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Trash to Treasure – $1 Wardrobe Makeover

September 1, 2016 by Hymns and Verses 42 Comments

Today I’m here to share a Trash to Treasure story.  Once upon a time, I was at an auction on a rainy spring day.  It was pouring rain and the auction was outside.  But, there was something I wanted, so I stood there with the other crazy people with their umbrellas – shivering!  I wasn’t really paying attention, because the item I wanted wasn’t up for bid yet.  I snapped back to reality when I heard the auctioneer say “$1”!  Something selling for $1 tends to grab my attention!  I looked up and I was standing right beside this beauty, I raised my number and it was mine – all mine!

*Thanks to Maison Blanche for sponsoring this post.  This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience.  See my full disclosure policy HERE.

Trash to Treasure Before

To say the wardrobe was in bad shape is an understatement!  It was obviously sitting outside in the rain for some time and the veneer was literally peeling off.  It was dirty and had this orange colored wood inside – ick!!!

Trash to Treasure Before

Mark wanted me to throw it away, but I had big dreams for this poor wardrobe that nobody wanted.  I envisioned it with open shelving  to hold extra quilts, blankets, pillows, etc.   And, it’s the perfect size for our upstairs hallway – near the bedrooms and bath.

Trash to Treasure Wardrobe Chipping Veneer

Here’s a look at the top and the veneer.   I pried the loose veneer off the top and under the edges.    Because there was so much damage, I decided to strip off the paint as well.  I probably didn’t need to do this step, but stripping old paint is easier than it used to be.  I use Citristrip Stripping Gel.  It can be used inside with no dangerous fumes and really does a good job.  After most of the paint was removed, I used steel wool pads with mineral spirits to clean away the remaining paint residue.  To repair the areas with missing or chipped veneer, I used Bondo Wood Filler.  Once it was dry, I sanded the areas with the goal of a somewhat smooth surface.

Trash to Treasure Wardrobe Veneer

Mark removed the doors and the inside (orange wood) wardrobe storage.  He replaced the very bottom piece of wood, because it was so damaged from the rain.  The back was also in pretty bad shape, so Mark replaced it with a piece of beadboard panelling, cut to size.   Then he made two shelves for the inside.

Trash to Treasure Wardrobe Interior

Now for the fun part!  Time to really change the look of this piece with fresh paint!  Because this wardrobe was in really rough shape, I decided that Maison Blanche La Chaux, French Lime Paint, would be a great option.  La Chaux is thicker than regular chalk paint and gives an “Old World” look without a lot of extra work.   The color I chose to use is called “Coquille”, which means shell “oyster” in French.  I’d call it a white with a slight gray tint.

Trash to Treasure Wardrobe - La Chaux Paint

I’m pretty picky about how I paint, except when I paint with La Chaux!  You really don’t have to paint in straight lines – in fact, I use a cross hatch pattern when I use this paint.  I love the overlapping texture it gives.  I used about two coats for this piece.  Because of the thicker consistency of La Chaux, you do need to allow for some extra drying time and the color does lighten some as it dries.

Trash to Treasure Wardrobe

After it was completely dry, I lightly sanded the entire piece.  You can see there are slight color variations that magically appear and give the finished piece that charming, “Old World” look.   I didn’t paint the white beadboard, because I liked the bright white contrast.  I also used some bright white paint I had on hand to paint the shelves.

After - Trash to Treasure Wardrobe

Because my upstairs hallway is hard to photograph, I staged the finished piece in the living room.  I picked up two wire baskets and the large, basket with the lid at HomeGoods.  The shelves are tall and deep and will be great extra storage for pillows, blankets, throws, and quilts.  The vintage style laundry cart is from my bedroom.  I use it to hold the extra bed pillows at night.

Trash to Treasure Wardrobe

This will free up room in my over-stuffed linen closet!  Of course, as I was taking pics, Sadie came into the frame to strike a pose!

Trash to Treasure Wardrobe

These pics really say it all!

BEFORE

Before - Trash to Treasure Wardrobe

AFTER

After - Trash to Treasure Wardrobe

So, my Trash to Treasure story has a happy ending!  I now have the extra storage I’ve been wanting upstairs, and I saved this vintage wardrobe from the trash heap!

Trash to Treasure Wardrobe#hymnsandverses

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Comments

  1. pamela gordon

    September 01, 2016 at 11:09 am

    A beautiful makeover! I love the transformation.

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:02 am

      Thanks so much, Pamela!!!

      Reply
  2. Eva

    September 01, 2016 at 11:19 am

    So beautiful! I really couldn’t see any hope for original piece, but what you have done is perfect! Outstanding job ?

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:03 am

      Thanks, Eva! It did seem daunting, but we took it one step at a time! The end result was worth it – especially for $1!!

