Monday, April 9, 2012

Before & After Cabinet Reveal

I am so SO happy this project is done (mostly done) Is anything ever really done? I don't know. Brett and I drove to Clinton two weeks ago in pursuit of a Craigslist posting that advertised two china cabinets for $40. Yes we were that couple in the little Chevy S10 going 45 mph down the highway with two china cabinets, a wash basin and side table strapped in the back of the truck. 

I've been meaning to replace my pile of (you know what) Ikea dresser. I'm not big on hangers and I'm not big on drawers, so something like this will hold folded clothes and be a good solution for me. It needed a lot of work, I mean A LOT of work! 

Water damage to the veneer. Some spots had to be removed and filled with wood filler. 
dirt and grime was my biggest opponent. 
oh, and mold. 
I started by cleaning the entire cabinet inside and out, removed all hardware, removed the doors and hinges... and scrubbed. My bucket of water was black. After scrubbing with good old soap and water I used a paint brush and bleach and painted the entire piece (with bleach) before priming, just to ensure all germs were gone (a trick lent to me by my mother).

After this baby was cleaned and primed things moved quickly. I am so happy with the final product. Even though we are still dealing with some hinge issues and there are a couple of places that I wouldn't mind touching up ;) 
The door knobs are a hobby lobby find, while the drawer and cabinet pulls are original. I painted the pulls cream and cleaned up the end pieces. 
I painted the entire inside of the cabinet. I roped Mr. Beery into the project to help me reinstall the shelves, which was one of the most frustrating and time consuming parts of this project. These shelves didn't want to go back into the cabinet, I tried to assure them that I would take much better care of them ... but still, they were awnrey. 

So, there you have it, a cabinet rescued from cobwebs and repurposed for fine living! What do you think?

linking up to:
The Rooster and The Hen

14 comments:

  1. Amazing! You're going to use this as a dresser? If so, that's such a good idea! I'm tired of hanging my clothes up and I hate drawers, my clothes never stay folded properly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i love that, chelsea! it's so soft and pretty. love the details and hardware!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Absolutely gorgeous!! I love the details that this piece has! Megan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lori Parrish NiemiApril 9, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    It turned out great! Love the colors, and now you have re-purposed a great piece. I love furniture from this era anyway. Was it a family piece? I don't remember it, if it was from the Beerys.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you everyone. Well worth the work! Your comments are fueling me to start another project!

    ReplyDelete
  6. WOW!!! Chelsea, I hopped over to your blog after your sweet comments today about my rocking chair makeover....and boy am I glad I did! What a beautiful makeover..you really did an amazing job! Doncha just LOVE ol' Craigslist?! Now I'm gonna go have to peruse the rest of your blog! :)
    ~ Virginia @ livelovediy.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. That looks fabulous! So elegant, so chic and just so pretty! My, what determination you have. Can I have some?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the mint green! It's quite the amazing transformation. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. so brave,Lovea challeng but the love of veneer ...O my and to turn it around to such a pretty girl..you rock. love the color choice,a fresh look.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful makeover. I love the fretwork behind the glass, and the whole fresh look. I featured you this week on Restyled Sundays. Be sure to come check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Ann, for the shout out! I will definitely check it out!

      Delete
  11. This is downright.... majestic! Omg I love it! I will be looking to you when I finally get to the refinishing projects on my list, yours always turn out so amazing :)

    ReplyDelete