Styling and Profiling
My other big project for February (besides my office bathroom renovation) was making over this Goodwill china cabinet.
The last time we talked, I told ya how I started the vamping up process where I took the piece from veneered wood to painted white.
Now it’s a bright little sunshine in my morning (or a little chocolate on my banana…that sounded gross…strike that…grease on my bacon…much better)…
I spray painted the hardware a dark oil rubbed bronze….I love how it gives the piece a little more presence.
And the hutch part finally got styled with my china and other ‘preciousness’.
Is it wierd that I get giddy about styling a cabinet?
Because I totally do. It’s like my version of Disney World…except no lines, only foot massages and unlimited accessories.
My china was all from my wedding…it’s Lenox’s Federal Platinum…and I love the simplicity of it. And yes, I do use it. Not as much as I would like…but hopefully one day I’ll have the time to host a monthly teaparty with girlfriends. I like to mix and match it with cheap white dishware and random objects.
Random stuff like my Goodwill birdie (this is the white ceramic animal that brought my girl Sherry and I together)…and my white milk glass candlesticks (I practically stole those suckers on the way back from a past V-day trip)…
Oh and you can’t miss my centerpiece – the mercury glass vase (it’s from Michaels) filled with some homemade leaf roses (here’s the link when I made them).
The bottom of the piece has really chunky hardware and you almost forget that it provides a ton of extra storage.
The drawers are not super deep but I don’t need them to be.
I stuff a ton of stuff in those suckers. Everything and anything. It’s nice that little toddler fingers aren’t strong enough to open these drawers.
And the doors are great too – closing off more storage space.
I think I wanna put hooks on the back of the doors. They could hold twine of napkin rings or extra serve ware. I’ll let you know if I take the plunge.
So now the dining room looks like this…still unfinished for sure…but coming along. I still would like to get some art on the walls flanking the china cabinet. I’d love a new table and chairs. Oh and curtains.
Some of you begged me not to change the mirror. And you know what? I have to agree – I like it gold…
just not this gold.
eek.
I’m sure it’ll look great with a warm muted gold Rub N Buff. And when I say I’m sure, I mean, I hope and pray on bended knee. Thank you Jesus and amen.
The doors I am turning into windows. I’m magical like that. All I have to do is wave my DIY wand and instantly they will be transformed.
You see, my magic wand is actually just a curtain rod. and waving is attaching it to the wall.
I’m thinking either all white curtains or something that has blue, gray and gold.
So there’s my update. Fun stuff.
Glad to finally share my stylin’ and profilin’ china cabinet with you all. It’s big pimpin. with a fluffy white cat and rhinestone panties. I just made this get weird, didn’t I? sorry mom.
Anyone else work on some dining room pimpage? that’s a word.
oh and in case I haven’t been annoying enough about it - Apartment Therapy Homies are back! And guess which awkward girl is a finalist!
Yup – after almost four years of blogging I am finally proud to announce that this politically incorrect blog is knockin on the pearly gates of a bonafide award. The internet winds could change at any time – so each and every little vote counts (at least they all do to me)…and I would just fall over and croak if we gave them fancy publicized shiny magaziney blogs all a run for their money. But I need your help. and your husbands. and your friends and families. basically anyone you know with an email address and access to a computer. If you would take a moment to VOTE HERE and HERE, I will forever be indebted to you. thank you and may your toenails be shiny and your pork be fried 
I love the way you have styled the cabinet! I get giddy about the styling part of projects too! I have a furniture piece I plan on painting soon. It has hardware kind of like this and I never thought to just spray it. I was going to replace it. Luckily, I read this and I already have a can of ORB! Can’t wait to see how the mirror turns out!
WOW! I love it!!
YHL are probably so proud of your ORB pulls. Seriously I think they get a cut with every can sold (it not, they should!). Hahha
Can you add “do a tutorial on styling a china cabinet” to your list of posts-to-do? I have a beautiful cabinet (from my husband’s great-great grandmother… it’s 150+years old!) and I tried to style it, but alas it looks like a storage container… I googled “how to display things in a china cabinet” but there were very few results and they were NOT helpful… You seem to do it so naturally. If you are able to think about the process and formalize it for the styling inepts (like me) that would be fabulous! Thank you in advance!
