Ethan Allen China Cabinet Gets a Split Personality

5 Materials
What does one do with an outdated China cabinet?
This is a sponsored post. Country Chic was kind enough to send me some of their chalk paint and tough coat to give it a try and tell you about it. I LOVE it!
We picked up this Ethan Allen china cabinet at an estate sale in town.
Everyone wondered why I would buy ANOTHER china cabinet. I already have three. I had plans for this one – but not for china. Nor am I keeping it.
Nobody collects or wants china anymore.


But they do want buffets AND book shelves. Yep, a buffet and book shelf out of one china cabinet. One unwanted, outdated china cabinet into two highly desirable pieces. This is about the bottom half flip - into a buffet.
Prep: Clean, repair, and then take off the sheen to give the piece "tooth" - so the paint will adhere. I used liquid sand paper.
Paint two coats of chalk paint. I used Country Chic paint. Be sure to lightly sand in between coats.
Apply a layer of top coat. I used Toughcoat from Country Chic. I ran into a problem with it drying too fast, so I added General Finishes Extender and got a little creative with a new application method. Lightly sand in between layers.


Glaze. I used Country Chic graphite glaze.


Apply another layer of topcoat. Lightly sand (always after it's completely dried)
Don't you just love the glaze effect?


It can be a bit tricky. I added GF Extender to the glaze too. I needed more open time to be able to work it the way I wanted.


Paint on another layer of topcoat.
Step 4: Stencil. I used buttercream acrylic paint I bought at JoAnns.
Distress your stenciled design just a bit.
Apply another 3 layers of topcoat to protect it.
I kept some of the original hardware, the hinges you see above, but replaced the knobs and pulls with hardware from D. Lawless Hardware (also sponsored). They have some great pieces to add charm to your project.
The combination of new paint, stencils, glaze, distressing and hardware brought this piece new life. I have it for sale in my new store on Facebook: The Red Shed Wausau. Feel free to come say "hey."
For a more descriptive tutorial, more pictures and details on how I preped and solved the problem of dealing with difficult topcoats and glazes, visit Love My DIY Home at the link below.


I also have a free downloadable PDF of this tutorial if you'd like to have it on hand next time you go to flip a piece of furniture. Just click the link!
Suggested materials:
  • Chalk Paint   (Country Chic Paint)
  • Glaze   (Country Chic Paint)
  • Stencils   (JoAnns)
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Val Frania {Love My DIY Home}
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 6 questions
  • Jade Jade on Sep 27, 2016
    What is the color of the buffet? I missed it somewhere and can't find it. Beautiful work!!!
  • Sherry Siedenburg Sherry Siedenburg on Oct 30, 2016
    This piece of furniture was beautiful to begin with and I was a little heartbroken to see someone painting it.... until I saw the final product! It's gorgeous! But i have a quick question... I have a split hutch similar (I've always called it a buffet?). The previous owners painted it hunter green and left the top the beautiful original wood. If I wished to update it, lighten it up to a color similar, would I need to strip it of the paint first?
  • Gary Gary on May 09, 2018

    How do you install doors to a China cabinet ?

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