How Can I Update This Corner Cabinet?

Kitchen Kelli
by Kitchen Kelli
Everyone gave us so many amazing choices for the water pump/cistern, I thought I would ask about your experience and advice on updating this cabinet. It has held my antique camera collection for years. We broke the glass several years ago. We are willing to do anything just so it is unique and different. All suggestions welcome!
Any ideas on how to update this?
  46 answers
  • This is a gorgeous piece! Not knowing anything of its history (I think about doing antiques differently), I would cut the inserts out with a jigsaw (since the glass is gone anyways). It looks like those shelves could use a new piece of wood. Then, I'd be very tempted to paint it either a color you already have in your house, or with some chalk paint. Annie Sloan has beautiful colors. Old White would be beautiful. I included a picture of a piece she did. It's in her book, "quick and easy paint transformations". Good luck. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
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  • This is a gorgeous piece! Not knowing anything of its history (I think about doing antiques differently), I would cut the inserts out with a jigsaw (since the glass is gone anyways). It looks like those shelves could use a new piece of wood. Then, I'd be very tempted to paint it either a color you already have in your house, or with some chalk paint. Annie Sloan has beautiful colors. Old White would be beautiful. I included a picture of a piece she did. It's in her book, "quick and easy paint transformations". Good luck. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
    comment photo
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 26, 2013
    @I'llJustPaintIt.com Thanks! We were thinking of painting it. The history is that it was my aunt's. My mom had it in her house and my daughter in her's as well. It's been in mine sometime now and it is just very dark and big - I want it to lighten up so pain is a very good choice - I was wondering if anyone here has ever cut one in half using the top part as a hanging shelf and the bottom (without the doors) as a shelf on the floor? It's not a really heavy piece and while I like it as it is - we already have several antiques in our home that mean much more to me than this.
  • Oh, good! I'm glad you can transform it with no regrets. It funny your thought about cutting it in half. I have been looking for projects in which I can do just that! I didn't think of that initially for yours, but I think it'd look great! Maybe even just turn the top into a picture frame for a beautiful family portrait. Or, just use the top as a corner shelving unit. I like the idea of taking one door off the bottom and just having one side be a shelf. Sorry my first comment posted twice. I'm going to try to upload that pic again, because I don't see where it is.
  • KathrynElizabeth Etier KathrynElizabeth Etier on Jun 26, 2013
    This is not the answer you're looking for, but I love the piece, and see the top half filled with a mix of curios highlighted with cat figures and the bottom half as a kitty hideout/bed. After painting, of course. I'd love to see it in cream with bright lime highlights, and possible line the top section with a paw or cat print paper.
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 26, 2013
    @kathrynElizabeth I love the idea! Except that I might want to keep it and I'm terribly allergic to cats, Darn - I really like that one! @I'llJustPaintIt.com I can't see the picture from here - I will look as soon as I get home!
  • Kim C Kim C on Jun 26, 2013
    I would paint it the AS chalk paint and consider wallpaper or stencil on the inside back, perhaps turn it into a bar, I love the hardware so much I would have a hard time removing the doors.
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 26, 2013
    @Kim C Now There's an idea! A bar - paint with the chalk paint - maybe some chalk board paint in back of inside? That way I could still use the bottom part and have the door as a frame or something.
  • Kimberly C Kimberly C on Jun 26, 2013
    I think a contrasting paint in the inside to give it some added personality.
  • KathrynElizabeth Etier KathrynElizabeth Etier on Jun 26, 2013
    Okay, no cats. How about a wine bar with a collection of pretty, unmatched glasses in the top and bottle storage in the bottom? There are some nice wine glass prints available for lining the top, although I think I'd still go with the cream outside, and a narrow, vertical stripe on the interior--maybe shades of green and white.
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Jun 26, 2013
    A super piece! I love the whole thing, in half or whole except for the top molding./ crown..what do you call it? Excited to see the finished project..get to work!! ♥
  • This is in Annie Sloan Old White with dark wax.
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  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 26, 2013
    Wow! @I'llJustPaintIt.com That is a pretty spectacular piece! I love it.
  • I'm sorry about all the trouble getting it to you! I had been trying on my phone with (clearly) no luck! I'm trying to get you the before picture too. I think it's pretty stunning and just knew you had to see it!!!
  • This one isn't a great picture, but I have a two year old and she was trying to help!
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  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 26, 2013
    What a beautiful job and paint color!
  • Annie Sloan is very, very talented!
  • Karin Moone Karin Moone on Jun 26, 2013
    Remove scroll work from top of cabinet and the glass and wood trim from the top door. Replace glass with chicken wire. Paint cabinet and replace drawer pulls with cute ceramic knobs.
  • Leslie D Leslie D on Jun 26, 2013
    Not sure if you have a child in your house, but thought this piece was neat
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  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 26, 2013
    I love the idea of the chicken wire! I hadn't even thought of that. The scroll work on top is just sitting up there. When we brought it into the house about 5 years ago I put it in the bottom because I've never really care for it. Thanks @Karin Moone
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 26, 2013
    @Leslie D how lovely! No, no children. I grandchild visits regularly but he's more Spider Man than Hello Kitty - however, this give me a starting point! I love those little curtain things. Thank you for the visual - it really helps.
  • Z Z on Jun 26, 2013
    Kelli are you going to sell it or keep it?
