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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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February 19, 2015

Built In China Cabinet Makeover

It was tired of being overlooked. Oh sure, it was tall and it was dignified.

But, it was tired. Tired of people walking right past it and barely noticing. Tired of being more ‘function’ than it was ‘form’.

built in china cabinet counter atthepicketfence.com

It wanted to be ‘form’….it wanted to be wonderfully, beautifully ‘form’.

And then, one day, there was a flurry of activity happening all around it.

built in china cabinet before

Drawers were being emptied, shelves removed, men coming in and taping and tarping and spraying.

And then came the day when those tarps came down, the tape came off and….

…it finally had it’s moment to SHINE!

built in china cabinet makeover atthepicketfence.com

No more hiding, no more being overlooked, no more people walking by without even noticing.

It was finally the best of both worlds. Perfect function meeting perfect form!

It loved that the little countertop area no longer disappeared as if it was in a cave.

built in china cabinet counter top atthepicketfence.com

And how all of the linens in the drawer popped against the creamy white paint.

built in china cabinet drawers atthepicketfence.com

And the glasses…oh the glasses suddenly looked like glittering gems inside the cabinet.

built in china cabinet with lights atthepicketfence.com

And while some may think that a paint brush should never have touched it.

built in china cabinet decor atthepicketfence.com

And while I may have been very worried about what people would say after a paint brush/sprayer touched it.

before and after built in china cabinet makeover atthepicketfence.com

In the end, it looks so happy and cheerful.

And it makes me happy and cheerful every time I come in from the garage, through the laundry room and see it there in front of me.

built in china cabinet counter atthepicketfence.com

It’s still tall. And it’s still dignified.

But now, well now it has a spring (or 2 or 100) in it’s step, don’t you think?! 🙂

Vanessa signature

 

P.S. The color of paint used is called ‘Neutral Ground’ by Sherwin Williams. And we had it professionally sprayed because we were big ol’ chickens about painting it ourselves. 😉

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47 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, DIY Tagged With: decorating, DIY, furniture makeovers, Makeover

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Comments

  1. Debra Normansell says

    February 19, 2015 at 3:18 AM

    Brilliant! Well done. What type of paint did you use and did it take lots of preparation?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 19, 2015 at 7:21 AM

      Hi Debra! We had this professionally sprayed and I know the color was Neutral Ground by Sherwin Williams but I can’t remember what type. I’m thinking it’s a latex version. The only prep involved on our end was getting everything moved out and putting up with the fumes. LOL!

      Reply
  2. Janet says

    February 19, 2015 at 3:37 AM

    Love it! I have two corner curio cabinets that are brown and in need of something, in need of a POP.
    I painted most of my wood trim white. Love it too!!

    Reply
  3. Susie @ The Chelsea Project Blog says

    February 19, 2015 at 3:44 AM

    Wow. What a change… Well done. Enjoy!

    Reply
  4. Robin Canter says

    February 19, 2015 at 3:46 AM

    Stunning! love it.

    Reply
  5. Judy McMillon says

    February 19, 2015 at 3:52 AM

    The makeover is beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next! My kitchen cabinets are off white with a medium dark wood floor and I have always loved it. I am sure you will love your choice for many years!

    Reply
  6. Judy says

    February 19, 2015 at 4:05 AM

    I love it! Now you must share the details on how you achieved it. Did you paint it or have it professionally done? What color? I think it makes the space look so much happier. Enjoy it

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 19, 2015 at 7:20 AM

      Hi Judy!! So I completely spaced out about making sure to list the color. LOL! It’s called Neutral Ground by Sherwin Williams and we did pay to have it professionally sprayed. We were kind of afraid that we wouldn’t be able to get it to look exactly like we wanted by doing it ourselves and there is honestly nothing quite like the look of having it sprayed. 🙂 Thanks for coming by sweet friend!

      Reply
  7. MariaElena says

    February 19, 2015 at 4:43 AM

    Beautiful makeover! What a huge difference it made. It looks gorgeous!

