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NH Home Stager's Fast & Easy Cabinet Makeover - Dry Brush Technique

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

 

 I recently transformed some cabinets to give my laundry room a new look, and I was pleasantly surprised at just how easy and FAST the project was.

Those of you who follow my blog know that we just moved into a house that "didn't need a thing" and yet I keep finding things to improve and rooms to transform.  

The laundry room was ok.  It had wire shelves that I knew I wanted to replace "some day" but for now the only expense was going to be buying a washer and dryer.  You can see where this is going.  Once that washer and dryer were in place....

laundry

 

I just couldn't help myself....those shelves had to go!

Side Note:  We have a closet with the same shelving that needs more shelves.

 They won't be wasted.

We visited our local Habitat For Humanity ReStore and found three 1976 kitchen cabinets for $10 each.

kitchen cabinet

They look much better in the picture than they were in person.  Very dark, very dirty/sticky, but well made. 

After removing the doors and hardware, scrubbing with PineSol, and lightly sanding

I applied one coat of primer and then two coats of paint. (light gray color)

I then used Ben Moore Stampede (which we used in several rooms in the house) and a dry brush technique to create an aged look.  

painted cabinet

Dry Brush Technique:  Use very little paint...dipping brush just enough to barely wet tips.  Blot brush on paper towel.  Apply using back and forth strokes with very little pressure.  Continue to use brush, smearing and blending until desired look is achieved.  

We had the paint and primer ...so our total expense was the $30 spent on the cabinets.

Project complete in just ONE DAY!!

new laundry room cabinets

Here are links to the other improvements we have recently made:

 Dining Room Living RoomMaster Bed & BathKitchenBuilt-In BookcasesPowder RoomGrandkids' Room, Front Door

 

Comments(36)

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sharon,

What an amazing change you made in the laundry room.  I love that you recycled some well made cabinets, and that you did the whole thing for $30...You are amazingly creative and I appreciate how you share it with us.  A

May 24, 2012 06:59 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Alexandra:  Thank you!  You always have the nicest compliments.... I appreciate you taking the time to say such nice things!

May 24, 2012 09:06 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Sharon, the cabinets look great!  I have never heard of rubbing the cabinet finish with PineSol before.  I think I'll try it!

May 25, 2012 05:06 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sharon P:  Just to be clear, I used PineSol diluted in water.  These cabinets were sticky and needed cleaning prior to sanding.

May 25, 2012 09:21 PM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Love them! Great idea to use that old noggin'...I, too am waiting for the w/d to kick the can. Thanks for the legwork, I'll keep Samsung in mind (great color).

May 25, 2012 10:22 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kim:  All you have to do is sell your house and include the w/d with it, LOL!

May 26, 2012 02:19 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Love the look....we just bought a new set last night....your atmosphere is almost "cheerful"....great for a laundry room..have a great holiday weekend !

May 26, 2012 09:02 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

That is so great Sharon.  You are so innovative and creative.  And, of course, you are talented with your hands.  Excellent job.

May 26, 2012 10:21 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sally:  Cheerful is a great way to describe it...the room does make me smile!

Debbie:  Thank you!

May 27, 2012 12:08 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Sharon, you continue to amaze me. What a great way to solve your 'problem'. Now you have cabinets and the machines! You certainly have done a lot of work making this home your own.

May 27, 2012 10:15 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Janice:  We have been very, very busy!  Between moving out of the other house a little at a time, and transforming this house....we are exhausted!  We close next week, so at least there will only be one to deal with.

May 27, 2012 11:24 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

HI Sharon, great post and the transformation is unique with those cabinets. Nice recycling idea!

May 27, 2012 04:46 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Our HFH has so many wonderful items hiding in all it's nooks and crannies, Sharon. This was a great find and redo.

May 28, 2012 03:41 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sandy:  I'm very happy with them and saving the money didn't hurt either!

Toni:  It's hit or miss when you go in there, but that's the fun....you never know what little treasure you will find!

May 28, 2012 10:46 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Sharon, love it!  They look expensive, too - :)

May 30, 2012 04:14 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Virginia:  Thank you! 

May 30, 2012 11:44 PM
Anonymous
Ed Taraszkiewicz

Really nice Sharon. I may ask your thoughts on some things in our old house. Mary says 'Thank you for remembering her.'

May 31, 2012 11:38 AM
#33
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Ed:  I would be happy to give you my thoughts on your house.  Any time!  Hope Mary is enjoying her new home!

Jun 01, 2012 11:51 AM
Lloyd Binen
Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA
Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

As I've said before because I believe it: you're the real deal.  This post is proof of that.

Jun 03, 2012 05:44 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Lloyd:  Thank you so much!  I'm enjoying my multiple visits today.  

Jun 03, 2012 12:13 PM