I decided it needs a huge update and started thinking about what I could do. I remembered a box of 1930's sheet music I had in the basement and knew the inside would look beautiful papered with the "tattered and tarnished" sheets. Here are a few pictures of the process. On the outside I am thinking of maybe trimming out the top and bottom, changing up the hardware and most certainly a coat of paint.
So what do you think...what would you suggest? Just please...no Mimosa. It might be Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2009 but it's a little too full of energy for me. Although, maybe that's just what I need? More energy?
I would LOVE to hear your suggestions by clicking on the "# comments" below. Check back for the "After"!
In response to where the inspiration came for this project, lots of places. Haven't we all been repurposing (now it's the green way!) artfully for years. The walls in the bathroom in the house I was raised in were covered with "newspaper" wallpaper. In first grade my mom and I "Modge Podged" wooden boxes with paper cut outs. Hers was barn shaped with animals and mine was cadet blue with a mouse and lady bugs. She attached handles and voila, purses! When my now 15 year old son was 7 he was very into maps. I used some of my vintage National Geographic maps to makeover his dresser (again with Modge Podge), very beachy and coastal looking. Last year I covered a vintage dress form with torn and twisted pieces of brown paper bags from Kroger to form a "trashy" bustier.
Sometimes I get bored with the plain white walls behind the built-in shelves in the shop and we have applied similar treatments using fabric, vintage sheet music, vintage botany images, etc. My husband's grandparents encased one entire room with their National Geographic map (one came in each monthly issue), and when I say encased...I mean it. All five walls! Fifth wall = ceiling!! In the winter 2009 issue of Artful Blogging ephemera is everywhere as are vintage fabrics. It would be really cute to cover some shelves with hand woven vintage linens. So I guess my inspiration comes from my life and the creative people I am blessed to be related to.
I love what you are doing to the inside! I have a cabinet similar to this that I pulled out of a basement. We added trim to the bottom, crown molding at the top, and bun feet. Complete transformation! It's one of my favorite pieces!
ReplyDeleteVery cool!!! Black is selling the best for me right now, just can't keep any of it stock, it flies out the door. I also like to do antique white(flat paint)then put a wash(dark brown flat paint thinned with water) over the top, then let it dry, but not too long. Then I take a wet rag and wipe it all off, leaving heavier where the handles are...very grungy and old looking.
ReplyDeleteI did my walls in the kitchen this way with a pale yellow color and I love it...looks like I need a paint job...that's right.
You can see it on a few post back to give you an idea...have fun!
sharon
It would be pretty to paint it in the colors of your sheet music - cream over the existing blue, and then parchment hued paint, topped with flat black, or even more fun, top it with blackboard paint - and sand back the edges so varying degrees of all colors show through here and there - and I'd put it in my kitchen and could write my grocery list, quotes or whatnot on it in chalk :) ... if your shop were local, I'd come buy it and do precisely that!
ReplyDeletexo Isa
I wouldnt change a thing on your cupboard ! Multipal shades of grey and white are extremely desirable right now...just look at all of the Swedish blogs that have been circulating thru everyones posts lately. Go to
ReplyDeleteraisedincotton.typepad.com to see what I am refering too. People are snapping up the very expensive French/Swedish books and magazines from her at record pace. Wax the outside of the cupboard to give it some life and wait for the right person.
I like the music sheets..I would not suggest mimosa either. What color do you "feel" with the music?? Right off I thought a dusty rose or lightest yellow. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMaybe a bluish grey... I've been more and more atracted to that color!!
ReplyDeleteIsabel
Love the cabinet! A pale distressed turquoise would be nice!
ReplyDeleteMalisa
I love what you're doing with the sheet music inside, but I would most definately leave the outside as is! It will appeal to someone soon enough!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat cabinet...I would have swooped that up the way it is! But I love the sheet music and I like the idea of painting it..and sense i have no retail experience I have no idea what is selling, but I love that cottage blue or even a cottage white.."shabbied" up, is that a word? :) You coul add some fluers to the outside two cabinet doors or my favorite # to the doors...ok, really who am I to give you advice, you are amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove it just the way it is, don't touch it! That light blue grey is whats happening right now, anything else you do will look to fresh, Cheryl
ReplyDeleteAurgh!!!! I can't believe you used that sheet music! It would have killed me to have used something as wonderful and nostalgic as that, but........ since you have already I would stick with something that is in the same color scheme as the sheet music. I'm sure whatever you do will be fabulous.
