Annie Sloan Strikes Again

With my husband making plans to play golf on Saturday, I had my own Day (Un)Planned! An entire Saturday to MYSELF! I decided to do some upcyling if I found the right piece at an estate sale. I book-marked a couple of estate sales on Craigslist the night before.

I got lucky early. I found this antique cabinet at the very first sale, paying $20. I love the bones, but it needed some work!

Back at home, sitting in the gorgeous California sunshine eating a bowl of oatmeal, I envisioned what I should do with the cabinet. Wouldn’t it make a pretty bar or hallway table? I decided to go with Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint outside and Annie Sloan French Linen Chalk Paint inside.

I spray-painted the hardware bright gold and then painted the cabinet a couple of coats of chalk paint back-to-back. I let it dry for 30 minutes.  I then used the hand sander to distress it. Annie Sloan’s paint is dreamy to distress. The paint whizzes off!

After I dusted it with a brand new paint brush (to get the fine dust off of it), I waxed it with Annie Sloan clear wax. Looking good!

I brought it inside to style it up for its chance to shine. I love it! Wine bottles, decanters and glasses fit inside perfectly. When we were on our honeymoon in Italy last year, I wine tasted from this type of glass.  I bought 12 from Williams Sonoma as soon as we returned!  My favorite Pinot Noir these days in Wright’s Station Far Away Block. It received a 94 from Wine Enthusiast recently.  It’s so tasty!

On top I put a few of my favorite things to give it some character.  This piece is ready for its close up. From start to finish it took about an hour and a half so I had plenty of time to lay on the couch and binge watch HGTV and ESPN, while looking at Pinterest!

Bonus coverage on the Maindenhair fern (on the cabinet to the right)! I have had TERRIBLE luck growing this type of fern. I won’t be denied and bought this one at Bunches in Los Gatos last weekend.  This is the best florist hands down! I hate chain restaurants and shop local whenever I can, especially Bunches! The florist told me to keep it out of any direct sunlight and suggested I let it sit outside in the cool weather for a week to “toughen it up.” He said this type of fern likes cold nights, which surprised me. He also suggested using a mister on the leaves once a week. So far so good! Click here to read a cute blog on taking care of these ferns as well.