What a whirlwind these past couple of weeks have been! Since my last update on my parents’ guest bedroom makeover, it feels like we’ve been living in a beautiful chaos of creativity and change. Our garage has temporarily transformed into a bustling workshop, overflowing with furniture pieces in various stages of their painted evolution. On top of that, I’m immersed in a massive secret project that I can’t wait to unveil in a few weeks. But perhaps the biggest news, the kind that reshapes your entire world, is this: WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!
This decision wasn’t made lightly, but it stems from a deep longing for a different pace of life. Robert and I both grew up surrounded by the quiet beauty of the countryside, with more land and towering trees than cramped neighborhoods. We’ve truly missed that sense of space and tranquility, and we’re now ready to trade our current bustling environment for a slice of that serene country living once again. It’s an exciting, albeit slightly terrifying, leap into the unknown.
If you’ve been following along on Facebook and Instagram, you’re probably aware that I’m riding a rollercoaster of emotions. Just last week, we placed an offer on what we truly believed was the “perfect” house – the one that ticked every box and stirred our souls. Unfortunately, in a competitive market, our offer didn’t prevail against others. It was a heartbreaking moment, but we quickly dusted ourselves off and plunged back into the search. We’ve scoured every listing, driven countless miles, but “the one” has yet to reveal itself. Still, we hold onto faith, trusting that God has an incredible plan for us, and we’ll undoubtedly know our next home when we see it.
So, here we are, roughly a month away from closing on our current home, facing several possibilities. We might find ourselves temporarily living with my incredibly patient parents (again!), or perhaps we’ll close on a charming fixer-upper, eager to infuse it with our unique style. Alternatively, we could be embarking on the exciting journey of working with a builder on a brand-new home. The suspense is absolutely palpable, and frankly, it’s killing me with anticipation!
Amidst all this exhilarating chaos, the progress on my parents’ guest bedroom makeover continues. This room is not just a guest space; it’s a cozy haven for our sweet Olivia when she visits. And the very first project to find its new home in this revitalized space is something truly special. Let’s dive into this DIY journey that brought an old piece of furniture back to life!
Transforming a Craigslist Find: The Faux Antique Shutter Armoire Makeover
As I shared previously when outlining my vision for my parents’ guest bedroom, one of the primary needs was ample storage. When Olivia visits, their home becomes a delightful wonderland of her toys and books – a true testament to the joy of grandparents spoiling their grandchild! We needed a clever solution to keep all these fun goodies neatly tucked away, ensuring the room felt serene and organized when not in full play mode. An armoire, with its generous capacity and elegant facade, seemed like the perfect answer.
My search led me, as it often does for hidden gems, to Craigslist. And there it was: a green armoire, listed for an unbelievable $40. I couldn’t resist! It was the perfect size, neither too imposing nor too small for the space. What truly caught my eye were the charming shutters on the front doors – they exuded a subtle farmhouse aesthetic that I knew I could enhance. Beyond its decorative potential, it promised to be the ideal hiding spot for all of Olivia’s Barbies and, yes, those ever-present Shopkins. (Seriously, who invented Shopkins, and why are they everywhere?! It’s a mystery for the ages.) This piece, despite its basic veneer and unassuming green hue, held incredible potential to become a cornerstone of the guest bedroom’s functionality and style.
While the original green had a certain charm, it simply wouldn’t complement the soothing blues I had meticulously planned for the guest room’s refreshed palette. A complete transformation was in order. With a vision for an aged, antique-inspired look, a fresh coat of paint, a strategic application of wax, and some elegant new hardware were all it took to elevate this humble Craigslist find into a stunning statement piece. This makeover wasn’t just about changing its color; it was about imbuing it with character and a sense of history it never originally possessed.
Supplies Used for this Faux Antique Armoire Makeover:
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- Fusion Mineral Paint in Plaster – The foundational creamy off-white that creates an aged, elegant base.
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Linen – Used for the initial layer on the top to mimic a natural wood tone.
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Casement – Applied with a dry brush technique over Linen to add texture and depth to the faux wood grain.
- Homestead House Espresso Wax – Essential for creating that authentic aged patina and deepening the faux wood effect.
- Cast iron hardware – Sourced during a fantastic 50% off sale at Hobby Lobby, these pieces add rustic elegance.
- Of course, a quality paint brush and a soft rag are also indispensable tools for a smooth finish and wax application!
The Armoire’s Amazing Transformation: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide
Despite this armoire being a rather inexpensive veneer cabinet – quite possibly from a motel room, given its origins – my goal was to elevate it. I wanted it to look like a cherished, unique antique find, a piece with a story, rather than its humble beginnings. The key to achieving this illusion lies in strategic painting techniques and the right finishes.
