A good friend always has your back, will listen to your woes, and keep secrets. Oh, and they know what makes your heart go pitter-pat. Mandy, always has an ear for me, but also an eye out for project pieces. She found this one and knew that the rustic style suited me, but also my…err…dislike for 80’s hearts. haha. Enter in this vintage pie safe. It’s not an antique, but I’m going to try to make it look like one. {{fist pump}}
I’m loving the height, the scallop doors, the functionality, and the primitive closures. But…those hearts have got to go. In addition, the top has a little bowing in the wood, and liquid damage as well. For the last few months, I’ve used this in my girls’ room so they can have temporary storage while we remodel. Remember this hutch desk and chest of drawers from their room?
GETTING STARTED
First order of business is to remove those doors so I can set out to deal with those hearts. You can see my past solutions to the 80’s heart nemesis HERE. Some I roll with it, and others I remove. I use my square to create a template so I kn0w where to cut.
Then, out comes my jigsaw and we have some fun. aaaahhhh…much better.
After that, I put the doors back on and begin to dress up in the vintage pie safe interior first. A soft white is my color of choice so that you can showcase what’s going to be displayed inside.
While I’m letting the interior cure just a bit, I set about to pick the exterior color. I debated on a couple different colors, but I settle on this seconds color I have saved for a special occasion. It’s not named…what would you call it? It’s very similar to my kitchen cabinet color, slate green. I love it!
ONE MORE THING
Finally, once my paint is cured, I can now finish the door panels. Punched tin would be fun, or feed sack panels, or glass as well. However, I want to keep it open and true to the pie safe design. Chicken wire it is!
I have a love/hate for this stuff. I’ve used it in my DIY compost bins and also many other projects seen HERE. But…it is murder on the hands and arms! just sayin’…
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After all is complete, here’s my makeover from 80’s to farmhouse antique.
Do you miss the hearts? tee hee hee. Not me!! This allows you to see the party on the inside, while keeping true to the original function of a pie safe. And how about that green?
Now the 80’s dark vibe is gone and hello sweet farmhouse! I can see this not only in a kitchen, but also in a bathroom with towels or living room with quilts in it. What say you?
If you’d like to make this a part of your home story, you can find it and much more available in my online shop.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
In addition to leaving some comment love below, do pin and share this pie safe makeover to inspire others to try their own 80’s makeover. It’s fun!
Up next, it’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday! You don’t want to miss out on this broken tea cart makeover. SEE IT HERE. So, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
Also, more makeovers like this vintage pie safe:
Saaaaaweat!! I really like this little charmer. The color reminds me of lambs ear or dusty miller. The thing about old pie safes is that they are so versatile so you can do just about anything with them, and as you said use them for storage in any room. Choosing joy today. God’s blessings my friend!
Yes!! Someone mentioned that exact name on social media yesterday and I think lambs ear or dusty miller both work. Great minds! Yes, choose JOY.
AHHHmazing! I always walk right by anything with those hearts. i am going to try cut outs like you did, but use rattan. It doesn’t bite like chicken wire…
hahaha!! My preference was tin, but didn’t feel like punching it myself this time. You could also use lace, which I debated as well too.
Larissa, I would have passed this up because of the hearts. Don’t know why they just don’t appeal to me. Your idea is fantastic! I love the way it turned out.
Fran, I’m the same way totally. It’s fun for me to make the piece brand new without the love. haha. Thanks!
Gorgeous! So glad that you got rid of the hearts. Looks like a pie safe now! ❤️
Thanks! I love the story of pie safes. The way the chose to vent each one is unique to itself.
Genius! I’m not a wood worker (as in cutting stuff) so probably would have covered it up. I much prefer your idea. As for color – I love the green you used and was thinking ‘icy green’ until I reads the comment about lambs ear and dusty miller. both are excellent choices (and favorite plants of mine!). You always surprise and delight me. Blessings!
Thanks, Connie! Many ways to run with it, even keeping the hearts but doing something with them too. Yes, I love those too! You bring me smiles. 😀
It’s funny that so many people don’t care for the hearts. I ‘m put off by them also, and I don’t care for things with bears on them either. you would think I don’t like the country look , but I do . Everything you do looks great.
Right? For me, it’s bears, geese, Amish, and hearts…all from that era. At least we can do something about it, right? haha.
Love it! Color is perfect!
Great idea cutting out those dated hearts & adding chicken wire. I would’ve never thought of that.
I’m skip-happy with the outcome. Thanks so much, Sandi!
You always find the best ways to get rid of those hearts. Love what you did with this pie safe! I bet it was hard to list this farmhouse gorgeousness in your shop.
You’re so kind to me, Marie. Thank you. I’ve given up on my hope to move, so I need to pare down and be real.
Great makeover! I would have cut the scallops off the bottom of the doors though – just me. Everything else is adorbs!
Thank you, Sue. I like the scallops. 🙂
I love what you did with this outdated piece, Larissa! It certainly isn’t outdated anymore 🙂 Love the chicken wire and the color and how you pulled it all together. Now it is an authentic farmhouse pie safe…gorgeous! You are really cranking out the creations girl… and each one SO unique! This won’t last long 🙂
I had fun with it, Mary, and I hope it shows. I’m just glad for folks like you that bring smiles. 😀
Love the scalloped doors! And you really did it justice! Love it!
Thank you, Susan. The scallops prevent the leg opening from looking like a giant black hole and add charm too. Hugs! 😀
OMG I am completely in love with the shape of those doors! That is an absolutely perfect makeover! You have given me the inspiration I have been seeking for an old cabinet I am making over right now. Thank you for always looking beyond the original piece and envisioning what it truly should be. I look forward to each and every post!
Peace and Joy!
How fun to hear, Barbara! 😀 That just made my day. Thank you so much. Hugs!
So pretty Larissa! I love the the rounded, scalloped bottom of the doors!
Thanks for bringing me smiles, Kim. 😀