Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The cabinet is painted!!!

I finished painting the cabinet a blue-gray last weekend and I'm really happy with how it turned out! (you can click on the photos to enlarge)
First I started by painting it a light gray, then I diluted a "French Blue" paint with a little water and brushed that over (working in small areas) and wiped it off. When that was dry, I diluted brown paint with a touch of black with water and brushed that on and wiped it off (again just working in small areas.) It's amazing to see how it transforms from a flat gray to a color with so much depth.

Since I get so many questions about painting furniture I have put a link on my side bar. Just click on the button that says "My technique for painting furniture" and it will take you to my step by step instructions!
Now I have a lovely piece of furniture and it didn't cost me that much. The cabinet was purchased at a thrift store for $49.99. The appliques were about $50 and the paint was about $12. I had some extra glass knobs. Total cost was a little more than $100!!! What a deal! UPDATED: I should have known some of you would want to know the paint colors I used! The base coat was Behr Interior House Paint in flat latex and the color was "French Gray" The second layer was just acrylic craft paint. The brand was Plaid Folk Art and the color was "French Blue". I don't have the exact colors for the brown and black I mixed together for the last step but they were also craft paint. I hope that helps!

96 comments:

  1. Cindy, it is beautiful. Good for you for taking the color chance; boy, did it pay off!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Cindy!

    What a great job you have done.
    It look very expensive!
    Good job!
    Hug from Bodil

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow!! Your home is like a showpiece. The blue is gorgeous and breaks up all of the white which I love though. I can't wait to see you on Rage My Space That will be fun.....

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's gorgeous - I love the "bone structure" too - for me that makes all the difference. Older things almost always look better to me than newer things. Because of their "bone structure". The color is great.
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Painting it the blue-grey color was such a good idea and you did a great job. It stands out against that stair case but it fits right in with everything else.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful job Cindy, I like that grey blue a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so happy that you decided to paint the cabinet blue; it looks amazing!!! I would never have thought to start with grey, I would have spent eight months looking for that perfect grey-blue color. You're so smart.
    ~Rachel

    ReplyDelete
  8. All I can say is "WOW!" Turns out that blue was an even more inspired make-over choice than your original choice of white (which I tnought was totally fabulous... until I saw this - even better!). You definitely have a gift. Thanks for sharing it with all of us on your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, Cindy! What a gorgeous piece!! I love it and it looks great where you placed it. You are a master at asymmetrical accessorizing, which is to say I love how you arranged the items inside. I'm really looking forward to seeing you and your stunning home Thursday night on the show!!! Suesue

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love it, It turned out so well.

    It breaks up the room, but not in a drastic sore thumb way.

    Great job, well done you.

    Ciao

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cindy, that really looks great. I love these Frenchy gray-blue colors a lot. Looking forward to recording your debut on RMS on Thurs.!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, that was certainly the right direction to go; it looks FABULOUS! Your home is so very pretty and always a pleasure to *visit*.
    :)
    ~Becca~

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi,

    What a beautiful job, I just love it.

    Kathy :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! What a great transformation.

    ReplyDelete
  15. indy, it looked so pretty white that when you mentioned painting it blue I just wasn't sure it could make it better, well it did! It looks fantastic! I love your technique, it really has so much depth:>) Are you in the wrong business maybe? You should be a decorator!

    ReplyDelete
  16. WOWZERS! The cabinet (as well as your entire apartment) looks absolutely amazing! How in the world do you decide which style and size appliques to use, and where to put them? They always look perfect for the piece you put them on. I've looked at appliques dozens of times for my china cabinet but I never follow through with ordering them for fear of picking something too big (or too small, or using too many, or too few etc.).

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just have to say that's one of the prettiest transformations ever!! I wouldn't have guessed that your place could get any prettier. But - it just keeps on amazing me!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fabulous! Thanks for the inspiration!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful colour - I love it!

    Lorrie

    ReplyDelete
  20. Cindy - It's GORGEOUS!!! Now I'm rethinking my black or white options for my armoire. I was thinking black yesterday but hmmm.....

    God bless,
    Sallie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Cindy, the piece is just beautiful! And the displays inside just 'pop' with the added color. Very expensive looking piece. Beautiful job.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gorgeous work, Cindy! You did a fantastic job. Love the blue/gray color. Perfect!!!

    Hugs,
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am really tired of saying "Oh my gosh, that is beautiful!" everytime I visit your blog. can you please get me thesaurus with alternative ways of saying this?

    Cindy, it came out absolutely stunning. I think it adds just the right punch of color to your room! Great job!

