Amazing friends, have I got a fun post for you today! It’s Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday, and when I was looking at what was left of my Biggest Thrifty Haul of them all to see what was the trashiest item I had left, I decided on these leftover cabinet doors my Dad gave me:
They surely would have been headed straight for the trash!
Once upon a time, he built small cabinets that my Mom painted and sold. Here is one of those cabinets that I redid a couple of weeks ago:
You can see the unfinished cabinet and more HERE. He had that one cabinet left over and passed it along to me.
He had four of those extra cabinet doors also that he offered to me. Of course I took them. Free junk? Yes, please! I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
I set out to repurpose them all!
Before getting started, I filled in any imperfections with Dixie Mud and then sanded them all smooth with 200 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge once it was dry:
Cabinet Door #1
I started on cabinet door #1 by painting it in a 50/50 mix of Vintage Duck Egg Blue and Cotton. Then I used my Silhouette to cut the word Beach that I created in Photoshop Elements, to fill in the center panel:
I used Cotton and a small brush to paint in the “stencil” I made.
Then, I sanded lightly all over with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding block, going across the lettering also to smooth it out. I followed up with a light dry-brushing around the outer frame:
I sealed with white wax and my new beach sign was complete:
Cabinet door #2
Cabinet Door #2 started with a coat of Dixie Belle’s new Silk in Whitecap. I gave it three coats, allowing two hours of dry time in between each coat. (For more on Silk paint, including how it compares to chalk paint, click HERE.)
Then, I taped off stripes using FrogTape and painted them in using Sea Glass:
I removed the tape immediately after applying the second coat of Sea Glass. In the photo above, you can see I found wooden knobs that I removed from a dresser to use on these doors. ( I actually used these ones on door #4, but they are similar to the ones used here.) I painted the knobs in the Whitecap also.
I had originally painted the stripes in Tea Rose but decided to add mini knob transfers to the knobs, and the Sea Glass worked better with the transfers I chose.
The new Silk line is mineral paint and not the best candidate for a shabby distressed finish since it doesn’t distress as easily as chalk paint, but you can see that my favorite way to cheat a distressed finish still works great!
The medallion in the center was created the same method used in this post. I had actually mixed too much of the resin for that project, so I used it to make this one so it wouldn’t go to waste.
Silk has a built-in topcoat, so there was no need to seal this piece! I added the knobs by drilling three holes and screwing them in from behind.
I just love the knobs!
These knob transfers are from a set called Paris Cottage by Prima Marketing. Here are some similar on Amazon. If you do a search on Etsy, you will likely find these exact ones.
Cabinet Door #3
The third cabinet door started with a coat of Fluff first, followed by one of my favorite DB colors, Mint Julep. I gave it a base of the white, so it would show through a bit when sanded. I added the word Blessed with the help of my Silhouette once more:
I followed with my stylus, adding a little more detail to the frame:
When it was dry, I sanded liberally with 220 grit sandpaper and then sealed with white wax, and this one was also complete!
I prefer to use the Clear Coat for sealing, but only because it is so much easier to apply on larger projects.
On small pieces, I don’t mind using the wax, especially the colored waxes as I love how it nestles in the crevices…
Cabinet Door #4
For the final door, I started with two coats of this gorgeous Baja Gray Silk, and after allowing plenty of dry time, I added stripes to this one too with Fluff:
I added new knobs like the other door, this time using these sweet bees from this transfer set:
And, I also added a mini transfer across the stripes!
The mini transfer is from a set of mini transfers called Classic Vintage Labels by Re-designed by Prima, and you can find them HERE in my shop.
I did seal the transfer in the center panel with Clear Coat in Flat, but the Baja Gray has a built-in sealer, so there was no need to seal the outer area.
It dries so smooth and silky!
I love the little bees and the fact that I was able to use up several wooden knobs in my stash!
If this ends up in a bathroom, I hope the buyer doesn’t have any french speaking visitors as I’m pretty sure this says something about bread.
And that is how I repurposed four cabinet doors that certainly would have been headed for the trash!
But wait, there’s more!
My friends are also sharing Trash-to-Treasure Makeovers today!
Visit the links below to see what they did with these!
One more done woohoo!!
Visit any you may have missed at the links below!