    Reply
  8. Janet says

    February 19, 2015 at 5:13 AM

    Beautiful!!! You can always paint or paper some foam core to put in the back, behind the glass shelves, if you want to change it up seasonally. I think you made a very good choice to paint it!

    Reply
  9. Mary Mccoy says

    February 19, 2015 at 5:20 AM

    Beautiful! I love the new, fresh look. Especially the pops of yellow, feels like spring. What color paint did you use? I am looking at having my cabinets painted. Thank you.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 19, 2015 at 7:18 AM

      Hi Marcy! The color is Neutral Ground by Sherwin Williams. 🙂 Thanks for your sweet words!

      Reply
      • Mary McCoy says

        February 19, 2015 at 7:30 AM

        Thank you so much for your response. Will check out Neutral Ground. Have a great day.

        Reply
  10. Kathi says

    February 19, 2015 at 6:01 AM

    It’s like the cabinet is saying, “Well hello Sunshine, come on in!”

    Reply
  11. Angie says

    February 19, 2015 at 6:07 AM

    Looks Fabulous. Don’t even try to justify this because it looks so AWESOME!!!!!! I love the light look too and think you did such a wonderful job making one part of your house look like YOU. Keep it up and remember that only you and your family live in that house so only you and your family should have a say in how you get to enjoy it.

    Reply
  12. martina says

    February 19, 2015 at 6:41 AM

    Love Love Love its new look Vanessa!!

    Reply
  13. Debra@CommonGround says

    February 19, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    gorgeous, LOVE the lighter, brighter new look!

    Reply
  14. Ellen says

    February 19, 2015 at 7:29 AM

    Beautifully done! Now you can add some fabric to the back walls of the cabinets so you can actually see your crystal, add a pop of color & design & be able to change it around easily. Nicely done!

    Reply
  15. Lisa Barno says

    February 19, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    Beautiful! Love how it turned out. Love the yellow pops.

    Reply
  16. Vicky says

    February 19, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    SW Neutral Ground is a great color. Keep on keeping on. I am easing my husband into accepting the fact that I want to paint some perfectly good oak cupboards. Too many color choices don’t you think?

    Reply
  17. Bryn Mathison says

    February 19, 2015 at 8:21 AM

    Love it!! Who cares what others think…you have to live in your house which means you should LOVE your house. I’m seriously contemplating painting ALL my kitchen cabinets with this glorious French Linen Annie Sloan chalk paint…haven’t gotten up enough courage yet. Oh, and I want to install a swing in my living room but my husband keeps saying no. So many ideas…keep up the good work Vanessa!!

    Reply
    • Rosalie says

      February 19, 2015 at 9:19 AM

      I love the idea of a swing in the living room! Just keep at him! When your cabinets are done in that “glorious” color and he sees that you have the knack you’ll get the swing! Good Luck!

      Reply
  18. Rosalie says

    February 19, 2015 at 9:23 AM

    Love the hutch. What a transformation! And it does stand up taller. It’s perfect with the yellow walls. There is lots of color accent potential with this new look! Way to go Vanessa. By the way, it’s what you like and what’s appealing to you and your family that matter. It’s your home. The nay sayers can just go away if they don’t have anything encouraging to say!

    Reply
  19. Rose L. says

    February 19, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    Definitely looks so much better!!!

    Reply
  20. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    February 19, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    It looks gorgeous. I say paint what makes you happy. Life is too short.

    Reply
  21. Catherine says

    February 19, 2015 at 10:06 AM

    That looks really beautiful Vannessa!
    Light, fresh, inviting!
    Catherine

    Reply
  22. Jordan@the2seasons says

    February 19, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    I am so glad a brush touched it! Wow what a great after it is stunning and looks amazing. Very nice job.

    Cheers!

    Reply
  23. Sarah Adams says

    February 19, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    If people don’t like it, they can strip it and re-stain it. I think it’s beautiful, and it gives me some courage, because I have an oak bookcase that has felt lackluster for some time.

