My china cabinet makeover!

Well, I can check one project off the list!  I worked on the Craigslist China cabinet this weekend and was able to get it done!  Just to remind you, here are the befores…

I couldn’t wait to get started.  I could see the potential in the shape and details.  The finish was just not cutting it!

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I used Old ochre Chalk Paint and Minwax gel stain with poly mixed in.  Both products allowed me to skip the sanding and priming, which cut out a lot of time and work on a piece this big.  Here is a shot of the first coat of gel stain going on…

You can see it just darkens the color and puts a great shine on it all in one step!  I wanted it darker so I did 3 coats of it.  I let it dry overnight after the first coat and then a few hours between the 2nd and 3rd coats. 

I distressed it by sanding off some of the paint in various spots, concentrating on the edges and creases in the doors and drawers. 

I finished off the paint with a finishing wax and she was done! 

I chose to leave the middle doors off so I could really showcase some of my dishes. 

Doesn’t she look pretty?!!! I can’t wait to change up the accessories depending on the Seasons.  Oh the possibilities!