I’ll add it for sure!
xo – kb
Katie, you always do such a wonderful job styling everything! You arranged your china so nicely in your cabinets. I am incredibly jealous! Do you think you could do a tutorial on the process – how long it takes, if you do a lot of tweaking, how you make sure everything is balanced?
I’ll see what I can do!
xo – kb
I love the look of the finished product! I started painting my mother’s old china cabinet years ago and never finished. Maybe your cabinet will give me the boost I need to “get ‘er done!” I also chose Lenox Federal Platinum as my fine china when I got married. It’s so classy. Thanks for sharing.
That looks soooo pretty. You are such a pro at styling things. I need your help at my house. I love all the china in the cabinet. Just looks so perfect. After I finish my kitchen, I need to get on painting my china cabinet (looks like the one you used to have in your bathroom at the old house) and buffet table and having my hubby make me a top for my dining table, and get more chairs, and so on…. I have plans in that room. Just hope I can make them happen. One room at a time I guess.
LOVE. The dark hardware really makes the whole thing pop. You know, if a china cabinet could pop.
Love the china cabinet, it looks great! What was your process for painting the hardware? I have some ‘classy brassy’ pulls on my bedroom furniture that I’ve been wanting to paint forever. Do you think it will hold up with normal use?
It’s easy! I clean the hardware REALLY well with Scotch Brite pads and make sure they are uber dry with nothing on them. Then I spray with a clean metal primer – let dry – spray with Rustoleums ORB – let dry – and then finish up with a clear protective coat.
xo – kb
Wow I absolutely adore your new hutch! It’s just beautiful! And the china inside! Wow! And your so evil now I’m craving bacon with none in my fridge, the horrors!!!!
PS Congrats on getting this far with Homies! I’m rooting for you!!!
Thank you so much Pamela – I need all the roots I can get!
xo – kb
OMG Katie, this is gorgeous! Seriously, I’m green with envy
and I voted, because I love you! xoxo
I love you too! You made my night! Thanks for your vote!
xo – kb
Congrats on the Homie stuff! You definitely deserve it. Off to vote.
I’m trying to figure out a china-storage solution. We inherited some from my grandmother and our dining room just isn’t big enough for a hutch (this house was built by my in-laws 15 years ago and when I come across problems like “the dining room isn’t big enough”, I have to mentally shake my head at them. It’s different owning a house that people you KNOW made mistakes when making/maintaining). I’m thinking of building a cabinet sort of thing and keeping it in our mudroom (which is almost the size of the dining room… again…head shake).
Thanks Caitlin – each little vote means so so much.
xo – kb
Katie! I swung by Chick fil-A last night after a long day at work. Wouldn’t you know it was Daddy Daughter Night?!!? There were white table clothes, red cloth napkins and table service! It was adorable to see all the little ladies (ages 3-30) dining with their Dad. There was even a limo outside offering free trips around the parking lot. I couldn’t help but think of you! You just need to convince your local one to do a Mother Son night – and offer trips around the parking lot on some big truck
Shut the back door. I want to do that pronto!
xo – kb
Ok, I have never been a china cabinet type of girl, but I have to say that I LOVE this piece! The white paint takes it from grandmotherly to modern so easily. I love the pop of color on the back and the styling is perfect. Great find! Now I am jealous and want one too! First, I will have to find a house with space for one…
This looks fantastic! Your accessorizing looks awesome too! I always have a hard time with that.
I am weirdly excited to be your first commenter and just wanted to say hello. : ) The china hutch looks great and your dishes are gorgeous! We only got two sets of our china pattern for our wedding so I’ve been hunting for some other pretty setting so I can have an eclectic mix when I get enough.
