Mindful makeover
Project ideas and inspiration from Good magazine
Breathing new life into an old wooden cabinet.
Refinished cabinet
You will need
- Wooden cabinet
- Sandpaper, medium grade
- Resene Lustacryl Semi-Gloss Waterborne Enamel in a shade of your choice; we used Resene Half Thorndon Cream
- A rough old paintbrush
- Screwdriver
Expert tip: If you apply paint too thickly or want more of a distressed look, allow paint to dry and sand off some of the coating to get a washed or aged effect.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Find an old cabinet in a shape you like. It may look rumpty, but is it made with solid wood with smoothly shutting doors?
Step 2: Give the cabinet a light sand all over, before wiping down with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Imperfections in the surface will add to the distressed effect.
Step 3: Use an appropriate screwdriver to remove any door handles or knobs.
Step 4: Use an old paintbrush to apply a thin coat of Resene Lustacryl paint over the entire surface. Follow the grain of the wood and resist the temptation to overpaint.
Step 5: Once dry, reattach handles.