How to create a fabulous china cabinet transformation using chalk paint!
I’ve had this great French Provincial china cabinet sitting in the garage for awhile, just waiting for it’s transformation. I bought it about 8 months ago at an estate sale and knew that it would fit perfectly into an inset area in the family room.
Here is what the cabinet looked like when we brought it home.
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My inspiration is this photo from Annie Sloan’s book, (aff link) “Color Recipes for Painted Furniture”. I knew that I wanted to try to duplicate this look and had been waiting to find the right piece, and this china cabinet fit the bill perfectly.
Here is what she looks like after her transformation! Not exactly like Annie’s piece, but close!
I am loving the end result!
In case you haven’t been following along, we have been completely renovating our 1970’s fixer upper home, room by room. As we breathe new life into each room, we are lightening everything up with neutral colors of white and gray.
I love adding pops of color against all the neutral background colors and blue is one of my favorite colors to work with. Plus it works great with the gray tones we are using on the walls.
The family room is just off the kitchen and it has a small inset area next to the patio doors.
I wanted a “frenchy” style cabinet that I could display some of my French religious collectibles in and I had a feeling that an old china cabinet would work. I think this piece worked out perfectly!
I painted the inside with ASCP (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint) Aubusson Blue.
Annie used Greek Blue in her piece, but I didn’t have that color on hand, so I decided to go with what I had.
The French buffet in our kitchen is painted with Aubusson Blue as one of the base colors and I loved it’s finish, so I decided it would be the perfect color on the inside of this cabinet.
Aubusson Blue is a strong blue and since the cabinet interior will be in shadow during different times of the day, I wanted a strong color on the inside.
The base coat on the outside is ASCP French Linen, another favorite color of mine. It’s a gorgeous rich gray hue.
I painted two coats of the French Linen, letting it dry between coats. After the final coat was dry, I finished it with a coat of clear wax.
After the coat of clear wax was dry, I mixed up a thin wash of ASCP Paris Gray and Old White. I thinned it with water, and taking one section at a time, brushed on the the thin wash. Then, taking a rag, I dragged it through the paint to create a washed, dragged, and distressed effect.
Using a fine sanding sponge, I did some light distressing to the edges.
The final and top coat was a mix of clear and dark wax.
I like to mix a bit of dark wax into some of the clear wax, keeping it in a separate tub. This mixture gives me an antiqued look without dealing with full strength dark wax, which can often be hard to manipulate.
(I’ve since come up with a very simple homemade glaze technique which is so much easier to use than dark wax! It results in the same great antiqued look, but without the difficulty of using the dark wax!)
After letting the cabinet dry for 24 hours, I buffed it with a soft towel to give it a wonderful sheen.
The china cabinet fits perfectly into the inset wall in the family room and I love the colors.
I’m slowly getting some of the French religious collection placed inside, and at some point, I may add interior lighting to the cabinet, but for now, we will leave it just as is!
The family room is finally finished and we love the way it turned out. I’m sure it will get tweaked many times, but it’s nice to have this major makeover completed.
The dining room renovation will be starting next and we’ve already begun the process. It’s another room that is directly off the kitchen, so it will be nice to see that room completed as well. The popcorn ceiling is already scraped and we are working on removing the avocado green flocked wallpaper! Fun times!
Cheers, Cindy
Want to see how this china cabinet has evolved over the years? See these posts:
Update: This china cabinet has had another makeover, which you can see HERE! Have you ever used a piece of furniture in a room that it was not originally intended for? See how we used this vintage china cabinet in the bathroom!!
So happy to read the details of how you accomplished the look. I have an armoire that I’ve been wanting to make over and this process would work wonderfully. Also, I have most of the the Annie Sloan paints and waxes that you used. Thank you for sharing.
Hello Cindy,
You did an absolutely phenomenal job on the China cabinet. You are such a talented lady.
Does your homemade glaze (which I copied) work over the wax coat?
Hi Sonya! Yes, it will work over the top of the wax, however I usually do the antiquing with the glaze before I wax.
Hi Cindy, love this China cabinet and want to do the same to mine. Mine has a very shinny finish I am wondering if I should sand it first? Also is this all calk paint you are using? Besides the wax….
MaryAnne
Hi MaryAnne! Yes, all of the paint that I’m using is chalk based paint. Normally, chalk paint will cover even shiny surfaces without sanding, but you may have to give it an extra coat to get the coverage you want.
Cindy I am looking for some antique looking pulls and knobs for an old painted piece. If you can suggest a site I’d appreciate it! Thanks and Happy New Year!
