How can I refinish this china cabinet?
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This china cabinet was one that my husband picked up at a garage sale many, many years ago. I love it but I also hate it because it is so scratched and so hard to keep dusted as you can tell. I really want to refinish it but I just can't figure out where to start. I have not seen a china cabinet like mine on your site so can someone PLEASE help me? Thank You!
I want to get rid of the Mediterranean look, i.e., especially the diamonds.
Rosie, here are a couple of ideas that might inspire you...good luck!
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/vintage-bassett-china-cabinet-gets-a-new-life-8620675
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/diy-china-cabinet-chalk-paint-makeover-4352934
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/cabinet-chalk-paint-refinish-4119994
Vintage Bassett China Cabinet Gets a New LIfe
DIY China Cabinet Chalk Paint Makeover
Painted And Glazed China Cabinet
If you want to keep the wood finish, try Old English Scratch Cover.
Painting it won't make it easier to clean. It will cover the scratches, but depending on the color you choose, dust may be more noticeable.
I would try to add a new smooth layer of wood on top of the existing diamond part. I think you have the depth. Use thin craft wood. This would give you a smooth surface to paint or stain or what ever.
If the inside of the doors are flat, you might be able to turn them around by reattaching the hinges the other way. Or you could add a cut piece of luan and caulk around the edges to hide the seams. Then paint.
I would paint it. There are many paints that are easy to use and require no waxing . My favorite is Fusion Mineral Paint. It goes quickly and you will love the results!
If you want to keep the wood finish - try Restore-A-Finish
Definitely paint, like a light gray-blue chalkpaint.
Definitely remove the wood doors at the bottom, fill in holes for the hinges.
Definitely remove cat, artificial plant, other decor from the top of the China cabinet; they pull the eyes away from your lovely china.
Definitely remove the cross-patched etched windows from the front. If you take the windows, or a carefully traced outline of them, to a glass store, you should be able to get plain glass replacements or another style you like. If a glass store is not within 50 miles of your home, consider making the etched windows look frosted. You won’t be able to see the China through those panes, but the others remain.
Definitely match a small band of trim on the outside to the trim on your china, which could be silver, blue, white, gold. You can find metallic trims or metallic paints in the crafts dept. of Walmart, or Hobby Lobby or Michael’s.
Definitely purge the cabinet of anything that does not add beauty. ☺️
Hi Rosie, though not exactly like your cabinet, here's several redos that have been shown on Hometalk. Perhaps browsing through these will help to inspire you on how you'd like yours to look. Good luck! :)
https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=china%20cabinet%3F
If you paint it a lighter color, it won't show dust as easily.
I like the detail in the doors below - it picks up the detail of the top of the hutch. However, if you don't like it, I'd go with the luan panels idea mentioned above. In that case, you could buy a bit of wood applique trim for each panel so that it's not too plain.
You could paint the inside a contrasting or complementary color, a bit darker, to highlight your china.