Hello, beautiful friends! Today, I have a glass door cabinet I recently found that is not part of my current haul. It’s the perfect piece to show how you can create closed storage by replacing glass doors, or at least the glass panels in the doors!
Here is how this piece started:
I don’t normally go thrifting while in the middle of working through a haul, but January has been busy at my booth and I need furniture fast!
But don’t you already have three great furniture pieces left in this haul?
Yes, yes I do! However, we were expecting a blizzard and temps in the 20’s (NOT normal for us!), and I would be working indoors, so I needed something that wasn’t too large or too needy.
I found a great little entry/sofa table and was deciding if I could fix some damage on it, when an associate at the Goodwill mentioned she had another piece in the back I might like. This was it!
It was marked $24.99, and I grabbed it right on up!
Remove the glass panels in the doors
The first thing I did was remove the glass from the doors by pulling out these rubber pieces with the help of needle-nose pliers…
Sand
This piece is from Wayfair originally which means it likely isn’t solid wood, but it also wouldn’t be a bleeder, so that was a bonus! However, the surface was SUPER slick, so to be safe, I gave it a very quick scuff sand all over:
Chalk Mineral Paint has excellent adhesion, but I was just playing it safe here with that super slick surface, and it took only minutes to do.
Clean
Next, I used my favorite furniture degreaser and deglosser, White Lightning. It comes in a powder form, and I just mix one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water in a small tub. One small jar is enough to clean dozens of projects!
Once it’s clean, I swapped out my water for clean water and wiped it down once more. These terrycloth applicator pads are perfect for the job and can be tossed right in the wash and used again and again.
Paint
The paint color I chose for this piece is one of my favorite darker colors, Antebellum Blue!
I still have this huge mirror in my booth painted in this color, so I’m excited to pair it with something again since this dresser I redid to match it sold long ago.
My go-to brush for painting furniture is this Mini Angle Brush. If you take care of it, it will last for years!
Sand to Smooth
After two coats had fully dried, I sanded all over to smooth it out using one of these fine grit sanding sponges that allows you to smooth without any distressing:
I vacuumed up all the sanding dust to prepare for sealer next.
Seal
To seal, I used Clear Coat in satin using the blue applicator sponge…
I gave it two coats total.
Replacing Glass Doors
I think most of us can agree that we prefer closed storage to open storage, right? I don’t know about you, but I don’t keep my cabinets organized enough for the world to see, so we are going to create closed storage by replacing glass.
Since I was stuck at home, I had to use what was on hand and found a small piece of bead board that would be perfect!
I used my glass as a template and traced it onto the bead board:
I then cut it using my sliding miter saw.
That alone would do very well, right?
But I had other plans!
The reverse side of the bead board is regular hard board:
And what if we could make those panels so pretty?
We can!
Enter the Sapphire Wings Decoupage Fiber Paper!
This set comes with three 19.5” X 30″ papers, and the center one was perfect for my two new door panels!
After painting the panels with two coats of Fluff to give it a nice, bright background, I cut the paper to fit the panels:
I then ironed them on the LOWEST setting on my iron to smooth out the folds:
Adding decoupage paper to the new door panels
The door panels were lightly sanded smooth, and then I applied a coat of Redesign’s Matte Decoupage Gel using a 2″ Foam N Dandy brush to apply it:
This size foam brush fits perfectly in the jar, and these foam brushes last for ages if you rinse them well right away…much nicer than cheap foam brushes.
After laying out the paper, I used a piece of plastic wrap to smooth it out all over each panel:
That allows my hand to glide over the paper smoothly without pulling at the fibers on the paper.
Next, I applied another coat of Redesign’s Matte Decoupage Gel over the top:
Can you just decoupage over the original glass?
You sure could! That would be just fine if you were keeping it for yourself. Because I’m selling this cabinet, I wouldn’t want a potential buyer to not realize it was fragile.
Once the decoupage gel was dry, I followed up with a coat of Clear Coat in Satin to protect the surface further, and this makeover was complete!
Create Closed Storage by Replacing Glass Doors, the Big Reveal
Here is how this mass-produced piece looks now:
Better?
It is certainly more unique now!
This paper is so lovely and works so well with the Antebellum Blue!
I used the original hardware holes, but the knobs are just a bit askew.