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 26, 2013
    @Z We will probably sell it - trying to downsize!
  • Z Z on Jun 26, 2013
    My idea would be rather expensive and time consuming for resale, but I'd silver leaf it and paint the interior satin black and antique over the silver leaf with a black glaze. Though you can use faux silver leaf to save money it's still very time consuming.
  • Dans Handyman Services Dans Handyman Services on Jun 27, 2013
    My opinion I would replace the glass and refinish it using original finishes probably shellac
  • Starr Starr on Jun 27, 2013
    I can see this painted in color that goes with your Interiors. Wallpapered back upper and used in a bathroom for rolled up towels, apothecary jars, books with no covers, candles etc. I would never remove bottom doors because it gives you hidden storage
  • Z Z on Jun 27, 2013
    @Dan. That was my first thought too which is why it took me hours after it was posted to reply and only did so after I learned she was most likely going to sell it. Sadly this style isn't popular unless painted. Granted they usually paint them as others suggested with chalk paint and distress {{{shudder!}}} them, which is why I came up with a different idea to update it but not go with the trend.
  • Debbie M Debbie M on Jun 27, 2013
    I have one similar to this, and it came to me in rough shape. It did have the glass, so I kept it, but you could leave the scrollwork on the door and put chicken wire on the back of the door. I painted mine a satin Benjamin Moore Aura in an antique white. The interior, shelves included, are a flat turquoise. I use it to display my ironstone collection.
  • Martha H Martha H on Jun 27, 2013
    I would leave it as is--it is a classic and I think in the future you would be sorry if you painted it.
  • Leslie D Leslie D on Jun 27, 2013
    These cabinets are readily available in all different styles and aren't extremely valuable. We used to sell them for about $400 with the glass. I've seen them in antique shops for up to $800, but it has to be something really special to reach that mark. With the original glass broken out and the fact that you don't have any attachment to it, I say paint away...and if you don't like what it looks like, sand and start over!
  • Brenda De Lair Brenda De Lair on Jun 27, 2013
    Definitely paint it, and consider folk art or some sort of decorative painting on the doors. I also like the idea of painting the back a contrasting colour. It is difficult to say what colours you should use as I have no idea how the rest of your place is decorated. Another idea is to paint it a high gloss black and mirror the back. I would also change up the hardware.
  • Brenda De Lair Brenda De Lair on Jun 27, 2013
    Why not just sell it as is and let the new owners figure it out?
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 27, 2013
    ha! @Brenda De Lair that's exactly what my husband said! Just sell it and let them figure it out!!
  • Z Z on Jun 27, 2013
    Kelli, not a bad idea, but I thought you were in this as a business?
  • Lynda Q Lynda Q on Jun 28, 2013
    stain glass paint on the glass doors?
  • Jody G Jody G on Jun 28, 2013
    There is a name for this way of painting. My son worked for a furniture store where they sold unfinished furniture, I will explain how it is done. Take the old paint or varnish off. Paint with a color that goes with decore. Sand paper some of the paint off, then put a colored varish on.
  • Dee - A Lapin Life Dee - A Lapin Life on Jun 28, 2013
    I would paint it with chalk paint in a fun bright color.
  • Jan Loehr Jan Loehr on Jun 28, 2013
    As an antique dealer and DIY person, this style of cabinet is classic and beautiful but to be sellable it needs to look updated for today's more modern tastes. I would not replace the glass, but just paint it in a Restoration Hardware look, a taupe/gray soft color. Then distress gently on edges and details, including the fretwork on the door. Then take a walnut brown paste wax, wipe gently on the paint and into the details then wipe down, leaving an antique patina over the whole piece. It will look fabulous & someone will fall in love with it I know, maybe even you!
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 28, 2013
    Thanks @Jan Loehr - I am in this as a business and we are new to it. I always try to do something that I would like to see if I were shopping. And I would rather see something done because at another time in my life I would have been way too busy to do it myself! I need to get this paste wax thing - I'm sure I can find instructions - never see it done.
  • Jan Loehr Jan Loehr on Jun 28, 2013
    Howard's makes paste wax in several colors as well as clear. If you have an antique mall/shop near you they would most likely carry it...a "must have" if you are into repurposing classic old pieces to sell! Best of Luck in your new venture...I have been into this for 14 years now & always have a ball!
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jun 28, 2013
    Thanks @Jan Loehr I appreciate the info. My husband just retired and was looking for something to do - since I've been going to yard sales for so many years and my parents were antique dealers - I find it fun. This is for fun and we love it so far!
  • Mary Mary on Oct 25, 2016
    Cookie I would get rid of the glass door ,use white calk paint,replace all hardware .Add bright color decor on shelves to coordinate with your room colors
  • Amy P. Amy P. on Oct 25, 2016
    I'm pretty much in agreement that color would definitely help this piece. If you're planning on distressing it, wipe the parts you want to distress with beeswax first, then paint. The paint won't be so difficult to remove if the wax is under the paint. I like fusion mineral paints, but they are a solid and tough coat of paint to try to distress, hence the beeswax block being used. I'd paint it in a creamy casement color in Fusion, then I'd paint the inside in a mustard color. Just my two cents. I did this with a corner cabinet I have in my home, it was a bear, but definitely worth it.
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 13, 2023

    If it were mine, I would replace the glass or use Perspex (Plexiglass) or use a fine gold mesh. O would fill the damaged areas at the base and stain to match. I like it as it is!

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 13, 2023

    After my dad passed I had to make a lot of decisions about their old furniture. Finally reached the decision that I couldn't keep everything and just picked out what worked with my home and decor. Just reaching that point really helped me sort stuff out.

    Sometimes less really is more.