It’s about time I had a proper grown-up dining room. So slowly I have been moving out all my craft clutter and doing up the room. Included in this transformation is my fabulously creative cupboard upcycle, with the best chalk paint.
I’d bought this display cabinet a few years ago with the intention of revamping it. However, before I got around to painting it, the cupboard was stuffed full of craft papers and supplies, and I soon forgot about it.
Now I want to use it as a display come curio cabinet. Therefore, it was time to revamp it.
Using The Best Chalk Paint, Decoupage and Decals for A Creative Cupboard Upcycle
It took more than a lick of paint to make this cupboard special. As well as using the best chalk paint I pimped it with a few extras such as decoupaged vintage graphics and decals.
I grew up in Hong Kong which is probably why I’m drawn to the gorgeous deep red antique Chinese furniture we used to have at home. That is why I chose to paint this curio cabinet in red chalk paint. I used what I consider the best chalk paint, Annie Sloan Red Emperor’s Silk Chalk Paint.
Also as the cabinet reminded me of an old curios cupboard you’d see in a museum I decoupaged the inside with vintage graphics. For the final touch, I added some decals to the large glass doors of this cabinet.
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What I used for the best chalk paint cabinet upcycle
- Annie Sloan Emperor’s Silk Chalk Paint
- Cottage grey chalk paint
- Chalk paint brushes
- Annie Sloan Dark Furniture Wax
- Annie Sloan Clear Furniture Wax
- 3 X sheets of Cavallini Insect Wrapping Paper. You can also download insect paper for free Pictureboxblue.com
- Mod Podge decoupage glue
- Printable Decal Paper – window cling
The Cupboard upcycle
First, the paint job using the best chalk paint.
1. To me, one of the best things about using chalk paint is that there is very little prep needed. I hate preparing furniture for painting. When I decide to paint I want to paint straight away and not to have to faff about with loads of prep. The only prep I did was wipe down the cabinet with a damp cloth.
2. I started with the red chalk paint. Making sure I stirred the paint well before I applied it. If it was a little too thick I diluted it with water. After masking off the glass doors I painted 2 coats of the Emperors Silk red paint to the outside of the cabinet. Allowing the first coat to dry before applying the second.
3. At this stage, the cupboard was looking a bit of a pinky red and not very Emperor like. But I wasn’t too worried as it’s the
4. The idea is for the cabinet to look old. Therefore with a fine grade of sandpaper, I sanded the wax and paint off in bits around the edges of the cupboard. This gave it a more distressed and antique look.
5. To finish off the paint job I applied a final coat of wax and buffed off the excess.
The inside of the best chalk paint cupboard ..
1. Firstly I painted the inside of the cupboard (except for the back panel) in grey chalk paint. This time I used a clear wax to seal the chalk paint.2. However, the star of the show with the inside of my cupboard was the decoupage. I used a gorgeous vintage style gift wrap (3 Sheets).
3. I measured the back of the cupboard. It took 3 sheets of gift wrap to cover the backboard. I used decoupage glue and stuck the first sheet of gift wrap in the center.
4. The next thing I did was cut the other sheets of paper to finish off the decoupaging of the back of the cupboard. I used a wallpaper brush and a credit card to iron out any trapped air bubbles as I stuck the paper down.
Decals for the doors of the best chalk paint cupboard..
Half the point of upcycling furniture is not just about reducing waste and reusing what you have already got. It’s also about creating your own unique one of a kind piece of furniture and to personalize it.
So not only did I make this cupboard unique with best chalk paint, but I also personalized it by adding some decals to the glass doors.
- This is pretty straightforward to do. All you need is some printable window cling. Simply design what you want on your glass doors in a program like Word.
- I choose our family name (Armstrong) and the No.5 as there are 5 of us. I printed the decals according to the instructions that came with them and stuck them onto the glass doors.
What was once a boring but useful cupboard has now become a centerpiece of my dining room. I absolutely love how the Emperors Silk red chalk paint turned out and the decoupaged back.
The cupboard is now far too good for random craft supplies it’s now a home for all my love Anthropologie dinnerware.
You should check out my other fabulous furniture flips.
Classy Craft Cupboard Transformation
Pineapple Stenciled Table Upcycle
Ikea Hack Map Table Hack
You can also visit the DIYideacenter for even more furniture transformation ideas.
Anita holland
It is gorgeous, I do like the insect paper. Good choice.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, yes that paper is lovely.
Chris
That insect paper at the back of the cupboard is a cracking idea!
LOVE that. Might do the same on one of our glass fronted shelves that have things in too – would make such a difference! 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I do love that insect gift wrap too!
Susanne
That little cabinet looks wonderful! I just love the background paper you used and the decals on the doors are the perfect finishing touch. It has so much character now! Thank you for sharing with us 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Susanne.
Helen at Pleasures of the NW
Thanks for sharing this great idea on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party last week!! You were featured this week – be sure to stop on over and get your “I was Featured” button!! And share some more of your great projects!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much for the feature.
Cynthia Chilson Finger
Gorgeous!! I love everything about your transformation, but that paper is really speaking to me. Thanks for sharing ! Cynthia
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much for visiting it’s nice to know that you like it. I do love the vintage graphic gift wrap.
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse
I am featuring your cupboard at Snickerdoodle on Saturday.