$3 Trinket Box Makeover
Piano Bemch Makeover
$20 Thrift Store Desk Makeover
$5 Thrift Store Chair Makeover & How to Use Silk All-in-One Mineral Paint
Unfinished Wood Cabinet Makeover
Cabinet Door turned Shelf
Painting the Smalls, Holiday Edition (Five of these pieces are in this post!)
Kudzu Painted Side Table
REPURPOSED HEADBOARD AND FOOTBOARD
VINTAGE SECRETARY DESK MAKEOVER
$3 THRIFT STORE HEADBOARD REPURPOSED
WALL CABINET REPURPOSED
WINDSOR ROCKER MAKEOVER
DROPLEAF TABLE AND CHAIRS MAKEOVER
I’ll be back on Thursday with these two lamps:
I hope to see you then!
UPDATE: See how these cuties look now HERE!!
Stay safe!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST * TWITTER
Mary Kaiser says
Wowza, they are so beautiful now. It is amazing that you saved them from the trash. They are so useful the was you used them! I got my order of Silk that came on Saturday, but haven’t had the chance to try it out yet, maybe next weekend. I will let you know how I like it. Thanks for being so speedy with sending the order. You are so awesome!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I’m so glad I was able to give them a fresh new life! I’m glad you got your paint quickly… Definitely let me know what you think of it! Have an amazing weekend, my friend! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
The cabinet doors are beautiful! I may try getting a door at Restore and try a stenciling with my own DB haul that I won! Great job Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Maryellen! Yes! I always forget that they are such a great resource for cabinet doors. Have fun! XOXO
Pam Walsh says
Love all the signs!!!
They are beautiful!
Have a great week!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Pam! XOXO
Deanna Casto says
Thank you again for the inspiration!
Christy says
My pleasure, Deanna! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
What fun these are! My favorite is the bee knobs. So pretty in all of them, Christy.
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! They weren’t very inspiring to start, but I had fun giving them new life! Aren’t the bee transfers the cutest? XOXO
Roseann Squire says
Everyone of these ideas is brilliant! I really like the towel hanger. I’ll be on the search for a cabinet door. Thanks!
Christy says
Thank you, Roseann! That one is my favorite too! XOXO
Christina says
Christy, these signs are beautiful!! Love the transfers on the knobs!! I don’t have a favorite. I know they will all sell quickly! You have really been going like gangbusters on this haul. 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! I love cute little pieces like this to help fill my booth! And, they were really fun to do! I think I need to start shopping for my next haul LOL. XOXO
Janice Holt says
Such great ideas for all 4 cabinet doors. Glad they didn’t go to the trash. Love all of them but think the one with the little bees on the knobs is my favorite.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I’m glad I could save them from the trash. I love those bees too! XOXO
Val says
Hallo Christy, once more you show us how with little work (but lots of imaginatiom) we can do simple projects with great results. Love how the doors turned out, especially the beach sign. Have a great week! val
Christy says
Thank you, Val! I wasn’t sure how old these pieces would end up I started, but it was fun watching them come to life. You know I had to throw a coastal one in there! XOXO
Dee Kelly says
Christy,
I am amazed at what you were able to do with these doors!! Each is beautiful than the next! I love your blog and look forward to it each week.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Dee! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
I really love seeing your “smalls” develop into wonderful new lives. I love each one, but I think my favorite is the one with the French transfer and bee knobs! How clever! You never miss a detail on each piece you recreate and fashion into pieces that can be used just about anywhere! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see what you do with the lamps Thursday. I have several that belonged to my mom and they are in dire need of something to rescue them from the 60’s! Have a great week!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! These were really fun to bring to life, and that one with the bee knobs is my favorite too! I’ll see you Thursday, my friend! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! You haven’t made signs in a while and these are so so pretty. I love all of them. I have a question about dry brushing on a flat surface. Everytime I try I fail. It is uneven, blotchy, and you can see the stop points. Do you have a tutorial on dry brushing on a flat surface? Which mould did you use? I must have this. 🤗 pinned for using. You are the bomb.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! It has been a while since I made signs, so these were fun. When I dry brush I make sure there is almost NO paint on my brush, and I barely touch the surface with the tip of the brush going all the way across the surface in long strokes. You can find that mould here: https://amzn.to/3t6ryGS It’s a pretty one! XOXO
Sandi Wagner says
Absolutely love these doors! You give me such inspiration! Now, if the temperature here could just get into double digits…ugh! LOL!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sandi! Crossing my fingers for warmer days ahead! XOXO
Kris Lee says
amazing what you did with doors. I have some cabinet doors that I was going to donate. I may change my mind and use them like you did….Thanks for the inspiration
Christy says
Thank you, Kris! Have fun with your doors! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
Love each and every one of the Christy! I have Silk Paint I just haven’t used it yet… looks gorgeous! XOXO
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! The silk has such a gorgeous finish to it. I can’t wait to see what you do with it! XOXO
Addie says
DAD!!!! Of course she will make use of those!!!
