Painted China Cabinet

What is it about the color white that is so appealing and the color of old brown wood that just doesn't do it for me?  I know stained wood has it's benefits, like not showing wear and fingerprints and what not, but there's something so fabulous about a coat of white lacquer on a piece of furniture. White goes with everything, looks so clean and fresh, and gives old furniture a new life.  

I found this old mid-century modern china cabinet at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds Flea Market for $100. It was okay looking (see below) in it's pre wood state, but really needed a new life.  

Here is the after shot:

Here is the before shot. Do you see what I did inside the cabinet? Here it is all monochromatic in brown. I know this piece could have looked good in the right house, just not my house.  Notice my old pink walls too. I miss that color.  Have you noticed the difference yet on the inside?

It's blue right? Well sort of.

I wallpapered the inside of the hutch with textured wallpaper called "Ceiling Tiles" by Allen and Roth from Lowes. Then I painted it with an Interior Latex Paint by Valspar called Intercoastal Gray. I used a brush around the edges and a foam roller brush to really get into the grooves.  After the paint was dry I re-installed the shelves in the unit.

The whole unit was sanded with 120 grit sandpaper, then primed with an Oil Based primer. I like to use oil base to really ensure a nice finish. Then I painted it with an Interior Latex Paint in a standard off the shelf white.  Between each coat of paint I like to sand with a 220 grit sandpaper ensuring each coat sticks properly. After the white was nice and cured, I used three coats of Minwax Polycrylic Clear Coat in a Gloss finish.  At some point, I'd like to refinish the hardware on it, but for now I just left it as is.

I think painting this piece really made a difference. I love how it turned out and how it blends in with the wall, and the dark interior draws your eye in.

Have you painted any furniture lately?

xo
Cathleen