1940s China Cabinet Makeover

Today I completed the china cabinet project I started this past Tuesday. I already have two 1940s cabinets in the dining room but could not pass this one up for the price. It was nicked up on the bottom edges and had a few scratches but had lovely wavy glass in the top and was quite sturdy. I bought it with plans of painting it and putting it in the front entryway.

I have recently been reading about chalk paint and how expensive it is (and not available just anywhere). It is available in an antiques town about 20 minutes away from me, but I am pretty tight when it comes to that. Instead, I decided to make my own using one of the many recipes I found on others' blogs. The recipe I ended up using was: 5 tablespoons plaster of Paris + 5 tablespoons water.....mix well. Then add about two cups of satin latex paint (without primer). I used the $24.99 Olympic. Mix slow but thoroughly.

Before I made anything up and started painting, I used painters' tape to tape off the glass and the areas I did not want to paint. I then lightly sanded with a fine-grit sponge sander (I had one already from sanding patches on walls). The finish was so "slick" on this piece, I wanted to make sure the paint had something to bite. Normally, you do not need to do this when using chalk paint.

I used a small cabinet roller for the large portions of the cabinet and a small, average quality paint brush for the tight spaces. I used a free makeup brush for the very smallest areas. ( I always to this even when painting a room....they work great for tight spaces and nooks and crannies.)

I gave it a second coat the next day.

On the third day (today), I distressed lightly with sandpaper and then used Johnson paste wax to cover the entire piece. Forty minutes later I buffed it out.

Now, I need to find a dresser for my daughter's new place.

Above are the "before" and "after" pics. I painted it right there in the entry way after putting newspapers under it and putting an old sheet down for a drop cloth.

I left the inside back stained, because I plan on putting antique English ironstone finds in there. I have also ordered a "puck" light for the inside top.

I have a set of wooden candlesticks that I want to paint and distress as well, just not white. So, I'll have to stop at Lowe's tomorrow and see if they haven't any "oops" paint. If not, I'll buy a sample jar.

Painting the Walls

I am in the middle of painting the "library" walls right now. I've already done most of trim....just need to take the door off to paint properly. We decided on a spicy mustard, since is going to be a sort of "prim" room with white trim (all the trim in the house is white or on it's way to being white). AND.......

We have decided to paint the floors due to the different ages of the woods and poor repair job done in the 1960s. I thought I was going to do the same gray as the back hall, but hubs and a friend suggest "prim" red. Now I am just confused....I don't know what I want.

I've also received some more Amish goodies, two candle wall scones to go with the two candelabras. I bought the hooks for them today and am reminded that I have another job to do. I still need some black taper candles. Hopefully, I'll have a picture or two of the work in progress on Monday :)

Bedroom Makeover

Besides writing about my projects and garden, I am constantly looking for others' pics and stories about their own projects. Home Stories A2Z  is one of my faves that I check several times a week for inspiration. Every time I visit, I see something new or something that I didn't see on previous visits. Today, Beth posted before and after pics of hers boys' room makeover. Take a peek......it's pretty cool!

http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2012/07/sherwin-williams-rainstorm-boys-room-reveal-giveaway.html