Cream Cabinet Makeover
February 2, 2010
I’ve been reflecting on my master bedroom, and its décor and I’ve concluded it’s pretty nice so far, but in need of some modern upgrades. I’m really seeking to take the bedroom to the next level. You know, add some elegant wainscoting, change up the art display, add some dramatic sconces, some upholstered seating, and perhaps a glitzy mirror above the bed. Really glam it up a with a hint of that Old Hollywood style.
Our master gets morning light, but becomes really dark in the afternoon and evening. For the longest time, I was looking for a mirrored buffet like this one from Z Gallerie to put under the front window to pull light into the space. Plus, I have a storage issue in my bedroom. I have several dozen half finished books that I’m committed to reading, so they simply cannot leave the room. And a ton of magazines piling up again. Yet all of those books and magazines were collecting dust and I really needed a storage solution for my bedtime reading material.
Enter this downtrodden substitute from the local thrift store.
A beautiful piece of cabinetry in my eyes, but sad too. I can tell that someone wanted to fix her up, but gave up. Perhaps because the top and side panels are veneer and not real wood. Or perhaps because this piece had taken a lot of abuse.
I saw so much potential here, and also a storage solution! So I paid $25 dollars at the local St. Vincent de Paul thrift and brought it home. As you know from last week’s ode to Opulence Pearl paint, I got to thinking that I could refinish the piece in a cream color, then glaze it with my new found best friend.
With my newest fixation on metallic finishes, I must tell you that I came so very close to giving it an antique silver finish. I even considered silver leafing it. But then I realized I had a bronze thing going on in the master bedroom space.
See?
As tempted as I was, I decided this cabinet refinished in silver in this space might be too Vegasy (is that a word?). So I live to silver leaf another day.
I have absolutely no use for another wood tone in this room and the existing linens are cream. Besides, I like to mix painted pieces with wood furniture. So I opted to paint it in a cream color, and give it a pearlescent glaze. Here are the three tools I used to transform: Zinsser primer, Rustoleum’s ‘Heirloom White’ latex in a can (can you believe it?) and Pratt & Lambert’s Opulence Pearl, all purchased from Orchard Supply & Hardware (OSH).
Plus some new knobs from Anthropologie.
Love !
I sanded, then primed with Zinsser.
Then I gave it two coats of Heirloom White in latex. The final third coat was a blend of one part Heirloom White to three parts Opulence Pearl, both latex paints.
Here she is After:
The existing linens in the room are a cream damask pattern. Hmmm. Then I really got to thinking. Why not play off this pattern ?
So I had a crazy clever idea. I really like this etched look on these panels, like on these pieces that I featured yesterday.
I really love this carved detail. It separates these pieces from the crowd and really makes them one of a kind.
On my piece, the inner panels of this cabinet separate from the door. So I had this paintable patterned wallpaper that I plan on using in another top secret project to be revealed whenever I get around to it.
Available at Lowes:
Excuse me, but whomever invented paintable textured wallpaper, let me kiss your ring.
I clipped off four sections, painted and glazed the wallpaper, then attached it to the removable inner panels to give it that etched panel look.
Cool, huh. Reversible panels. Two looks in one.
Seriously, they reverse with just a few tiny screws. Takes five minutes.
I had the finished edge mirror custom made to fit the top of thsi cabinet for $60 dollars. Pricey, but worth it since it pulls so much light into the room, and gives off a really beautiful reflection.
Whether it’s crystal and costume jewelry.
. . .or blooms and colored glass.
Here’s a peek at the pearlescent sheen up close. Keep in mind this is three parts Opulence Pearl to one part Heirloom White paint. I know it’s called ‘Heirloom White’ but it’s really a cream color in my eyes.
I thought two coats of the Opulence Pearl on top of the Heirloom White was too shiny for this piece, so I mixed the paint with the glaze to arrive at the perfect subtle pearl sheen.
Plain panels:
‘Etched’ wallpaper panels:
So which look did I settle on? I remain undecided. In truth, I like them both. One little voice says “Oh, the plain panels, they’re so elegant!” and the other voice hollers back “You wallpapered the inside panels ? You go girl !”
So as you can see, I am torn.
What say you?
Linking:
Tags: heirloom white, opulence pearl paint, thrift store find
Truly amazing! My jaw was to the ground on this one. It is just fabulous!!!! So jealous…
Love it!! You did a great job as always. My vote is for the wallpaper as well. It just gives it that extra something. Either way, it’s simply beautiful!
Definitely the wallpapered side – love that!
Love the wallpapered panels. You did an amazing job!
Seriously, that is absolutely amazing! I cannot believe that is the same cabinet. You’ve outdone yourself!!!
This weekend I found 6 rolls of textured wallpaper at Goodwill for $1 a roll, all still in their original packaging. I didn’t know what I was going to do with them, but now I do! Thanks for sharing another fabulous project!
I sighed audibly at your initial reveal with the plain panels…beautiful transformation! But when I got to the wallpaper panels, I let out an audible gasp…stunning! You do great work girl and continue to inspire me!
This is just too, too beautiful. Love the etched panels – so understated yet adds texture to all the cream. Really love the knobs. I am in awe of this transformation!!
I just LOVE it. Plain is beautiful but the etched is FABULOUS! Beautiful transformation.
