Making Wall Art from a Recycled Cabinet Door
July 1, 2009
As I stated in my post a few days ago, I have a dozen kitchen cabinet doors leftover from my remodel from a few years ago. The first thing I did was make memo boards for my office from the two of them. I am completely thrilled with how those turned out.
Next, I wanted to dabble in a bit of wall art for the master bathroom. So I had a crazy idea to take metallic wrapping paper and use it to make three artsy wall panels. I know, totally crazy.
But I went out on a limb with this one, all the while tapping into my inner struggling artist. Perhaps I should blame the 100 degree heat. Maybe it was the late night margarita. Most likely, this madness comes from my third day of sleep deprivation, thanks to my three year old who has, all of a sudden and out of the blue, found his way into my bed. Again. And he kicks me. In his sleep. All night. But I digress.
Here’s a peek at the cabinet door, Before and After:
If this project is not your thang, kindly tune in tomorrow for my Festive Fourth Flower Pots. But if you’re remotely interested in this project, read on. Here’s how I pulled this one off.
Step One: Remove all existing hardware, and give your cabinet door a good sanding.
Step Two: Fill any holes from your knobs with wood filler.
Step Three: Prime your cabinet door with spray primer to prep if for your paint treatment.
Step Four: Attach your new picture hanging hooks to the back of your cabinet door. Enlist help, if available.
Gosh darn it, why does the little guy have to be so cute, after torturing me so?
Step Five: After primer is dry, use painter’s tape to mask off the stripe.
Step Six: Choose your paint color for your stripe. I added some black acrylic paint to my gray craft paint for added depth and drama. Apply your stripe effect with two coats of paint.
Step Seven: When your stripe is dry, remove painter’s tape. Use Modge Podge to adhere your wrapping paper to the cabinet door. You could also use spray adhesive here. And you could also use wallpaper, instead of wrapping paper. I chose the more inexpensive version. You’ll notice I used shimmer Modge Podge, because I ended up using it on top of the paper on the middle panel to blend the metallics together.
Little Side Note: Because of my uncertainty about the success of this project, I decided beforehand that it would hang in a non-public area, in my master toilette room, where only myself and the Mister would see it. I was delightfully surprised when Mr. CG came home tonight, and he proclaimed that he really and truly loved these. And he’s very picky when it comes to art.
I, on the other hand, am not sold on this yet. But for now, it will hang here in the toilet room until I come up with another better idea, which might be never.
Here they are:
So who do you side with, Him or Her ?
********** Afternoon Update, After Your Comments ****************
I followed Allie and The Neppers suggestion to add the monogram.
It’s a hint better, maybe. I think it’s the font that’s wrong. Perhaps the color too. Still not crazy about that middle panel. I’ll keep working on it. Thanks for all the feedback !
Kate
Tags: art
him! i think they look fantastic!
absolutely stunning!
Sarah
I love it! I think they look Fabulous! Putting these on my things I am on the lookout for list! Thanks for Sharing!
Those are wonderful!!
Love the color.
very sweet.
blessings,
barbara jean
Him. I think they look maaahvelous, dahling!
I love it! I hope to find some cabinets that I can do this myself.
TEAM HIM – Sorry Cent. Girl – they are gorg!! Who knew? I think a version of those would look incredible in our "watercloset" area – I have had no luck finding the right thing to hang in there – and we've been in our house for 5 years!! Thanks for the inspiration –
Happy 4th -
Team her! Sorry!
Him … Him … Him … I love these. And I just threw a cabinet door away!
They are gorgeous!!
I am dying to try a few of these cabinet redos but I can't find any cabinet doors!
I'm pretty sure my husband would kill me if I started taking down ours!
Him! They looks fantastic, and I love the colors.
I like it!!! I'm really into anything in the gray (grey?) family right now. :)
Very cool! I think they turned out great. I am glad the hubby likes it too, aren't they just so hard to please?!?
Him! I actually like them!!!
Her
Quinn
Love, love, love it! :D
I like them!
