I am one project shy of completing my kitchen makeover and I am so excited! If you are new here (welcome!) or haven’t been by in a while, I finally took the plunge and painted my kitchen cabinets! It’s been on my to-to list for years. You can see some of the progress here. Like I said, I have one more project to complete before I can call this room done.
In the meantime, I want to share this little rolling kitchen cart redo.
My kitchen has a huge void in the middle…
I was just starting to prep for painting in this picture. I always wanted to add some sort of island here, but my husband preferred the open feel. When I found this cart I figured it wasn’t huge and its on wheels, so it can be moved at any time. So it’s a win-win, right? Plus, I found it at a yard sale for only $15!
Here it is before, very plain and quite boring:
Here it is now:
So much better and it adds a pretty pop of color to my kitchen. I started with one coat of Old White Annie Sloan Chalk paint, so that would show through when sanding. (No need to sand or prime prior with chalk paint.) Then I gave it one coat of a mix of Old White and Duck Egg blue Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. After the paint was dry, I used 220 grit sandpaper to sand until I got the look I wanted.
My blogging buddy, Nancy is always throwing colors together and I loved this chair she painted recently (it’s fabric and yes, she painted it…go see!), so I was inspired to make a similar mix for this cart. I finished it off with a coat of Annie Sloan’s clear soft wax. (You can see a sneak peek of my cabinets in the background, but that’s all you get for now. 🙂 )
One thing I really love about having this little cart here is it not only gives me a little more prep space, it adds a bit of storage too.
Because I made some changes where my DIY Spice Cabinet was hanging, I had to take it down. The drawer in this cart is the perfect size to accommodate my spices now:
I sanded the butcher block since I felt a bit funny that it had been used before. Then I sealed it with a few coats of mineral oil. I went to my local Walmart and asked someone where I could find mineral oil. About five people later, I was finally directed to the pharmacy. It says on the bottle in big letters: “Lubricant Laxative”. Hmmm…awkward. I felt just a wee bit embarrassed that I was asking about it all over the store ha ha. I swear I only want it to seal my butcher block!
I’ve mentioned before that my house is as open concept as it gets. You can see here the kitchen opens right up to the dining room:
My kitchen is a total budget DIY job, so don’t expect fancy new pendants (which I want really bad), or brand new hardwood floors (which I really want even more), but do expect a fresh new (looking) space and all the details that go with it very soon!
I can’t wait to share 🙂
OOH Just like magic…here’s my “New” Kitchen!
XO,
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Denise says
I love the pop of color it adds to the kitchen. I have a similar cart that I keep my big mixer plus all of my baking utensils in….it’s so handy to have everything I need in one place. Looking forward to your full kitchen reveal!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Denise…I love the tall storage beneath too! Can’t wait to share the finished kitchen 🙂
Carolyn Price says
You inspire me with every post. Every! Single! One!
I want to redo a cabinet that was my parents’ and has been sitting in my sister’s garage for decades. I just may pick it up when we drive to Illinois this summer …. (We’re on the NC coast.)
I have grays and this shade of aqua blue as accent around our cottage on a marsh. Do you remember where you purchased the towel that hangs on the side? Was it a recent purchase?
Thanks for any info, Christy!! : )
Christy K. James says
Aww thank you, Carolyn! This would be perfect in a cottage kitchen. I found these towels at either Target or Homegoods. 🙂
Carolyn Price says
PS: Can’t wait to see your kitchen finished!!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I really am loving that little cart Christy! And I do actually like it in there. Looking at that bigger picture, I can tell you my island is in a similar sized space! The color is perfect! (and what a steal!) I can not wait to see the whole kitchen! OH and thank you my sweet friend for the shout out! 🙂
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
I’m glad you like it, Nancy! I think it will work just fine in there. I may still move the chair though. I love how the color turned out…your chair really did inspire me. It’s so pretty! Hope you have a fantastic weekend!! XO XO
Cindy@DIYbeautify says
What a great makeover…cannot wait to see your kitchen reveal. Oh, and good to know about the mineral oil…hahaha…thanks for breaking the ice on that one for the rest of us DIYers 🙂 (I would have just said my husband needed it, lol)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy! Isn’t that so funny about the mineral oil? It’s been sitting on my kitchen counter for a couple of days now and I’m surprised my husband hasn’t asked about it. 🙂
Andi says
I love it! And I see your sexy new white cabinets peeking out in the background… 🙂
xoxo
-andi
Christy K. James says
I was adding glass to a couple today. That was my one big project I had left to do. And yes, they are so very sexy 😉
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Oh. My. Goodness. That is absolutely adorable. The color is perfect and I love that it give more space and prep room without taking up too much space on its own. Score!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Anele! I am so pleased with how it turned out and the extra storage is a bonus! XO
Linda says
Great makeover! Thanks for sharing.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Linda! XO
Jenny says
Great makeover, looks wonderful!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jenny 🙂
Jeanne says
hi Christy, LOVE IT! You were so lucky to score it at a yard sale too!
BTW, you could DIY some hanging pendants quite easily by either repurposing something you may already own, or improvising from some of the great wire baskets you can buy or make (presuming this is direction you want). This Old House online had a great mason jar pendant that someone DIY’d.