    September

    ReplyDelete
  24. Absolutely beautiful! You did an amazing job and I know you are thrilled to see the finished piece in your home.
    Have a fabulous evening,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  25. All I can say is "WOW"!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Cindy, you had a vision and stuck with it. It turned out so lovely.
    Were the lights already inside the cabinet when it was purchased? Or did you add those?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow! Cindy, it looks amazing! It has such richness and depth. Yup, I'm definitely going to try that with my jewelry armoire in my bedroom!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow--It really came out just right. I love how creative you are with mixing and changing paint colors.
    Can't wait till Thursday..
    Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  29. Absolutely beautiful!!! Great job, great bargain! Jannet

    ReplyDelete
  30. Absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful paint job.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Cindy,

    I voted for you to paint this cabinet blue and I'm so glad you did! I don't know how you're going to top this -it's gorgeous!

    Debbie V.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh muh gosh,it's beautiful Cindy. I want it~can I have it :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. It is beautiful! If I attempted a paint technique like that.....Well, lets just say it would not be pretty. I had to buy paint today to redo a hurricane candle base I painted a while ago.
    Glenda/MidSouth

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a fabulous transformation! Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Cindy, it really turned out beautifully! And I'll bet the best part was filling it with all your lovely accessortes! :)
    xoxo,
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  36. CINDY!!!! That is just beautiful! Oh my gosh, what a transformation! You are so good at painting things! I am jealous, I LOVE that piece!

    Hugs,
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  37. I LOVE it!! It looks gorgeous. What a great job.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Cindy,
    It looks so tres chic that color. You do such a great job painting furniture. I'm glad you decided to do it the blue gray....love it and also love the chicken wire.

    Hugs,
    LeAnn:)

    ReplyDelete
  39. WOW! I can't get over how AMAZING your cabinet looks! Then again I remind myself that the all knowing Cindy waved her wand. It looks like it was made just for that space and what a compliment to your already gorgeous room!

    ReplyDelete
  40. just amazing. i love it. you really did a great job.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Cindy! SPECTACULAR!!!!!!! You did a WONDERFUL job!!! It looks great and it was such a deal. I agree with one of the earlier comments how can great keep getting greater? Talent, that's how!
    Sandyt

    ReplyDelete
  42. It looks fabulous. I love it. It looks like a totally different piece of furniture. I can't wait to see rate my space with your room.Have a wonderful evening.
    Jean in Virginia

    ReplyDelete
  43. Cindy~That is certainly an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan! You had the vision to see it! And I noticed you still have the large birdcage on your table. Love it! And it's much better than a ficus:) Your room just gets more beautiful all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Beautiful, Cindy, just beautiful!

    Great job!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

    ReplyDelete
  45. It turned out beautiful! I wish I had the patience to paint things, but I just don't. I end up making a big mess.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  46. Cindy, this is magnificent! Congratulations on your beautiful cabinet. :0} Diane

    ReplyDelete
  47. Congrats on finishing the painting. It turned out wonderful. Really adds to the room.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Totally fabulous! It really turned out nice and looks like a high end $3,000 piece!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi Cindy,
    The cabinet looks beautiful and you did a great job on the pillows also.Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  50. Cindy, it is beautiful. You are so gifted in being able to turn an item like this into a piece of true beauty. The color is lovely. Wish I had your ability to look at an "ugly duckling" and visualize it as a "swan"!

    Best. Joanie

    ReplyDelete
  51. Oh, Cindy, this is beyond beautiful. I love the French blue. It's elegant. If I ever find a desk to go with my blue chair, I'm going to consult your instructions. The appliques are just perfect, too. You are amazing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Cindy,
    I am BLOWN AWAY! It's gorgeous!
    I am going to read about your technique and put it to use on something SOON!

    Thanks for sharing...
    Layla
    The Lettered Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  53. Cindy,
    The cabinet looks amazing. The colors you chose are perfect. I would love to transform something like that. Actually I do have something that just might work. I am going to check out your technique and maybe give it a go! Thanks for sharing!!

    Suzann

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a great transformation! I love it! It came out so beautiful! WOW it sure is a showpiece!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Beautiful cabinet! And the room it's in is gorgeous too!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Wow!!! I can't believe how beautiful and rich it turned out. You really are talented.

    ~elaine~

    ReplyDelete
  57. Wow, your home is getting more elegant everyday, just looks fabulous. And that cabinet is AWesome. mishelle

    ReplyDelete
  58. Holy Cow you got it for $48.00! It looks absolutely gorgeous. You are very talented. The blue-grey is stunning. Just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  59. It is so amazing...and the perfect shade! I have been trying to figure out a technique to paint my furniture...and this is perfect! Thank you so much for being willing to share!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Omgosh Cindy that is beautiful! I am amazed at the close up and what a lovely paint technique. How very nice of you to include the technique for us. That was just kind.
    Thank you
    I know that you are enjoying your masterpiece!
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  61. Cindy, it came out so pretty!! You really did a fabulous job!! Thank you for sharing your techniques with your readers, too! I know I'm grateful!!