Very creative! I love them! I have been wanting to do some of your cabinet door projects but cannot find any cabinet doors. I think my husband would be angry if I started taking ours off! :)
i really like these…especially over a toilet for some obsurd reason. LOL You could also add a monogram to the middle one to give a little more drama. you decide. but, if you do it I get all the credit. just kidding!
Him!! And I love how they have a built-in frame. We have a couple of extra doors from our kitchen remodel, too, and I'd been thinking that they would make a great base for artwork – well done!!!!
great diy! i have old door knobs and i am trying to do something with them. any suggestions?
They look awesome!! Leave them up!!
That is so cool. I side with him!
They look totally FAB!!! I agree with Mr.
Great project…I would have to see them in person to tell if I REALLY LOVE them, but they look great! Keep 'em coming!
I love them!! They look great…really…this complete stranger would never lie to you! If only I had some old cabinet doors lying around..dang it.
These are awesome! Who knew !….Jo
I say keep them! LOVE! You never cease to amaze me, girl!
I think you did a great job! They are unique and fun to look at and I always love some shimmer! :)
nice! love those colors and your little one is too cute. My 2-1/2 yr old son Ethan LOVES LOVES to "help" me. He always ask "Mommy-you spray paint-n today?" As if I spray paint a lot-sheesh *grin*
I really like them, although I think the paper in the middle blends in a bit too much. Whereas, the large print on the top and bottom really stands out. So yeah, maybe something like a monogram or something a touch bolder in the middle, without overpowering the other two.
Fab idea. I have a local store where I can pick up old cabinet doors for $3-$6, so I'm definitely trying this one out!
Him! He has great taste.
After all, he married you, didn't he? :)
Aw shucks everyone, I am flattered.
I LOVE the monogram idea for the center panel !
Kate
darn you, I am still looking for cabinet doors to do the memo board and then you bring on this! Now I have to find more doors! I love them.
Those are absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I will definately be on the lookout for old cabinet doors now!
I'm with Mr. CG … I love them!
Jane
I love it when you can re-purpose things, I say,(in my nicest voice) "they are wall art for heaven's sake, how much time does he actually spend in the bedroom, looking at the walls? Put them where they make you happy!!"
You're my recycling hero! I'll be linking.
OMG, it has been way too long since I've visited my Google Reader! I see I have 25 posts of yours to catch up on!!
Love the new blog design Kate! Although with how behind I am I'm guessing it's not exactly "new" anymore. You probably rolled this out a year ago or so. And when did you have a son?? Jeez, I've missed so much! (Kidding about the last part, heehe…)
I think this project turned out great! And the good news about your husband loving them more than you do is that HE'S the one that has to stare at them when he pees. YOU get to look away. Sounds like a win-win to me!
And the most long-winded commenter award goes to…
I am tempted to compete with G+D for the long-winded commenter award but I'll resist. Suffice it to say, I love the doors! A monogram in the center would just bring it up a whole nother notch!
Love it! And I totally understand the 3 yr old in bed. My daughter joins hubby and me in bed. And my back is always sore when she does. I have now installed a baby gate in her door. I know I'm a mean Mommy.
Her, but it's mostly a texture thing. The shimmer of the one in the middle is bothering me, I'm afraid. It's hard to know how well they work without seeing them in context of the space.
I like 'em!
These turned out great. I like the paisley ones best.
I side with both! I really like the paisley, but the middle one, not so much. :)
I love them as they are now!! Great job!
I so love your honesty about not being sure about these. Good golly, that's refreshing. So many decor blogs are just gush-gush-gush and no one ever says "Not sure about this one." (Except Rate My Space where they can be a bit brutal at times.) So … I APPRECIATE YOU!
I'm in the middle; I like them and find them really creative. Wouldn't know they were cabinet doors. But I *almost* but don't quite love them. I think they need a little something, but couldn't tell you what. But they do make a really attractive statement in the room. Great work!
I'm in the middle. Concept= fab, middle pattern= meh. But the thing that bugs me most is the paper being on the angled parts of the door (vs just on the flat panel). But maybe that's just me, it doesn't seem to bother anyone else…
Absolutely love it! your colors are fabulous!