Originally I had smaller, gold knobs on this piece, but I found these in my stash…
I’m still undecided on which I prefer!
The indentation on the top of this piece leads me to believe that it had another piece that sat on the top…
It makes a great piece on its own too though!
It would be great in an entry, or a dining room, or even as a TV cabinet.
The Inside
The inside was black also, but I just painted the bottom since it extended beyond the doors:
I taped off the sides to keep the lines clean, removing the tape as soon as the second coat went on…
Here you can see that I also painted the backing that was bead board to match the rest of the cabinet:
I used the original rubber pieces, one on each side, to secure it in place.
Although this was a newer piece, it still had nice legs:
It sure is a one-of-a-kind cabinet now!
I really enjoyed working on this one, especially getting to work indoors!
**SHOP NEWS**
If you missed the brand new Release from Redesign with Prima, I shared all the new goodies in this post HERE!
There are decoupage papers, transfers, AND moulds in this one! You can also go straight to my Etsy Shop and see all the new arrivals in one tab HERE.
Thursday, I’ll be back to my haul with this chair:
This was another easy one to work on with this cold weather! I hope to see you then! Stay warm!!
UPDATE: One small change totally revitalized this chair…see it now HERE!
XOXO,
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Janet Huey says
That is absolutely gorgeous! I predict it will be very high up on the 2026 favorites list.
As a reseller, my favorite part is that your booth is busy, especially in January.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Janet! Yes, the holiday season doesn’t do anything for my business, but luckily, when people are looking for something to do indoors (when its really cold or really hot outside), our huge antique mall is a fun destination! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is beautiful! I love that color and it goes so good with that paper. This will not last long in your booth!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Mary! I really wanted to use this color to go with a mirror I still have in my booth, and this paper was perfect! Oh and you can have your Michigan weather back any time ha ha! XOXO
Heidi says
Beautiful work! This cabinet is so wonderfully moody and whimsical now. I want it over here in Alabama! Your creativity is an inspiration.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Heidi! I’m so glad you like it! XOXO
Heidi says
Oh, and I Do prefer the hardware that you added. It has that Chinoiserie feel that goes with the bird and blossom paper!
Christy says
I appreciate that feedback! I was having my hubby help me decide and he chose the smaller gold ones, butI think I do prefer these too! XOXO
Margie says
Very nice job on the cabinet. I like the color. You are very creative. Keep up the beautiful work. I enjoy your posts. Margie \TN
Christy says
Thank you, Margie! It means so much that you enjoy what I share! XOXO
Toni M DeBenedictis says
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Toni!! XOXO
Rhonda says
I love black furniture but what you did with this piece is amazing! What a transformation! You always do a great job. Thanks for the inspiration. Would like to know how fast it sells.
Christy says
I’m so glad you love it, Rhonda, thank you!! I truly appreciate that! I will post an update when it sells for sure! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
I thought the before was pretty nice but this is FABULOUS! PINNED Have a great week my friend. Hugs
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! Kinda wish I had saved it for TTT lol! XOXO
Cyndi says
Beauuutiful! The color is a fave of mine and I LOVE that “paper.” And I love how the beadboard turned around puts the ribbing on the inside. It’s a nice little detail when you open the cabinet doors (and that’s always fun.)
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cyndi! Those rubber pieces holding that bead board in place can always be removed, so the panels can be flipped if the birds every get old as well…double duty! XOXO
Deb K says
Beautiful makeover! I have a question…where can you find the rubber or plastic pieces that hold the glass in? I don’t know what they are called….I did a hutch over years ago but those pieces were lost or misplaced or just walked away…Now my glass is rattly and I would like to to remedy that. Any help would be appreciated
Christy says
Thank you, Deb! I did a quick search on Amazon and this came up:https://amzn.to/3O7jrsl Hope that helps! XOXO
p says
Very nice update. Sultry / moody vibe.
Very different than the beachy vibe. Variety can be nice.
I’m guessing you like inserts in door. Definitly gives you creative space.
You are right about antique and thrift stores – they are great places in cold weather !
