Frankenstein's step-Granddaughter, perhaps?

While not nearly as impressive as the Frankenstein Hutch, I've been working on a furniture project of my own.

I have an "old" (old in the sense of broke-down and tired, not in years of life) particle board armoire-type cabinet that I had been using in the first floor bedroom. It didn't make the cut to be moved upstairs to the new bedroom. I figured I would just leave it in the guest room to store blankets, sewing supplies, etc. Of course I knew that would mean giving it a coat of paint. I believe it has changed colors at every new home. My odd little brain assumed I would just paint it white. It is shabby, so why not shoot for shabby-chic, no?

At the same time, I've started to have a hankering for a piece of black furniture. It does seem to be the latest trend and the marketers have been dangling black case goods in my face at every chance. It's all over the Pottery Barn and HDC catalogs. I've even seen a lot of it popping up at antique malls where the dealers have taken an insignificant piece, given it a nice black finish, and voila -- instant class. It's just too much for an ex-goth-wannabe to resist. I think the tipping point was when I went over to a co-worker's house for a meeting a few weeks back. I had to sit right next to a big 'ole black sideboard. It taunted me the entire time.

I finally put 2 and 2 together and realized I should paint this cabinet black. So, a couple weeks ago while in the HD, I picked up some black paint. I've been wavering a lot between HD and Sherwin Williams. Neither one has my loyalty. I used SW on the exterior, HD upstairs, SW on the guest room walls, HD on the rest of the guest room...... Given my desire to cut HD out of my life as much as possible, I haven't figured out why I keep going back there for paint. It must be the convenience factor.

Anyway, I normally head straight for the Behr chips. Glidden seems cheap to me and Ralph Lauren paint? Don't get me started -- I think the idea is absurd. However, I entered into this color selection with an open mind because I wanted to get the shade just right. I scanned all the chips for the one I thought was closest to the pieces I've drooled over the most. And wouldn't ya know -- it was a Ralph Lauren chip! Reluctantly, I had the RL paint mixed, and I'm glad I did. After this painting experience, I think I'll start with RL paint from now on! I love the finished sheen and it smoothes out really well.

The black turned out exactly as I envisioned. A few new glass knobs (on sale...didn't have the patience to wait for a salvage find) and hinges make it (almost) complete. There used to be a piece of wood inside that braced it for strength and filled in the gap between the doors and the top drawer. It broke in two long ago and I finally removed the pieces. I think I need to replace it so you can't see the inside when the doors are closed.



The inside of the cabinet has always been very dark. I considered painting it white, then realized I should take the opportunity to use up some "reject" paint. I used 'Celery Ice' for the first coat, but it was a little too neon. Next I tried 'Honeysuckle White' and am happy with that. The bottom drawer was so plain (and still is) so I changed the single, center pull to two pulls.

If I'd have known I would like the end result so much, I would've taken "before" shots. Got re-use out of some junk and fulfilled my desire to spend money on something I'll probably hate in 5 years. Not a bad project.