Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Rustic Little Fleur De Lis Cabinet Makeover

This little cabinet was looking very unloved and in a sorry state. The front panels had split and it was all scuffed and looking extremely rustic.  I always look past the marks, the colour, the state of the wood and only look at the shape and the original quality of manufacture (eg dovetailed joins, not plywood etc), and I loved the shape of this cabinet. I bought it at auction and it was one of those pieces when you can see other people shaking their heads and wondering why you'd be buying it.

Do they not know the magical power of paint?

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I filled the cracked wood and sanded the cabinet all over to smooth out some scratches and dings. I originally was thinking that this would be lovely in white but I was worried it would bleed a little so I decided to go dark and pulled out my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint tin of French Linen. I adore this colour and the coverage is great. I gave this two coats and there was no bleed through thankfully. Still, if I'd used white paint, I would have needed 3-4 coats to cover up that dark wood.

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Once the French Linen paint was dry I highlighted the details and Fleur de lis in Pure White Chalk Paint. Once that was dry I gave the whole cabinet a good coat of wax. I am trying to minimise how many different tins of wax I have so I used a lovely wax I bought ages ago. It is Organoil Natural Paste and Polish - it smells divine, very citrus-y. It says specifically on the back to not use the wax over paint but ha, ha rebel that I am, I just ignore that and have been using this wax for absolutely ages and have never had any trouble.

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

After the wax was no longer tacky, I sanded the cupboard with a fine sanding foam and got it very smooth and nicely distressed on the edges. I then gave it another quick wax and buffed it with a balled up pair of old pantyhose.  It is now very smooth and shiny.

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

The photo above is an iPhone photo but it shows the reflection and shine you achieved with the pantyhose and buffing. I wasn't spit polishing my shoes in the Airforce for all those years for nothing, you know!

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

This is still a rustic little cupboard but it's looking a lot better now and is for sale. The Key is currently not turning but the cabinet opens and closes well despite that. I may be able to fix the key anyway. A task for today amongst other things.

and here it was before: (a terrible photo but isn't that what before photos are meant to be  - just to make the transformation all the more spectacular!)


Dimensions are 95cm wide, 41 cm deep and 77cm tall. 

If you want to a preview of my makeovers -why not follow me on Instagram or Facebook. I usually post a quick snap there when I have finished a piece.

Have a great day.
Fiona xx

24 comments:

  1. She looks fabulous!! I would love for you to add Pretty Things if you link up to weekly parties, she is beautiful Fiona :)

    xo, Tanya
    http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/2013/06/pretty-things-23-and-party-features.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love that colour Fiona, looks beautiful. My favourite wax isn't for paint either, it's for new timber and marble! But it smells divine and buffs like a dream.
    Have a great day. Alison

    ReplyDelete
  3. Another beautiful paint job. Love it and the shine.
    Kelle

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would never have thought to use panty hose for buffing, although I do use for cleaning.

    Your painting is lovely. That French Linen is a beautiful color.

    ReplyDelete
  5. hi Fiona, what a beautiful piece to see this morning. thanks for your tip on pantyhose. It sure turned out well. You've been prolific lately!
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous makeover Fiona, you seriously find the best stuff. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. beautiful! i love that scalloping in the front and am also a fan of french linen!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Another lovely makeover Fiona! Haha painting rebel! Not sure if I'm a painting rebel or painting nerd... either way I love it! Have a great day :) Jo x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes probably I am a painting nerd also…
      Have a good day also xx

      Delete
  9. Love this shade of paint Fi, its the best colour. Now, do you think it would show dust? I only ask because Qlders really show the dust compared to other Aussie homes (floorboards); I avoid darker colours but am totally in love with this shade. Love this cupboard too, you have the eye for it! The white trimmings look divine!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rachel. our house is also pretty dusty due to being near the flight path. I haven’t had a trouble with this colour with dust showing –it’s a good mid-colour and not too dark so I think you should try it and see.
      Thanks for commenting
      Fi xx

      Delete
  10. Love this cabinet, Fiona, such a perfect colour combo and I love the design you have done.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Absolutely gorgeous. Your little rustic cupboard is beautiful. I recently bought a lovely little cabinet similar to this, it certainly could use a paint and I think I'm going to copy you and try my hand at this. I've just signed up to follow you on Instagram
    Brigette x

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a lovely shaped piece Fiona...looks much better now though!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful makeover!
    Sadie...companyof7designs.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a neat little rustic cupboard! And you really gave it a ton of charm and character! Love the color combination!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am really very happy for providing the nice info in this website that to using the great technology in this website. I had really like it very much for visiting the nice info in this website.

    ReplyDelete
  16. So beautiful! I love the white accents

    ReplyDelete
  17. So pretty - love the gray and white combo! I'm featuring your cabinet in the PoPP Spotlight this week. Thanks for linking up.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I LOVE THIS! Pantone colors are all so fabulous and Linen is a prime example! We love it so much that we made it our color of the week and put together a fabulous outfit on our blog to show how to dress wearing Pantone's Linen using a complementary color palette. You can take a look at it here www.weartostandout.com/blog/pantone-linen and tell us what you think! xoxo, WearToStandOut

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Fiona
    Love your website. Could you please let me know what the paint colour is on the wall behind the cabinet. I am busy painting some bedroom furniture in paris grey and old white and am not sure what colour to paint the walls.
    From South Africa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi - thanks so much, I replied in the other post as well. it's Dulux Sleigh in half strength.
      cheers Fiona

      Delete

Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com