re there if you don’t have a pair already.
After I cut the metal panels to fit, I spray painted them with Rustoleum spray paint. The cabinet and the panels were sanded with 150-220 grit sandpaper. The cabinet was then dry-brushed for a little dimension and sealed with Annie Sloan’s clear soft wax.
The panels were reinserted and held in place using one of my favorite tools, my Logan point driver.
I covered the backing with this pretty paper I found on clearance at Michaels, adhering it using this spray adhesive.
I put my cosmetics in here for the photo ( the pretty looking ones, not the old dusty lip gloss smeared ones), and I think it works so perfectly for this purpose!
Or to hold a few wash cloths…
(I don’t let my hubby use these or the aqua ones like…I tell him they are my props! No using the props! 😀 )
Do you remember this basket I made over as one of my Flea Market Swap makeovers last year? Take a peek HERE at what it looked like before, and how easy it was to recover.
It’s perfect to hold my nail polishes…
The final step in this makeover was adding the hardware. I found both the knob and the handle in my stash. They were updated with white spray paint as well.
And that’s how I reimagined a clock cabinet straight out of 1988.
If you still own a clock like this, I don’t blame you. It was really hard to part with mine too.
I’ll be back tomorrow sharing what I did with this little metal holder:
UPDATE: You can see it HERE now!
If you missed any of my March Madness makeovers so far, here are the first 12:
1. DIY Tray from an Old Picture 2. Mini Shelf Makeover 3. Patterned Sofa Table 4. Antique Mirror Repurposed
5. Oval Rosette Mirror 6. Wooden Tote Redo 7. $5 Yard Sale Dresser Redo 8. DIY Jewelry Storage
9. The Perfect Necklace Holder 10. Spring Bird Nest Wreath 11. Shutter Cabinet Makeover 12. Updated Candelsticks
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
I love to share at these great parties:
The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Between Naps on the Porch Just a Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal
Addie says
You hit this fab makeover on the perfect night and you didn’t even mention it!!! YES!!! throw that clock out!!! We are moving the clocks forward, day light savings time, and that’s the way we want to keep it!!!
God Bless!!!
Addie
Christy K. James says
Oh HA HA! How could I possibly have missed that??? SO funny and fitting!! XOXO
Joanne Taggart says
Good morning Christy! Really enjoyed your post of Saturday and today. The 1980’s clock — oh my gosh! So 1980s! I’m going to keep my eyes open more and more for handles and knobs for future projects. And thanks for the chuckle – don’t let hubby use the props! Have a great weekend!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Joanne! This really is a perfect representation of country décor in the 80’s lol. I wasn’t 100% optimistic I could completely remove that stigma from this little cabinet, but I think I did ha ha! 🙂
Jenna says
Wow Christie, I didn’t see this coming! Fabulous! I love all your OPI too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jenna! My poor toes could surely use some of that polish lol. 🙂
Tina Matteson says
Oh.My.Goodness. Every time I think I just cannot possibly imagine how you could update that ugly thing… you outdo yourself! I love it so much! Thanks for sharing all these great, inspiring ideas!
Christy K. James says
I’m so glad you like it, Tina! I’ll admit I wasn’t completely confident I could update this either at first ha ha! XO
Jackie says
Once again, I am amazed at your ability to see far beyond what an object appears to be. Maybe I’ll call it your “Cinderella Effect”, being able to see what something can be with a little help. Envious. But you have inspired me, so… maybe with a little (lot) of practice. *Sigh
Quick question:
Looked at your point driver with link provided, do you use the flexible or rigid points?
I’m trying to decide when a flexible point would be used if ever.
Thanks for your amazing posts!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thanks, Jackie!! You are too sweet! I use the rigid points, not sure what the flexible ones would be used for either? XOXO
Jayne Slovick says
I don’t know how you can imagine these makeovers.
Your photo looks like you’re just a kid. How could you be decorating in the 80’s?
Christy K. James says
Ha ha I am 44. I had my first apartment in 1990 and I had one of these, but I consider this style more 80’s 🙂
Ange says
Good morning Christy! Since it’s raining up here in Eastern Washington, it’s a good day to just relax and enjoy your post. I wish I had your energy and especially some of your creative DNA. Have a wonderful Sunday and thank you again for a fantastic blog filled with so many clever ideas.
Christy K. James says
Oh yes a rainy day is like a guilt-free day indoors! We got a little rain this evening…started pouring just as we threw our steaks on the grill. Thanks for always stopping by with your sweet comments…I truly appreciate every one! 🙂 XO
Doreen @ Altered Artworks says
That is such a great transformation. Love how you completely changed it with some creativity and paint.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Doreen! 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
You are so good at coming up with ways to repurpose things. Yesterday when you showed us the picture of your clock, I had no idea what you would do with it. Turning it in to a cabinet is a great and useful idea.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Paula! You are so kind! I’m glad I was able to make it work like I imagined. XOXO
Rose L. says
WOW! That is a big change. You would never know it was a clock!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Rose! 🙂
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Love it Christy and how you put your magic touch on it. Night and day between the before and after pictures.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie! I’m glad I was able to break it free of its dated look. 🙂
Kathy says
What would happen if I used satin finish latex to mix with the calcium carbonate ? I have about 30 beautiful shades of sample paint & would love to try this. Have you ever? Love your project!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Kathy! You could mix a small sample and try it out. Because a little sanding is needed after painting to smooth everything out, I don’t know if it being a satin paint, would end up looking shiny in some areas and dull in others? I’d love to know myself. I say give a try on something small and then come tell me lol. Good luck! 🙂
Susan says
Nice job Christy! I did the same with a clock cabinet. Did you see it? I’m using it in my bathroom for a makeup cabinet. Love yours 🙂
Christy K. James says
Just checked yours out…very cute!! I love how you flipped it upside down and added screen to make it look like a mini screen door! I staged mine with makeup because I was looking for something that would match the paper I added to the back, but it is a great purpose for this sized cabinet! Great minds 🙂 XOXO
Jayne Slovick says
I have the rigid and the flexible point drivers. I personally like the flexible ones best. The flexible points bend open so you can change what is in the frame without pulling out the points and putting new ones in. You just put the new picture in and bend the points down flat again.
Christy K. James says
Good to know, Jayne…thanks for weighing in!
LaFawne says
Our Home Depot (in Waxahachie, TX) carries the metal squares in different patterns and sizes. Love what you did with the clock!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, LaFawne! XO
Dawn says
As Always!…You floor me!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks for such a sweet comment, Dawn! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Wow, that is a great makeover Christy!! Much better than ole 80’s!!! lol
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy!! XO
Susan says
So very cute. And the basket! You have my favorite OPI polish in there! My Chihuahua Bites, correct?
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Susan! And yep…that’s one of my two favorites as well! 🙂
Martha Rekni says
I kept this post on Pinterest ever since you put this out back in March in hopes I would find one of these old clocks. Well it’s happened. I found one at Goodwill this past week and will be making my own little cabinet. Thank you for your inspiration!
Christy says
Oh awesome!!! I haven’t seen another one since then ha ha. They make such great little storage cabinets…have fun with yours!! 🙂
jennifer says
Super Cute!
The advertisements on your website are super annoying. A video kept trying to play and every-time I scrolled down to read your post and look at photos it popped me right back to the video ad….. I almost clicked right out of your blog.
Christy says
Oh no…that isn’t suppose to happen. I’m so sorry you had that experience here! Please let me know if it happens again and what was being advertised so I can report it. Thank you, Jennifer!