When Heather found this tea cart, it was hiding in the back corner of a garage, cobwebby, dirty, and even a little water damaged. Despite the dilapidated appearance, the structure was solid, and Heather knew just how to reinvigorate this piece of history to make it work in her home.
Yup — Heather transformed her tea cart into a bar cart, a lovely marriage of past function and present need in her home. After a thorough cleaning, she painted the piece with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White for the body of the cart, and Emperor Silk for the wheels. A bit of distressing and a coat of dark wax and the finish of the piece was complete. Heather then loaded her up with a selection of glasses and other cocktail necessities, and wheeled her into place in her dining room.
See more: New House, New Home, New Life: Abandoned
(Images: Heather Benton/New House, New Home, New Life)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Beatriz's Fun & Functional Workspace
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
Oh, sweet. Those wheels just do it for me. There has been much discussion in other posts about Annie Sloan's, and this is the best picture I've seen yet of the effect you get from using it. I haven't used it yet myself, but I now see that I have a project in the queue that this would be just perfect for. Nicely done! #ohmygawyoupaintedwoodyoubadNOT
But but but... small thing, but do you think you could paint the drawer pull a matching red for me? OK! Thanks!
Noice. But, bold knob on the drawer would go well with the wheel, I think. They have lots to choose from at World Market, and for cheap.
Noice. But, bold knob on the drawer would go well with the wheel, I think. They have lots to choose from at World Market, and for cheap.
Yes, make it more matchy-matchy.
I love that red wheel, nice choice!
I like what you did -- and I'm glad you didn't paint the whole the things some bright color.
I love this idea - I'm getting the paint out NOW!!! THANKS.
Thank you so much for the shout- out!!!! I'm speechless that this little project is being featured.
As far as the advice for the knob on the drawer is concerned - I'm taking it!!! Love the idea of painting it red and will be doing that ASAP.
Thank you. Thank you.
Love the re-do! I am really liking all these back to natural wood with colour accents and different stain pieces AT has been showcasing lately. It's a nice change in decor.
Heather,it is a charming cart .a red knob...a pop. Well now,what do you think ...just a little more red...ON THE CURVED HANDLE and ROD.that's all the red it needs now. A bang
I'm going to try this paint style too.
An amazingly successful calibration of the level of distressedness -- this cart looks like "It's always been painted like this and acquired this patina naturally without any attention from us." It avoids both "We took this old thing and tried to make it look as glossy and new as possible, as if it were wearing a constant teeth-gritting smile" as well as "We put a fresh coat of paint on this and then carefully distributed a variety of distressing techniques evenly over its surface so nobody would mistake the finish for anything but our intentional handiwork."
Leave it as is with the exception of getting a red drawer pull. It's truly lovely. Nicely done.