Edited to Add this to Edie’s “Painted Wood” party, so if you’re coming by from there, Welcome! You can also see the cabinet decorated here in this latest post about this painted corner cabinet.
I’ve determined that I’m in the “trading up” stage in my life with decorating. Let me explain that. When I started out about 25 years ago decorating my first house, I took whatever I could get. Hand-me-downs were just fine. I just wanted something to eat, sleep and sit on so I wasn’t too picky about what came my way. Whatever I could afford or what someone wanted to give me was OK by me. I slowly then started to trade up on things. Sofas, bedroom furniture, rugs, and many other things, I was able to buy better quality and make my house more me and what I loved. Some things you pick up and live with for many years and don’t even think about them. They serve a purpose, are pretty nice to look at, but not exceptional and not what I would buy now.
Case in point…my perfectly fine corner baker’s rack that I picked up more than 10 years ago to fill a spot in my old kitchen. I needed something small there, something that wouldn’t take up a lot of room, but would give me a little extra storage in an already small kitchen. So, that metal baker’s rack was found and used, even repainted once along the way and it came with me here to AL, where it again landed in the corner of the kitchen. Certainly not my favorite piece, it became background to me, I didn’t even think twice about it. But, now that I’ve got the bones of my house in place with many furniture pieces that really mean something to me, I’ve started looking around at the things that have been with me for many years that could use a little “trading up”. Not more expensive necessarily, but just better looking, more interesting and even more functional. So, my quest for a real corner cabinet began…and it didn’t take me long at all to find it.
You won’t recognize it now! From old and tired….
to new and fresh and bright! The corner cabinet has been reborn for a whole new look and now it looks right at home in my house. With just a fresh coat of paint, a little extra molding, new knobs and painted burlap backing, what a difference this small change makes in our kitchen.
I wanted to just show you the cabinet before I start filling it up. Not even sure what will go in here yet, but I want to make it pretty.
You can see what I did with the burlap. I decided to do herbs and they were traced and painted onto the burlap. I used my electric staple gun to hold the burlap in place, when my plan of just pushing those black tacks in there, didn’t pan out like I had planned. The old wood backing was hard as a rock and I had to hammer in the tacks.
And I’m really just thrilled with how the cabinet came out. If y’all would like to know more about the whole process of putting this together, let me know and I’ll do another post on how I did it.
You can see that I also added 3 puck lights too, which really makes it come alive. I love cabinets that are lit up. These were easy to install and I figured them out without any problems. I had to drill small holes in the backing and then get them plugged into the outlet.
The new knobs from Hobby Lobby are perfect on here.
Cloves and Chives. The burlap isn’t perfect, it’s a little saggy in spots, but I’m happy with it all the same.
Basil and Garlic
It’s adorable!
The fleur-de-lis knobs are on the bottom doors and here you can see the picture molding I added, which gave it much more detail too.
Now, I’ve got a whole new area to use for storage and you know we can’t have too much storage in a kitchen, can we? I’ve moved some things around in the kitchen, so I’ll show you later. Might even wait until I get the granite installed and do a whole kitchen post on it all.
So, how about you? Do you have some things that have been with you for awhile that you’re ready to trade up? I think I have a few more things, come to think about it, so those are the small things I’ll be on the lookout for.
Breakdown on this piece: I paid $125 for it at the antique mall
$12 for knobs from Hobby Lobby (using coupons)
$6 for burlap (Hobby Lobby) and tacks (Lowes)
$20 for the puck lights (from Lowes)
$10 for the molding on the doors
Not bad for under $175! What could you buy new for $175? Probably something made out of MDF without much character. I love these older pieces that just need some tender loving care to bring them back to life.
Simple, yet beautiful.
Edited to Add: Guess what? I’m going shopping with Layla today and can’t wait. Of course, I’ll tell you all about it when I return.
I’m also adding this post to Susan’s Met Monday, so go by there to check out more renovations. Happy Monday!
I love it! I just did that with my corner cabinet too. I can’t believe what a difference painting something white makes! Thanks for sharing.
I love what you did with this cabinet! What a great idea to stencil herbs on the burlap! Can’t wait to see the rest of your kitchen re-do!
Looks great lady! I think it’s a perfect reflection of you and your style. I love love love the burlap inserts with the nail heads. That just kicks it up a notch. I’d have a hard time deciding what to put in it too. Maybe all green, like your plates. Something really high contrast. Great job!
-Hayley
Rhoda, I’m so thrilled I stopped by today—-I LOVE the way your corner cabinet turned out! It’s a beauty in itself, then to have the extra storage is just a fantastic plus!
Do you recall a post you did (about a year or a little less ago) where you were helping someone with a wedding and in the place where you were setting up you showed a vintage armoire? I e-mailed you and told you I had one that looked almost identical to it. Well, mine has had a major redo (I will be featuring it soon)—you’d be proud! 🙂 Mine was in pretty bad shape, so the direction I went with it was not the original plan, BUT it turned out even better!!! 🙂
Thanks for another wonderful post. Happy Spring! Dana of the stone rabbit
Rhoda!!!Love it! I think “burlap” is the new “toile.” 🙂 I used some burlap ona side round table in my fam Rm and love the texture. What a great idea to paint it. I heart your knobs – both of them. I can’t wait to see what kind of treasures you fill it with. BTW, your lovely blog made me contact the designer. We are “talking.” Have a Blessed Day, Barb
Love it, Rhoda! What a change! I love what you did with the burlap!
Great make over Rhoda! very cute!
Wow, I just love it! So bright and pretty! It will look great. I can’t wait to see it once you have it filled up. I love the burlap, the lights and the herbs stenciled on it. The fleur-de-lis knobs are soooo pretty.
I would love the step by step. I am thinking about painting some furniture and could use some help. I have more ecru than bright white in my house so I am trying to figure out what paint color to use and also wondering if you put a top coat on varnish or something to that effect on it.
It totally is adorable! What a wonderful eye you have for “the makeover”! Thank you for sharing.
Looks great!! Amazing! Great Job!
That turned out beautiful! Love the burlap!
I love it! You did an amazing job
You did a outstanding job! I love one of a kind peices. I know what you mean about trading up, I am at that stage in my life too. I love being able to trade up !
The cabinet looks gorgeous. I really like the added molding detail on the doors and the crown on top. It really gave the piece a lot more charachter and presence. Love the painted burlap, very pretty. What a great idea. I can’t wait to see what you do with it. Hugs, Marty
Your new cabinet is a great addition to your space!
What do you get when you mix a fine piece of furniture with a vision? A masterpiece. Love it, Rhoda!!
Oh my goodness. I just love what you did with this piece. It is so gorgeous! My Grandma had a beautiful corner cabinet just like this. I think my parents gave it to my brother when he got his first house. I have to look into it because now I want one : ). You are so talented! This looks perfect. I can’t get over it.
It looks great! I love the burlap and tacks…And the herb and spice idea was just wonderful! I can’t wait to see what you put inside!
This is just FABULOUS..you did a magnificent job on it, as usual…You are GOOD at what you do.
Now, I am off to find your instructions of framing a mirror..
Hope I can find it….
hugs, bj
Just Beautiful Rhoda. I came out really nice. yes I have alot to trade up eventually. I agree with the trade up process after 29 years you should trade up to things you love that will last and not say “just for now”. Have a fabulous day!