      Reply
  3. Suzanne

    September 01, 2016 at 11:20 am

    Lovely. What a nice piece, full of character. I would see a piece like that but not know how to transform it. Thanks for sharing the process…..

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:04 am

      Thanks, Suzanne!

      Reply
  4. Jennifer Christenberry

    September 01, 2016 at 11:54 am

    Wow! So beautiful!

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:04 am

      Thank you, Jennifer!

      Reply
  5. ArabellaReason

    September 01, 2016 at 11:59 am

    Oh my, how wonderful!

    I love how you saw the beauty in this old piece. Your talent and vision is amazing! Thank you for sharing your process…now I want to find an old piece and bring it back to life!

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:05 am

      Thanks so much for your sweet comments! I hope you find your own project piece!!

      Reply
  6. Mary

    September 01, 2016 at 12:05 pm

    Love it! What a beautiful transformation. Thanks for all your wonderful posts. I enjoy reading them.

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:05 am

      Thanks so very much, Mary! So glad to have you here!!!

      Reply
  7. Nanette

    September 01, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    That is BEAUTIFUL Doreen! Great job! BTW, please tell where you got that fantastic cotton boll wreath??

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:01 am

      Hi, Nanette! I got the cotton wreath at Marshall’s a few days ago! The price was pretty good too!

      Reply
  8. Mimi

    September 01, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    I too love your transformation,but I LOVED the doors and hated to see them go.
    I also would love to know where you purchased the cotton bowl wreath!
    Have a happy day!

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:00 am

      Hi. I got it at Marshall’s just a few days ago!

      Reply
  9. Becky

    September 01, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    It turned out great and such great storage too. Love it.

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:06 am

      Thanks, Becky!!

      Reply
  10. Candy

    September 01, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    Turned out gorgeous! It is always so great to take something and transform it to a thing of beauty, you did a wonderful job. Thanks for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Candy

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:06 am

      Thanks so much for your sweet comments, Candy!!

      Reply
  11. Tina sarber

    September 01, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    Absolutely beautiful!!!

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:07 am

      Thanks so much, Tina!

      Reply
  12. Cindy

    September 01, 2016 at 4:49 pm

    Love your vision. Beautiful and practle!

    Reply
  13. Rebekah {A Blissful Nest}

    September 01, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    Wow what a difference! Just love how you used it too!

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 02, 2016 at 12:07 am

      Thank you so much, Rebekah!! Loved your dresser so much!!!

      Reply
  14. Debbie

    September 01, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    Beautiful transformation!! I love it!!!

    Reply
  15. Linda C.

    September 01, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    It turned out beautiful! Wish I could find things like this.

    Reply
  16. Ginny

    September 02, 2016 at 1:23 am

    An incredible makeover for what others saw as a worthless piece of furniture. It’s been a long time since I stripped any furniture, and I’m glad to know there are safe options to the old caustic strippers we used to use. And may I say, the paint label is so pretty! Anyway, enjoy your new storage piece.

    Reply
  17. Jacqueline Elmore

    September 02, 2016 at 2:14 am

    OMG i have the same cabinet in the same blue paint I got at a garage sale a long long time ago. Moght have to get the hubster to help transform it as well.

    Reply
  18. Gwen

    September 02, 2016 at 2:18 am

    Oh I am totally surprised by this transformation!! You do have the ability to think outside the “wardrobe”!!! I was expecting a post on skirts and fall Blazers. Haha???

    Reply
  19. Gwen

    September 02, 2016 at 2:28 am

    And also I love it?

    Reply
  20. Karen

    September 02, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    Count me in, too! So great to take something in the shape it was an turn it into something useful as well as great looking. Bet your husband is glad you didn’t throw it away now. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  21. Pat

    September 02, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    Doreen,
    I have a “painting” project that I’m scheduling for Spring 2017!
    Thank you for all the information and the sites for Maison Blanche La Chux.
    I will definitely check into this product.
    Your $1 buy turned out beautifully. . .and functional.
    I just l o v e happy endings!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    Reply
  22. Sherri S..

    September 07, 2016 at 7:51 pm

    I absolutely love what you d…what a make_over!

    Happy Wednesday…
    Sherri

    Reply
  23. Cindy

    September 30, 2016 at 3:02 am

    This is absolutely gorgeous!! I think I need to hang out with you- there is nothing you can’t tackle and make beautiful:) You are one talented lady, Doreen!!:)

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno

      September 30, 2016 at 6:03 pm

      You are too sweet! Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  24. SUSAN

    July 23, 2021 at 11:02 am

    Best dollar ever spent!!! Good job 👍

    Reply
  25. Terri Schmidt

    July 23, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Time well spent!!!

    Reply
  26. Kay

    July 24, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    What a great creative vision! It is beautiful! I love the doors, could you save them and create something with them? My cat is also Sadie, and she is very spoiled with love and yours is probably spoiled too!

    Reply

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