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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

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Comments

  1. Not Martha says

    September 22, 2011 at 11:22 pm

    Love!! This is absolutely stunning! Is it the color? The shape? I don’t know but…love!

    Reply
  2. Restoration House Interiors says

    September 23, 2011 at 12:37 am

    very, very, very cute piece! Love it! One of my favorite combos with the chocolate brown stained top and turquoise body! Yummy!
    Hi! BTW…new to your blog…found you on MMS’s Linky Party…be sure and check me out and follow if you like! I just joined up on yours…think I will enjoy the ride! :) Happy Weekend to you!

    Best,
    Kennesha
    http://www.restorationhouseinteriors.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. Fiber and Fire says

    September 23, 2011 at 1:30 am

    What a great find! Turned out beautiful!

    Reply
  4. The Rustic Alley says

    September 23, 2011 at 1:31 am

    This is fantastic! You need to get it back and make a space for it in your home! Great stuff. Saw you on MMS, and you poped out right away.

    Reply
  5. Redlilocks {Swoon Worthy} says

    September 23, 2011 at 8:46 am

    I am in LOVE with this – so gorgeous!

    I would have totally chucked something else out to make room for it myself lol

    Visiting from Simple Home Life xxx

    Reply
  6. Yvette @ AquaSeventy6 says

    September 23, 2011 at 10:02 am

    Really love it!

    Reply
  7. [email protected] The Picket Fence says

    September 23, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    I adore this, want this! Thanks for sharing at Beyond the Picket Fence!

    Reply
  8. Kim says

    September 23, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    Seriously?! I am in love with this!It is a beautiful piece and the aqua was a great choice, girl!

    Kim
    http://www.kim-toomuchtimeonmyhnds.blogspot.com

    Reply
  9. Pretty Unique Furniture says

    September 23, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    absolutely love it!
    Tina

    Reply
  10. Joy Burkhart says

    September 23, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    You did a fabulous job on this! Love the dark stain on top (probably prettier than the original veneer) and the aqua or turquoise is beautiful!

    Reply
  11. [email protected] says

    September 23, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Looks awesome my dear. I love that color, and I love the price.

    Reply
  12. Perfect Imperfections says

    September 23, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    I just love this piece! It is so unique and you made it really pop with that color. I must agree the stained unusual “patched” wood top looks amazing!

    Reply
  13. Inspired by you says

    September 23, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    Absolutely love it!! Love the color too!

    Reply
  14. Julia @ 551Eastdesign says

    September 23, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    That color is perfection! I love the top too, what a great extra detail!

    Reply
  15. Rachel says

    September 23, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    I absolutely love it!!!
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

    Reply
  16. Anne says

    September 23, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    I love this table!!

    Reply
  17. Katie Franck says

    September 23, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    WOW! Just gorgeous! I’m a new follower…..would be great if you would return the favor….
    http://sweetgirlexpressions.blogspot.com

    Reply
  18. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says

    September 23, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    What a unique piece of furniture and I love the teal with the dark stained top… beautiful! I’m putting in the PoPP Spotlight this weekend. Thanks for linking up.

    Reply
  19. Craftberry Bush says

    September 23, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    Perfection! visiting from TTandJ …xo

    Reply
  20. [email protected] House says

    September 23, 2011 at 11:45 pm

    I may have just drooled a little. :) I will be featuring this on my blog tonight.

    Reply
  21. [email protected] says

    September 24, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    Visiting from MMS. Yeah, couldn’t do it. Would surely be keeping if it was me! It’s gorgeous.

    Reply
  22. Jaime Lyn at Crafty Scrappy Happy says

    September 25, 2011 at 12:16 am

    Hello my wonderfully talented friend! I just wanted to let you know that I featured this beauty over at my blog :o) you are so darn talented!
    Jaime

    Reply
  23. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    September 25, 2011 at 9:31 am

    This is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! I found you over at Crafty Scrappy Happy & I’m your newest follower! Yay!

    Reply
  24. Tanya says

    September 25, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    Oh. My. Drool. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  25. Jacqueline says

    September 25, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    Love love this! You always do amazing makeovers!!! Thank you for sharing at Simply Creations Link Party!

