Back before I had a website, IG account, logo or even a name for this business, I found this little wire cabinet on FB marketplace and decided I was going to buy and fix it up to sell. I remember talking to a trusted friend about my idea for a furniture shop while I was driving to Falls Church, with the kids in the car watching a movie. We brain stormed all the way to Falls Church, and the rest is history (is it too early to say that??!) Shortly after I picked up this cabinet the kids were back in the car to pick up the doll furniture and kids’ cabinet. I’m still obsessed with looking at FBM but I’ve resisted buying many a piece to avoid being in a hoarding situation (which I’m convinced many furniture painters find themselves in!)
The little cabinet sat in my storage room for about six months until I was FINALLY ready to start its makeover.
The Materials
When I shop at small businesses online, I am always trying to maximize my shipping costs and buy for more than one project. After I learned how amazing Thistle and Fox’s eco-friendly wallpaper is from the doll and kitchen updates, I knew I wanted to buy more patterns. I found this incredible floral/leaf pattern and bought enough to cover the back of the cabinet, and I bought some for the wardrobe upcycle. The background was pinker than I thought, so I changed my paint idea and decided Jolie’s Classic Navy would be a beautiful contrast. I had a lot leftover from my bathroom update so it was a great use of extra paint!
The Final Result
Painting chicken wire was a painful as you might think. My plan was to spray it with our little paint sprayer, but between a tiny compressor and a tiny sprayer, I wasn’t saving ANY time and I was creating a lot of frustration and stress. Sooo…hand painting it was. I even took a tiny paint brush to touch up all the little spots the big brush couldn’t get. So. Much. Work. As usual, applying the wallpaper was a dream. I spray painted the handles and hinges, and covered the entire piece with Jolie’s clear wax.
What do you think? Do you think you’d have use for a little cabinet like this in your home? Drop me a message, I’d love to hear!
