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My favorite little aqua redo

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I picked up this little radio cabinet at a massive yard sale earlier this summer. I really liked the shape but it was in terrible condition. Luckily, I was able to scoop it up for just five bucks.

old radio cabinet before painting

 

One of the huge problems on this piece was the dry, peeling veneer on top. I started to repair it with wood filler, but then seeing just how loose it was, decided to try peeling it off instead.  I was able to scrape it right off using a paint scraper.

removing the veneer from an old radio cabinet

I got really excited when I found this unique hardwood top underneath – it is pieced together from strips of different types of wood.  I’m sure it was never meant to be seen, but with a little stain, it was gorgeous!
 
removing peeling veneer to reveal a beautiful wood strip top

I decided to go aqua with this piece – my absolute favorite color.  I didn’t use any fancy paints – just plain old latex paint.  I sanded a few rough spots and then rolled on some primer.  I painted it using a gallon of mistint paint I was lucky enough to find at Lowes for $5, but if you are looking for a similar color, it was very close to the color Aqua Ocean by Valspar.

old cabinet updated with aqua latex paint and chesnut stain

I used 100 grit sandpaper to heavily distress the whole cabinet, especially the curves and corners.  And then I used Minwax English Chesnut stain to give more of an antique feel.  I wiped the stain on with a cloth in small sections and then immediately wiped all of the excess off with a damp cloth. There were some areas where the stain still looked ‘dirtier’ than I wanted so I wiped them down lightly with paint thinner.

 

aqua painted vintage radio cabinet

 
aqua upcycled radio cabinet
 
Of all the pieces I have redone to sell, this is the only one so far that I have had a hard time parting with.  I thought about keeping it, but I don’t have the perfect place for it, so to the shop it went.
 
 

Looking for more painted furniture inspiration?  Check out these tricks and transformations:
 
The Easiest Way to Heavily Distress Furniture: Wet Sanding
 
 
 
10 Tips for Painting Furniture Like a Pro
 
 
 
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128 Comments

« Bringing old furniture back from the dead
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Comments

  1. liz says

    January 18, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    I want one! :)

    Reply
  2. Serendipity and Spice says

    January 23, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    This is beautiful! I have a tall dresser that I’m thinking of redoing in turquoise, I love the color but also afraid of it… it’s just so bold. I might give this technique a try.

    -Melissa
    http://www.serendipityandspice.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. Dawne at D Magazine says

    February 9, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    Love it! I am looking for something sort of like this but with two drawers on top and then two doors below….not as easy as I thought while cyber shopping! Whew!

    Reply
  4. Leslie Rickenbaugh says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    GORGEOUS!!!!!

    Reply
  5. [email protected] says

    March 2, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    Hi Carrie! Hey I just wanted to let you know that I featured this amazing transformation on my blog today. You can find it here: http://cathhasablog.blogspot.com/2012/03/transforming-your-furniture-with-paint.html

    I really enjoy following your blog! ☺Cath @ Home is Where my Heart is: http://cathhasablog.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    October 8, 2012 at 8:56 am

    Amazing work! I love it. Would you mind sharing how you distressed the piece?

    Reply
  7. Mandy Hank says

    November 16, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Carrie, I love this piece. It’s beautiful and you did an amazing job bringing it back from the dead. I am featuring it on my blog tomorrow! Thank you so much for linking up to Get Your DIY On last week!! Hope you’ll join us tomorrow with your holiday signs.

    Mandy @ The Hankful House Blog

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      November 16, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      Thank you so much Mandy! And thanks for hosting the party. :)

      Reply
  8. Ginger says

    March 9, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    I love this little side table! And I love love love the color. What a wonderful find under the veneer! That is so cool.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      March 9, 2014 at 9:21 pm

      Thanks Ginger – that top was definitely one of those happy surprises. :)

      Reply
  9. amy g says

    March 12, 2014 at 11:13 am

    I dont know where you are located but any chance this piece is for sale?? It’s just what I’m looking for.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      March 12, 2014 at 3:39 pm

      Sorry, I sold this piece already. And to be honest, I kind of wish I still had it for myself!

      Reply
  10. Kim Martin says

    January 18, 2016 at 5:19 am

    Really awesome transformation! Love seeing the process.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      January 20, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Kevin E. Brown says

    September 27, 2016 at 5:43 am

    I bet even if I saw the cabinet I wouldn’t have bought it like you did. It was under such a poor condition. But you did a great job. You should be proud of it :) The transformation is impressive.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 27, 2016 at 6:57 am

      Thanks! It was just waiting for a little love!

      Reply
  12. Kimclark says

    October 2, 2016 at 8:23 am

    What a unique and beautiful piece of furniture. I love this color combination. Wow! That’s so great! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      October 3, 2016 at 10:17 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  13. Katrin says

    June 8, 2017 at 12:57 am

    This is so beautiful! I love that colour!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      June 8, 2017 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you so much Katrin!

      Reply
  14. Linda at Mixed Kreations says

    June 19, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    It’s gorgeous! A awesome transformation! Love the color with the dark top!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      June 19, 2017 at 11:12 pm

      Thanks so much Linda!

      Reply
  15. girlfromwva says

    March 26, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    love it. i am sure someone is still loving this piece. great color choices.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      April 10, 2018 at 11:03 am

      Thank you so much! Sometimes I still wish I had this little piece!

      Reply
  16. Doreen @the altered flea says

    March 27, 2018 at 12:46 am

    OMGorgeous! What an adorable piece and wonderful transformation.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      April 10, 2018 at 11:03 am

      Thank you so much! It’s one of my favorites!

      Reply
  17. Linda at Mixed Kreations says

    April 14, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    Oh, I LOVE this little beauty! You did a wonderful job on it! Love the dark top with the aqua blue and all the distressing! Too bad you couldn’t have found a place for it. Don’t think I would have parted with it. :)

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      April 18, 2019 at 4:01 pm

      Thank you so much Linda! And I definitely still look around sometimes and wonder if I could have found room! I have to tell myself I really don’t need ALL the things!

      Reply
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