Tuesday, November 13, 2012

From Pretty Ugly To Pretty Pretty

I bought this old, dirty radio cabinet awhile back thinking I would give it an updated look. I sort of let it lay around for awhile waiting for some inspiration. Well, a few days ago I set up at The Fancy Flea, a vintage home and garden market, in Lakeland, Florida and as usual, I  came home full of energy and inspiration.

This piture shows the finished piece.
In the next picture you will see the "before".





At this point, I had cleaned the underneath and primed the base using black DIY chalk paint.
To make the chalk paint you just add Plaster of Paris to your paint with a little bit of water. I experiment until I get the consistency I want.
It looks like some kids had played hangman on the front of it.


Right away I could see this piece had potential.
Even though it was beat up pretty bad, it was sturdy and I like the way the doors swing open all the way around the sides.


This is the first time I ever primed an entire piece black.
My intention was to prime black, finish with white, then distress letting some of the black show through.
During the project I changed my mind on the color.




Nothing ever goes as planned. I intended to paint the insides then have Mr. Shabby For Sure add the new back.
I came to work one morning and he proudly showed me he had added the new back.
It made the paint job a little harder but I never said anything.


When I got to this part I changed my mind on the color.
After I painted the inside white, something was bleeding through. I spritzed the spots with Rustoleum Heirloom White spray paint and loved the color immediately.


Here it is after I added Gliddens eggshell paint + primer.
I took the cap from the Rustoleum spray can and had it color matched at Lowe's.
Then I made a glaze using watered down burnt umber paint.
I experimented with the proportions until I got the color I wanted.
After I glazed it I distressed it using 80 grit sandpaper.

This is what it looked like when I added the glaze.
I would add the glaze then quickly wipe it off.
If it dried out while I was wiping it off I just gave it a swipe with a damp rag.


I love how it turned out.
I know it is clean inside and out and it is ready to use.
My plan was to paint the hardware but the original color of the handles turned out to be perfect.
 


I love the color combination using heirloom white paint and burnt umber glaze.
This paint job looks naturally old.


The black primer turned out to be unnecessary.
I didn't do a heavy distress and none of the black ever showed through.


Here are the products I used: Glidden eggshell Heirloom White paint + primer. (I was only going to buy a quart but decided to buy a gallon. It's a lot cheaper in the long run). I bought the black paint at Walmart. The Rustoleum I bought at Home Depot. The Folk Art burnt umber I bought at Walmart, too.
80 grit sandpaper.
I finished the job with 2 coats of Johnson past wax. I've had it for a long time and forget where I bought it.





Sometimes people see my painted furniture and ask me why I would ruin a perfectly good piece of furniture by painting it
I'm sure you've all heard it, too.
I'm pretty sure if I hadn't "rescued" this piece it would have ended up in the landfill.
I worked on this piece everyday for a week, allowing each application to dry overnight.
It was a lot of work but I couldn't be happier with the end results.



Linking to:


 
 


 




 

25 comments:

  1. Connie, it is lovely!! Now it is a useful piece. It is better to paint a piece and keep it out of the landfill than not to paint someting and keep it hidden and unused. Some pieces need paint to become "respectable" again and your piece looks wonderful!!!

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  2. Hi Melanie, Thank you for your comments. Have a great day...Connie

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  3. Hi Connie
    I'm fairly new to blogging but have been following you for sometime now & have learned a lot from you about painting pieces of furniture. During the long winter months I hope to paint some old pieces I've found at a brocante here in France.You have done a lot of hard work getting them looking good again.
    I have just been tagged by Daphne & have just tagged your blog hope you will join in the fun.
    http://barbaralilian-infrance.blogpot.com

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  4. Hi Barbara, I love your blog, too. I wish you luck on your furniture. Just remember it is only paint and if you mess up it is easy to do-over. I painted my family room a deep red and believe me, once you do something like that you are never afraid of color again. I will have to learn about this tagging thing. Have a good day...Connie

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  5. I love the redo, great save! I wish I had known you were at the FF, I would have looked for you!

    Carol

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  6. Thanks Carol, Perhaps I will see you in the spring at the next Flea. Good luck on the upcoming wedding. I have enjoyed your wedding posts...Connie

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  7. Looks amazing Connie, the perfect little cupboard!
    Thanks so much for visiting, hope to see you again soon!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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    1. Hi Cindy, Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day...Connie

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  8. Beautiful. I am glad I am not the only one who changes her mind mid project. Your newest follower Donna G.

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    1. Hi Donna, Thanks for stopping by and following. I will keep an eye on your blog. Have a great day...Connie

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  9. Thanks for visiting my post. I came over to see what you were up to and found this beautiful radio cabinet. I love to get my hands on these. They are very sturdy because of the heavy equipment that used to be in them and they are versatile. I do not think a piece of furniture can have too much paint!

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    1. Hi Donna, Thanks for stopping by. I'm always happy to make new friends...Connie

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  10. Connie, Thanks for stopping by with your wonderful comment. Your radio cabinet makeover is fabulous. I'd love for you to share at Simple & Sweet Fridays. New Follower Too!


    Jody

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    1. Thanks Jody, I will definetly check it out. Have a good day...Connie

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  11. So much fun! I am going to be refinishing 2 pieces of furniture and I am still looking (PROCRASTINATING) for ideas....You inspire me!
    Betsy

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    1. Hi Betsy, Good luck on your 2 pieces. I will check your blog often and hope to see them in a post. Be sure you take "before" pictures:) Have a great day...Connie

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  12. Hi, Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Have a good day...Connie

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  13. Great piece, and wonderfully done. =)
    blessings
    barb

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  14. It turned out great Connie!! You are a lucky lady to have a hubby surprise you by doing stuff. I keep thinking about the old sink on the stand.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving my friend...hugs

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  15. Hi Sue, I still have the sink but I did sell the Christmas tree. A man from Orlando came to my store the following Monday and bought it and he was happy as a lark. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving. My turkey is in the fridge thawing out...Connie

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  16. good morning Connie ... this piece turned out so nice. We all learn by doing and the black primer did not hurt.
    Thanks for stopping by Timeless Treasures and leaving a nice comment.
    A new follower for you and I will be back to see more.
    Blessings.
    Audrey Z. http://audreyzumwalt.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Hi Audrey, Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leaving a comment. Good to know you. Have a great day...Connie

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