This turned out great. Do you put a protective coat of something on after you are done painting to keep it from chipping?
Wallpaper! Beautiful either way but really love the wallpaper look. :)
Ooh…. I love the wallpapered panels. Stunning transformation!!
:)
ButterYum
Nice job, Kate! I love the way the color turned out and the mirror on top ~ genius, instead of just using plain glass. I like the panels both ways. Maybe you could alternate every six months ~ plain for Spring/Summer and textured for Fall/Winter.
I LOVE the wallpaper. I’ve been swooning over paintable wallpaper for the last week. I can’t wait to put it to good use!
wow! I’m so inspired! I have a cabinet from my grandmother that looks so similar…with reversable inserts….hmmm….do i dare paint it….walpaper it…?! The finish is so old and needs a makeover soooo bad. Ooooo….Thanks for Sharing! I’m so excited!!
i would definitely go for the wallpaper panels!! you can always change them later.. and they add so much originality.. looks like you paid top dollar for that piece!! good job!!!!
The addition of the textured wallpaper on the door panels was INSPIRED. Wow! This makes me want to throw everything else I need to do today out the window and get to work on the buffet I got at Goodwill right after New Year’s. Too bad it doesn’t have any removable panels I could put textured wallpaper on!
What a gorgeous makeover, I love it! I didn’t know they made paintable wallpaper, what a great idea!
Thanks for sharing :)
wow, wow and wow. enough said!
AHH! I love this!!!!! I have a similar dresser that is on my list to redo and I love the wallpapered panels! Keep those for sure! This is fantastic! I love the iridescent look and the metallic look, I am incorporating that into my bedroom thanks to your suggestion months ago! I am posting about it this week!:)
oh, I’m totally in love with this! You always come up with the right solutions…
My fav would be the wallpapered panels, it adds a great texture to it all.
This is gorgeous, Kate. I love the mirror on top, just so glamorous.
Fantastic! I love the wallpaper!
This is so gorgeous…Love the wallpapered panels…Subtle texture. Beautiful! Good job.
This is such a beautiful makeover! I am curious to see what you did with the insides of the buffet, do you have any photos?
they’re both gorgeous, if you ask me. personally if i could keep only one side showing i might go with the plain side. with all the other things you have going on in the room, you won’t miss the etched paper…but in the end, you did such an amazing job with this piece. i’d buy it in a heartbeat! lurve it!
Oh my, I love it! I love the wallpaper, it adds a lot of charm to the already beautiful cabinet.
Kate, that is absolutely stunning – way to go! My vote is for the textured panels, it just adds the “and then some.” :)
I am in love with this project and not ashamed to say I am doing this to my bedroom furniture! Love the wallpaper!
Thank you!!!
Kate this is awesome!!! The mirror on top is my favorite part. Oh, and those knobs……WOW. It’s so beautiful. Great job, as always.
WOW! This is absolutely stunning!! I really love the wallpapered panels. You did a wonderful job! Thanks so much for sharing.
Seriously amazing!!! I’ve been wanting to paint my ugle bedroom furniture white but I’ve had such bad luck. I did a dresser for my daughter’s room and the top already pretty much ruined. I sanded and primed, but it’s like it never quite set or something. We had a fan on it last summer and where the feet sat it pulled the paint off. Any tips?
What a beautiful transformation! I really like the idea of the paintable wall paper and I think both are really beautiful but I think I like the one with the wallpaper because it makes it unique. I also love the idea of the mirror on top. Great project… I am going to try this with a cabinet in my dinning room. Probably won’t go with the mirror for mine because my interior is less formal. Will use glass instead but the rest of it…absolutely!
omg that is AWESOME!!!
GORGEOUS. wallpapered panels ALL the way. so clever and such a remarkable outcome!!
This is my favorite post of yours~ GREAT GREAT GREAT job! I’m still drooling!
Love, love, love it!!! The etched panels! And I like how you decided to use mirror for the top.
It’s gorgeous ! You surprised me, I thought you were going to put mirrors inside the doors……
Absolutely beautiful! I like the etched panels myself, even though I lean toward clean modern style most of the time.
I love, LOVE the wall paper textured side.!! Well done
I like the plain panels because of the knobs. I don’t think the knobs are quite right for the textured option.
“You wallpapered the inside panels ? You go girl !”
Great job … love the mirror on top.
Jaw droppingly GORGEOUS!! I prefer the ‘etched’ panels. Great, job!
I LOVE the subtle contrast of the wallpaper. It mixes it up a bit. But just a bit.
Both are awesome, but I think the wallpaper takes it up a notch! LOVE IT!!! Great redo!
This is INCREDIBLE! I’d love to see a pic zoomed out, so we can see how the new piece looks in the room!
Also, I vote for the wallpapered panels. It just adds so much texture and interest, and it makes the piece one-of-a-kind. You’re incredibly talented, and if you started a design consulting business, I’d totally hire you!
Fantastic! I love the wallpaper panels in there. Great job
I suspect the popular vote is coming out in favor of the wallpapered side! We like them because they’re creative and unusual :)
This cabinet looks fantastic. I love the panels both ways.
I made your chicken tortilla soup and it is my new favorite soup of all time! My husband loved it too (and he is not a “soup person”). Thanks again for sharing. I am so glad to have your recipe.
You’re my hero! Keep the panels!