Sunday, August 24, 2014

Entertainment Center Tower Redo....

Yes, its been two years but I wanna play catch up because I want to print blog books in the near future.  So for now I will do current updates and catch ups.

DISREGARD THE MESSY GARAGE (WISH I HAD A SHOP)

My friend asked me if I could do anything to spruce up her entertainment tower and because it was solid wood I knew I could bring it back to life!  I love a challenge.  I love making old things new.  I'm no professional by any means I still use a brush and roller as opposed to a sprayer but I still love how they turn out! 

Here is the before of the cabinet.  The smokey glass is lovely.  The broken door adds character :) and that 90s oak is to die for!

I knew instantly I would remove it all.  Then add baseboard and crown molding to make it more from this decade.  A quick google search and I found a couple pieces that were exactly what I was picturing. 







After removing the smokey glass and broken doors it was already improved!  I sanded the entire cabinet.  You have to remove the sheen on any piece of furniture to get regular paint to adhere.  I use an automatic sander and it makes all the difference.  After a good sanding I added the bead-board backing.  I simply cut bead-board to size and glued them on!  I used Liquid Nails construction adhesive laid the cabinet down and just let the glue dry. 



It's already a transformation, right?


After the glue had dried and the bead-board was secure I moved on to the base board.  This is just builder grade standard here in Utah.  I used my miter saw to cut the base to size, used Liquid Nails and my brad nailer to attach it to the cabinet.  This was the easiest part because I had just spent a week adding baseboard to our basement so cutting it was fresh in my mind. 



Because I didn't have any crown molding on hand I decided to go ahead and prime the cabinet first.  I use Zinsser primer.  It's the best.  Nothing else compares.  It is a little more pricey than others but most of the time needs one coat and the paint adheres beautifully saving you money in the end.

I got the crown molding up but it was challenging.  Crown Molding is tricky to cut.  I've done it before but it usually takes me several (4-5) mistakes before I remember.  Ugh.  So google it and watch videos.  I glued and nailed it on like the base.  Gave the unit one coat of primer and one coat of paint. 
 



The insides of the cabinets got a second coat and then I starting playing around with glaze.  I use Kwal glaze, in Raw Umber.  (I had to wait for all the caulking to dry before giving the whole thing a second coat)  Caulking really is your best friend.  Makes your seams look perfect and flush.  I also used some wood filler to fill in the holes where the doors were connected.  


I'm a bit of a perfectionist so distressing and glaze can give me anxiety.  I have to learn to be ok with imperfections because that is what is supposed to happen!  I took a hammer back to he cabinet to add indents where the glaze would catch and look worn.  I also use a screw laid flat with a little tap from the hammer to get rivets for glaze enhancing.   

 BEFORE AND AFTER



In my friends living room waiting for the last two shelves (I took a break because of summer heat) and accessories.  This took me a couple weeks because I have kids that need things off and on.  :)  What do you think?