And congrats on being a Homies finalist! I was so excited when I saw it that I turned to my hubby and said “She’s a finalist! Bower Power? The blog that I’m always snort laughing at? Nothing?” Then he went back to playing his guitar. : ) Way to go!
haha…I love it when I hear about the hubbies stories…they crack me up
xo – kb
Isn’t Federal Platinum the best (not that mine is ever used, but it sure looks pretty in the cabinet). My hubs won’t let me paint our cabinet white (no matter how many times I ask). But I am stealing the cabinet shelf styling from you (hope you don’t mind).
LOVE (and pinned).
That hutch is perfect.
I actually really love those chairs. Maybe you could put some outdoor upholstery on the cushions and use them on your porch? Or mix them with a chunky pottery barn style table and a couple of different (upholstered/slipcovered) chairs for the head/foot of the table to tie them in with your decor better? Love your site! Thanks for all your honesty!
Yes – I definitely want to use the chairs – they are great but just too big for the family gatherings I’ve had in here…I like mix n matching – so maybe I’ll do that
xo – kb
That hutch turned out gorgeous (not that I had any doubt, mind you)! I love the simplicity of white on white with the little punch of the painted back.
And the storage… I’d give my left arm to have that much extra storage in my dining room (not my right arm… I had my shoulder fixed and August and it’s worth too much to get rid of now).
I think it looks amazing! The room is certainly coming together. Waiting to see what you do with the mirror, it’s grand! I have a gold mirror that I’ll be antiquing soon, but may wait until you finish yours, so hurry up!
ps: What are you shooting these house photos with these days? I just sold my 24-70L and need to get a cheaper every day to invest in a better portrait in addition to my 50 1.4.
These were with my 24-70mm…wish I could recommend something for these kinda photos…but the only other lens I have besides the 50 1.4 is the 85mm.
xo – kb
Love how the cabinet turned out. It looks fantastic and that mercury glass vase with the roses really makes it!
Gorgeous AND functional! The new hardware is what really does it for me. Love it.
wow! what a difference! excellent job! i love white furniture, so i would love to have something like that in my home!
just wanted to ask – where did you get that rug? i love it, and i’ve been looking for one for a while with absolutely no luck.
keep doing what you’re doing, i really enjoy your blog!
The rug is from FLOR…it’s perfect for our weird shaped room
xo – kb
Katie, you totally made this come together! With the ORB hardware and the beautiful internal dish & preciousness “styling,” I’m sold. When it was empty I thought the blue looked strange up against the greenish walls, but you have vision, girl, and you’ve made a blue-backed-hutch believer out of me. As in, I believe in the blue-backed-hutch… not that I am blue-backed or hutch-backed or hunch-backed or anything of the sort.
I love love love love the new china cabinet and the way you styled it! You inspire me so much to be thrifty! I voted!
Thanks so much Hottie McTotty! I know I begged but I am so flattered that you gave it to me!
xo – kb
I LOVE the china cabinet! I love it so much, especially the steely blue background color. It really makes the dishes POP!
I didn’t do much “pimpage” in the dining room, but I did do a furniture shiftaroo in there yesterday. Just moving stuff from one side to another to make things a little more useful for us. Our house is small, so finding the most efficient use of space is critical.
Happy Tuesday!
I LOVE IT! It turned out beautiful! And I too love arranging my china cabinet…it’s like a miniature version of decorating! I always see old pieces like this at second hand stores, but they don’t ever look as “worthy” as the one you found (not wood, broken drawers, etc). Maybe I’m being too choosy? Also, can you PLEASE tell me where you found your DIY wand…cause I need one! : )
haha…I found my wand in aisle 14 of my local home improvement store
xo – kb
p.s. this wasn’t solid wood…and some pieces are easily fixed! Look for the lines of the piece first – then structural integrity – then price – then if it can be easily fixed…if you know how to fill holes and attach things back together, it might be the perfect Goodwill piece!
So beautiful Katie! The fixtures really make the whole piece pop! Don’t ya just love oil rubbed bronze paint? I’m going thru my own love affair with it right now. I love that this was a goodwill purchase! A similar one would have cost you over a thousand brand new I’m sure. I just scored a Kitchenaid Mixer (brand new!!) off Craigslist for $100 so I’m starting to believe anything is possible with the power of goodwill and craigslist!
