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Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Simple DIY tutorials and thrifty furniture and decor makeovers

Antique Cabinet Makeover {& an Alternative to Replacing the Glass Door Panel}

Do y’all love chocolate as much as I do? There are few things I love more, but how about as a theme for a furniture makeover? Today my furniture flippin friends and I are all sharing furniture makeovers inspired by chocolate. Say what?

A few weeks ago I spied an antique cabinet at the DAV thrift store near my house. It was $79 and probably totally worth that, but the door was missing the glass and didn’t close real smoothly so I passed. I went back a week later and it was marked to $49! I just couldn’t pass it up the second time:

Antique-Paris-Cabinet-Before-

It doesn’t actually look too bad in this photo but it wasn’t great in person. I’m not exactly sure what was built up on that corner there, but there were a few places like that…

Antique-Cabinet-Before

I decided this would be the piece I would use for this themed makeover, and I had the perfect plan. I decided that with Valentine’s Day so near and all that I would give this makeover a romantic feel. Chocolate=romance right? (For my Hubby it does…wink wink.)

And what would be a better way to translate romance to a piece of furniture than a French love letter stencil?

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Pretty, right? Okay so it’s not brown like chocolate…but how about white chocolate? And hmmm that does NOT look anything remotely close to a French love letter on the door there.

Okay you got me. That love letter stencil business turned out to be a big hot mess. I knew I wanted to add a panel to the door instead of replacing the glass so it could provide closed storage, and my original plan was to add the pretty French script across the entire door panel. It was a huge fail. I use spray adhesive like always, but instead of using a small brush like I usually do, I used a sponge and it was a blobby disaster. I decided I needed a plan B, stat.  But anything Paris is romantic right? So this is plan B. And romance=chocolate, right? (Even if it is white. 😉 )

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

The door panel is hardboard. It’s like pegboard but without the holes and I find it at Lowes or the Home Depot. (This is the same thing I use to make chalkboards.) It is super smooth and paints up beautifully. I’ve included affiliate links  in this post for your convenience. See my full disclosure here.  I attached it to the inside of the door frame with my Logan Point Driver. (Seriously one of my favorite tools in my toolbox!)

Combine more than one stencil to get look you want.

This piece gave me quite a bit of trouble though. I was almost out of my tried and true Bulls Eye Clear Shellac, so I was headed to the store to pick up some more since I knew this older piece would likely be a bleeder. It was unseasonably cold for our area so I was reading the recommended minimum temps to be used in when I saw on the label that they had another product they suggested for painted pieces. It was their shellac-based white primer. Perfect!

Oh no it was NOT perfect at all. I applied a coat of that first, then my DIY chalk paint in Pure White (Behrs white right off the shelf). Bled through. I gave it another coat of the shellac primer and a coat of chalk paint, bled through. I gave it a coat of regular old white Zinsser Primer and a coat of chalk paint and guess what? It STILL bled through. Know how I fixed it? I finally decided to wax the darn thing with Annie Sloan’s clear wax, and then applied my chalk paint over that and the heavens opened up and the angels sang! It worked.

I could have kiss that wax! It might have just been this particular piece and whatever that gunk was that had accumulated on the surface, but next time I’m going straight for my regular ole clear shellac!

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer. This is a great inexpensive alternative to repalcing a glass door panel!

By the time I got to the stencil on the door and it looked so awful, I knew I had to stop right there and switch to something tried and true.

I used a mix of two stencils for the door. This one and this one. (They are both 30% off right now through the end of February-no affiliation, just a good product and a good deal. 🙂 )

Combine more than one stencil to get look you want.

Stencils are the easiest way to achieve this look for the least amount of effort. I used spray adhesive to temporarily adhere my stencil to the surface of my project. (Spray the stencil, not the project surface.) It should not stick permanently or leave any sticky residue. Then I used the smallest brush from this 3-piece nylon brush set to fill in the stencil using acrylic paint, brushing away from the edges.

Antique-Paris-Cabinet-16

After I removed the  stencil, I had a couple of areas to fix here and there which I used a script liner brush for. This time it came out really well thank goodness! I also filled in all the gaps in the lettering that gives it away as a stencil using the same brush. (Rinse your stencil right away with warm water. Allow the sticky back to air dry.)

Combine more than one stencil to get look you want. Love this fleur de lis stencil!

After allowing the paint to dry to completely, I sanded using 220 grit sand paper and sealed with Annie Sloans’s clear soft wax.

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

The handle is a perfect match, found at Hobby Lobby.

Shabby chic handle from Hobby Lobby.

 

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

And for the inside…

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Ooh la la. I decided instead of just painting the ugly brown hardboard on the back of the cabinet door white, I would cover it in fabric instead. This also covered the points that are holding the panel in place. I had this in my fabric stash…

Cover the inside of a door with fabric to add a fun unexpected touch.

I adhered it with matte Mod Podge. I brushed it on like a glue, and added the fabric over top. To make it easier to cut the fabric straight for panels like this, I always use my rotary cutting set.

I kept the rest of the inside a simple white. My thrifted ironstone looks so pretty in it.

Antique-Paris-Cabinet-2

 

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

 

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

 

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

 

Antique Cabinet makeover in Pure White DIY Chalk Paint from Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

I am really so pleased with this cabinet makeover, and I love this inexpensive alternative to replacing the glass.

Several of my friends are also sharing furniture makeovers inspired by chocolate. Visit them at the links below!

DIY Furniture Girls Logo

 

 

I’ll be back on Tuesday and EVERY day after in March sharing a thrifty makeover, 31 thrifty makeovers in 31 days!! It’s going to be fun!

