This has to be one of my favorite furniture makeovers!
Several weeks ago I found an amazing antique French demilune cabinet at my favorite monthly estate sale. It had been very neglected and it looked like it had been stored in a barn. It was very dirty, some of the veneer was buckling, and the marble top had some cracks and chips in it.
But through all of it’s imperfections, I fell in love with it’s half-moon shape, curvy snail feet, carved detail, and the beautiful and intricate gilt bronze ormolu details. Blemishes don’t really concern me when it comes to furniture that I’m going to makeover, as long as the piece has great lines and details.
Here is the cabinet when we brought it home without the marble top. We had removed the marble to make the cabinet easier to move and I inadvertently photographed it without the marble.
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It was a little bit dull and drab, and of course, I could have tried polishing it up and re-staining it. But all I could think about was how fabulous it would look painted and gilded!
To start, I removed all of the bronze ormolu trim and knobs and I gave the entire piece a good scrubbing inside and out. I usually use a Dawn dishwashing liquid solution to clean every inch of it. Dawn seems to work for everything!
I had a color in mind, something close to a pale aqua blue. So I chose the colors Steel Blue and Poetic Blue, and used the color Sea Salt to highlight. All of these colors are from the Pure & Original Classico paint line. Pure & Original’s paint colors are the closest to replicating those used in Europe and I have loved using them for years.
I’ve posted a few videos over on Instagram that showed the process of painting the layers if you would like to follow along over there.
Here’s the reveal after the makeover of this pretty demilune cabinet!
I’m so in love with her look! She’s exactly as I had envisioned and she now fits perfectly into our decor.
I always start with a base coat (usually the darker color in the palette), and in this case it was the Steel Blue. On top of the base color, I layered the Poetic Blue, and then added highlights using a dry brush technique with the color Sea Salt.
After adding the highlights and letting everything dry, I started the antiquing process using my homemade glaze.
This is when the magic happens! Adding this patina will create the antique look that is so desired.
I have also posted a short video on Instagram showing how I use this glaze to add patina if you would like to check it out.
After letting the glaze cure overnight, I used two coats of the Italian Wax from Pure and Original to finish it, let dry, and then buffed with a soft cloth.
I’m so obsessed with this wax. It’s in a liquid form and so easy to use. You don’t have to worry about applying it too thick as can often happen with paste wax.
The final step was gilding the details with my “go to”gilding wax, Rub-n-Buff in color Gold Leaf.
I also added knobs to the doors so they would be easier to open and close. Luckily I found some at Hobby Lobby that were very similar to the original ones on the drawer.
An interesting tidbit that we found when removing the gilt bronze ormolu was a signature engraved on the back of the center piece. It was engraved “P.E. Guerin, NY”. So after doing a little research, I discovered that P.E. Guerin is the oldest decorative hardware firm in the United States, and the only metal foundry in New York City. The company was started in 1857 by French immigrant Pierre Emmanuel Guerin and has been at it’s current location on Jane Street in Greenwich Village since 1892!
We also found two hidden drawers when we were cleaning it! One on each side that swings open when a hidden latch is pushed that’s located inside the lower cabinet door!
After cleaning up the original marble top, we placed it back on the cabinet. It had years and years of old grime on it. It has some cracks and pitting that I’m going to attempt to repair with resin and faux paint to match. However, at some point I may have a new piece of marble cut for it.
Finishing this cabinet also spurred me into action to finish reupholstering the second antique French chair in the cut velvet coral fabric.
Now that I have a pair of these chairs finished, they look perfect displayed on each side of the demilune cabinet.
At the same estate sale, I found a pair of metal urn lamps as can be seen on the top of the cabinet. All they needed was a pair of new shades!
I also swapped the sconces that were hanging on both sides of my antique church board, so the cherub sconces are back on this wall.
I say this all of the time, but it is truly amazing what paint can do to an old outdated piece of furniture.
There’s a lot of people out there that cringe at newly painted furniture. I know, because I usually get a few comments about “don’t paint”, “leave it as is”, and “I liked it better before”.
I don’t paint everything, but I feel that if you would get more enjoyment out of a piece of furniture if it was painted, and it keeps it out of the landfill, then go for it. Paint has breathed new life into this neglected demilune cabinet and I couldn’t be more pleased with it!
