Shocking Blue-and-Gold Makeover on Budget China Cabinet
A modest $30 china cabinet underwent a striking blue-and-gold makeover after a Reddit contributor painted its carved ornamentation and applied faux gold leaf. The original dark-brown finish had concealed the floral motifs, musical instrument carvings, and sweeping moldings, allowing only their silhouettes to emerge in shadow. Those decorative elements formed the basis for the revamp, from the basket perched above the glass doors to the shell-shaped base.
Red Wallpaper Changed the Back Before the Frame Was Painted
Once the interior panel was detached, the creator adhered a vivid red chinoiserie wallpaper to the exposed flat surface. The paper is populated with stylized figures, animals, blossoms, and winding vines, creating an illustrated scene that spans the display area. Positioning the panel on a workbench kept the surface reachable without having to peer through the doors or maneuver around the shelves. The newly attached backing is visible within the upper compartment while the surrounding frame still retains its original brown hue. This interim view highlights the wallpaper’s impact before any blue or gold reaches the cabinet’s exterior.
Blue Chalk Paint Covered the Frame While Red Marked the Corners
The creator selected FolkArt Home Decor chalk paints, purchased during a clearance event at a local craft store. According to comments, roughly three layers of both blue and red were applied directly to the wood without a primer, with occasional misting of water to achieve a smooth coat. The broad surfaces of the frame and doors received the blue hue, whereas the slender vertical recesses at the outer corners were filled with red. Masking tape was employed to keep the two color zones distinct from the curved edge that would later receive gold leaf.
Imitation Gold Leaf Followed the Molded Edges
Gold leaf was laid along the upper edge of the base, the door trim, the curved apron, and the feet. On the lower doors, selected sections of the carved musical instruments catch the light, while the foliage and blossoms receive subtle green and pink highlights. The metallic sheen was achieved using Barnabas Blattgold imitation leaf applied with a gilding adhesive over the chalk paint, followed by a glossy sealing coat. Antique Gold Rub ’n Buff was used to refresh the hinges.
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These treatments serve distinct purposes: the leaf outlines the wooden architecture, while the wax restores the existing metal hardware. The creator observed that the finishes did not perfectly match but favored the resulting variation.
Painted Flowers Reappeared Across the Crown
The upper portion now showcases the floral basket and trailing stems, emphasized against the blue background, with gold tracing the long curve of the crown. These design elements existed on the original cabinet; the new color scheme simply makes each component more discernible. The mesh-front doors remain intact, allowing the red backing to be visible through the hexagonal openings, while narrow gold lines accent the door frames without obscuring the entire grille.
Shelves Returned in Front of the Red Backing
After reassembling the two sections, the shelves segment the illustrated backing into smaller vignettes. Dark interior panels sit beside the red paper, adding depth to the display rather than extending the exterior blue across every surface. The cabinet also incorporates built-in lighting; according to the maker, the cord connects to a concealed dimmer, permitting adjustment of the illumination.
The completed piece was intended for a private collection. Collectibles now occupy the shelves in the final photograph, showing the cabinet’s purpose. The red backdrop remains visible between items, while sunlight highlights the gold trim and casts shadows across the lower carvings.
