When last we saw these nightstands in progress, they were ready for their glow up.
The original desk had been split into two, new tops created for the cabinets, and the gold trim refreshed (Unique Nightstands: From Trouble to Double). Time for the real fun!
Step 5: New Feet
The original ball feet on these cabinets were kind of cute. But they didn’t match the scale of the cabinets and one was badly damaged. I wanted to bring a little more bling and sturdiness to these pieces. After removing the old feet with a hand saw and chisel, I spray-painted new gold feet to tone down their brassy color to better match the trim.
Once dry, I screwed the new feet to the bases at each corner. These will be much sturdier and will add a sleek design element. I opted to paint over the gold trim above the feet to mimic the new cabinet tops and limit the gold focal points to give the pieces cleaner lines.
Step 6: Priming & Painting
After priming both the cabinets and drawers with Zinsser BIN®, it was time to add paint. My client selected Farmhouse® “White Ash” to match her bedroom decor. I applied two coats, sanding lightly with 220-grit between each coat. I skipped my usual polycrylic protective coats on the tops because my client is planning to have glass tops cut.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
My client liked the antique feel of the de-silvered mirroring. So I simply polished the glass. The original hardware was flimsy and unattractive, so my client selected crystal and gold knobs as replacements. Finally, I added a gold-accented liner to the cabinet interiors and drawers for the crowning touch.
Phew! That was a lot of elbow grease!
This was one of my biggest challenges to date, but wow, was it worth it. Can you believe how far these cabinets have come? The desk had been languishing for ages in a resale shop until my client saw its potential. Upcycling it into dual nightstands has saved yet another piece of furniture from potentially ending up in a landfill.
Check back next week for more from my workshop. Send any Qs you have about items on my blog via my contact page and follow me on Instagram (@serendipitysequelsmn).
