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!
Sher's Creative Expressions says
Well Rhoda, you did it again. . . you hit it out of the park!!! Home Run!!! Excellent, excellent transformation!!
Yes, after 28 years of marriage, I too have some things that will need to be “traded-up” soon 🙂
Blessings,
Sher
Linda/"Mom" says
* Rhoda, so fun to just get the E-mail saying you'd posted!!! It DID turn out WONDERFUL, but, "WAS THERE EVER ANY D-O-U-B-T???"~~~~ More excitement now too, as we wait to see how you decide to "treat" the insides!!! TRULY A WONDERFUL FEAT!!! What WONDERFUL F-U-N!!! Kudos & congrats!!! Hugs, Linda *
Jannet says
Hi Rhoda, I’m new to your Blog and I’ve been hanging around for hours!! Snooping around your gorgeous home..lol I love all your decorating ideas, thank you so much for sharing!! Gosh all your bunnies I love them!! seems like every household in America have a least one bunny, but here in Denmark where I live, they are so hard to find.
After trying out the all white, shabby chic style I’m returning to something that’s more me and very similar to your style. I also just came back from a Blog break, but hopefully will be back to regular posts soon.
I like your corner shelf (cause I have one similar to it..lol) But your new cabinet is so gorgeous too! Sorry for this long comment, I’ve really enjoyed my visit here, also I will add you to my Blog list.
Kind regards, Jannet
Chari says
Hello Rhoda…
Ohhh my…I just love your new little corner cabinet! I remember seeing it on a few posts back and was wondering what it would look like after you completed your plans for it! Well my friend, it turned out beautifully!!! You wouldn’t even know it’s the same cabinet…hehe! I love how you did the burlap background…that’s a grand idea! Also love all of the pretty new hardware! Can’t wait to see it all filled up now, my friend!!! I’ll be keeping an eye for it!
Hope that you’re having a super Sunday!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
Erin says
I love what you’ve done with the burlap! I know what you mean about trading up. I feel like most of my furniture is quasi-adult, and it’s time to start entering the real world. 🙂
Momovthree says
Hi Rhoda!
It looks amazing, just so cute. I love what you did with the stencils and the new hardware. It really is a great piece. Enjoy!
~Michelle
Kelly B says
I love that cabinet!! I wish we could find stuff like that up here in Decatur. I love the burlap idea. Please pot on that. I am trying to come with an idea for the back of my kitchen cabinets that doesn’t involve painting the interior (the shelves are small and not removable) and I think the burlap would be fabulous!! Thank you so much for sharing!! 🙂
Carmen says
WOW!!!! I love it!!! It’s EXACTLY what I need for my dining room. 🙂 I have been on the lookout for an inexpensive cabinet.
Mrs. G says
Rhoda,
I know exactly what you mean about living with things that become background. Most of my up stairs is like that. One of these days maybe I’ll get even a fraction of your ambition and tackle something. Your corner cabinet looks so cute. I can’t wait to see how you style it and the final reveal on the entire kitchen.
Hugs,
Sue
the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says
It looks just BEAUTIFUL!!!
Anonymous says
I love the corner cabinet. I have long admired your kitchen window treatment. Did you make it yourself? I would love it if you would share the “how-tos” with us. Miss Kris
Carol in Indian Springs Village says
It is as beautiful as I knew it would be! And I love the herbs on the burlap! I love growing and using herbs from the garden. Can’t wait to see how the kitchen turns out with the new granite!
Carol
Marfa says
The new corner cabinet is gorgeous. I am green with envy at your talent 😉 Seriously though, I love how it turned out. To answer your question, I had these little French country shelves in my bedroom that were looking quite tired and out of place because my bedroom decor is not French country at all. I thought of having them donated, but my mother had a great idea. We had some leftover wood stain. We stained them all and now they look precious and match the bedroom very well. Its about looking at things with a fresh set of eyes.
Lylah says
Oh I’m loving the updated brightness of that piece…makes me tempted to paint a big black piece white…hmmmm….
ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage says
Lovely! What a transformation!!
Sarah@VintageChic says
What a transformation!!! Love it! I am impressed by how quickly you get your projects completed!
KMfamily ;-) says
Well..all-be-darn!
Look at that!
Rohda..you did it again.
I knew you wer going to paint it but what a surprise seeing the burlap!
It is darling!!!!
And im in love with the Fleur-de-lis!!! I have such a crush on those lately.
I hear ya about the furniture phases..im at the "got rid of my dorm room stuff a while ago..and now im just starting to weed out or reinvent some pices in our home.
Reusing old pieces & giving them some TLC is such a fantastic way to get a home filled with characture
WAY TO GO!!!!
Lazy Mom Leslie says
Looks great Rhoda! I can’t wait to see it all full of your wonderful stuff! I got my pillow!! I just love it and am trying it in bunches of places to find a perfect home for it!!
Melissa Wertz says
Rhoda, it looks great!
justabeachkat says
Hi Rhoda
We’re stuck here in the airport in Palm Desert due to high winds. Looks like we’ll be spending another night here. Great, just great! George is in line trying to find us a way home tomorrow. It’s Spring Break so it’s crazy hard. The only good thing…I can blog away on my laptop while I wait for him. LOL
You’ve been a very busy girl. I’ve
sure had fun seeing all you’ve been up to. I love this new corner cabinet. Can’t wait to see how you
fill it up. Love your new orange pillow too.
Hugs!
Kat