My friends know me well – when one of them spotted a wardrobe that was in need of some TLC, she immediately thought of me and got in touch. Amanda, a professional organiser and founder of Orderly Office and Home, was working with a family in my local area who had some furniture they no longer needed and as soon as I saw a picture of the wardrobe, I knew I couldn’t resist it as a makeover project.
I went to view it and took my measuring tape to see if we could transport it. Fortunately it separates into 3 parts, so getting it home in our car was just do-able. It’s such a nice piece, don’t you think? Handmade in pine, it was in need of some cosmetic improvement.
My initial idea was to re-purpose it from a wardrobe into a pantry or larder cupboard for our kitchen. Have you seen the sort I mean? Often bespoke, they can be pricey, as well as stunning and so practical. Imagine all your baking equipment and ingredients beautifully organised in one space like this…
With the addition of some shelves, baskets and spice racks fixed to the inside of the doors, I could definitely see that sort of thing working. But sadly, when we brought the wardrobe home and put it in our kitchen I had to admit that the proportions were just too much for our space. In a bigger house it would be ideal, whether as kitchen storage or as a lovely coat cupboard in a large hallway.
So because we were unable to keep it, I didn’t convert the inside, however I was still keen to give it an exterior makeover. Fortunately I had been sent some cupboard paint to try from Ronseal. The shade I used was Cobalt Grey in a satin finish (there is a gloss version too).
Before starting, I lightly sanded the wardrobe all over by hand, wiped it down with white spirit and then got painting as neatly as I could. One coat was enough. It is an extremely durable paint, therefore ideal for kitchen cupboards and is dry in two hours. The fact that it doesn’t leave brush marks is perfect wherever you want a smooth, professional looking finish. You’ll need the windows open when you use it as it is pretty strong stuff, but it covered quickly and well – I just had to look out for the odd run and brush it in. Once dry, it is very smooth and silky to the touch.
The handles needed replacing so I was excited to try some new designs kindly sent to me from Pushka Home for this project. I loved the geometric pattern of these knobs and deliberately chose a mismatched set of 4 to add a bit of interest and some tiny pops of colour against the grey.
I got a buyer for the wardrobe, so although I’ll be sad we couldn’t use it in our home after all, at least it is going somewhere to be used and enjoyed.
Are you planning to do any makeovers like this on a tired piece of furniture in your home? Why not pin this post for later…
you have got my mind racing with ideas, we are struggling with storage in our kitchen so making a wardrobe into a pantry/larder is a fab idea!
Jaime Oliver recently posted…Review & Giveaway: OXO Measuring Spoons & Cup Bundle
Hi there! Oh I’m so glad it has given you some ideas – you may also like my creative storage board on Pinterest 🙂 https://www.pinterest.com/tidyawaytoday/creative-storage/
Antonia xx
Love this proect, the colour and finish is really nice.
Jenni recently posted…2014 in review
Thanks Jenni! I appreciate you stopping by and your comment 🙂 xx
I love it, the colour and knobs are great.
Anne recently posted…Bathroom Out of this World
Thank you, Anne, nice to have your feedback 🙂
Love this makeover! That colour is great….and I adore those knobs!! Shame you didnt turn it into a larder, that would’ve been amazing….but I understand why!! Great post!!
june olsen recently posted…DIY textured wall hanging
Thanks June! Yes it is a shame, maybe I’ll discover a smaller piece of furniture that fits our home a bit better, fingers crossed xx
That is beautiful, I love the final and colour to it. I do have a plain wood large dresser that needs a paint job but its such a large piece of furniture. Seeing what you are thinking of doing to yours and making it a larder is a great idea.
Stephanie recently posted…Project 365 – our 2015 in photos – Week 2
Hi Stephanie, ooh sounds like it could be an interesting project… let me know if you blog about it! Thanks for visiting xx
That’s a brilliant makeover project! I’ve never thought to transform an old wardrobe into a kitchen pantry – what a good idea! Off to check out your pinterest 🙂
Lia : Tangerine Canteen recently posted…HOME – JAN 2015
Those knobs are inspired!
Claire @ Style Arch recently posted…Hus & Hem
Wow. The results here are amazing!! I have a lovely old pine wardrobe from my teens. It is cavernous and fits most of me and my husband’s clothes inside. We’ve just bought a house and it fits perfectly in our room. BUT, it looks tired. I’d love to make it over with some new knobs and some deep charcoal paint (not sure if that shade will work – must head to Pinterest). Thanks for sharing this. It is gorgeous. Hope you got a good sale for it.
Fiona @ Free Range Chick recently posted…Last-Minute, Super-Easy Christmas Gift
Thank you for your comment, anything pine comes up a treat when painted – I say go for it! 🙂
This looks fantastic, I’ve keen to use this Ronseal Cobalt Grey for my kitchen cupboards but can’t find anywhere that sells the satin version (results are only for the gloss). Would be great if you could let me know where to buy : )
Beautiful work. I’m hoping to buy a ‘rustic’ retirement property in Portugal in the next year or so and your ideas are just what I’m looking for. As you may know, in central rural Portugal, the properties rarely come with ‘modern’ kitchen units etc. so I’d like ‘free-standing’ pantries and cabinets, re-purposing old pine wardrobes and drawers throughout.