Before and After linen cabinet

For those of you who can't stand wood furniture being painted - look away now! You've been warned....... ;-)

Got a 14" deep cabinet from Craigslist that had a dark brown stain. This isn't a valuable piece, no dovetailing or important wood. As this is to sit in the hallway, the dark color just didn't work. It's ok as is....but I wanted something more rustic.

So I painted it gray and antiqued it with dark stain. The glass had to go because the door needs to shimmy into place and the glass would keep the door too straight to close. Bummer. I took off the top decorative thingy and have saved it for another project down the road.


I stapled on a thick fabric scrap that I already had. I actually like fabric rather than glass because of the warmth and tone of fabric - and more decorating possibilities.


Then I stood back and lived with this for about a day and decided that it was still too dark for the hallway and besides, the wonderful carved details were lost in that darkness.


So I started adding some blue and cream paint and more stain on top of that......


Ahh, now the details are showing up. See the little balls of cream on blue shells? All nicely carved. The staining helps show the depth.


I added the wooden flower because it seemed to need a little something there. I smoothed out the stain with a little more paint to even out the panels.


What a change in personality! This will give me more linen storage, right outside the hall bathroom, which has a gray and white toile decor. Sorry for the low lighting - I had to stand in the bathroom to get the full picture.




A great spot above to display my small collection of vintage Blue Willow Plates.


And what a nice coincidence that I had a plant container with blue vines, just like the fabric!

This is one of my favorite statuettes - a small boy and his dog is so sweet. Set on vintage books.


Nice gams....


I'm linking up to Between Naps on the Porch's Met Monday. Click on the butterfly to see more "Before and After" posts from creative bloggers:


11 comments:

Life on an artistic shoestring said...

Allison Shops has left a new comment on your post "Craigslist Linen cabinet":

Nice updated look! Be sure to stop by AtticMag this week for a Giveaway!

Life on an artistic shoestring said...

shannon i olson has left a new comment on your post "Craigslist Linen cabinet":

Just lovely! A great job.

Life on an artistic shoestring said...

Ann has left a new comment on your post "Craigslist Linen cabinet":

What a great piece of furniture. You did a wonderful job transforming it!

Life on an artistic shoestring said...

Shelia has left a new comment on your post "Craigslist Linen cabinet":

Love the look of your cabinet! You've done a great job on refurbishing it!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Life on an artistic shoestring said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

That is fantastic! You certainly have a great talent. Just perfect.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Now this is right up my alley, I love doing this to old finds. BRAVO~ you sure did bring new life to the cabinet. If it could talk it would say "Thank You". I say you did a spiffy job.

You have such talent.

Will come back later and visit.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful cabinet! I love how you've redone it. The fabric instead of glass is so pretty! I want to do this to some cabinets in my breakfast room.
Love all your pretties around and on it too.
Be a sweetie,
shelia :)

Cassie Bustamante said...

wow! it looks gorgeous- love the colors and you did a fantastic job antiquing it! hopped over from met monday!

I {heart} Nap Time said...

What a great makeover! I'd love for you to link up to sundae scoop http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/04/sundae-scoop-2-link-party.html

Unknown said...

Oh My gosh! This is beautiful! :) You really did a great job!

~Liz