LOVE them all!!! So creative to use stuff headed for the trash. Keep up the good work!!! …..as always!!!! xoxo
Christy says
Right?? Thank you, Addie!! My dad knows me well though that’s why he offered them to me LOL! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Great projects, all. I especially like the transfers. And yes, the sign says Bread Bakery, but it would great anywhere!
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! Those darn transfers are magical LOL. And ha ha, as long as you don’t speak French, it doesn’t matter right? XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
All of them are super cute! LOVE those knob transfers, omg, adorable! And I can’t wait to try the Silk line…yippee! xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, Nancy! Aren’t those knob transfers the cutest?? The silk is fantastic! I hope you had an awesome birthday! XOXO
Susan Odenthal says
Hi Christy, I absolutely love the emails that you send to me! I so look forward to receiving them!!! In this email that I got today from you I loved the ornate decorative piece that you put on the aqua and white striped cabinet door. I have been looking for an ornate piece like that for SO LONG!!! Could you please tell me where you purchased that decorative ornate piece? Thank you so much for all that you do, your work is so uplifting! Take care.
Regards,
Susan
Christy says
Thank you so much, Susan! I am so glad you enjoy what I share! That ornate piece was made with resin and a flexible Decour mould. I used the mould and the resin that I shared in this post to make it: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-use-silk-all-in-one-mineral-paint-whats-the-difference/ XOXO
Melva says
I really like all 4 signs. But I especially like the 2 with the knobs. Beautiful and functional. Great job!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Melva! XOXO
Michele M. says
WOWZA!!!! You took all four of those “trash” cab fronts to a whole new awesome level! Bet your dad loved those, too.
Well done, Christy!!!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Michele! My dad hasn’t seen them yet, but I know he’s glad I put them to good use! XOXO
MADELINE NEWTON says
you have some great redo’s …love them they look great…thank you for these great ideas …
Christy says
Thank you, Madeline! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
You did a great job with the doors and I am sure they will be a hot item in your booth! I love the little knobs with the transfers; they don’t even look used. The medallion on the Sea Glass stripped sign looks like metal! Love it. Thanks for all you ideas and inspiration.
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I love smallish things like this for my booth. The transfers worked great on the wooden knobs! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Christy, I thought you’d use all of the doors in one project, so you surprised me! All of the makeovers look so pretty, and the knobs with transfers really are extra special! xo
Christy says
I really tried to come up with something that I could use them all together for, but I figured I’d make more money if I did them all separately! Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Kaycee says
Hi Christy, they all came out beautifully! I love the knobs with the transfers on them too.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kaycee! Those transfers are so sweet! XOXO
Barbara says
Hi Christy! Live what you did with the cabinet doors. I would love to know if you made the window screen with the wreath on it? If not, where would someone look for something like it? I LOVE it! I’ve been looking up metal screens, and cannot find anything vintage-y looking. Thanks so much! Live everything you do!
Christy says
Hi Barbara! Thank you so much! I found that window at an estate sale years ago for $2. It had chicken wire and clamshells on the inside. My hubby had just finished a project using that decorative sheet metal and had a good bit leftover, so I replaced the chicken wire with the sheet metal. He purchased it online many years ago, so unfortunately I do not have a source for you, but if you search “decorative sheet metal”, a few that are similar come up. XOXO
Kathy W F says
These are so cute. Love all of them. I loved the screened frame too. What a great idea to replace with decorative sheet metal. I learn so much from all of you. Stay warm. Spring is just around the corner. I can feel it. See you on Thursday.
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! You stay warm too…Spring will be here before we know it! XOXO