Christy says
Thank you, P! Very sultry indeed, and I do enjoy the variety sometimes too! I do prefer to hide my junk ha ha, and yes, provides an opportunity to create for sure. XOXO
Charleen says
Girl, you simply amaze me. It is STUNNING!!!!!! ☺️☺️☺️😍😍😍☺️😍Love the color and the paper, oh, it’s Gorgeous. I love the hardware. It’s going to fly out of your booth and hopefully take the mirror with it.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Charleen! I hope so!! XOXO
Sheila says
INCREDIBLY beautiful transformation. I knew as soon as I saw the decoupage design you chose it was going to be GORGEOUS. Excellent choice on the replacement knobs as well. Perfection!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Sheila! I was so excited to use this gorgeous paper on something, and thanks for weighing in on the knobs! XOXO
Deanna Shanti says
OMG! Squeeeeee!!!! I wish I were closer! I would buy this in a heartbeat. It turned out gorgeous!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Deanna!! I’m so glad you like it! XOXO
Caye says
Now, isn’t that a beauty! How perfect that paint and the decoupage pieces match like they were always there. Good job!
Question: I’m not familiar with those rubber pieces you removed at first and then reinstalled. How did you put them back in?
Christy says
Thanks so much, my friend! I was so excited that they matched so well since I really wanted to use this color! I was able to push the rubber pieces back in pretty easily with a screwdriver just pushing on the rubber. As you can see, I was only able to reinstall it on either side, not the top and bottom since the bead board was just a bit thicker than the glass, but I imagine it would be easier to add it back if the glass were still there. XOXO
Jewels L says
Ooohhhh! Love the bead board in the doors, the color, the papers, knobs….. Well EVERYTHING!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jewels! XOXO
Geri Davis says
That turned out so beautiful! I just love that color and have sold a couple pieces done in that color as well! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! I love that color too!! XOXO
Terrie Schmidt says
LOVE this, and the birds. Is it just me, or maybe the camera angle, but the door knobs look uneven. The left appears higher than the right.
Christy says
Thank you, Terrie! Yes they are, and I did mention it in the post…I used the original holes that were already askew a bit lol. XOXO
Jackie C says
GORGEOUS‼️
yep, it’s gonna go in my fav category (I know… I have may) 😂 sometimes looking at the papers and transfers they’re hard to visualize. Then I see what you do with them and wow!
Christy says
Yay! Thank you, Jackie! It takes me a long time sometimes to coordinate and choose with so many options right at my fingertips, but thankful that this combination came together pretty quickly! XOXO
Cecilia says
Love it! It turned out so pretty! I actually like the knobs you chose. They seem to fit the look. This one should go quickly. Hope you’re thawed out by now. Stay warm! 😊
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I’m happy to hear you like the knobs since I wasn’t sure. Always welcome a quick sale lol! Just got thawed out but we’re expecting snow tonight…hopefully, it won’t be much! You stay warm too! XOXO
Michele M. says
WOW!!!!!!!! That is an amazing transformation! Went from drab to FAB!
I think that indentation was most likely a thin piece of glass-?
Christy says
Aww thank you, Michele! And you might be right about the indentation! XOXO
Rebecca Payne says
OMG! Simply Gorgeous. I love the color you choose and the decoupage of the birds. Awesome!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Rebecca! This combination were meant to be! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
So nice to find a piece that didn’t need all kinds of work before you even get to pick up the paintbrush! That paper is beautiful and makes the mass-produced chest totally unrecognizable, I bet it sails right out of the booth.
I thought of you this week because I had to pause a stinky staining project since it’s too cold to keep the windows open. But if I had a garage like Christy, I’d be able to finish it. Then I thought it’s probably too cold even that far south to use the garage. And so it is. It looks like the cold is going to stick around for a while, sending warm thoughts and hoping you can get back outside soon.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! You can say that again lol! I am always drawn to the needy pieces for some reason lol…probably because they’re cheap! (And so am I ha ha!) This one was a treat! And oh no…yep, it was even too cold for me and I work out there all winter! Hope you can get back to your project soon! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
This is GORGEOUS!! Is this paint color more of a teal like the photo looks, or is it really a blue? If the photo’s are true to color, I’ll probably be ordering some of it!
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! This color is a deep teal, very much like the photos. It is so lovely in person! XOXO
Annette Keane says
This piece is beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Annette! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
This piece is so lovely! Love the colors and the birds and the beautiful knobs! Bravo!
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! This one came together nicely! XOXO