    Reply
  26. The Loops says

    September 26, 2011 at 10:57 am

    I love this cabinet thing! I’ve never seen one like it. Lucky! I’m a new follower. I hope you’ll stop by.

    http://theloops13.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  27. Courtney @ A Diamond in the Stuff says

    September 26, 2011 at 11:15 am

    What a beautiful piece! I featured it today over at Time to Shine: http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/2011/09/time-to-shine-features-no-36.html

    Thanks for linking up!!!

    Reply
  28. Katie Franck says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:48 am

    I LOVE this!!!

    Reply
  29. Katie says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:35 am

    OMG! I love the colors of this and love what you did to this piece of furniture! I wanted to let you know that you are the reader’s choice for this project today on Sew Woodsy! Come on over and grab a sparkling new “readers choice” button and while your at it you can update your current featured button!

    Reply
  30. Judy @ In His Grip says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:13 am

    This is so great. I saw you featured on Sew Woodsy. I was featured too, I am the burlap table runner, I love the colors they are perfect.

    Reply
  31. Natalie says

    September 27, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    This is insanely perfect. I love it so much! I might just try to paint our piano in a similar style! Saw you at A Diamond in the Stuff!

    Reply
  32. Sarah says

    September 27, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    Beautiful piece, I wish I had one! I’m a new follower too, look forward to seeing your other creations. :-)

    Reply
  33. A Lot of Potential and No Ambition says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    Thank you so much for giving me hope that I can achieve this look without shelling out the $$$$ for chalk paint. It looks gorgeous & you completely gave this piece a new life!

    Reply
  34. [email protected] says

    September 28, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    wow that is gorgeous!
    stopping by from POPP.

    Reply
  35. [email protected] the Screen Door says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    Stunning! I love everything you did to this little jewel. I would have had a hard time parting with it too!

    Reply
  36. Amy Kinser says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    This is fabulous!! I LOVE the color and love the piece.

    Reply
  37. Michele Alger says

    September 29, 2011 at 3:27 am

    This turned out so beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I love how the details are accentuated by the color. Simply stunning!

    Reply
  38. Lindsay @ Apothecary Home says

    September 29, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    This is stunning. I love the turquoise with the stained wood. Great job.

    Reply
  39. Shabby Momma says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    Beautiful!! I too love the top; it looks fantastic and yes, I know how hard it can be to part with a piece!

    Reply
  40. My Sparrows Nest says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    I adore this re-do. I absolutely would never sell it. It is too unique and lovely! Quick! bring it back to your house before it sell! LOL I really love it! Hugs and Tweets to you!

    Reply
  41. mapleandmagnolia.com says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous. Perfect color choices!

    Reply
  42. Carrie @ Fine & Handy says

    September 30, 2011 at 12:10 am

    That is so stinkin’ cute! Yes I have a problem parting with almost every piece I do. I do love it when it goes to a home that loves it just as much as I do. I just found your cute blog and I am following :)
    Carrie @fineandhandy.blogspot.com

    Reply
  43. Carrie @ Fine & Handy says

    September 30, 2011 at 12:10 am

    That is so stinkin’ cute! Yes I have a problem parting with almost every piece I do. I do love it when it goes to a home that loves it just as much as I do. I just found your cute blog and I am following :)
    Carrie @fineandhandy.blogspot.com

    Reply
  44. jodi @ back40life says

    September 30, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    beautiful job – love it!

    Reply
  45. Petticoat Junktion says

    September 30, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    I love this piece, it’s awesome.

    Reply
  46. Junky Vagabond says

    October 1, 2011 at 10:14 am

    Gorgeous! Love the top especially. New follower :)

    Reply
  47. Nancy's Couture says

    January 1, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    This piece is gorgeous!!!! It would go perfect in my house, which is beach themed, seeing as we live in Myrtle Beach. I love the color! The top is my favorite part. BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Reply
  48. Lori says

    January 7, 2012 at 10:25 am

    Wow, how did you let it go? I am partying right after you at funky junk.

    Reply
  49. Kim @ Too Much Time says

    January 7, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    What a fab piece! The color rocks and the detail is just amazing:)I would love for you to link up this weekend!

    http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2012/01/get-schooled-saturday-5.html

    Reply
  50. Karla Medina says

    January 11, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    OH EM GEE!! This is gorgeous. I love it. Just found your blog through the shabby creek cottage and am loving your projects. So beautiful. I look forward to seeing more. :)

    Reply
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