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Northwest #8: Annaramma's Curious Cabinet

Name: annaramma
Location: Santa Cruz
Time: 10-12 hours
Cost: My cabinet didn't require any purchases, but the basic materials would cost between $25-30

 
 
1-30-anna5.jpg
BEFORE

Tell us the tools and resources you used for the project:

  • 1. Medium grit sandpaper and sanding block
  • 2. Screwdriver
  • 3. Paintbrushes
  • 4. Wood filler
  • 5. Latex or spray primer
  • 6. Craft and other acrylic paints
  • 7. Fabric scraps, twigs, dried moss, leaves and other decorative elements
  • 8. Templates for painting the glass doors (not pictured)
  • 9. Glue gun or glue (not pictured)

    1-30-anna2.jpg
    TOOLS

    Share step-by-step instructions for how you completed the project:

  • 1. Start with a wood cabinet. It can be something from a tag sale, flea market or something that has simply become outdated. In my case, I found this dusty cabinet on the sidewalk in my neighborhood.
  • 2. Using the sandpaper and sanding block, rough up the surface of the cabinet. If necessary, use the screwdriver to remove the doors and hardware.
  • 3. If the cabinet has any holes or nicks that require filling, use the wood filler and sand it according to the instructions.
  • 4. Prime the cabinet with one coat of latex or spray primer. If the cabinet has a lot of detail, the spray primer will give a more even coat.
  • 5. Paint the cabinet using latex or acrylic craft paints. Depending on the desired effect, colors can be layered and sanded to "peek through" the top coat.

    1-30-anna1.jpg
    DURING

  • 6. If there are glass doors in the cabinet, tape the stencils to the back of the glass.
  • 7. Using the fine-tipped craft paint, trace the stencil lines with small dots or other designs. A wide variety of printable stencils can be found at: Stencil Library
  • 8. Reattach the doors and hardware.
  • 9. Using a glue gun or glue, add fabric, twigs or other natural elements.
  • 10. Hang the cabinet using the original hardware.
    Enjoy!

    1-30-anna4.jpg
    AFTER

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    Jan Jumpstart 2008 - Northwest, How To...

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    Comments (8)

    I don't see a before...

    posted by ARC on January 30th 2008 at 8:21am
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    It looks nice, but I want to reserve my vote until I see a "before."

    posted by OneWallKitchen on January 30th 2008 at 8:29am
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    Oh, my stars and garters! Great project. (And excellent choice of patterns!)

    posted by Lady J on January 30th 2008 at 8:48am
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    I'm not sure I understand the moss. Other than that it looks great.

    posted by Archie on January 30th 2008 at 8:56am
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    Hmmm, I don't know why the before wasn't posted.

    Curious Cabinet BEFORE.

    posted by annaramma on January 30th 2008 at 10:13am
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    Love it. I have an old glass door cabinet I purchased at a Salvation Army years ago with the intention to make it into something funky and Anthro-y. This inspires me to pull it out from under the bed and get crackin'!

    posted by beelzabean on January 30th 2008 at 10:30am
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    I'm confused by the moss, but the glass doors look amazing!

    posted by ARC on January 30th 2008 at 2:34pm
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    Wow! Who knew a little moss could be so confusing?

    I use the cabinet to display assorted found objects: shells, stones, driftwood, etc. I guess I wanted the whole thing to have an organic feel, as if the moss was growing out of the cracks and crevices.

    I'm glad you guys like the doors, that's my favorite part too.

    posted by annaramma on January 30th 2008 at 6:06pm
    view annaramma's profile

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