Hello beautiful friends! Can you believe it’s May already?? April flew by in a flash!
I have a pretty little makeover to share with you today!
I spied this rustic cabinet at the thrift store a few weeks ago:
It was marked $12, and I just couldn’t pass it up. It was hand-made and that always makes my heart go pitter patter!
Although it is lovely as is, I envisioned a lighter, more coastal feel for this handsome cabinet:
I decided to whitewash the body of the cabinet and paint the door more solid:
I love the combination of the two.
To whitewash the cabinet, I watered down some of my Bit of Sugar DIY chalk paint and brushed it on:
Then I took a clean cotton rag and wiped some of the paint back off…
I wear gloves for this since it is pretty messy.
Whitewashing is a really easy way to update a piece. You can usually get away with one coat if your paint isn’t watered down too much.
I normally would stain this first with a weathered stain to get it a little more gray, however this time I just went for it, and I like the results.
The door got just one coat of Behr’s Bit of Sugar DIY chalk paint (recipe HERE), and a quick sanding with 220 grit sandpaper. The contrast is just enough.
I removed the glass insert to be able to paint the grids easier…
There are glass panels on the sides as well:
To hold the glass in place after I replaced it, I used a bead of hot glue all around the inside edge.
Isn’t it a cute cabinet? I wish I had a place for it!
I painted the shelves on the inside in the solid white as well…
The rest of it almost looks pickled. I just love this relaxed coastal feel now!
I always imagine these hand-made pieces were made with love for a special someone. I feel honored that I got to give it a makeover…or maybe I should feel bad that I messed with the original vision? Oh no! Ha ha whatever the case, it will surely still be enjoyed by someone for years to come!
I hope you enjoyed this simple update!
My booth is filled to capacity with furniture so I’ll be working on a few smaller pieces for a while. I’ll be back on Thursday sharing how I redid this little number:
See ya then! 🙂
UPDATE: See how this tray looks now HERE!
XO,
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Mary Kaiser says
I wish I lived closer to you, if I did that piece would be mine. I totally LOVE it. I am so glad that you will be working on some smalls, I have a bed tray like the one your doing Thursday and need some inspiration. I have a bunch of things that have purchased lately to re-do and your just the person to give me the inspiration I need!!
Christy says
Aww I would love for youth have this, Mary! I enjoyed working on this one. See ya Thursday! 🙂 XOXO
Char Fisher says
Just lovely! You always do a wonderful job and this small rustic cabinet is a winner!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Char, glad you like this one! XOXO
Bonnie says
That really turned out great. Love the two toned effect. I really don’t think it is bad to redo, remake, or tweak a piece to make it have a purpose again. Having someone love it to buy it and wonder who’s loving hands made it and for who? Thanks to you and the beautiful job you did on it, it will now have a new home. Hope you are rested from your trip. Hugs!
Christy says
Thank you, Bonnie! I guess I really shouldn’t feel bad either since someone did donate it, right? And yes…hopefully it will find a new loving home now! And yes, all rested up…jumped right into pressure washing and staining our back deck ha ha! XOXO
Cecilia says
I love it! It’s such a cute piece – great find and a wonderful update to it.
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! It was a great find for sure! XOXO
Tamara Kenner says
I love everything you do and thank you so much for sharing it with us. I know that a lot of time goes into each piece you transform & every post your create. You are truly appreciated & very inspiring !!
Christy says
Aww you are so sweet, Tamara! Thank you so much! XOXO
Debrashoppeno5 says
What a sweet little cabinet. I love the look.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! Have a great day! XO
Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says
How beautiful! It really does feel coastal now!
Shelley
Christy says
Thanks so much, Shelley! I love the coastal feel of whitewashed pieces! 🙂 XO
Sheila DelCharco says
I loved it before but I really love it now!
Christy says
Thank you, Sheila! It was really pretty before as well! 🙂
Marcie Lovett says
What, no beadboard? ???? Actually, the simple treatment suits it well and honors its homespun spirit. Now it will continue to serve for many more years.
I found a vintage bed tray a few months ago and I’m torn between updating it or keeping the previous owner’s handywork. You always inspire me, Christy, so I’ll see what you have up your sleeve next.
Christy says
You know I love me some beadboard lol. Thanks, Marcie! See ya Thursday! XOXO
Tera says
I love how it turned out. You mentioned you normally would first use weathered stain. What type do you use?
Christy says
Thanks, Tera! I use this weathered wood accellorator from Varathane:https://amzn.to/2jmt3hd. I used it on my pedestal kitchen table here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/pedestal-kitchen-table-makeover/ 🙂
MaryJean says
How cute is that? I love it! Great job, Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, MaryJean! XOXO
Lizzy Leff says
It’s adorable. Great job. I would buy that in a second!
I just have to tell you the story of my barn door. I recently bought a barn door for my kitchen entrance. I went through 4 colors trying to find the right paint for it, then I remembered that I loved the color Sunken Pool that you use on many of your projects. The first coat was very pretty, but a little too dark so I added some white to the quart and voila! The perfect color! Thank you for the inspiration!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lizzy! And I am so glad Sunken Pool saved the day! I bet it is beautiful lightened a bit too! XOXO
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
What a beauty!!!!!
Christy says
Thanks, Rose! XO
Denise Zdziennicki says
Love the beachy feel with the wood grain showing through Christy. 🙂 Pinned!
Christy says
Thanks, Denise! Think I would whitewash everything if I could lol! XOXO
Amy Giannini says
I love this piece. I’m wondering how much of your time goes into a piece like this (without counting drying time)? Thanks.
Christy says
Thanks, Amy! This one was really quick to redo, since everything only got one coat…without drying time from start to finish…maybe an hour or so. XO
Julie Briones says
Perfect! Love the difference in shades on the body vs the door! At first, I thought you had used a pale true blue to white-wash the outside. 🙂 The paint really changed up the look!
Christy says
Thanks, Julie! It really does look almost blue! XOXO
Brenda Johnson says
Oh my goodness, it’s SO cute, you find some of the most awesome pieces and make them beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Brenda! I get so excited when I find super cute pieces like this! XOXO
Marie says
Oh my goodness Christy, this is too funny. I literally just finished whitewashing a cabinet EXACTLY the same as this one earlier today. They look identical! ha ha ha Pinned yours
Christy says
Oh ha ha! We are in sync these days lol!! XOXO
Becky says
That is the cutest thing ever! I LOVE the curvy top! I have some serious envy now. : )
Christy says
Thanks, Becky! I really tried to find a place for this one in our house, but no luck! XOXO