Trust me, you DO NOT want hardwood in the kitchen. When we redid our kitchen (DIY, most of expense for appliances and glass tile backsplash that made the room). We put in Lumber Liquidators Brazilian Cherry hardwood and it has been a nightmare, because given that we have a large dog and a lot of gardening mud, it scratched from the start. If you want the look, IMHO opt for tile that looks like wood or a laminate product. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jeanne! This was a great score, for sure! I’ve never made my own lighting before and had never actually considered it. You’ve got my wheels turning now! As for the floor, we will most likely go with a laminate. There are so many great options that look just like real wood now. Thanks for the heads up 🙂
Sherri Smith says
Amazing!!! And for $15…such a perfect piece for that spot. I love how you updated it too. And the hydrangeas are just gorgeous!!!
Blessings…
~Sherri
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sherri! I was so excited to find this. I think it’s just what that empty space needed. Oh and I love the hydrangeas too! I wish I could have fresh ones year round. Have a great weekend! 🙂
Michelle says
Christy, great job! And your special paint mix is perfect!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Michelle!
JaneEllen says
I have a kitchen cart very much like that one, love it since I can move it around when i need to. I do much of my project painting on that cart, good height for me. Love the colors you used on yours. It looks so much nicer, looks like it fits in well with your kitchen and dining room. Hubs is afraid to stand still too long, I might paint him since we painted l/r. Your cart has given me the push I needed to decide what to do with mine.
I need to sand butcher block top due to paint I get on it. Been trying to decide what color to paint mine. We just painted our l/r a very light gray with different shades of aquas/whites and little bit of coral. The new curtains are also little darker gray with white design all over. The curtains are what started the whole theme. I don’t plan things I go with what I feel, seems to work better for me. So glad I found your post, you’ve inspired me so much. Happy days
Christy K. James says
Good to hear from you, JaneEllen! My hubby better not stand still too long either ha! I’m always painting something. I bet your living room is looking fantastic! XO
Arell Olson says
Your island look fantastic! I have been thinking of adding something very similar to my kitchen and your post really has inspired me.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Arell! I’m so glad you feel inspired 🙂
Pamela says
Amazing…. what can’t you do? I am amazed and inspired.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Pamela! Don’t ask me to arrange flowers, that’s something I definitely can’t do 🙂
Shanna Gilbert says
Christy I am in love with this makeover! What a difference some paint can make! I love that beachy look you got. Amazing job girl!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shanna! That means a lot coming from you 🙂
Carmody says
I have a cart very similar that came with our home. The bottom is painted a dark/stained brown. This has inspired me to tackle the cart and paint it. Love the color you chose.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Carmody! I’m so glad you feel inspired 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Wow Christy, $15.00!!! Talk about a great score – would have cost you a small fortune to buy one brand new, especially with a butcher block top. It’s perfect for a small island in your kitchen – love the paint color goodness you gave it too.
Christy K. James says
This was a lucky find for sure! Thanks, Marie!
shonee says
wow what a great find, and the price cant be beat! I totally laughed out loud when I read your mineral oil story, too funny! The island looks great. Cant wait to see the whole kitchen.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shonee! That was a tiny awkward moment ha ha! Looking forward to sharing the rest 🙂
Brianna Simmons (@Casualtravelist) says
I love this cart and I’m rofl at the whole mineral oil scenario!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Brianna! Wasn’t that funny? I should have known what it was typically used for ha ha!
Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says
Your kitchen cart looks great! I love the transformation! Cute story about the mineral oil! 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Allison! Isn’t that funny? It never occurred to me what it was actually used for. 🙂
Amanda {Burlap & Babies} says
Awesome cart makeover. And I love how to helps transform the kitchen!! Would love it if you shared this at our Motivational Monday party at Burlap and Babies.
{http://www.burlapandbabies.com/2014/06/motivational-monday_23.html}
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Amanda! Glad to link up, thanks for the invite! 🙂
Cheryl M says
This is so inspiring and the colour? Well, what can I say? It is absolutely perfect! I look forward to seeing your entire kitchen redone. Mine is too awful for words and I am beyond stuck trying to figure out what to do with it.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Cheryl! My kitchen (thank goodness) is done! You can see the full reveal here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/kitchen-makeover/ A kitchen always seems so daunting, doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping by!
karine lugo says
me encanta todo lo que tienes por aquí y en especial como explicas todo y donde conseguir los materiales…me es de utilidad…gracias por enseñarnos un poco de tus proyectos y de tu hogar!.
Christy K. James says
Gracias! Usted es bienvenido! 🙂
Betty Dotson says
Christy,
This cart is simply beautiful & exactly what I need for my small kitchen. I’m so glad I found your Blog. I’m hoping to find a cart I can redo because the only one I can find now is $129.00 on walmart.com!
I was wondering about the hours at the Antique Mall. Our grandson lives in Virginia Beach & we will be visiting him & I really want to check it our while I’m there.
Thanks,
Betty
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Betty! This was a lucky find for sure, and I believe this originally came from Walmart as well. The Antique Mall hours are M-F 10-6, Sat 10-5, and Sun 12-5. We’d love to have you come visit! XO
Betty Dotson says
I’m looking forward to browsing through the mall, especially your booth. It will probably be closer to Christmas before we get down there. We are 4 hours away in Central Virginia. That way if I fall in love with something, it can be my Christmas present! Yea!
Betty
Christy K. James says
There are only a couple of us with repurposed/Upcycled pieces, but the place is pretty big, so hopefully you’ll find something you want to bring home 🙂
Laura S. says
I’m so glad to finally know where to get food grade mineral oil for the cutting boards!! I’ve searched high and low and have been using coconut oil, which works pretty good and doesn’t go rancid but I’ve really wanted that mineral oil. Thanks!!
Christy says
Ha ha yes…it has worked well!