I love this hutch so much that it makes me want to go out and thrift something similar even though I’ve no use for it.
Also, I think you made the right decision about the gold mirror. It adds some great texture to the room.
Also, congrats on your Homie nomination
Katie, the hutch is awesome! I would like to do something similar on my hutch. What type of paint and paintbrush did you use, and do you have any tips for avoiding paint lines, and that bumpy look from fuzzy paint rollers? My kitchen cabinets came out just terrible.
Thank you!
I used my favorite Purdy short handled angled 2″ brush…and my advice is thin thin layers of paint and use some between-coat sandpaper to smooth out everything before you apply the last coat.
xo – kb
p.s. you can still do that with your cabinets…sand it smooth (not to show the wood underneath) and then use your paint with a little Floetrol. Works like a charm
The new hutch looks awesome! And I already voted for your blog to win over at AT. As of now, you are in first place in one of the categories!!! You go girl!
The tides could change at any moment but I am loving this moment of validation – no matter how brief it will be! Thanks for the vote doll!
xo – kb
I have that same china hutch (and the same china too – weird coincidence, lol)! My dining room also functions as where the bulk of homeschooling happens so the base is full of art supplies and other homeschooling necessities
Oh em gee…Can you pick up my jaw off the ground, please?! AH-MAY-ZING!! I can’t believe how awesome that turned out. I’m also insanely jealous because I’m dyyyying to find and awesome furniture piece to re-do!!
Great job!! I will use this for future inspiration when I look at a piece that seems so boring and try to imagine how great it can be! You rock!!
That cabinet looks fabulous! You have styled it so wonderfully! I would never have realized how much I like oil rubbed bronze if it were not for you and Sherry using it – so thank you!
ps. the mirror does really looks great gold!
The cabinet looks perfect! You did a great job. Good luck on the Homie awards…going over to cast my vote
Thanks for the vote Izabela – beautiful name by the way!
xo – kb
You are fo sho styling! So jealous of all that storage space! Of course, with 6,000 sq ft, you’re not exactly hurting for space. Did that sound bitter? It wasn’t supposed to.
much. 
And I already voted for you in both categories, duh!
thanks Cassie!
Do you wanna switch houses sometime cause dude your place is awesome
xo – kb
What a beautiful job!! I love your china!
I am in love with your new addition to the dining room! You did a fantastic job!!!
We have the exact same china pattern! I love it! And I was just as giddy when we finally got a china cabinet for me to “decorate” and actually start using our china – which we do once a month. Congrats, your cabinet looks beautiful!
I love it! That is unbelievable. Great job, Katie!
Love it. I think the mirror needs “warmed up” a little
The hutch looks so great all styled and pretty! I second the comments about doing a china hutch styling tutorial – styling is my weakness
Also YAY for keeping the mirror gold!
I love it!! You did such a phenomenal job! It’s a really gorgeous piece!
the thing with large houses, is you need very large scale furniture. so everything ends up costing more. maybe you can put something on top to give it more height.
true dat. I definitely want to hang some platters around the top and put some art on either side – hopefully that will help make it look bigger
xo – kb
love your blog.
love the makeover of the hutch.
amazing-ness.
somehow i don’t get how you find the deals!
when i look for old/gross furniture, it’s $$$$ at an antique shop or just old/gross and not worth the paint…
way to go!
I have the same candlestick holders. I picked them up at a Humane Society garage sale, 2 bucks each! I also have leaf roses. Great idea leaving them out all year.
The hutch looks fantastic. It makes me want to get out some huge sunglasses and pet a white cat.
Love the cabinet!!
I voted for you on both categories!
Beth you are the best!
Thank you so much!
xo – kb
It looks really nice. I really like the colour of the hardware. Brings me to a question. I have chrome on my coffee and end table. Bit of chrome on my table lamps. I inherited a lamp kind of brass, not shiny. Would you leave it brass or spray it to match the rest of the chrome in my front room?
I love your blog!
I am not a fan of spray painted chrome…it never looks quite right to me…so I vote to mix your finishes!
xo – kb