Painted Cupboard

I finally finished painting one of the cupboards that I inherited from my sweet Mother. She had two of them in her little country living room, side by side, and I have them both. Although they looked perfect the way they were, I wanted a different look. So I thought I would paint them.

They are very heavy and solid and it took strained backs on our part (Hubby and I) to haul one of them in from the shed. We put it into the open area of my bedroom for the transformation.

I chose these colors. I had already painted my little guest bathroom the darker color and had lots of paint left over. I will paint both cupboards the same in case I want to put them together in the future. These colors will go beautifully in any area of my home. They are Dutch Boy 'Dimensions' Satin Latex in 'Lake Cottage' (the darker color), and 'At Peace'.

But first I had to paint on a primer. I used a Latex Primer. Because it was unpainted wood with what looked like a light pecan stain finish, I didn't want that to come through my beautiful paint. I have painted furniture in the past and not used a primer and regretted that decision, as eventually, the old finish seeps through and changes the color.

From there I painted on the darker color first. Once that dried, I started to add the lighter color, but in very light strokes, leaving the darker color to show through. I went with the grain of the wood as I painted this second coat on. I wanted to give it the look of bleached paint, as if I found this cupboard sitting out behind a shed in the Tuscan countryside. Hey, I can dream, can't I?

As you can see, the two top shelves have already received this second coat.

Here is a closer view.

The paint dried very quickly and darkened as it dried.

Here is the finished cupboard in the little hallway between the kitchen and my laundry room area, down the hall to the right. I painted the walls a sunny yellow, as it is a dark hallway with no windows except at the end in my laundry room.

I am using this cupboard to store my cookbook collection in the bottom and extra serving pieces on the open shelves, along with my favorite cookbooks on display.

And of course, the Seaside Tray that I made, using my Dear Mother's watercolor picture. A fitting tribute.

Thank you, Mom. I Love and Miss you.

I hope this inspires you to do a little transforming of your own. Painting is an inexpensive and easy way of changing the whole look of any piece of furniture and giving it your own personal touch.