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Dining Room Cabinets – Before & After

I once posed a question on this blog.  Should I paint these corner cabinets?  There were people in both camps.  It was quite a comment thread to read through.  What some figured out is that I already knew the answer to the question.  I wanted to paint them…I just wanted a 2nd (or 80th) opinion.

The truth is, I wanted to paint these cabinets the minute my aunt and uncle gave them to me.  I just pictured them painted, but struggled with the age old debate about painting really nice wood. 

Ultimately, I followed my gut and threw out conventional wisdom about not painting nice wood pieces.  I put that conventional thinking in the “dark colors make rooms feel smaller” or the “blue and green should never be seen” camp. 

(Boy, I really need a rug in this room!  And yes, I allow my kids to ride scooters in the house.)

Getting my no-primer-required chalk paint pushed me over the edge and I painted them.  The cabinets are now just how I envisioned they would be. 

The exterior is painted in two coats of Louis Blue with Old White accents, then distressed.  I applied a coat of clear wax, followed by a coat of dark brown wax. 

The interior is painted in two coats of old white and lightly distressed on the edges.  I didn’t wax the interior at all and it’s surprising how well the paint has held up so far.  Latex would’ve scratched when I was loading the contents into the cabinet or the first time I opened the door. 

I love how the dark glaze gives the finish a worn look. 

…and this paint distresses so well!  I painted a new piece tonight and snapped pictures to share the paint in action.  I’m also going to make some video tutorials on some of my finishing techniques. 
I’ve had a lot of questions on the colors on my buffet, so I thought I would share.  I painted the entire piece in Louis Blue and then painted the body in Old White, leaving the drawers and inset panels blue.  The top was stained in Dark Walnut by Minwax.  I distressed the piece and then applied a coat of clear wax followed by a little bit of dark wax to bring out the imperfections of the piece. 

If you’re interested in trying chalk paint, you can buy it from one of the stockists listed in my chalk paint post.  There’s also some great information in the comments, so check those out as well. 

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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100 Responses

  3. I am working on a piece as we speak with the chalk paint. Love this stuff. I have a question..they gave me some clear wax that I lightly brushed on after I painted it and distressed it..looks good, but I was not sure if that was what I was suppose to do. Thanks for all your tips….I love how your pieces turned out.

  4. I am truly in love with the colors you chose. I love the corner cabinets painted. Your taste suits mine perfectly, in fact, my buffet is very similar in color. Funny you are putting the discussion out there about painting wood because I did a post on it today! It is an interesting topic, but I used the argument that people paint their houses made out of wood! As always, it all looks gorgeous. Have a lovely week. -K

  5. I am now Follower 4950, while I know you'll probably never have the time to Follow or visit me I just wanted to tell you how lovely your blog is! I love what you did to your dining room and I love the chalk board in the gold frame, I think something like that will look beautiful in my kitchen. Thank you for the lovely ideas! If you have time please stop by, we love company!

    Mary

  7. You have just pushed me over the edge..I am going to order some. There was a large dining room table left in the house we are renovating that we want to redo. My husband would like to stain it, but I think this paint will take care of it. I wonder though, since it is a dining table if we should stain the top and paint the legs and chairs only? What do you think? Do they help you pick out the wax when you call? Waxing is something new to me….usually just spray on the polyu. Thank you for your tutorials. Even my husband has been interested and he NEVER reads any blogs that I point out except yours!

  10. They look stunning! The whole room has a totally different vibe. I love the colors you've chosen, It looks so cohesive and well balanced now. As always an outstanding job.

  11. gorgeous pieces with the chalk paint. Love it!!Just found an antique dresser that I want to paint… I'm hoping that I can find a supplier near me in either Buffalo or Rochester, NY….
    patti

  13. Am loving this paint! Thanks for the link, I can't wait to order some. I also love the simplcity of the color pallette – just enough choice. Your piece are exquisite, thanks for always being so genorous in sharing your techniquea – you rock!

  17. I must admit, I was on the oppose camp & you did your magic again. All I can say is they are absolutely GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS! Glad you didn't listen to me, lol.

    Roxanna

  20. Oh wow, everything looks SO GOOD! I really want to say a big ol' THANK YOU! to you for sharing all your tips, tricks and techniques with all of us out here. I've had a few projects sitting on the back burner (including painting a shiny carved and lacquered table base a nice matte grey- hello chalk paint!)for awhile that I just haven't been sure how to go about, but you've given me the confidence and the know-how to give them a shot! So again, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
    : ) Meg

  26. the pieces are gorgeous, but i'm having a hard time deciding if i like the look of the room better before or after! there was more contrast before and wait! where's your blue wall? it was so pretty! in any case, you make everything look fab! do you think that chalk paint exists over here in france yet? 😉

  27. FABULOUS! My eye feels so much calmer with the transformation. The new creamy walls really allow you to see all of the details in the room where before it was hard to soak in the other details because I was so focused on the blue. In love with the creamy white interiors of the cabinets. Great work as always!

