How to make old wood pretty. Wouldn’t you love to know how to make old wood look pretty?
Today is also Do It Over Designers, where we take a piece and make it over. Please take the time to visit these talented ladies! The links are at the end of my post.
Before I get into my post, let me give you a bit of a backstory.
First off, when my husband was out doing his morning run, he saw an old radio cabinet out for garbage day. Now finding pieces in our neighborhood like this is very rare. He ran home to get his SUV and threw it in the back and brought the piece home. He said, when he saw, the piece, his first thought, Cindy will love to make this wood piece pretty for her office/craft space.
When he came home, and he mentioned what he had brought home I was excited. Well, when we went into the garage to take a good look this piece needed too much work. Normally I am all in on working to make a wood piece pretty. However, this piece was beyond anything I have worked on before.
The piece was peeling and needed detail woodwork before I can even begin to think of the wood being pretty. However, there were pieces I knew I would be able to make the old wood pretty. So, we began taking the cabinet apart to save the old wood. It may not look that bad in the picture, but it was very warped and peeling.
Pieces Old Wood We Did Keep
To begin we took the handles off, and I did give these a BIG cleaning to make pretty.
Next, my husband cut the legs off. These are pretty and I have been deciding what I want to do with them. At first, I was thinking candleholders but honestly how many candleholders can I have? So, making my own architectural pieces from them may happen.
Lastly, we did keep the front covering to the speaker. This is the project I am sharing with you today to make old wood pretty again.
How To Make Old Wood Pretty?
First of all, I gave the old wood a deep cleaning with warm water and vinegar. Next, because it was so dirty, I did another cleaning with Lysol wipes. Now isn’t the time I want to waste these, but I felt I had no choice.
Now I added a coat of Kilz primer and let it dry. Primer needed to be added because the dark color of this old wood tends to bleed through paint.
My Next Step to Making This Wood Pretty I Glue Appliques to Add A Touch Of Elegance
Next, using glue I add appliques to the old wood piece to add elegance. These also make this old piece more attractive. After placing the appliques where I want, I put some books on top to add pressure to make sure they adhered well.
If you have a need for furniture appliques, I recommend this ETSY and this ETSY. Both have great selections and prices. Incidentally, I have purchased from both.
Now I Am Ready to Add Chalk Paint to My Old Wood
I’m painting this how to make old wood pretty with ASCP Old White Chalk paint. Generally, with chalk paint I don’t have to prime. However, as I said above the dark finish will bleed through so priming was necessary. Because I did prime one coat of paint is all I needed.
By the way this project HERE is a fantastic furniture makeover. Please take a look to see this HUGE transformation.
After adding one coat of Old White this old wood was beginning to shine and look pretty again.
Adding Wax to My Wood Project to Add Character
Next, I begin adding the wax. Here I use two stencil brushes. I begin adding clear wax in small areas. Then using my other brush, I add a bit of dark wax.
After the dark wax is added, using a lint free rag I buff well. This is namely done so the old wood project will not be sticky. If wax is not rubbed well this happens and is not a good result for a project.
Lastly, to Make the Old Wood Shine I Add Champagne Paint to the Appliques
Lastly, using an artist’s brush I brush the appliques with Rub N Buff in Antique Gold. I love all things French and for the most part, there’s gilding on many pieces adding a lovely touch.
I’m thrilled with the finished product. This how to make old wood look pretty will be going in my office/craft room.
What do you think? Do you enjoy making old pieces new again? I would love to read if you enjoy making old pieces new again.
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REMEMBER TO PIN THIS FOR INSPIRATION IN THE FUTURE!
What an exciting find and a pretty addition that will make to your craft room Cindy! Can’t wait to see what you come up with for the rest of the piece too.
Thank you I wish the cabinet was able to be saved
It’s a beautiful piece that were able to salvage, Cindy and I love what you did to it! So pretty!
At least I have a few more pieces to work on.
What a shame the cabinet was so damaged, but I love what you did with the speaker cover. It sounds like you have a few more pieces that will be great makeovers and I can’t wait to see what you do with them!
I was so disappointed!
You really did make an old wood piece pretty, Cindy! What a transformation! I love the color and trim you chose. They really enhance the wood piece! Would love to see how you’re using it!
Thanks Gail
Saving what you can of this old cabinet is brilliant. It looks so pretty now. I love that your husband is on it when it comes to spotting things for you when he is out and about.
My husband is awesome!
Wow, that turned out nice!
Thanks Tania
Nicely done – love the finish!
Thank you!
I love how you salvaged the fret work from the old cabinet and turned it into pretty wall art. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the rest of the salvaged cabinet. Sweet curbside find BTW.
Thanks so much Marie!
Wow, Cindy, that’s beautiful!!
Thank you so much Melanie
You have a great imagination Cindy! I’ve seen those radio cabinets, and I would have never thought of this!
It’s my favorite thing to take something and make it new
It always feel good to bring new life into an old piece. Great job.
Thank you Rosemary. It’s the best
So sorry that the whole piece was too far gone for you to save it too, but your did a remarkable job on reusing the speaker cover. Thanks for including so many details. I have pinned this for reference.
Turning the fretwork from this cabinet into wall art was a great idea. You will enjoy decorating with this for years to come.
I wish I could have saved it. The peeling was horrible
Fabulous tutorial, Cindy, you made a great job of upcycling the wood from that old cabinet.
Thank you. I can’t wait to work on the other few pieces
Love what you did with this piece of the cabinet. I admire your eye for seeing possibilities … and making the most of them. xo
Aww thanks Juliet!
I love how this piece turned out. You brought a whole new life to it!
Thanks Jennifer. I love to upcycle
Love the transformation. Such a nice idea, Great work!
Thanks so much
This looks like a completely different piece, Cindy, I can’t get over it! Love the way you take things and give them fresh life. It’s really beautiful and it makes me want to take a second look and the old pieces around my house too! Hugs, CoCo
Thanks sweet friend
You did a wonderful job Cindy!
Thanks Janet!
What a creative upcycle project, Cindy!
I love upcycling Lynne