ReplyDeleteLove what your doing so far. My vote would be black, a robin's egg blue or white linen.
ReplyDeleteI was in on Saturday and I was immediately drawn to this item. I think it would be a huge mistake to paint or try to distress this cupboard. The color and the hardware are what make the cupboard so ideal. I collect antiques and this is exactly the type of primitive piece I would purchase for my home. I like the sheet music but I am not sure if it gives that "Urban Farmhouse" feel. I would have looked for some wallpaper that had a shabby chic pattern to bring out the color of the cupboard.
ReplyDeleteLOve, love it! Great idea to give the inside a fresh lift but I probably wouldn't touch the outside. That gray color is so happening right now.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Debra
Oh! I sure wish I lived closer ~ I would purchase that cabinet in a heartbeat. Do not paint it - the color is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased I found your blog - I love everything you do. :)
Sarah
I am a sucker for vintage sheet music so I think your update is FABULOUS!!! I would paint it smoky blue/gray or a french green. I can't wait to see the final product. You are going to have the ladies looking now:-)
ReplyDeleteSuper fun and beautiful blog!! I say anything fun and aqua or black would bring the cupboard back to life. Big architectual numbers or letter on the doors would be chic!! How bout painting No. 1 and No. 2 in big flow-ie script.
ReplyDeleteHappychippyjunk@blogspot.com
Thanks for visiting my blog & checking out my new venture. First of all, I love your music. Secondly, I love Briwax. If I'm not sure I want to change the color of something, I'll give Briwax a try. It comes in differant shades but I either use natural or the light brown & it can completely change a hum-drum piece to "wow". Good luck! Jan
ReplyDeleteTo paint or not to paint-sounds like a Shakespearian play? For me right now the frenchy,dusty pale blue is very popular. I do think that it looks great unpainted as well. I always try to go with the original first and then paint away if the item does not sell. Love the sheet music background! Beautiful Blog and lovely store....Tiina...
ReplyDeleteI love the sheet music but definitely do not touch that original paint! Maybe wax it like Anonymous suggested. The right person will come along and buy it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I LOVE the brown paper bustier! You might enjoy seeing the work of Dutch artist Gugger Petter. She makes incredible works of art from paper. Look at the website www.jsauergallery.com in Santa Fe to see her work - it is truly amazing. I love your shop and blog!
Try white-washing the outside. That way some of the dingy grey will show and the white will give it that French-Nordic style. Simple yet elegant. Not to change the subject but in an earlier post....Jan 06 you pictured a brown dress form in front of the grey cabinet....is the dress form still available??? Love to know what you are asking for her.
ReplyDeleteLori
Try white-washing the outside. That way some of the dingy grey will show and the white will give it that French-Nordic style. Simple yet elegant. Not to change the subject but in an earlier post....Jan 06 you pictured a brown dress form in front of the grey cabinet....is the dress form still available??? Love to know what you are asking for her.
ReplyDeleteLori
My fondness for the "Modge Podge" goes back decades also. I do try to temper my enthusiasm for it, but recently covered a small dresser with a creamy & brown viney tissue. Love the transformation... and love that of your piece. The tattered sheet music marriage gives both new life. I can't wait to see what you come up with to complete this piece. I know it will be perfect.
ReplyDeleteAfter my grandmother passed, I collected the many small notes, clippings, laundering tips, etc. she had taped inside her pantry. Then pasted inside a tackle box of sorts found in her attic. I love how her thoughts and her pen are preserved and enveloping some of my favorite cookbooks.
Presently seeking a vibrant rosey tissue to line a child's cupboard, maybe I should consider vintage children's books.... thanks!
Look forward to visiting there some day!
Bonnie in Missouri
i'll bet it's already sold!
ReplyDeletei'd leave the paint as is.
i'm anxious to see it now.
i'll bet it's already sold!
ReplyDeletei'd leave the paint as is.
i'm anxious to see it now.
It is fabulous! My goodness! So many ways to go, I think a light brown underneath and then a shiny black on top and then wearing the edges to show the brown would be neat!
ReplyDelete