    Reply
  24. Runt says

    February 19, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    Looooove.
    It’s amazing how it stands out when it’s white, but gets overlooked when it’s dark and “noticeable”. (If that makes any sense…) :]

    Reply
  25. Richella Parham says

    February 19, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    It looks awesome, Vanessa!! But now it begs the question–did you have your kitchen cabinets sprayed as well?? I know you have big plans for that room. . . can’t wait to see what’s up! 🙂

    Reply
  26. Rebecca says

    February 19, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    Beautiful! Love the change! I also love the yellow wall color next to the cabinet. Do you know what color that is? I have got to make a change in the day-glo yellow that is my kitchen now – I love the soft yellow look but it’s proven to be tough for me to achieve!

    Reply
  27. Carol Reddin says

    February 19, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Really, really pretty! Soft and welcoming! Looking forward to seeing it! Mom

    Reply
  28. Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life says

    February 19, 2015 at 3:54 PM

    What an incredible transformation! I just love this!

    Reply
  29. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    February 19, 2015 at 8:02 PM

    Your cabinet looks beautiful! Nothing like a classic white built in!

    Reply
  30. Michele says

    February 19, 2015 at 9:14 PM

    It’s awesome, had to be scary because that original stained wood was gorgeous, but it just looks so right and so you and so incredibly perfect like that.

    Was right thing to do. Love it.

    Reply
  31. Debbie says

    February 20, 2015 at 5:56 AM

    Beautiful! I need those men with tarps and tape and sprayers to come to my house!
    Debbie

    Reply
  32. Linda J says

    February 20, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    There you go again, worrying about what wood nuts are going to say! You just gotta stop that! I love it, everybody else above loves it and YOU love it! What’s to worry about? ENJOY!

    Reply
  33. Dee says

    February 20, 2015 at 6:23 PM

    I truly love both colors. And as one commenter stated, paint can always be stripped and wood stained and finished down the road when tastes change once again and we know that will happen. Be fearless! On my personal note because I do love both colors/finishes it muddies the water for making my decision which to choose for a new house. I keep changing my mind. Are you changing your kitchen?

    Reply
  34. Laurel Stephens says

    February 21, 2015 at 8:36 AM

    Wow! What a transformation the white paint makes! It’s just such a completely different feel; so fresh and new. Now you notice what’s inside the cabinet more, but it doesn’t take away from the cabinet itself. I love that shade of white, too. I’ll have to remember it (thank goodness for pinterest. 🙂

    Reply
  35. Julie says

    February 23, 2015 at 6:18 PM

    It looks beautiful, Vanessa! So happy for you!

    Reply
  36. monica livas says

    February 24, 2015 at 2:58 AM

    Great job! Looks so clean, classy and elegant!

    Reply
  37. Jack Sander says

    February 26, 2015 at 1:08 AM

    The makeover is very elegant and the cabinet looks a lot better on white. This kind of article is my very favorite on your site, as giving new life to blunt items is like doing magic.

    Reply
  38. Anna says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:17 PM

    Ahhhhhhh, amazing!!!!!!! It’s stunning!!!

    Anna

    Reply
  39. Allison says

    January 14, 2016 at 7:30 PM

    Aloha,

    I am about to paint all my kitchen cabinets with Neutral Ground. I have been using it in the house already and love it! My question is what is the yellow you used. So soft and delicate. I might like to accent my kitchen walls with a color like that.

    Reply
  40. Pat Badaluco says

    March 5, 2018 at 9:52 AM

    It Is gorgeous! Is it built in? I love your drawers for linens! 💕

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 5, 2018 at 4:51 PM

      Hi Pat! Yes, it’s built in and we love it! Thanks so much for your kind words. 🙂

      Reply
  41. Kristin salazar says

    March 5, 2018 at 9:53 AM

    It’s perfect and beautiful

    Reply

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