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My favorite little aqua redo

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:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comments

  3. Dawne at D Magazine says

    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

  7. Mandy Hank says

    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

  9. amy g says

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

    Reply

  11. Kevin E. Brown says

    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

  12. Kimclark says

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

    Reply

  17. Linda at Mixed Kreations says

    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

      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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