Apparently you all have quite the fun imagining me hopping out of my vehicle while it’s pouring rain to grab #trashure off the curb. haha! I don’t blame you! This was the case with a visit to Curb le Chic this last spring. Our city spring cleanup had begun and I found this handmade piece among other goodies. I loved the wood and the functionality, so I decided to update it into a farmhouse apothecary cabinet.
While it does have some obvious wear, it still, however, has plenty of life left in it. The slat back is my favorite part of the whole thing. Whomever built it did a great job with the dados and overall squareness of it all.
However, the slight orangey color wasn’t cutting it for me. The wood had oxidized a bit and the tanins were showing. That’s nothing a little DIY won’t cure, right?
TIME FOR SOME DIY FUN
First, I broke out my reactive stain to let the wood age naturally. If you haven’t seen this stuff in action before, it certainly is the coolest product. No toxins, and it creates the most gorgeous weathered patina using the tanins already existing in the wood in a matter of minutes. You can see my past projects with it HERE in these posts.
I simply soak the wood and watch the aging process happen before my very eyes. The color will vary depending on the type of wood you are applying it to. It’s so cool!
Then, I let dry completely, and move onto the next step. I’m after an aged appeal to my farmhouse apothecary cabinet, so I decided to use this Antique White stain to go over top. Did you notice the gray-ish wood color cast before I apply the white? Buh-bye orange. tee hee.
I’m keeping it super simple – my preferred way to be.
LETS SEE THE AFTER
If you look close you’ll see I used a brown wax to add a distressed feel. Last, to make things easier, I added flush-mount keyhole hardware to the back. Did you notice my other addition too?
There I go with typography again. I couldn’t resist adding this coffee & tea apothecary label to the bottom corner. The time-worn effect is intentional and adds just the bit of whimsy I adore. My bits & baubles make for a fun piece to stage. Do you have mini collections too?
If you’d like to own this farmhouse apothecary cabinet, you can find it and much more available in my online store.
Do pin and share my updated creation to inspire others to give “trash” new life.
Up next, my patio table and benches are getting some much needed TLC. Come over HERE to see!
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Also, more projects like my farmhouse apothecary cabinet:
OMG I absolutely love what you done. Really fits right in with the farmhouse look. Really like that aged wood look technique / stain. Looks great hanging on your wall by the way.
I just have to have hubby build me a shelf/cabinet unit like this seeing how I wasn’t able to snatch the one you got off the curb. :-} He probably has enough scrap wood to build a couple or more.
Great job and great inspiration. Thank You
Yahoo!! You are so fun and I’m glad you are inspired. Thanks!
Larissa this pieces turned out great and I love the subtle wash of color.
Enjoy your day in this horrible humidity.
Cindy
Thanks! It was fun to salvage and make new.
Larissa, what are dados? I have a very similar shelf unit that someone gave me, but it’s taller. Don’t have a clue what to do with it. All the wood is thinner, and I don’t think the backing is anything special. Maybe some paint will help it. I’ll have to take another look at it. and yes, I’ll definitely pick up something in the rain! As my mom used to tell me…. I’m not made of sugar….I won’t melt! 🙂
There is a dado blade that is wider/thicker that a regular blade that creates a wider path to allow a board or plank to butt up to it making a joint. You can do the same effect by using a standard blade and making several passes too. What an awesome mom!
Lovely project! And of course I’ll pick up something in the rain – much to my hubby’s chagrin.
As for not melting in the rain… My mom always used to say if we DID, we’d be out there stategically applying it! Mom’s been gone for a number of years now, but one of my favorite memories from childhood was walking home in the pouring rain on day in highschool. (Detroit suburbs) By the time my friend and I got to my house, we were soaked to the skin, and our neighborhood streets were flooded over the curbs. My mom met us at the door with several fluffy towels, but upon looking out at the flooded street, she opted to join us going up and down the street to unplug all the storm drains. This was over 40 years ago and that friend was just commenting on the memory a few weeks ago.
What a story! We used to have to get off the bus to walk a quarter mile through the state forest in rain or snow or sunshine and have many stories too. I love it.
I really like the transformation of color on that! It’s so much more eye pleasing now! I’ve been a subscriber to your blog for a couple of years now and I love how your mind works when you totally change a piece of trash into a treasure. You really are an inspiration. Thank you for all the great ideas! ♥
Thank you, Barbara.
Larissa! You did it again! You are so talented and I just live your projects! Thank you for sharing Weatherwood!
You are most welcome. It’s so easy and awesome to use.
Hello! What kind of stain did you use? I am wanting to try the “tanin reactive” stain (and possibly the antique white!)
I am helping my daughter redo an old cedar or pine hutch and it is sooo orangey.
Hi Julie! I used Aged Wood stain by Rustoleum. You’ll love the antique white too. I’ve used it often.