  29. oh wow! you did it again. You bowled me over with painted wood! I love them. I thought they'd clash with the curtains…but NO.
    they are gorgeous and soft and powdery and …Well, they are pretty.

    I love them…
    ~ Hurray! for getting to ride the scooter in the house!
    My 2 yr old Grandaughter told me today… as she was running around my kitchen table… "Oma! I runnin'round!"
    I let her.
    ~ Pat

  30. Ahhhhh – I LOVE them! They were beautiful before but I must admit I adore painted furniture so I like them even better now. Am starting to get really really tempted to buy some of that paint! And I love your little boy riding his scooter! I love that a home can be beautiful and soothing but still be a place your kids can run around in and be completely comfortable in. Lillie has a little princess car and a vintage car that she rides all around our poor house. (We've got more than a few marks on the walls thanks to the vintage car's metal bumper =).

  31. What a fantastic transformation you did with those cabinets ♥
    I could only wish I knew how, then I could paint a lot of things in our house.

  33. What a transformation, they look fabulous. I have just started painting furniture as I love this look and adore old pieces. Thank you for the inspiration and I look forward to seeing the video.

  34. I guess I am in the minority. I think they look better before. but…the paint job is stunning, the cabinets look amazing but I think the room looks better with two darker pieces in the corner to kind of anchor the space.

  35. Darn it. I accidentally pasted something in my previous comment I didn't mean to (stupid paste function and clumsy fingers).
    Anyway, they look amazing! Better than they did originally IMO and look perfect in your house.

  39. I love those corner cabinets!! They are perfect now!! A the little one on the scooter cracked me up!! I so let my son ride around the house in his BigWheel!! Ha!
    And I have ordered my chalk paint and I can't wait to get my hands on it. She called me and she is the dearest lady!! It's on it's way! Woot! Woo!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  40. STUNNING! I'm sure anyone who voted to not paint them is convinced now that it was the right thing to do! I'm sure they just didn't anticipate them to turn out so beautifully! great job! 🙂

  41. Morning Marian,
    Love the corner cabinets…well done! I have a tall cabinet piece in my basement waiting to be transformed and I will be ordering some of this paint. The colors are beautiful.

    I think you need a gorgeous painted floorcloth under that dining room table ;->
    I can picture it all distressed and aged fabulously with that dark wax…Yum!

    Janet xox

    http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

  43. Those corner cabinets, painted, make the room! You have unbelievable vision!!!! It must really pull the livingroom and diningroom together beautifully with your French chairs and mirror.

    Can't wait for the tutorial; I always learn so much from you!

    Kaye

  44. Love it and am getting ready to place an order! And, yes, I'd *love* the lowdown on waxing afterwards, too! *Becca*

  46. Love the look of all the chalk painted items. I'm inspired! So I went to a website and they have a kit to order which includes the chalk paint, wax, and brushes. Included in the kit are "waxing brushes". I'm wondering do I really need them? Maybe I can just rub the wax on. The brushes are quite pricey.

  47. Kathy from Formerly known as Frau sent me over here because I am on the fence to paint a cabinet that has woodpainted grains in it. I love what you did with your corner cabinets. Hmmm… I will have to read up on wax and where to purchase. Thank you! xo

  49. I was in the pro-paint corner from the get-go. I knew you could make those cabinets gorgeous. I love that they have a Swedish vibe to them–the blue-grey hues and the balance of one in each corner, very important in their designs.

    It goes to show that you can and should trust your own instincts, Miss Mustard Seed!

  50. Now aren't you glad you listened to your gut? Those are beyond FABULOUS Marian. I so love how they turned out and you just made them that much better by putting your mark on them! Terrific as always!!

  51. These turned out so beautiful Marian! I have ordered the chalk paint and they said it was out of stock until the end of the month. I will wait..I know it will be worth it! Thank you for your tips and advice..it really is a gift!

  52. Simply Beautiful!! The difference the painted cabinets make in your room is unbelievable!! Before–really nice. Now–open and light and stunning!

  53. They are absolutely gorgeous!!! I do that too with so many things that I have, that I bought new! I hate to have to refinish stuff I bought brand new, not on sale or anything, but I get it home and a few months later I just can't help but think that it would look so much better distressed white or beachy turquoise and I start it over! I LOVE these cabinets!!! Perfect!

  54. I like them SO much more painted. The wood floor is enough "woodness" for the room. And as always, your taste and technique made the pieces spectacular! Bravo- I'm inspired to work on my daughter's nightstand and dressing table now!

  56. Marian, what a perfect look for those cabinets. They look like they were always that color and aged gracefully over time. I guess you are using the waxes that are sold with the paint. I am contemplating getting some and just trying to decide on a color.

