Easy Steps For A Unique Red Cabinet Upcycle

TV Cabinet Upcycle With A Hint Of Marimekko

I really don’t like the cabinet that the telly sits on. However, it is the right size and the cupboard is great for hiding away the computer and stuff that runs with it.
 
The heavy mango wood of the cupboard just doesn’t go with the rest of the decor in our living room. I needed to give it the Pillarboxblue treatment.
 
Which basically involved colour, decoupage and a hint of Marimekko.
 
So out came the best chalk paint (in Emperor’s Silk) and some Marimekko napkins for a colourful cabinet upcycle.
 
Now when I watch telly in the evening, I no longer sit there frowning at the ugly cabinet. I already had some chalk paint left over from another project so the only cost was a few pennies for the Marimekko paper napkins.
 
Trouble is, I think my upcycled cabinet maybe too good for the telly now.
 

 
 
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What I used for the Cabinet Upcycle

• Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor’s Silk
• Annie Sloan dark wax
• Marimekko Unikko Paper Napkins in Red
• Small paint roller kit
• Wax Brushes
• Rotary Cutter and Mat

How to do a TV Cabinet Upcycle

1. The reason I love chalk paint so much besides the finish is the fact that you don’t have to do any prep. Yes, that’s right no sanding or priming. I did, however, give the cabinet a good wipe down before painting.

 

2. Make sure you cover any bits of the cabinet you don’t want to be painted with masking tape. Such as the hinges and any ironwork.
    
   

 
 

3. In the past when painting with chalk paint I have always used the approved chalk paint brushes. However, when I updated my kitchen painted worktops with a mini roller I fell in love with the tool. With the mini roller, the paint went on so quickly and smoothly I decided to use it for this cupboard upcycle.
    
   The paint coverage with the roller was thinner than it was with a brush therefore, I used 2 coats of Annie Sloan Emperor’s Silk chalk paint.
    
   

 
 

4. For the Marimekko part of this cabinet upcycle, decoupage the paneled doors. Cut paper Marimekko napkins to fit the size of the panels. Then carefully separate the 3ply napkins so that only the top printed ply of the napkins is used.

 

 
 

5. You can either wait until the chalk paint is dry and use decoupage glue to stick the Marimekko napkins to the door panels. Or do as I did and stick the napkins to the wet chalk paint using the paint as a glue. Either way, make sure you use something like a small roller to flatten out any paper creases.

 

 

 
 

Finishing off the cabinet upcycle

 

6. To match the cabinet I painted and decoupaged 2 wooden door knobs with the same paint and Marimekko napkins.

 

7. Finally to protect the chalk paint of the cabinet upcycle use Annie Sloan’s furniture wax. I used a dark furniture wax to give the red cabinet a richer more antique looking finish. The wax is simply applied with a brush and then buffed with a lint-free cloth.

 

 
 

 
 

 
 
I do love to use chalk paint when painting furniture, you should check out my other chalk paint upcycles or the ones at DIYideacenter.com:
 
The Best Chalk Paint Cupboard Upcycle
Easy Classy Craft Cupboard Transformation
Pineapple Stenciled Table Upcycle