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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
These pics really say it all!
BEFORE
AFTER
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!
#hymnsandverses
pamela gordon
A beautiful makeover! I love the transformation.
Doreen Cagno
Thanks so much, Pamela!!!
Eva
So beautiful! I really couldn’t see any hope for original piece, but what you have done is perfect! Outstanding job ?
Doreen Cagno
Thanks, Eva! It did seem daunting, but we took it one step at a time! The end result was worth it – especially for $1!!
Suzanne
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…..
Doreen Cagno
Thanks, Suzanne!
Jennifer Christenberry
Wow! So beautiful!
Doreen Cagno
Thank you, Jennifer!
ArabellaReason
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!
Doreen Cagno
Thanks so much for your sweet comments! I hope you find your own project piece!!
Mary
Love it! What a beautiful transformation. Thanks for all your wonderful posts. I enjoy reading them.
Doreen Cagno
Thanks so very much, Mary! So glad to have you here!!!
Nanette
That is BEAUTIFUL Doreen! Great job! BTW, please tell where you got that fantastic cotton boll wreath??
Doreen Cagno
Hi, Nanette! I got the cotton wreath at Marshall’s a few days ago! The price was pretty good too!
Mimi
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!
Doreen Cagno
Hi. I got it at Marshall’s just a few days ago!
Becky
It turned out great and such great storage too. Love it.
Doreen Cagno
Thanks, Becky!!
Candy
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
Doreen Cagno
Thanks so much for your sweet comments, Candy!!
Tina sarber
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Doreen Cagno
Thanks so much, Tina!
Cindy
Love your vision. Beautiful and practle!
Rebekah {A Blissful Nest}
Wow what a difference! Just love how you used it too!
Doreen Cagno
Thank you so much, Rebekah!! Loved your dresser so much!!!
Debbie
Beautiful transformation!! I love it!!!
Linda C.
It turned out beautiful! Wish I could find things like this.
Ginny
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.
Jacqueline Elmore
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.
Gwen
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???
Gwen
And also I love it?
Karen
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.
Pat
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
Sherri S..
I absolutely love what you d…what a make_over!
Happy Wednesday…
Sherri
Cindy
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!!:)
Doreen Cagno
You are too sweet! Have a great weekend!
SUSAN
Best dollar ever spent!!! Good job 👍
Terri Schmidt
Time well spent!!!
Kay
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!