Initially, I thought this cupboard makeover would take a weekend to complete. How wrong I was. However, that’s partly because I kept adding more to my brief.
The cupboard is on the landing and is ideal for storing bedding, towels etc. Initially I was simply going to paint the textured wallpaper and give the shelves a coat on varnish. On closer inspection though I noticed that some of the wallpaper was peeling off and three of the four shelves were broken- it needed re-wallpapering and new shelves.
As the project evolved, I realised it was an excellent opportunity to practice my decorating skills in a relatively unseen area. To this end, I decided to add coving. The house has some stunning original plaster coving in the reception rooms but there isn’t any in the bedrooms. Ultimately, when we decorate, I’d like to add coving so I wanted to have a go at mitre-ing. I ound it incredibly difficult and frustrating but I’m glad I persevered. It looks anything but perfect, but I have a much better idea about it now.
There was a small piece of very tired looking vinyl flooring which was covering dark floorboards. I sanded and varnished them which made the floor look infinitely better. It took more hours than I bargained for but I’m delighted with the result.
Cupboard Makeover: Step by Step
Here is the step-by-step process with relevant links at the foot of the post.
1. Take out old shelves.
2. Strip wallpaper.I used a steamer and a scraper.
I was sparing with the steam though because I didn’t want to risk damaging the lime plaster below.
3. Remove gloss paint from the wooden batons and the hooks. I used varnish stripper, a scraper and elbow grease followed by sandpaper.
It would have been so much easier to remove the batons, but again, I wanted to minimise the risk of damaging the plaster by taking them off the wall.
4. Fill holes. I used a dry-mix plaster which I sanded once it was set.
5. Undercoat then paint the batons and hooks.
6. Wallpaper.
7. Give the wallpaper two coats of paint and give the batons their second coat.
8. Cut new shelves to fit. I used a circular saw.
Forgive my hands and unkempt nails. They have been ruined by unpacking, cleaning and DIY-ing.
9. Undercoat the shelves then give two coats of paint.
10. Strip and sand the floor. I used varnish stripper and a scraper followed by an electric sander. After that, I used wood dye to stain the boards.
11. Add coving and give it two coats of gold paint.
12. Put the shelves in and paint the front-facing edges gold.
13. Stand back and admire.
Materials and Kit
Wallpaper: *Alexander, Anaglypta. Wallpaper Direct.
Undercoat: No Nonsense primer and Undercoat, Screwfix.
Green paint: *Breakfast Room Green, Farrow & Ball.
Gold paint: *Metallic Effect Furniture Paint, Coachella, Good Home, B & Q
Coving: Arthouse High Density Duropolymer Coving. Wickes.
Coving Adhesive: No Nonsense Grab Adhesive, Screwfix.
Shelving: Solid Spruce Shelving, Wickes.
Paint/varnish stripper: No Nonsense Paint and Varnish Stripper, Wickes.
Wood dye: Liberon Palette Wood Dye in antique pine, Wickes
Clear varnish: Interior Varnish, clear matt finish, Wickes.
