2.20.2010

Armoire at Last!

*Updated to add: I did use one coat of Kilz primer before I started painting. No sanding or other preparation, except where we used the wood filler on the crown molding. In retrospect, I should have done two coats of primer, but live and learn!

OK, not that you have been sitting around with baited breath, but I feel like this project has taken forever! My husband and I tag-teamed on this armoire, purchased on Craig's List over a year ago for $100. Here it is in it's "before" state. Along with my cute husband, ready to get to work!

And here's the after! We (well, he) added crown molding to the top of the armoire to give it more height, and also to keep it from looking so boxy. Then I came along and painted five coats of Behr's "Country Dairy." I may never pick up a paint brush again, I am so sick of painting!

Here's a shot of the original interior. The guy who owned it before had a real gift with woodworking, wouldn't you say?

My husband removed the entire back and replaced it with a panel of wainscoting. We also bought a few more boards so we could add more shelving. Then I painted the inside with a pretty robin's egg blue, which I blogged about here if you'd like to know the "recipe!"

Strange how therapeutic it is for me to open those doors and see our stuff all organized. Sad, I know!

We changed out the hardware, and I went back to rough the edges up with some sandpaper. The "antiqued" effect looks great in our new guest room, which I am excited to show you next week!

Now that it's done (just like so many projects), I am thrilled...but many mutterings were heard throughout my house in the past few weeks! We are off to enjoy the weekend and stay far away from paint brushes and wood filler.

Happy Saturday!


45 comments:

Barbie said...

That is gorgeous! I might have to try that on my armoire. Great job! What did you do to prepare it? Anything?

Kristi said...

Carrie, that is BEAUTIFUL! You guys did a great job (what teamwork!) and what a transformation. You should be proud!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

Carrie, it is beautiful--I love it, especially the surprise blue beadboard in the back. So pretty!

~ Sarah

Miki said...

Amazing transformation! Robin's Egg Blue is my new favorite color - how lovely it looks when you open the armoire! Miki

Sherrie said...

That is absolutely amazing! I am so impressed. :)

TRS said...

Very beautiful. You are so inspired. I doubt I would have seen the potential you found if I had stared it for a month straight!

And that is a cute hubby. Does he have a brother? Or a friend? I'm right here in Denver sister. Spread the love!

Invited In said...

So pretty! Paint makes such a huge difference! So does bead board! Great Job. Can't wait to see the rest of the room:)
Blessings to you,
Melissa

Margaret said...

Wow! What wonders paint and molding can do!!! If you get a chance (maybe when you reveal the guest room, you could let us know the name of the paint you used on the walls :-)....so pretty! Thanks for sharing!!!

The Starr Family said...

Love. 'Country Dairy' is swoon-worthy!

Jessica @ This Blessed Life said...

Wonderful!

K and A said...

That looks awesome and I love the color choices. I never see anything with potentail on our Craigslist :(

jamie said...

Beautiful! Great colors. I'd say it was totally worth all that time painting.

The Hooper Family said...

Wow, it looks awesome! Good job both of yall!

Mama Sue said...

Super great job! Looks very nice...great idea to add the molding on top. Keep up the good work!

Connie said...

So you're a queen bee also, honey?! Me too!! That turned out fantastic and hubby is a doll...both for doing it and in the picture. Cutie. LOL
;-)
xoxo,
Connie

Suzanne said...

So beautiful! You two make a great team. Seriously, I'd pay big bucks for that beauty!
- Suzanne
Just Another Hang Up

Tiffany said...

Wow! I really want one! Absolutely gorgeous. Every little detail you added is incredible. Love the beadboard in the background. It's just perfect. Enjoy.

Raquel said...

oh i love it~! it looks great~

Screaming Meme said...

You did such a great job! Ijust love it...I made a hutch from a niche in the wall...Come over and check it out...and I slipcovered a bench...:) Hope you can stop in and see what I've been up to...Meme

Jodee said...

That turned out fabulous! It seriously doesn't even look like the same piece of furniture!

Kim said...

It turned out great! You will have to share all the details about how you painted it! Love the look!!

Carry Grace said...

Beautiful! I'm sure it was worth the wait.

Threebusybs said...

fABULOUS!

Amber said...

It is just lovely. 5 coats?! You are much more patient than me! The crown molding adds so much character. I think it was always meant to be cream. The detail work pops so much more.

Kara said...

Wow. You did such a great job turning this ordinary cabinet into something so beautiful. Love the look. Love the paint colors. I hate painting too, so run, run away and enjoy your weekend! Thanks for sharing.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Your hard work certainly paid off.....it is BEAUTIFUL!!! I love how the paint and the crown molding totally changed the overall look of this piece...amazing!!

Enjoy your "paint brush free" weekend:)

Lisa

Ruby Red Slippers said...

Beautiful-I also LOVE when things are organized...

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Wow...let me say it again...WOW!

Charlotte said...

It turned out fantastic! It's great that you and your hubby are on the same page. Mine believes in not painting anything made of real wood, contrary to my desire to paint everything white.

Mimi Sue said...

What a difference that crown molding made! Great job. Mimi

The Little Red Shop said...

Cute...and very inspirational! Thank you for sharing!

: )

Julie M.

All Things Cherish said...

Wow, I love it! The molding really makes it pop.

Wendy said...

Looks amazing !! Great job (and I'm with you...I just love it when my stuff is organized.)

KT said...

I really like how that came out. I would love to try more projects like this but fear my craftiness is fairly low. Lucky for handy hubbies though! Beautiful!

misty said...

I have to laugh at the hole in the back of the cabinet. We have a great pine armoir that my sister-in-law gave us when she remodeled. It is beautiful and I have coveted it for years. Well, our t.v. didn't quite fit so my handy husband hacked a similar looking hole into the back of it. Now that the t.v. is no longer there I have to keep the doors shut. I like the beadboard idea though and now I'm inspired to paint it and replace the back.

Thanks for the great ideas!

CeCe said...

Love Love Love

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

Love the transformation!

Your blog is darling too. Love the name of course. My blog is called, Simplified Bee.

xo,
cristin

Kimmy said...

It's lovely... lovely. The molding on top is genius.

Question: What's the paint color of the wall in the bedroom you placed the armoire?

~ kim

Unknown said...

You are so cute : )
Enjoy the weekend and stay FAR away from paint! AMEN : )

Desiree said...

Great job, Carrie! It is such a beautiful armoire and totally worth all of the paint and wood filler.
-Desiree

Lisa & Gerald said...

Beautiful...Love what you guys did to it...

Kelli said...

Wainscoting, my favorite. It turned out very nice and I'm sure you'll enjoy it for a long time.

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Ha! TRS, I am sorry to say that my husband does not have a brother to share with the wider world. But I will be sure to remind him how cute he is! :)
Carrie

TRS said...

Well, that's something I guess!

Donna said...

So great! I have a big cabinet I'm wanting to paint....Thanks for the inspiration!