Prepping Your Piece: The Foundation for Success
One of the many reasons I adore Fusion Mineral Paint is its minimal prep requirement. For this veneer armoire, a thorough cleaning was paramount to remove any grime or residue. While Fusion often adheres beautifully without sanding, I gave the surface a light scuff sand to ensure optimal paint adhesion, especially on the slick veneer. This simple step ensures a long-lasting, durable finish that stands up to daily use. Once cleaned and lightly prepped, the armoire was ready for its exciting transformation.
Creating an Aged Patina: Painting the Body
For the main body of the armoire, excluding the top, I applied two generous coats of the beautiful Fusion Mineral Paint in Plaster. This creamy, off-white shade instantly brightened the piece and served as the perfect base for the aged effect. Once the paint was completely dry, the magic truly began with the Homestead House Espresso Wax. To give the armoire that coveted depth and an authentic, aged appearance, I carefully applied the Espresso wax. The trick is not to apply it uniformly across the entire surface. Instead, I focused on pushing a small amount of wax into the corners, around the edges, and specifically within the intricate slats of the shutter doors. This technique allows the darker wax to settle into the natural recesses, mimicking years of accumulated dust and grime that create a beautiful, time-worn look. Buffing it gently after application helped blend the wax while leaving just enough to define the details and add character.
Adding the Perfect Hardware
With the body beautifully aged, the final touch was the hardware. The chunky, rustic cast iron hardware I found on sale at Hobby Lobby was the perfect complement. Its dark, sturdy presence truly “popped” against the creamy, waxed finish of the armoire, enhancing its faux antique character. Hardware is often overlooked, but it can make an enormous difference in elevating a piece from ordinary to extraordinary, acting like jewelry for your furniture.
Crafting a Faux Wood Top: A Realistic Touch
To further enhance the illusion of an authentic antique, I wanted the top of the armoire to appear as if it were natural, aged wood. This technique is surprisingly simple but incredibly effective. I started by brushing on one coat of Fusion Mineral Paint in Linen and allowed it to dry completely. Linen provides a beautiful, muted base that mimics the undertones of many natural wood species. Next, I used a dry brushing technique with a couple of layers of Fusion Mineral Paint in Casement. Dry brushing involves using very little paint on your brush and lightly dragging it across the surface, which creates subtle texture and mimics wood grain. The final step was a light layer of Espresso wax, carefully applied and buffed. This not only sealed the paint but also added depth and warmth, creating a remarkably convincing faux wood finish that perfectly complemented the aged body of the armoire.
The Stunning Reveal: Form Meets Function in the Guest Bedroom
Once the last coat of wax was buffed and the hardware securely in place, I admit, I may have performed a celebratory little booty dance – perhaps even an attempted moonwalk! (And yes, “attempted” is the key word there.) The transformation was even better than I had envisioned. This once-plain, green veneer armoire now radiates the charm and character of a treasured antique, perfectly aligned with the serene, welcoming aesthetic planned for my parents’ guest bedroom.
Beyond its stunning new appearance, the functionality of this piece is truly what makes it invaluable. I absolutely love that the bottom drawers are now the perfect discreet storage solution for Olivia’s beloved toys – keeping them accessible for her visits but neatly out of sight when she’s not there. The shelves above offer ample space for storing guest linens, extra blankets, and a selection of books, making the room incredibly practical and guest-friendly. It’s a joy to create pieces that not only look beautiful but also serve a real purpose in simplifying life and enhancing comfort.
Guest Room Progress and What’s Next for Us
The rest of this guest bedroom space is truly coming together beautifully and quite rapidly! Oh, and in case you hadn’t noticed from the recent glimpses, that rather intense “Old Hollywood” dark gray and bright lipstick red that once dominated these walls is officially GONE! A huge thank you to my dad, who went all out with primer and paint to banish those bold colors. College-aged me, who undoubtedly thought those colors were the height of sophistication, might shed a tiny tear. However, 2024 me is absolutely thrilled and not heartbroken in the slightest to see them go. The room already feels incredibly much larger, brighter, and more inviting just from that one simple, yet impactful, change in wall color. It truly underscores how profoundly paint can transform a space!
So, that’s one piece of furniture successfully transformed and settled into its new home. But, as is often the case in our world of DIY, there are still about five more pieces to tackle! I wasn’t kidding when I said it’s a bit of beautiful madness around here. It always seems that our furniture projects come in waves – one successful completion simply paves the way for the next exciting challenge. It keeps things interesting, to say the least!
Are you planning to dive into any furniture painting projects this weekend? Or perhaps you’re caught up in the thrilling, all-consuming adventure of house hunting, just like us?! I’d love to hear what exciting projects or life changes you’re embarking on.
And if your current focus is more on decluttering, organizing, and preparing for a big move (or just generally tidying up!), don’t forget there are still a couple of days left to grab the Conquer Your Clutter Super Bundle that I raved about earlier this week. I have a strong feeling that Robert and I will be doing a LOT of cleaning and organizing ourselves very, very soon as we embark on the epic task of packing up our entire home!
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