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Garage Sales and a Minty China Cabinet

June 26, 2013 Rachel 43 Comments

I love this time of the year. Here in Missouri, we have garage sales on Wednesday mornings (which often run later in the afternoon), sometimes on Fridays and always, always on Saturdays. I have such fond memories of finding good deals at garage sales when I was a child. Well, not much has changed in 20+ years. I still get giddy with excitement when I find a good deal at garage sales! I LOVE it! Just the anticipation of the potential out there… and the whole atmosphere! I can think of nothing I’d rather do on a Saturday morning than wake up early to blue skies, grab a donut and head on out, hunting for my next project!
And I love seeing what people find, so I’m going to share with you some finds and a makeover! 🙂
See that big china cabinet in the back? My fav. I just love the legs and the ornate carving and details… *sigh* I picked that up at a garage sale.
The desk I got at an estate sale, as well as 2 of the chairs you see there. I really liked their cane sides and could imagine it really cute with some grain sack-esque reupholstery. We shall see when I can get around to them! My sewing machine needs to be repaired. 🙁
Anyhow, I agonized for 2 weeks about how I was going to finish the cabinet. I saw lots of inspiration online, but so many things just seemed too dark to me. I wanted something with a little color, but not too bold. I wanted it almost white, but not. Something pastel, but with character. I fell in love with this inspiration:
Mint-Color-Painted-Bathroom-Cabinet-500x734
source
I love the idea of having something minty in the bathroom. And so I created my own minty cabinet for a bathroom.
I think my minty color has a little more blue in it perhaps? But I love it. I was originally going for what Annie Sloan calls “Cricket” (a mix of Provence and Old White). But when I mixed 8 parts of old white with 1 part of Provence, it looked nothing like that little color swatch.
Turns out, half and half makes a lovely shade of pale aqua that looked more like what Cricket was supposed to look like!
It was a little bright at first (which would be lovely for something!) but for this piece, because the shape was so antique and ornate, I wanted to give it a little texture and tone down the brightness.

I dry brushed it with white, then dark waxed it to bring out the cool lines and details that had gotten lost with the previous coats.

 

On a side note, I picked up this antique chair on St Vincent de Paul for only $12! Such a cute chair, and I just may keep it as is!
Can we talk for a minute about this awesome door? It originally had glass just inside the door, but I didn’t really like it. I wanted the inside to be able to breathe! Any of you who have bought antiques know how important it is to air those babies out! 😉
The center emblem really is the perfect amount of ornate and simple.
Let’s peak inside, shall we? 🙂 Those coral washcloths were begging to be paired with all this mint!
Linens and towels, sea grass baskets, and of course some bathroom essentials like: cotton balls, q-tips, bath salts, imported soaps, hand creams and hand washes.. all in some vintage Ball jars, or in clear canisters.
I placed some old bottles I had collected that had that lovely blue/green tint to them. Not a useful purpose, but pretty! And it visually balances out the wire/burlap basket holding toilet paper.
I really can’t get enough of these flowers! Paired with an old tin pitcher, and you have a juxtaposition of old and new that really never gets old! 🙂

 

 I am in love.

 

Gallery, makeover monday, Photography and Staging

Comments

  1. cindy the cottage chick says

    June 26, 2013 at 11:30 am

    That is one of the most gorgeous pieces of furniture with the most gorgeous finish I have ever seen. You nailed it for sure! Pinning.

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 8:55 am

      Thank you Cindy!

      Reply
  2. Susan - Uniquely Yours or Mine says

    June 26, 2013 at 11:36 am

    Just beautiful! I cannot believe you got that at a yard sale! Fabulous finish!

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 8:56 am

      Thanks Susan! I know I was shocked too!

      Reply
  3. Elisha Albretsen @ Pneumatic Addict Furniture says

    June 26, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    I liked the china cabinet in the before picture, but I didn’t know what you would use it for besides, well, china. I LOVE the idea of using it for storage in the bathroom! Its so unique and the perfect color. Great job!

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 8:58 am

      Thanks Elisha! Of course you could use it for china as well, but with the smaller opening you wouldn’t see what’s inside very well. That is how I thought to use it for a bathroom!

      Reply
  4. Mimi's Vintage Charm says

    June 26, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    Gorgeous! You did a wonderful job and i love it as a bathroom cabinet.

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:00 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  5. Lori Lehman says

    June 26, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    Wow great piece and great color choice!! Love it! Have a great day, Lori

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 8:59 am

      Thank you Lori!

      Reply
  6. Home and Lifestyle Design says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    I absolutely love furniture in the bathroom. I think you did a great job and I love the color. I just did a post on Amy Howard and her new finishing products, you can see it here http://homeandlifestyledesign.blogspot.com/2013/06/amy-howard-home-sneak-peek-dallas.html
    I just found your blog through Savvy Southern Style and I am now following you on bloglovin.
    Thanks, Patty

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:01 am

      Thanks Patty! Ill be sure to follow you back!

      Reply
  7. Carol says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    This is so totally beautiful!!! it would look fantastic in my bath…but
    I think it’s too wide 🙁 I love a good garage sale ♥

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:06 am

      Thanks Carol!