Hi Deborah! Have you tried looking on Amazon? I’ve found some great antique looking pulls on there! Here’s a link: https://amzn.to/3CBycLF
Love those curvy legs!!
Cindy, you did a fabulous job! I just love all your beautiful icons! What a great way to display them!! I pick up a bunch here and there at estate sales and have a small collection from Lourdes, France.
Great job – it looks AMAZING!!
Hello Cindy! A quick question.. I saw I other photos that this cabinet now has chicken wire on the doors… did you remove the glass to put these in or is the chicken wire behind the door? Can you tell me how this was done? I have the opportunity to get a cabinet that is very similar (to display my French pitcher collection) and your cabinet is such an inspiration! Thanks !
Hi Jessie! Yes, we removed the glass from the doors and replaced it with chicken wire. We’ve saved the glass in case we want to switch it back later on. The glass was held in with a thin moulding that we removed which allowed us to remove the glass. Then we cut sections of chicken wire slightly larger than the opening and stapled it into the back side of the doors. I hope this helps!
It does, thank you! I’m starting my project this weekend, wish me luck!
Beautiful collection. It really is so lovely and you are so talented at displaying it so beautifully.
Thank you so much, Deborah!
I love this! Can you tell me what you used for your hardware on this piece ?
Hi Cher! We used the original hardware that was on the cabinet when we found it.
Well done you have vastly improved the piece.
Thank you so much!
Beautiful transformation on the china cabinet! And love how you’ve arranged your collection. 🙂
Perfection! I do love the Aubusson on the inside. Just wondering why you put clear wax between the French Linen and the lighter wash layer. It certainly worked out beautifully. And, how I adore your religious collection – ❤️the sheep!
Wow! I love it, stunning! And I envy all of your religious icons.
Came out great ! like the way the interior color compliments your collection of Holy figurines. very nice.
You have the Midas touch with everything you do. LOVE the beautiful relicious pieces!
Beautiful finish on your cabinet so perfect for your French collection!
Breathtaking redo!! And the accessories are magnificent. Thanks so much for linking to Friday’s Furniture Fix.. Susie
The finish you got on your china cabinet is just dreamy and so much like the inspiration piece. And it’s a gorgeous as your collection that is housed in it! Thanks so much for linking up to Friday’s Furniture Fix!
What a lovely piece of furniture you have created! It is the perfect way to showcase all your beautiful statues – my favorite is that wonderful Crucifix top and center.
Thank you Mary! The crucifix is very special to me, it was a gift from my son.
Your cabinet and room transformation is stunning! The colors you used have inspired me to try something different on a small secretary and hutch that I will be painting.
Awesome!
Your cabinet is beautiful but I so love your religious collection!
Forgot to add… AS Aubusson blue is a favorite of mine…I used it on a chest in my living room a few years ago. Love how it makes your pretty displays on the inside pop!
Just found you over at Anita’s and I’m so glad I did…love your style!! That hutch is a beauty and Iove your religous collection inside! Your newest follower 🙂
Wow, what a beautiful piece. My dining room hutch is very similar in colors that I painted a few years ago with ASCP. I didn’t even have her book. You have created a beauty and I love your collection displayed. So glad to find your blog through Anita’s.
Oh how I wished I lived in America. Your houses are large enough to take all the fabulous furniture you revamp. Your kitchen is amazing as is the cabinet you have just finished. I have tried in vain to get Valspar antiquing glaze in the UK but they dont sell it here. Does mixing AS dark and clear wax have the same effect? Cant wait to see the rest of your house.
UK sad Judi
Judi, Yes, I think if you mixed a dab of Annie Sloan dark wax with some of the clear, that would work. When applying, if you feel like you’ve got too much, then wipe again with clear wax on a soft cloth and it will remove some of the dark. I rarely use the dark wax full strength, I always use the mix, it’s easier to manage.
Thank you so much for your advice. I will give it a try. I cant wait to get over there cos instead of sight seeing im sure I will spend my days in Lowes etc.
Looks great! Perfect for those special pieces in your collection, and I love that blue! Can’t wait to see more of the renovation!
Judy
judypimperl.blogspot.com
That really came out gorgeous!!
Your cabinet is absolutely fabulous! And all of the photos are so pretty. Are the bibles from your family or are they a collection? I am anxious to see your den.
Jo Ann, most of the bibles are family bibles, though there are a few antique French bibles mixed in as well! I have to get a sofa in place and a little tweaking done, then we will be ready for the den reveal! Stay tuned!