There are a few furniture painting projects that I’ve always wanted to do, like this mid-century dresser, or this faux bamboo bar cabinet. A big Chinese-style wedding armoire has been on my list, and my chance finally came! I found this beauty listed for free on Craigslist. The owner mentioned that she was downsizing to a senior community, and I can imagine that is a difficult transition. I brought her a tin of chamomile lavender tea and assured her that I would take good care of her armoire!
I was inspired by pieces like these, which retail from $2700 to over $5000!
My armoire is quite big and could feel imposing, so I looked for a teal/ turquoise color that wouldn’t feel too heavy. I ended up choosing Salzburg Blue by Benjamin Moore, which I got mixed in a semi-gloss finish at my local hardware store.
After a light sanding, I wiped down the whole piece thoroughly, protected the hardware with contact paper and painters tape, and rolled on the paint with a foam roller for a smooth finish. The armoire is meant to have a distressed antique look, and I actually love the peeks of the original red color that come through in the knots and indentations in the wood.
I didn’t want to paint the inside of my armoire, but I did want to lighten it up, so I decided to add some peel-and-stick wallpaper. I chose this adorable print, Merriment by NuWallpaper in cream. I love how it is so whimsical but also still neutral.
The other practical thing that I added was some slide tape on the bottoms of the doors. I was worried about scratching up the paint when I opened and closed them.
I’m going to add a hanging rod inside as well and use it as a clothing armoire. It’s also going to sit behind me when I work. I’m looking forward to sharing it with colleagues and clients when I am on video calls!
For now, I am collecting and transforming pieces that I love for my own home. I’ve also been thinking of doing more furniture transformations as a small side business that I might grow in the future, so I have started tracking the money and time I invest in my furniture pieces. Here’s a breakdown for this armoire:
- Armoire=$0
- Lugg transportation=$82
- Paint=$30
- Painting supplies=$4
- Wallpaper=$33
- Total cost=$149
- Time~ 5 hours
Looking forward to the next treasure!
Julie AKA “Jewels”
Jewels at Home 