Cabinet Upcycle With Red Chalk Paint and Napkins
3 Materials
$15
4 Hours
Easy
The cabinet I use to hide all the computer and cable boxes plugged into the TV didn't really go with my decor I wanted a change.
The cupboard was made from old mango wood and had a big hole cut into the back of it for all the media cables to fit through so I couldn't really sell it. Therefore I upcycled it into something more of a colorful statement piece.
The first thing I did was to tape up with masking tape all the areas of the cabinet that I didn't want to be painted like the ironwork.
I used Annie Sloan Emperor's Silk chalk paint (see here) that I had left over from a previous project. I love to use chalk paint as there is no sanding or priming needed so it cuts out a lot of the preparation. I also love the rustic finish.
Chalk paint is normally applied with a specialist chalk paint brush. However, I love the smooth brush mark free finish you can get with a small roller. I used a small roller wherever I could and painted the cupboard with 2 coats of chalk paint.
To add interest to the cupboard and the fact that I'm a huge fan of Marimekko I decoupaged the door panels of the cabinet with Marimekko paper napkins.
To do this I cut the napkins to the size of the door panels and separated them out so that I only used the top printed ply of the 3 ply napkins.
I applied the napkins directly onto the wet paint and let the paint act as a glue. If the paint has dried you can stick the napkins on with decoupage glue. I used a small wallpaper roller to smooth out the napkins as I stuck them down.
After the paint had dried and the napkins were stuck down. I used Annie Sloan's dark wax to protect the cabinet and to give the red paint an antique look.
I love how the cupboard has turned out. I think that the paint finish looks a bit like that you get with antique red Chinese furniture and the Marimekko pattern gives a Scandinavian element to it. As I'm from Hong Kong originally and my husband is from Norway I think that is a perfect combination for the cupboard.
However, the only problem now is I think it's too good for the TV!
This isn't the first time I used Annie Sloan Emperor's Silk chalk paint, in fact, it was used in my most popular furniture transformation which you can see here.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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2 of 25 comments
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This isn't the first time I've been impressed with what you have done! This turned out gorgeous!! You are definitely one talented lady!
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I have a dreaser I tried turning into a media center using Rust-Oluem chalk paint. I had a terrible time with the paint! After 3 coats. ..it still was not covered, I tried homemade chalk paint.. not any better. I even sanded the piece first. I was so discouraged. It still looks awful. I have not completely finished it, clear coat because not sure of my final direction, but am using until I decide what to do. Any ideas what 'happened...is going on?'
Very different and attractive. We are a combo of German-Irish and pure Polish. What paper, wallpaper, tissue paper would anyone suggest? ha,ha
I have a unfinished pine bench with cedar lined storage under the lid. The exterior pine is narrow bead board framed panels. I intend to use it at the basement door as a seat where we can take off our boats in winter and keep our hats and gloves in the storage area. I’ll be adding a coat rack either above or on the adjacent wall.
I love the punch of color your chalk painted cabinet gives a space.
One question thoug:
Does chalk paint hold up to moisture or should I stick with an oil-based paint for its durability? I don’t want snow to warp this bench cause I used the wrong kind of paint.