Monday, August 5, 2013

Vintage Grey Cabinet for a Marble Bathroom

Because when you stop and look around this life is pretty amazing

Life is pretty amazing isn't it. I think we take a lot for granted these days. It's good every now and then to stop and count your blessings. Yesterday we did a family fun run that was a great community event down at the Bay Run, close to our house. It was a beautiful sunny winter's day that felt like springtime. I'm really proud of my kids and their willingness to put effort in and push through discomfort for a good result. So what does this have to do with a vintage grey cabinet, not much but the chalkboard message I wrote for the display made me think of all the good things in my life and I'm feeling blessed.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey cabinet by Lilyfield Life

This little cabinet was looking a little sorry for itself. The wood was lovely - very old pine, but the varnish had definitely seen better days and was flaking off badly. The middle panelling on the doors was falling out and it was all pretty grubby. One of the drawers was missing and the other drawer on the bottom has stuck inside and took me an hour to prise loose as it was broken. Anyway i stripped it all back with my orbital sander, took the doors out and removed the rusty old nails and started painting.


Sweet Peas

Someone on instagram had been asking me for a cabinet for her new bathroom and I thought this was a perfect candidate. Leanne has recently renovated their main bathroom with lots of beautiful marble tiles and so we though Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey with white trim would fit the bill.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey cabinet by Lilyfield Life


I painted the edges of the door panelling before I reinserted them and it made it much easier. I painted the bevelled edge of the top and base using my trick with a damp cloth. Once I had inserted the door panelling I then cut some wood for the bottom shelves where the drawers had been. I waxed the inside to bring out the beauty of the wood. I also waxed the paint work and buffed it to a soft sheen. I also added little magnetic catches as the doors weren't staying shut. You would think that screwing in these little catches would be quick and easy - yet it took me an hour! Sometimes it's the littlest things that can take the most time. The actual painting of this cabinet didn't take hardly any time. I actually was on a conference call on loudspeaker when I did most of the painting! Nice and easy, but it was all the other little steps that took a lot of time - removing the drawer, the sanding, cutting the wood for the shelves, cleaning the cabinet, my first top coat (Porter's) yellowed the paint so that meant I had to repaint the section that I'd top coated.  
Sometimes old furniture needs a lot of work! Particularly a very old cabinet such as this. 

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey cabinet by Lilyfield Life

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey cabinet by Lilyfield Life

and here is Leanne's beautiful bathroom here my cabinet is headed. 





Doesn't Leanne have beautiful taste. You can find her on Instagram here - where all these bathroom photos are from. I think the cabinet is going to look lovely there!


Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey cabinet by Lilyfield Life

I have a few very special pieces coming up this week. I am really looking forward to sharing them with you. BTW the chalkboard is for sale $35. Pickup Lilyfield (or I can post within Australia)

Hope you all had a lovely weekend
Fiona xx


Shared here: My Uncommon Slice of SuburbiaSavvy Southern StyleDedicated houseMiss Mustard SeedRedoux interiorsFrench Country Cottage A Stroll thru life power of Paint My Repurposed Life Fabulous Furniture  Coastal Charm  transformation Thursday Shabby 

19 comments:

  1. Lovely Fiona - perfect shade of grey to go with the marble in her bathroom. =)

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  2. oh Fiona, this is stunning, what a beautiful transformation and I love how you talk us through all your work and share your knowledge. So many bloggers don't. Leanne's bathroom is also gorgeous and your cabinet is going to be perfect in there. Love your blog. Adele

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    1. thanks Adele - I'm always happy to share my knowledge. much appreciated
      Fiona x

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  3. Beautiful Fiona! Thank you again for sharing your expertise with us. It is really helping for someone like me who is still learning. I always wondered about the inside of little cupboards and now you've taught me what to do about that too. Keep up the wonderful, inspirational work! Shirley :)

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    1. thanks Shirley, sometimes I paint the insides of cupboards but if they are nice I like to leave them -some of the original character.
      cheers Fiona

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    1. thanks Cassie - this had lovely bevelled edges and the white makes them pop. Hope you are safe back from your holiday and not exhausted from the all laundry!

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  5. I love the cabinet! And that bathroom is beautiful too! I love a marble/grey/white bathroom combo, always timeless!

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    1. hi Jo, Leanne has done a beautiful renovation of her apartment. it's near the beach and I think the cabinet will look good in there. hope all is well with you
      cheers Fiona

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  6. The 'before' picture of the chest was very blah..boxy looking thing without any real character. Oh my, what you did to transform this chest! So lovely...the white detail and Paris Gray. Very beautiful.
    Robin

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    1. thanks Robin, the cabinet was actually in worse shape than I realised but I liked the shape of the doors with their bevelled edges and new that paint would transform it. and it was a good height for what Leanne wanted so worth the effort to get it looking like this
      cheers Fiona

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  7. Another beautiful piece by you. It's lovely, I bet Leanne was thrilled. Her bathroom is beautiful.
    Beth x

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    1. I think Leanne was very happy with it! thanks Beth
      Fiona x

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  8. Beautiful Fiona - love the colour. I almost picked up Paris Grey on the weekend but went home with French Linen instead. Maybe Paris Linen will be next time :)

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  9. Love this little chest and the new colors are so pretty. Your bathroom is absolutely stunning, love all the marble. Thanks so much for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  10. I am so glad that beautiful cabinet went to Leanne. You both have great style.

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