Ugly 70's Microwave Cart to THIS Amazing Coffee Bar

Kelley MacKay
by Kelley MacKay
4 Materials
I was able to score this cart for cheap and when went to pick it up I knew I had my work cut out for me but I love a challenge and love brining life back to items most people would trash!
I took the trim on top as it "dated the piece". The whole top came off and I went to work with my sander. After sanding the whole thing, I stained the top, then sanded back, added some black paint sanded back to get the result that I loved. I usually experiment and just cool things are created.
I felt like it needed some character, so I decided to do a raised stencil design on the doors. I painted the sides of the cabinet with a mix of gray/white and glaze that gives a wash look. The trim painted black and I added a coffee glaze which makes it more chocolate brown in color.
I added the sliver knobs and painted the original casters silver.
Now I have a beautiful coffee bar cart or whatever the buyer will want to use it for!
Sanded it all down (used stripper on the doors). This is a pretty tough urethane coating.
Before and After


Inside--Sanded and stained the inside
Did a raised stencil on the doors then I painted and glazed
sanded stained painted the top
Final Shot
Suggested materials:
  • General Finishes Milk Paint, Gel Stain and Gel Topcoat   (https://generalfinishes.com)
  • Polyvine   (uspaintsupply.com)
  • D. Lawless Hardware   (http://www.dlawlesshardware.com)
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  • AJ AJ on Feb 02, 2017
    Stunning!
    • Kelley MacKay Kelley MacKay on Feb 02, 2017
      Thank you. The buyer is actually going to use in her bathroom and put a sink into it.
  • Kelley MacKay Kelley MacKay on Feb 10, 2017
    Hi, I created the raised stencil with a stencil and wood icing. Wood icing is a medium with a consistency of peanut butter. You fill in stencil remove stencil and let dry for 24 hrs. Then you can paint
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