What should I do with this shelf? Color options? Style?

Question

Does anyone have ideas for this shelf. Should I finish in paint or stain, as is, or should I take the doors off and just make a shelf. I was thinking the latter since I want a display shelf and if I did, what kind of craft project could I do with the doors? Ideas? Examples?

Jessica C · Answer

Beautiful piece! I would not take the doors off as they are very unique and could be beautiful painted a nice turquoise or red shade. I like it with the doors on!

Stephanie · Answer

Is that a fabric or grasscloth on the doors? I would paint it, and as it seems like mid-century modern, I would go with a color that was popular back then. Maybe an off white with pinkish highlights, or turquoise highlights.

Liliana Wells · Answer

This is a beautiful cabinet. But it needs some TLC. In the search box above write 'cabinet refinishing' to show what other people have done. One may inspire you. As for color, what rooms is this going into? You may choose a complimentary or contrasting color. Maybe pick a color of a painting, picture or other furniture in the room. Do not remove the doors. Good luck. Please post your pictures when done.

Sherry Fram · Answer

I would paint it bright red, acid green or turquoise and paint the inside black or a complementary color.

Jan · Answer

I agree---where are you gonna use???---then stain or chalk paint to suit---if you need display more than hidden storage remove the doors---but hang onto in case you change your mind in future---nice cabinet!!!---

Bonnie Paterson · Answer

it's gorgeous! I would do it antique white with distressing and keep the woven front. It could go anywhere!
 Paint the inside a dramatic colour

Suzie · Answer

Other than suggesting that the doors are interesting, so why remove them - only you can decide on the color for it. Painting items in a contrasting color is currently the rage over stain, but what fits your decor and plan for this cabinet?  It is a beautiful piece!

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

This is so unique. I'd just buff it up. Is the top original to the piece? From what I can tell from the pic, maybe it had a glass insert in the top piece? You could always lay a piece of granite on the top.

Angela Woods · Answer

You have so many options. This a beautiful piece.  Consider painting or stain it a bold color to match the decor in whatever room your placing it. Leave the doors on.  That's what makes this cabinet. Maybe even paint the grass cloth or the spindles a different color.  Love to see finished product!

Colleen Clagett Price · Answer

AWESOME PIECE!  Leave doors on. Strip off any finish on the piece except for the door inset(fabric and starburst). Sand very thoroughly, then LIME WASH!  Maybe change hardware. It will be STUNNING!  Or, sand off the top, seal it with clear wax, chalk paint the rest in a soft gray.

Kathy Heimann · Answer

I think good wood should be kept as good wood. Why put paint over it? It takes away the natural beauty of the piece. I would clean it, stain it or just buff it and put some coats of bees wax on it,Take out the door woven inserts, leave the metal sunburst and display books ect inside and maybe use the top as a TV stand or buffet with dishes/glassware in it. It is a great piece. Good luck!

Cynthia Jensen · Answer

The cabinet is going in the living room as a sofa table. Here is another piece I did recently to show what I already have (the bookcases are going soon). I have copper and other metal accents with black. (The doors are still being done on this one, had trouble with the hinges)

Buster Evans · Answer

I love the piece as is, I would prefer sanding it down all over and re-staining the top to match the cabinet and then re- stain or varnish the cabinet to revitalize it to a new look. Wood look goes anywhere (I think) It may be a Lot of work to do it but well worth the effort when you are done... Its a beautiful piece with the doors and the woven material in them.. I would leave the doors and use it as a some sort of a storage cabinet.. post the finished product and let us see what you decided,

Xie · Answer

I would use your other piece as inspiration if they're going in the same room. I think i would sand it all down. Stain the wood the same color as your other piece. Then use an antique white on the bottom, distress it. Leave the top dark and smooth. leave the fabric. Whatever you do, I would love to see the results.

Sharon · Answer

I've never seen anything like it, so cool!  I wouldn't remove the doors. There are too many other options for a display shelf. In fact, I'd put one above it. I would go lighter on the color so the detail stands out. And, if in the same room with your other piece, it won't darken the room. If you're going to paint the metal, do it opposite the background you choose. You could use 3 colors. Thats usually not my style but thats what's speaking to me here. A mix of paint and wood that uses colors from your decor.  I saw this on Pinterest on Shizzle Design. I buy my chalk paint from them & love their tutorials. I can't upload a pic today but you can search it by 'upcycled dresser wood black white teal.'  It was re-posted from www.the berry.com. Please post the finished piece.

Greer · Answer

A potentially classy piece - really nice transitional style lines - but I think the woven portion dates it and drags it down. If the woven portions of the doors are removeable, then remove them - leaving the 'spoke' design. Replace the woven sections with either glass if you want to display items (it would be beautiful with shelving and books behind glass) OR with mirrors. Paint the piece depending on your taste - a black would be beautiful with mirrored doors. If you choose glass doors, you can paint the inside back a nice color to either match, or compliment, the color you choose for the outside of the piece. If the 'spokes' are metal, I'd leave them as is. If they're wood, then paint them to match the rest of the cabinet. The size & shape make it very versatile...against a wall as a tv cabinet, in a foyer or behind a sofa. It's a unique piece with a lot of potential. Let us know what you decide to do!

Laura G · Answer

I would also just sand it and enjoy the beautiful patina. You could also apply an oil or a wax to really bring out the natural beauty of the old wood.

St Rose · Answer

Have fun with it, whatever you do. A couple of people suggested taking out the fabric; but I think that that is the most unique aspect of the piece. Maybe sand it, and stain it a darker wood, that would go with your other piece. The darker wood would accent the woven sections.

Clarissa · Answer

The cabinet is a cool time period piece. I would paint it. Martha Stewart has some cool metallics. Sand and stain the top, paint the bottom. Also I would replace the material in the cut out with a more modern look and to match your deco. Good luck.

Karen Russo · Answer

I must agree with everyone who said to leave the doors on. Shelves are a dime a dozen! The black finish with mirrors (Greer) sounds like a winner to me!

Sandi Reynolds · Answer

I would make me some chalk paint and paint it but first I would take the burlap fabric off the doors and spray paint them

Sandi Reynolds · Answer

Sorry....paint the spider web wood or trim that is in the front panel of the doors...pretty copper color

Grady · Answer

I think you should paint it lime green. I think it will add a note of originality.

Della Ravenscoft-Mash · Answer

What a talking piece. If u want the shelves open could u use the doors as a back on the top. And or put mirrors behind the spider webs.

Becky Wood · Answer

If you choose to remove the doors, I would hang one of them with either mirrors or a picture behind the 'spokes'. Remove the spokes and wicker from the other one and put chalk board paint on it to use in your kitchen. Since you like copper, paint the spokes copper or something to match the other accents in your room. Since you want to use it as a display shelf, my preference would be to cut out the wood behind the spokes and replace it with glass or chicken wire. I would plant the cabinet to match the other piece you showed.

Carol Tomlin · Answer

What a classy piece! I like the wicker. I'd paint the piece red, black or plum, leaving the wicker as is or cleaned & stained or refreshed.

Elizabeth McManus · Answer

Strip it down to the natural wood, take out the insets in the doors leaving the strips maybe replace the insets with glass.

Tracy · Answer

I love this piece! I would paint the inside a bright color, remove the insets in the doors and expose the open spider web design on the door. The wood has such great patina I would just clean it and then oil it. The top I would either paint solid or stain darker like the spider webs. I would not paint the outside. For sure post pictures of what you do.

Tammy · Answer

I would put some ceiling tin where the wicker and spokes are and paint the base a barn wood red distressed with a dark stained top

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