      Reply
  8. Susan D says

    June 27, 2013 at 12:32 am

    Absolutely gorgeous!! You must have a giant bathroom to fit that in.

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:08 am

      Susan, my bathroom isn’t that giant but I bet if I moved some things around I could fit it in! His would be great for a bathroom that didn’t have a closet or much storage initially. I staged this in my dining room bc it has more light, so it appears to take up a whole wall, but you get the idea! 🙂 thanks for the love!

      Reply
  9. Ivy and Elephants says

    June 27, 2013 at 3:54 am

    You are amazing. These pieces are simply gorgeous. There is nothing like vintage furniture in a bathroom. I love that feel. This is such an awesome post. I would love it if you would share this post at our WIW linky party. Hope you can join us!

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Thank you Paula! I will for sure pop over this weekend!

      Reply
  10. Stacey says

    June 28, 2013 at 2:25 am

    This is so Beautiful!! I found you through Ms. Mustard Seed LOVE your Site!

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Thank you Stacey!

      Reply
    • Annie says

      July 14, 2015 at 1:19 am

      I love this! And your pictures are so sweet! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  11. Nita Stacy says

    June 28, 2013 at 4:28 am

    Oh…my… this is so so so pretty! What a beautiful paint job you gave it. I’d love to have this in my home. I’d love it if you linked it up at my weekly linky party…on Monday – Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life.

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:22 am

      Thank you Nita! I would love to link up! Thanks for the heads up!

      Reply
  12. Therena Taylor says

    June 28, 2013 at 4:35 am

    I love this piece, and you have it decorated so wonderfully!

    Therena @ littlebitofpaint.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:23 am

      Thanks Therena! I will for sure be checking out your blog as well!

      Reply
  13. Beth@Makemeprettyagain says

    June 28, 2013 at 5:29 am

    Absolutely stunning! I can never find an antique like that one. What a score. And I love the color!

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:24 am

      Thanks Beth!

      Reply
  14. Amanda says

    June 28, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Fabulous makeover! So fun to see your garage sale finds, too! Now I’m in the mood to go shop! I love the color you came up with here and the white dry brushing is perfection! I will be pinning this one to my “Paint it Annie!” board! Thanks so much for the inspiration! You do lovely work!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:25 am

      Awesome! Thank you Amanda!

      Reply
  15. RPK Interiors says

    June 29, 2013 at 2:39 am

    This is a very beautiful transformation. Provence is a strong color…and cutting it with Old White and then a little dry brushing made for a soft treatment. Beautifully executed. Hope you don’t mind but I pinned it too!

    Robin

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:27 am

      Thank you Robin! Provence is definitely one of my favs because of all the possibilities and I just love blue/greens! 🙂

      Reply
  16. lauren @ West Furniture Revival says

    June 29, 2013 at 5:55 am

    LOVE THE CABINET, THE COLOR IS BEAUTIFUL AND I WOULD LOVE TO FEATURE IT, IF THATS OK PLEASE LET ME KNOW,
    LAUREN

    Reply
    • Rachel with Shades of Blue says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:27 am

      Lauren! Absolutely! Thanks!

      Reply
  17. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    June 29, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    I love this and I also have a cabinet in my master bath. Great of storage.

    Reply
  18. Lisa Marie Wells says

    June 29, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    Ok LOVE this. I am very new to the whole ” chalk paint” thing. how much exactly of each color did you use? I have used Anne Sloane chalk paint before but I’m very hesitant to mix colors…. I adore this color and would love to replicate.
    Thanks!!
    ~Lisa

    Reply
  19. Lauren Davison says

    June 30, 2013 at 7:04 am

    wow, I must say I did not “see the beauty” behind the before beast in this one. it turned out gorgeous!!!!! I would have walked right by it and sadly missed out, good catch!

    Reply
  20. Reeves @ The Weathered Door says

    July 2, 2013 at 1:22 am

    I love this! So much inspiration on your blog! New follower

    Reply
  21. Ivy and Elephants says

    July 4, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    Your gorgeous cabinet is a feature this week at Ivy and Elephants! Thanks so much for linking with us. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button.
    Happy 4th of July!
    Patti

    Reply
  22. Danielle @ Antique Recreation says

    July 6, 2013 at 6:04 am

    WOW!!! I am in love as well! This is absolutely beautiful! Beautiful photos too! Thanks so much for sharing this inspiring piece!
    Danielle @ Antique Recreation

    Reply
  23. Carla Clark says

    July 12, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    I absolutely love this cabinet! The details the wax brought out in the trim is amazing. Nice work.

    Reply
  24. Danielle says

    July 17, 2013 at 9:29 am

    OMG! Love this. Just catching up blogs after being away. This is stunning. I’d love you to share this on my link party: http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2013/07/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-and_14.html

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    July 18, 2013 at 5:38 pm

    Hi, this is beautiful! I am new to Annie Sloan chalk Paint and have just painted a pair of bedside cabinets in Provence. I would like to do Old White over the top as they are a bit bright but I’m not sure what dry brushing means?! Could you explain please? Thank you! Harriet x

    Reply
  26. lauren @ West Furniture Revival says

    August 16, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    don’t know if you caught the feature , you can see it here,
    lauren
    and thanks so much!
    http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com/2013/07/revival-monday-118.html

    Reply

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