Cheers, Cindy
Do you sell the furniture? If so, where can I shop on line for them
Hi Susan! Unfortunately, we don’t have furniture for sale.
Sometimes they need a little love and what you did turned out STUNNING!!!
You did a beautiful job. Your artistic talent always shows through. Do you have a good source for lamp shades? I have vintage lamps in need of shades but can’t seem to ind the right ones at the right price. Thank you.
Hi Peggy! The last 2-3 times I’ve shopped for lamp shades, I’ve found them at Lowe’s! I’ve also found some nice ones at good prices from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Zw6XMn
Absolutely beautiful!
I can see why this is the most popular project. It’s amazing. You have the magic touch!
This is quite late but did you do any other prep workafter cleaning with dawn liquid.
No, I didn’t do any other prep work, other than cleaning with the Dawn.
Thanks, I’m excited to start my project
It is exquisite! I’m so jealous. I have painted furniture before, but never a process as tedious as you have done here. Those chairs with the coral fabric look amazing next to the cabinet. Oh I wish I lived closer, I would come buy up all the things you have decided to sell!! Your home is drool-worthy. I love to look at all the different things you’ve done. Keep posting all this good stuff!!!
You’re so sweet! Thank you so much, Beth!
Wonderful transformation! Perfect solution for the condition of the chest. And the chairs… what a gorgeous pairing! Just beautiful.
Thank you so much, Nan!
Hello Cindy, very well done. I like it. Sometimes it’s hard to decide whether to paint vs. keeping as is. I have those pieces and argue with myself more than ones. Quick question, did the slipcovers from your sofas came with it or did you buy them. I have hard times finding the right ones for mine. Thank you.
Thank you, Andrea! The white slipcovers came with our Ektorp Sofa from IKEA. I also own a set of linen beige slipcovers that I bought separately specifically for the Ektorp sofa.
Cindy I think this is one of my favorite pieces you have done over the years. I would love it!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Linda!
I love both brown and painted furniture. You are great painting furniture. But on this piece the lines showing like scratches I don’t know if it would bother me? Is it the veneer showing? I love the cherubs beside the church board. Swoon over chairs! The Model is precious sitting for her photo session!!
You do a marvelous job at painting furniture; however the blue paint has covered up some beautiful woodwork that can never be duplicated. Let’s appreciate the talent that went into these pieces without painting everything.
Joann, I appreciate your opinion and your comment. I certainly appreciate stained furniture and have several of those pieces in my home as well. This piece was very neglected and had been stored in an outdoor building for years resulting in warped veneer and damaged wood. I chose not to try and repair those issues, because I wanted a painted piece in my home, and knew that if painted correctly, it would be gorgeous. I believe that painted furniture can be beautiful if done correctly. I don’t agree with mass production of spray painted pieces that so many furniture flippers are doing these days. With all of that said, I feel that if a person can rescue an old piece of furniture and breathe new life into it to enjoy and display in their home, saving it from being dumped in a land fill, then do it!
Wow, it is absolutely beautiful! I love the colors! The blue coral fabric on your chairs is fabulous!
thank you so much, Charlaine!
If I walked into your home and didnt know that you transformed all of your furniture ….I would think that you were , well rich , lol. You have an amazing talent and I love seeing all of tutorials ,XX.
Thank you, Lorraine!
Simply gorgeous!
Thank you, Antoinette!
Love the transformation! And I agree: If painting a piece of furniture allows it to live in your home and keeps it from going to the dumps, I say go for it! Nearly broke my heart one day as we were dumping trees/leaves at the landfill, someone was dumping a perfectly good table! I wanted to save it so badly…but there’s a rule about “no scavenging” at the landfill. Who knows what new life a paint job could have breathed into that table!
I agree completely, Connie!
Oh Cindy like everything you do it is breath taking. I to love breathing new life into furniture. The chairs are lovely too. Fantastic job!
Thank you so much!
Absolutely, beautiful. Your vision always amazes me, stunning addition to your collection of antique furniture. Perfection as usual.
Thank you so much, Daphne!
It’s beautiful, Cindy! Almost as beautiful as the gorgeous piece you had in your previous kitchen! I adored that piece!!! You are such an inspiration!❤
Thank you so much, Colleen! I have major regret over selling the blue buffet! But this piece turned out beautifully!