I Was Shabby Before It Was Chic…
I am so thankful for the advent of Shabby Chic into the Home Decor Genre..
Because it allows me to make lemonade when DIY projects give me lemons.
Case in point
I bought this computer armoire at Walmart several years ago for $99.
(The glowing light between the doors is my much loved Mac Mini.)
The armoire is made of particle board -
The invention that enabled poor people to afford new furniture.
However particle board, while cheap, does not hold paint very well.
I first attempted painting it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.
I have used this paint several times, and found that it really does cover almost
anything with no sanding or stripping.
Until now..
It didn’t work out so well on my armoire.
So I switched to some regular latex paint in a creamy white.
I bought these wood trim pieces at Lowes, and glued them on the doors with Gorilla Glue.
I used them to add more of an antique look to the piece.
Then I painted.. 2 or 3 coats..
And quickly noticed that the paint scraped off quite easily. Like every time I shut the doors.
And every time I brushed my foot against the bottom…and every time I breathed.
Enter Shabby Chic design.
Yep, that was my plan all along.
I pulled out my sandpaper and went to town on it. Sanding all of the edges.
I was fairly happy with the outcome -
I bought some pewter hardware, but I got the wrong kind of hinge
so we (meaning hubby) haven’t put it on yet. I think it will look better with those.
I like the way it looks in the room now with the wood pieces I have.
You know, the sacred wood furniture that may never be painted….
At least no one can protest too much about me painting particle board!
(Dang I love my antique heat register covers…not..)
I know the Shabby look isn’t for everyone, but I like it. For right now anyway!
And it may help me get a few more years out of what is basically already
a cheap piece of furniture. That alone is worth the effort it took to paint it.
I guess I just get bored easily..
With furniture, decor, clothes…
It is not necessarily the greatest personality trait.
But in the long run, I guess it’s not too shabby…..
Oh snap.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
171 days ago
It does look much better, Sharyl! I love the appliques you added.
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Heather
171 days ago
I have a few of those cheapo furniture pieces and have often wondered if I should try something like that. I really like how yours turned out! Love the addition of the detail too. Thanks for some pretty inspiration! I love that shabby furniture hides my mistakes!
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gina
171 days ago
I LOVE shabby chic, so I love how it turned out. How could anyone not like the distressed look?
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Christina
171 days ago
I’ve got to say I love your shabby CHIC
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Ashley | Domestic Fashionista
171 days ago
I could not agree more! I am so thankful for shabby chic as my husband and I are “not careful” people…aka klutz! No worries if something gets scratched or bumped…I really think it gives me a lot of freedom to truly live and use the things in my home! Your redo is lovely and I love your thoughts on this!
Ashley
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Emily
170 days ago
Beautiful transformation! It looks very Chic! I get bored easily with things too. When I rearrange furniture or bring out the paint, my husband has learned to just roll his eyes and smile!
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Lynne
170 days ago
I used to have that same cabinet! I don’t even remember what happened to it! There is a product that we bought at lowes that you apply before you paint plastic or particle boardish plastic and it really worked great. We used it on our plastic downspout on our old house and it never chipped, even after being out in the elements.
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Lynne
170 days ago
Oops, I wasn’t finished! Your piece looks great, I just was giving you that info for future projects. BTW, I think that wood piece in the background would look awesome painted! It would make all those details pop!
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Stephanie Stimson
170 days ago
Gawgeous!!!!!!!
I have a cheap black bookcase (particle) that I bought last year for the living room that I love but have since changed my colors over to the softer side…you’ve inspired me to get out the leftover white paint.
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Joi
169 days ago
If you use a “bonding” primer (it must say so on the can), you can paint almost anything because the primer will bond to the object and provide a barrier between it and the paint. You can buy it in most every home improvement store — along with a cover for your heat vent, too! Just bought a few of those myself recently…they are quite reasonable – be sure and take your measurements with you!
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samaa @ Honey Sweet Home
163 days ago
hahah, I love it! It looks amazing, I would never have guessed it was a walmart piece! Your post cracked me up too
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Nan
157 days ago
I so agree with your comment re getting bored with your furniture. I refuse to pay $3000 for a couch I know I will want to change up in 3 years! I just bought one from a place that sells furniture reclaimed from hotels that renovate. It was brand new, never used – $130 !!! Yippeee!!! My cat has already begun schredding it, but you know what, in three years……hee hee.
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