March Madness Logo

Here’s thrifty makeover #1:

DIY tray before

See ya then!!

UPDATE: See this old picture makeover HERE!

XO,

Signature

 

 

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Comments

  1. Hi Christy , J’adore it, it is so nice, original, delicate and beautiful…. you are really talented and inspiring…. CONGRATULATIONS.
    Big hug , xoxo
    Victoria

  2. Christy,
    That is beautiful!
    Did you paint the door panel, stencil it and then install it to the cabinet or did you install the panel and then paint and stencil?

    Thanks,

    Janie

  4. So pretty, Christy! I painted a vanity for my niece over the summer and I swear I’ve never seen a piece of furniture bleed as much as it did. It bled through every single primer I put on it. I wish I had thought of the wax trick! Definitely saving that one for next time. Love what you did with the cabinet, as always :).

    • Thanks, Amy! Isn’t suborn bleed through the worst? I could have painted four of these cabinets in the same time. The wax worked wonders, just don’t sand down to that layer on the flat surfaces, you will see the darker waxed area. 🙂

  8. Christy,
    For all your trouble, you surely came out on top. This is now a one-of-a-kind original. Art and function wrapped into one. I’m sure I will be referring back to your excellent tutorial many times. Congratulations on another great project!
    XOXO
    Susie from The Chelsea Project

  10. Christy, did you put clear wax on it and then wipe off before painting? I have a hutch that I am having problems with bleed through. I have put two coats of shellac but it is still bleeding through.

    • Hi Marie! There sure are some stubborn pieces out there! I waxed and then buffed it in, removing most of it just like I was sealing it. Waxing is definitely my least favorite part, but I was just so grateful it worked. Take care not to sand the flat surfaces too far down after painting over the wax because it will appear a bit darker in those areas. Hope this helps…good luck!

  11. Hey Christy. I have a dresser and night stand that is solid Alder wood that I bought 20 years ago. It still is in perfect condition but it is very dark stain and I would love to paint it an antique white and change the handles. I have never re-done a piece of furniture and not sure I would be able to do it. It does have a gloss finish on it. Knowing me I will end up putting it in the garage sale and paying for something new. I’m scared to death I will mess it up. Any KIND words of advice on where to even start. Thanks

  13. First, can’t beat that price – good thing you went back! Sorry to hear this piece gave you such a hard time (sounds like my chair last month). I would have never thought to wax the piece first and then chalk paint it. But you’re right, good ole shellac works like a charm every time. Love what you did with this cabinet Christy and swooning over the fabric lined door! Pinning to share ☺

  14. I only wish I had your skills to makeover furniture pieces like this cabinet. You are truly talented. Lots of work but the result is fabulous:)

  17. its beautiful. Let me ask you this…I can never get my stencil not to smudge…ive gotten REALLY good at fixing the mistakes…but do you have a technique that you just swear by?? Ive tried taping it down but that doesnt really work either…

    • Hi Kate! I use a spray adhesive to hold it in place. I linked to the one I use in the post. I think it’s from Loctite. I also use a brush to apply the paint and brush away from the edges of the stencil as much as possible. I usually need to do a touch up or two as well, I think that’s the nature of this stenciling business. Hope this helps!

  19. Wow – what a project this one was! I’m sure you’re glad it’s done after all that trouble it gave you. 🙂 It turned out so beautiful – I just love the fabric on the inside of the door. Plus, what a steal on the price. I love it when that sort of thing happens!

  24. Oh Christy, drooling all over this piece! So sorry to hear about all the trouble it gave you, but hey, you came up with an awesome solution. Gotta save it in my book! Love it!

  25. It’s awesome Christy! The handle and fabric are icing on the cake — chocolate cake! Who knew paint, fabric and wood furniture would work so well together. I never knew you could put fabric on furniture. I am inspired to try the technique. Thank you!

  26. What an amazing transformation! I love the French graphics that you used. I know I’d much rather use a stencil any day over having to paint in tiny detail from a transfer. You had to have been so frustrated when the paint kept bleeding through. What a pain. Adding a door instead of keeping the glass was such a good idea. This should sell quickly!

    • Thank you, Paula!! Oh yes, give me a stencil any day! I used hand paint all my graphics and it is so time-consuming. I do hope this sells quickly! Have a great weekend! XO

    • Thanks so much, Karin! Its such a great storage piece after adding the panel to the door, that I kind of wish I had painted it to match a perfect spot I have for it! Hope it sells quickly too 🙂

  30. Love all the aspects of this beautiful piece Christy. It may have had a few issues to begin with, but totally worth it for the fabulous outcome. Love everything from the stencil to the back of the door… simply gorgeous! I’m delighted to be featuring your cabinet at Shabbilicious Friday tomorrow.
    Hugs ~ Kerryanne

  31. I just had a cabinet I did and had major bleed through. After 4 coats of chalk paint I had spots that still didn’t cover. I had a crusty black gooey something on the top of the cabinet and down the side that I sanded before I started and that’s where it was the worst. I used Citristrip and took off all of the paint I had just put on. While I was waiting for the Citristrip to work I noticed pools of oil here and there on the top of the cabinet. Tongue Oil. Somebody oiled it so heavy that even sanding wouldn’t get rid of it. I had to strip it twice before I no longer saw a trace of the oil. The paint then went on beautifully with only one coat and I love my “new” 1920’s cabinet.

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  1. […] This is gorgeous! I don’t know why people have a hard time seeing an old sewing machine cabinet as a side table. I have had that happen too. I love them for that purpose! I bet this will sell in no time now. christy @ Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer recently posted…Antique Cabinet Makeover {& an Alternative to Replacing the Glass Door Panel} […]

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