This has been a long term project just due to the amount of time and also the fact that I could not make a decision with the inside color. Should I go with a bright color or should i stay safe with a neutral? Staying with neutral would naturally be my first pick, but I promised myself I would try to step out of my "comfy zone." But, before i reveil my decision let me tell you the back story on this piece.
I found this cabinet on craigslist. It was being sold by owners who were retiring and downsizing. At the time I believe they had it posted for $40, which is a very decent price taking in the size and the condition of the piece. So, I went ahead made arrangements to pick it up (which means I told my husband and his friend with a big truck, I need help!!!). We arrived and got chatting with the couple. The wife and I realized that I had gone to graduate school at the University where she had been employed for some time and that she had previously had been a teacher. Basically, we had a lot in common! She was so thrilled by this that she let us just have the cabinet. She said she was just thrilled it was going to a good home! :) The history is that it had been her mother's and it had been used to store arts and crafts supplies and most recently had just been stored in their basement.
It's a great piece and we quickly brought it home! Structurally, it was in great shade, but needed help with cleaning and some coat of paints. The hardware was also original, but needed to have paint removed. This process ended up being so much easier than I thought! I found the idea of Pinterest (of course!) You remove the hardware and boil it in a pot (make sure its a cheap pot you don't plan to use for food ever again! It gets really gross!) of water and some baking soda. It takes about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the hardware and you can fish it out and let it cool. After cooling a bit you will see the paint just starts peeling off. I then sprayed the hardware with two coats of a dark metal looking spray by Rustoleum.
As for the cabinet itself, I sanded it down really well and then primed it and painted two coats of a gloss white paint on the outside and the shelf panels. For the background, as I told you I was torn! I considered doing a cloth background, so I can change it out, but realized it still needed some sort of paint. Thankfully I was snooping around the "reject paint" section at Home Depot and there was a beautiful gallon of Kelly Green paint! They made the decision for me! :) The inside got two coats of green and ta da! Complete!
I really enjoyed doing this project and I am sure I will change things around in the cabinet, as well as possibly try cloth in the background (Maybe during new seasons?). However, I am glad it's done! I gave myself the deadline of having it complete before Christmas Eve Dinner and I was painting the final green coat at 12pm that afternoon! :) I know! Way to cut it close! Have any of you given yourself a deadline on a project only to be finishing it at the last minute?! Well back to resting on the couch!
Take care!
Christine
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