A Quick 1-2-3 Vintage Corner Cupboard Makeover
I have a vintage makeover for you today. I mentioned earlier in the week that I had purchased a newer corner cupboard to use for display in my antique booth.
Well, before I placed it in my booth, I painted and waxed it to give it a distinctly vintage look. I think you’ll agree that it looks so much better now than it did originally.
I only had a few days to accomplish this project because I needed to get it out of my foyer (where I do many a DIY project!) before guests arrived for a weekend birthday party.
This shot gives you an idea of the “lovely” unfinished, orange-y, pine that I had to ignore in order to see the true potential of this piece. Though not terribly old, I knew I could give it an attractive vintage makeover.
BTW, if you’re wondering, I did paint the undersides of the shelves; I just waited until I put the cupboard up on a table to paint the bottom half–easier on the neck that way.
PRO TIP: Set your piece of furniture on wooden blocks so when you paint the bottom you’ll get a cleaner edge than if it sat directly on newspaper or plastic.
Before painting, I removed the door hinges–much quicker and easier than trying to paint around them.
PRO TIP: Place each hinge and set of nails in a labeled baggie; I labeled my “top” and “bottom”. In the past, I’ve had trouble when I’ve mixed up hinges; sometimes they aren’t interchangeable. Trust me, I know!
I painted the first coat with pale, pale yellow “oops” paint and the second with light taupe “oops” paint, both of which I had on hand.
For a little surprise, I painted the inside of the door with a Sherwin Williams sample of “Infinity Falls.”
After allowing the paint to dry for 24 hours, I sanded back some of the paint to distress the piece. Then I applied a coat of homemade dark wax to the entire surface, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then buffed it.
The dark wax makes the exposed wood a little darker and gets into the lines left from the paint brush, which helps create the vintage look you’re after.
Related Article: How to Make & Apply Homemade Dark Wax
You can see both the sanded and the dark waxed areas in this photo. [Remember this painted horse?]
In this shot you see more of the distressing and dark wax.
I was very pleased with the results of this farmhouse-y project.
And here’s the finished product. Now in my antique booth at the Gristmill Antique Center in Troy (NY), priced at $125 (SOLD).
Conclusion
For anyone who thinks, “I can’t do that!” Trust me, you can: (1) Paint (2) Sand Paper (3) Dark Wax. Boom. Vintage-style furniture. It’s that easy.
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Other projects you might enjoy:
Vintage Keyhole Desk Makeover
French Style Chair Makeover
A Painted Dresser
I’d love it if you’d pin me 🙂
BOOM! I think I can do that! Thank you for the great project details. I think I will think twice before passing on a furniture redo project next time because I have a new sense of confidence that I can get great results!
Love it!
I have a rough cupboard that is that exact ugly type of pine. My dad gave it to me, and I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with it. I think it would look great with this method. I love that you use “oops” paint! I always seem to have some on hand as well:)
It looks great, Diana! And an interesting process to start with the yellow paint. I never would have t ho’t to do that, but after the distressing it sort of suggests that it was originally painted yellow like many vintage pieces were. I could also see using that old vintage green color in place of the yellow which would give the same effect. So…I just learned something new to try! Thanks, friend! Have a wonderful weekend!
I think your cupboard turned out lovely and isn’t it a great feeling to be able to use up a couple of cans of paint as you did? Enjoy a fun week-end with family…I do love being invited to a wedding!
Your cupboard came out beautifully. Be sure and tell us when it sells; I’m sure it won’t be long! It is a lovely neutral color that will be popular! I like the surprise blue, too!
The cupboard turned out great. I like the pop of blue when you open the cupboard door.
did you sand the entire cupboard down before applying the first coat of paint? I want to refinish one that I bought secondhand and just wanted to know if I need to sand all the nooks and crannies first.
I only sand when the surfaces is very slick and shiny, but even then, I don’t go crazy with it. I sand slightly to give the surface some “tooth” to grab onto the paint. Hope that helps!