Honestly, I never thought this would take me so long… At one point, I even thought I’d have to give up. 😨 This little downstairs cabinet, that sad, gray piece of furniture in disastrous condition right next to the piano, turned out to be much more challenging than expected. I had everything planned to show it to you today, but… surprise! There was an unexpected twist. So while you wait for the big reveal, let me take you through this adventure! ⬇️
The little cabinet downstairs? That gray piece, right there next to the piano. And when I say “sad,” it’s not because of its color. No, it’s sad because it was in terrible shape. Honestly, it was painful to look at.
A Well-Deserved Makeover
In one corner of the downstairs area, near the piano, stood a small, gray cabinet in a pitiful state. But it wasn’t its color that made it sad—it was the years of wear and tear it had endured.
I had bought it for next to nothing back when I was living in my first studio… only to leave it sitting outside on a balcony for years. Later, it moved inside, storing CDs, sheet music, and even a few cats. But with peeling paint everywhere and that horribly outdated chicken wire, it was time for a change.
Goodbye Paint, Hello Natural Wood
My goal was clear: restore the original wood for a more natural look. So, I attacked the paint with a scraper, then a sander. It was long, tedious work… but I finally stripped away the old finish.
While I was at it, I removed the wire mesh and made the necessary repairs—especially to the door, which was barely holding together.
A Simple but Effective Makeover
I wanted a raw wood effect on the outside, contrasted with a colorful interior. I chose Jade by Tollens, a slightly bluish-green shade (which, of course, is impossible to capture properly in photos!).
To prevent the wood from yellowing, I applied a tinted wipe-on varnish, a technique that softens the color while adding depth. I then protected everything with two coats of matte, clear acrylic varnish, lightly sanding between layers.
👉 Tip: To achieve a similar effect, you can mix a small amount of paint with clear varnish or apply a very diluted paint wash.
The Door: A Challenge on Its Own
The door needed special attention. After removing the old mesh, there was a huge gap left behind. Luckily, I had some caning in stock—bought years ago specifically for this project!
After soaking it in water to make it more flexible, I stretched it and attached it to a fiberboard panel for extra stability. The door, originally designed for glass, was too fragile to support the caning on its own.
It had to be stretched tightly and secured with plenty of staples to prevent sagging. Once dry, I trimmed the excess… and that was it!
The Final Result: A Piece That Has Found Its Place Again
When you describe a furniture makeover like this, it always sounds easier than it actually was… but in reality, it was a massive job.
Spending so much time on a piece that’s practically worthless might seem absurd. But between the memories attached to it, the story behind the furniture, and the satisfaction of bringing it back to life, there was no way I was letting it go!
Soon, it’ll move upstairs, replaced by a larger cabinet. But for now, I’m enjoying the result.
If you loved this transformation, feel free to share or leave a comment!
Thanks for stopping by! 😊