    Hugs,
    Michele R.(CA)
    luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Cindy I am finally catching up after the wedding. Your blog is so beautiful and I love all the ideas.
    (Had to take time to back track)
    The cabinet is just stunning.
    Debra

    ReplyDelete
  63. Wow! It turned out wonderful! Great job!!
    emily

    ReplyDelete
  64. It is just beautiful, Cindy. I am glad you chose the blue gray...it looks really good with all the white. It is a lovely piece of furniture.

    ReplyDelete
  65. I think this is your BEST work yet!! Magnificent!!!!!!!!!!! And your photography is perfection.
    Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  66. That looks GORGEOUS!! I'm going to try your painting technique when I re-do grandma's chair! Great job on this project, Cindy :)

    Blessings,
    Stacey

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hi Cindy!

    You did a Beautiful Job!! it looks absolutely gorgeous!! and thanks for your help on that issue too! You are one very talented woman!! ~ Cynthia ~

    ReplyDelete
  68. It looks awesome! I love it.
    Got my TiVo all set up for tomorrow so I can watch Rate My Space when I get home from quilting class.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hi Cindy, I went down the sidebar twice and couldn't find anything about painting.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  70. Cindy,

    You did a beautiful job! I think the blue/gray color was the perfect choice for that piece.

    It really seems to highlight the wonderful workmanship and details that went into its creation.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Hi Cindy! It looks beautiful!! Just stunning.

    Happy October 1!

    xo & blessings

    Melissa

    ReplyDelete
  72. You have "it". This is so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  73. Cindy,
    I am so blown away at how GORGEOUS this turned out. I love your color technique. It looks so high end. Do you mind sharing the exact brand and name of the blue and gray paint you used? Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. It's very nice. You really are a blue girl LOL.
    Hope you have a nice evening.
    Love Elzie

    ReplyDelete
  75. One word....
    STUNNING!
    Just Stunning!
    ~Liz~

    ReplyDelete
  76. It turned out just lovely. You have such a talent for decorating. I come to your blog just to see what you have changed or added to your homey abode!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Wow, you did a great job!!! You must have a lot of patience. I don't feel patient and sometimes processes that take some time are a challenge for me. Therefore, I really admire your ability to stick with something until it is done. Especially when it is "done" so pretty!

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  78. The cabinet looks absolutely amazing! It really looks like a professional did it. Fantastic!

    -Kari

    ReplyDelete
  79. WOW! Talk about a makeover! It looks lovely. I don't have cable so I am hoping that your rate your space will be on youtube soon.

    ReplyDelete
  80. ooooo. Lovin' that smokey blue.

    I think this is my favorite piece yet. Well, every piece you do seems to top the last. LOL But this one is the best.

    Love it! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!


    K-

    ReplyDelete
  81. Its sooo perfect! Thanks for sharing how you did it! I gota get some of that paint now....

    ReplyDelete
  82. Perfection Cindy. Thanks for the recipe! Talk about a makeover!!!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Cindy
    You've probably ansewed this question a hundred times but what kind of brushes do you use?

    ReplyDelete
  84. Judi,

    I use mid-grade brushes...not the cheapest and not the most expensive. For the sides on this I used a foam roller and then brushed over it.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Bookmarked this. Thanksgiving owing to you looking for sharing. Positively advantage my time.

    ReplyDelete
  86. You are a furniture artist. Really, it's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I hope you're not tired of hearing this, but that looks amazing, AMAZING!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Cindy, it looks FABULOUS!
    I am such a procrastinator when it comes to re-painting things...
    Oh, I LOVE seeing the little birdie cone I made for you hanging on the cabinet ~ warms my heart!
    :)
    ~Becca~

    ReplyDelete
  89. Images are looking so awesome and You did a great job. The colors which you have used, I like the most. I am looking to get a good overview of the topic and your article provided help on the way. Thanks.
    interior design

    ReplyDelete
  90. I know this project is from a few years ago, but what a glorious cabinet this is after you painted it! Love the grey and the depth you created with the variety of paints. I really appreciated reading your how to paint furniture post--it is very helpful, so thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  91. OH WOW!! This is beautiful!! And, I'm loving your whole house!! LOL!! I'm totally inspired!! Thanks for sharing!! Glad to have found you!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment! ~Cindy