  59. Hello…I have never commented on your blog before but I am a loyal follower. I have the exact same set up in my dining room. 2 matching corner cabinets and a table that matches as well. I admire you for having the guts to paint your furniture. In my case, my husband is technically the owner of our furniture because we inherited it from his family. I cannot get him to jump on the painted furniture band wagon…he just is against it. So for now I need to respect his wishes. (I guess!) I did get him to agree to let me paint the inside which will help lighten things up. Your dining room is lovely as is the rest of your home. I enjoy your blog and look forward to every post. Thanks for sharing your life. ~Ann

  61. Darnit, Marian! I had convinced myself to work around my inherited, gold-speckled French provincial guest room furniture. And, now here you go, giving me an easier way to paint it. You just had to take away my excuse for being a slacker. Guess I'll be ordering some chalk paint… thanks a lot! 🙂

  62. I'm a faithful reader of your blog Marian, and stand in awe of your talent and all that you accomplish. You always inspire me.

    Have you noticed that by painting the cabinets, they now relate to the walls & fabric better — Your eye now travels around the room, enjoying the subtle contrasts in color and pattern.

    Before, the cabinets related more to the floor, and brought your eye to a halt.

    Great job, as usual!

    sharon

  66. They look so beautiful! Great call on painting them!! I featured this post today because I started a new series (on my brand new blog) called "Before and After Thursday". I needed something to feature for the first time, and when I saw that you'd posted about your cabinets today I thought "PERFECT!" I know the teeny amount of buzz you'll get from this feature will be the equivalent of a nat trying to get the attention of an elephant, but it was still my pleasure to feature you, as insignificant as it is for a blog as popular as yours. I love your blog and your brilliant ideas. Great job again with the cabinets!

  68. Those are beyond gorgeous. As I was scrolling through the pics I was expecting them to be white to match the chairs. The blue is utterly perfect!

  70. You are fabulously inspiring! Not many people can actually spur me into action, but you can. And you do it again and again! I have a big old armoire in my room just begging to be painted like this! I have to admit I'm a little scared of the waxing and dark waxing and, well, anything that isn't just painting. But we'll see what happens!

  73. I love the new look of the cabinets. I ordered some chalk paint and can't wait til it gets here! I may go crazy and paint everything!

  75. GORGEOUS! I knew they would look good painted. I love love love them against your newly painted wall 🙂

    my question is- why the clear was before the dark brown was?

  77. These pieces are absolutely amazing. I've ordered some chalk paint and can't wait for it arrive. Always trust your instincts! Great job. I just hope mine turn out half as nice as your pieces.

  79. You totally made the right call! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how the cabinets came out. And the room seems so much brighter with the lighter color on the walls. I love it all! Especially the action shot of your son on his scooter 😉

  81. I adore the paint job and the colors you chose but I still like the original wood better. I love all your other painted pieces (that buffet? to DIE for!) but I think I still like the corner shelves in all their original glory.

  83. You have the best blog EVER!! Thanks so much for all the wonderful tips. Your furniture is beautiful!!! Can't wait for the video tutorial. I've been loving your slipcover ones.

  84. Hi there,
    Like so many above I was thrilled with the cabinets…..they make the room come alive!! I was totally amazed at the difference they make in the look of the room! . So when are you going to paint the floor?? Think you that chalk paint would hold up to scooters if you waxed it? I've not seen it used on a floor in all my reading up on it….have you? Heading back to the beach to paint…..will start on the slipcover when I get caught up a bit! Thanks for the look at your lovely dining room. Take care, Vintage beach girl

  85. I cannot wait to order some. I also love the simplicity of the color palette – choice. Your piece are exquisite, thanks for always being so generous in sharing your method.
    Kitchen

  86. Yep. They are gorgeous. As I knew they would be. I spoke with Patty and I've got a whole bunch coming this week….and four pieces lined up. 🙂 Thanks for sharing such a great resource, friend!
    xo
    shaunna

  89. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has little boys riding around on scooters through the house! 🙂 I guess you just proved style + life is a viable equation.

  90. p.s. have you seen the painted "rugs" on wood floors? There was a Traditional Home article a loooong time ago that featured your exact color of peacock blue painted as an accent on a wood floor entry. It was breathtaking and better than picking up pb&j; off the rug maybe. 🙂

  93. Wow!! What a change thing!! and I also like justify combining and also After see your housing, I inspired for purchase it.Thanks
    ———————–
    Corner cabinet

  94. Hi – your dining room is STUNNING! I was wondering if you could tell me where you purchased your chair seat covers? I love the beige ruffled look..so shabby farm house! Thanks, Dayna

  97. Pingback: Alphason AP800CB-BLK- LCD TV Corner Cabinet for Screens up to 37″- Black Finish | Buy TV Stands UK
  100. Pingback: simple dining room | Dining Room Cabinets Before After Miss Mustard Seed | Home design Interior idea

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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