Claire Armstrong
That’s awesome, I look forward to siting it. Thanks.
Julie
Stunning! Red is my favourite colour so I’m loving this!
It’s a perfect mix of quirky and fun but still grown up and classy.
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, Julie, I thought Red might be your favourite colour from following your blog!
Sandra Garth
If furniture could talk this cabinet would shout “Thank You, Claire!” This is a beautiful transformation and the color is really popping. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope your week is going great.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much. The cupboard no longer hides apologetically in the corner but stands proudly for all to see.
Denise
Claire….this turned out so awesome. I never knew there was such a thing as printable window cling. Can’t wait to test it out. Thanks for sharing this with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party. Looking forward to seeing more from you this week.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Denise, look forward to linking up again this week.
Janice Wald|MostlyBlogging
Thanks for bringing your post to the Blogger’s Pit Stop last week.
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
Claire Armstrong
Thank you for hostin.
Amber Harrop
I love Annie Sloan Paint and love how you have used it on this project, that decal looks fabulous too Claire.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! I’m a big fan of Annie Sloan Paint too!
Pamela
This is just adorable!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
Michelle
What a lovely makeover Claire. Love, love, love that color and the insect wrapping paper is so perfect. Great idea
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, Michelle!
debbie
I would have totally been scared by the red looking like pink but it turned out amazing. I don’t know which was my favorite the vintage gift wrap or the window decals. I had no idea there were printable window clings. I am getting those right away. If it can be done on a computer, I am all about it! Thank you so much for sharing this at TADA! Thursdays this week!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much. I was a little worried about the pink at first but the wax does transform the paint.
Lori
Wow, it doesn’t even look close to the same piece! The red really transforms it! Thank you for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Lori!
Brenda Young (@UniqueJunktique)
OH Claire! I simply adore this makeover, first a great pop of red, the wonderful decoupage images, then the door graphics, it looks just like an old curiosity cabinet done right. Also great tips on applying signage without a fancy diecut machine. Superb, I want one for my house. Thanks for sharing your project at Fridays Furniture Fix!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Brenda. That was the look I was going for the old curiosity cabinet.
Cecilia
This is wonderful, Claire! I love the way you finished the inside! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm–pinned to our Features and Favorites!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much and thanks for sharing.
Leanna
What an ingenious idea to use wrapping paper. I have been scouring the net for small pieces of wallpaper and was having no luck. Obviously good quality wrapping paper can be used instead. Love it. Thank you for the inspiration
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I use gift wrap a lot in my projects especially map gift wrap.
Teodora Totorean
What an inspiring project, I love it! Thank you for sharing :).
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, that’s very kind of you to say so.
Stephanie Abbott
Love it! The bugs, the text, the color! All of it. Thanks for sharing at To Grandmas House We Go.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much !
Helen at Pleasures of the NW
I love this – and the instructions are perfect – had to pin! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party! (Checked out a few ads while I was here too!)
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much and thanks for sharing.
Beverly
This is gorgeous! You did such a great job with this cupboard makeover. I adore the dark red. I’m visiting from the DIY Link Party. I’d like to invite you share with us at Snickerdoodle Create-Bake-Make Party. It’s open through Tues.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much and thanks for the invite.
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled
Great makeover! My husband, who loves to search online for thrift items, has been wanting to create a bar. Yours is right up our alley! I too have used gift wrap as background liner. Easy and cheap. Your coffee cups are also very fun. Visiting from Happiness is Homemade party.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Victoria. The mugs are from Anthropologie, I just love their kitchenware and can’t resist buying one every time I visit.
MEDINA GRILLO
This is so chic! And the paper you used inside is pure genius!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Medina I just love using Cavallini gift wrap they have some cool vintage designs.
Lisa
You chose the perfect color for this project! Stunning.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Lisa!
Debrashoppeno5
It all goes together so well. Love it all.
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thanks!
Kristie Cook
I really thought this was a metal cabinet when I first clicked on it! Great paint job & I love the bug paper & decals.
Claire Armstrong
Cheers, no it’s wood alright. I love the bugs too!
Carolann
WOW! I love this transformation. That insect paper is too cute! I adore the color red, so you had me there! Just love it.
Claire Armstrong
Thanks, Carolann. Even though blue is my favourite colour I still like a bit of red in the right places.
Lynn Spencer
Claire, I don’t know what I love the most…that deep beautiful red or the decal on the door or that fantastic insect paper! All in all, they contributed to a fantastic cabinet! It looks fantastic.
well done my friend.
Lynn
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Lynn. I think the paper was the best find it goes well with the red.
Kate Hollingsworth
Oh Claire! The bug paper! Yesssss! I’m afraid of anything colourful but even I am in love with this piece. xx
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! I couldn’t resist the bug paper once I saw it! You shouldn’t be afraid of colour a little splash here and there really adds a bit of cheer to a room.
Kate Hollingsworth
P.S. I’m featuring your beautiful cabinet makeover at this week’s link party. xx
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, that’s awesome!
Carol ("Mimi")
I love the Emperor Red color after the dark wax application. Then, the decoupage is the icing on the cake. Super makeover! The cabinet really has new life, now.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, I really do love the Emperor Red. I still have half a tin left to I will use it on something else.
Wendy
This is gorgeous, love the personal touch on the doors, really really inspiring!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, I add a personal touch whenever I can.