White Vintage TV Cabinet

I bought this cabinet just before I went away - I wasn't going to buy anything before I went but how could I walk away from these gorgeous doors?

  I think the main reason that this piece had no one else buying it is that there was an area of bad damage on the top. Someone had obviously left a pot plant for ages on the wood and it was badly cracked in a large circle. If this wasn't the case I probably would have refinished the top and left it wood but it needed a huge amount of wood filler and then painting to fix it. I tried a new wood filler product and was so happy with it that I'm passing on the details.

the damage once I'd filled it with wood putty

I usually use wood putty for filling and find that it can be difficult to sand perfectly smooth and also that there is wastage as the jar of it usually dries out before you finish it. When I saw the powder form Agnew's Water Putty Multi Purpose Filler (500g for around $6) that you just mix the amount you want with water as you require, I thought I'd give it a try and it worked beautifully. I can honestly say that this gave me the best repair job I have ever done.  Once the cabinet was painted you could not even see where there was damage. I'll definitely be buying it again.

This cabinet is such a gorgeous piece and a perfect size to use as a TV cabinet.  Once I'd repaired the water damage, I primed it and painted it with my home made white chalk paint and then gave it a good sanding with my orbital sander. I love how the distressing brings out the ornate details. I then waxed it with Miss Mustard Seed's finishing wax and buffed and buffed and buffed so it is super shiny. (a great bicep workout! oh I really need to hit the gym again...)

Gorgeous original brass lion head pulls.

As you can imagine this piece was snapped up and is already in its new home as a TV cabinet.

I am feeling very relaxed about this Christmas.  I'm not sure if it's false and I've deluded myself to feeling in control. I did a little shopping while in America and then a little more over the last few days. I'm going to do some baking for teacher presents today and I'm giving several cows and pigs to family members so I can just order them online. Such a good present for that person who has everything!  (or kids who have too much already!)

What do you have to do still? are you feeling on top of it all or running around like a headless chook?

Fiona xx