How To Transform a Vintage Sideboard Cabinet Into a Charming Farmhouse Kitchen Island

AUDIO BLOG: How to Transform a Vintage Sideboard Cabinet Into a Charming Farmhouse Kitchen Island

Vintage Sideboard Cabinet Repurposed Into a Charming Farmhouse Kitchen Island Using Chalk Paints, Metallic Paints, and Hand Painted Stencils

by Kim Hansen, Co-Founder and Artist, JK Hansen Studios

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THE POTENTIAL CUSTOMER

Bev, a potential customer from New Hampshire, sent a message to me via Etsy after seeing one of my hand painted kitchen islands listed in our shop that had previously sold. She fell in love with it. The island was exactly what she was looking for. She wanted to know if I could PLEASE find another similar cabinet and paint it for her. I told her I would do my best. We both kept our fingers crossed.

… “When I saw this piece, it was love at first sight but realize it’s sold.”

THE SEARCH

That same day I searched online through our local used furniture listings with no luck.

Then ~~ the following morning ~~ there it was!

I couldn’t believe my luck! I found the above piece for sale in an online Colorado used furniture group. The seller had just listed it. The style of the cabinet was nearly identical to the original unfinished cabinet previously SOLD in my Etsy Shop. I negotiated the sale with the seller and made arrangements to pick it up.

As soon as I got it home, I messaged Bev with the good news and sent her pictures of the cabinet.

“YES YES YES! That’s perfect!” Bev replied.

Bev and I messaged back and forth regarding customizing the kitchen island ~ her vision, likes, dislikes, suggestions, colors, hand painted stencils, etc. Bev told me she would be moving to the country with her daughter and loves flower gardens. She also wanted to replace the top with a much larger piece so guests could be seated at the island but agreed to do that herself once she received the finished piece. We came to a mutual agreement, and she hired me.

“I will be living in the country and I had to smile with your “eggs” stencil reference as my daughter raises chickens for eggs and also has a vegetable garden. All and all this piece is going to be a perfect fit for my taste and lifestyle. I’m awed by your eye and artistic talent.”

I told Bev I was finishing up another project and would be able to start working on her kitchen island the following week and that it would take me 5-7 days to complete it. When finished, I would book a carrier to have it delivered to her in New Hampshire. In the meantime, Bev would look for a larger top to put on the finished piece when she received it.

PREPPING THE CABINET FOR ITS COMPLETE MAKEOVER

The first step was to gather all of my supplies – soft cloths, chalk paints, stencils, screwdriver, sandpaper, custom gel stain, protective topcoat, and paint brushes.

Next, I removed all of the original knobs and set them aside; lightly hand sanded any rough areas of the cabinet; then cleaned the cabinet with a soft rag and warm water.

TIP: If you use household cleaning fluids or oils on the areas you will be painting, the paint won’t adhere as well.

TIME TO PAINT!

I chose Waverly Moss Green Chalk Paint for the base coat.

Following the grain, using my two-inch paint brush I applied two light coats of Moss Green to the front, back and sides of the cabinet — being careful not to completely cover the piece. I always allow a bit of the original wood to show through here and there. I think it gives the piece dimension and a variation of colors.

SECOND COLOR

After the base coat was completely dry, I applied a thin coat of Waverly Celery Chalk Paint randomly over the Moss Green Chalk Paint for a lighter contrast. This technique gives the painted areas the appearance of even more depth.

I dipped my two-inch paint brush into the Celery Chalk Paint and wiped off the excess onto a paper towel — almost like dry brushing. Using the flat side of the paint brush I followed the grain of the cabinet while carefully dragging the brush over the dried Moss Chalk Paint.

ANOTHER DIMENSION

I love using dark colors for an added dimension and it also gives my pieces an appearance of a weathered, worn, rustic look.

I chose Dixie Belle Rusty Nail Chalk Mineral Paint and applied it randomly over the dried Moss and Celery Chalk Paints to create a weathered, worn, rustic look ~ wiping and dabbing it back before the paint dried.

HAND PAINTED STENCILS

Bev loved the Farmer’s Market theme on the back of my previously SOLD kitchen island and wanted the same stencils hand painted on the back of her new island. As I mentioned before, Bev also loves flowers, so I included hand painted floral stencils on the back on either side of the word ‘MARKET.’

Bev chose herbs and rooster stencils to be hand painted on the outside and inside cabinet doors and the Red Rooster stencil for the inside of the top drawer. I used Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint in Linen White for the stencils, including the floral stencils on the back of the island.

LACE STENCILS

Bev expressed her desire to add a light, airy doily type stencil to the side of the island. I didn’t have any in my inventory, so I searched around online until I found the perfect stencil and ordered it. (Stick & Style Stencil – Modern Damask.)

Working from the bottom up, I hand painted the stencil in sections on each side of the island using Dixie Belle Rusty Nail Chalk Mineral Paint. Once the paint dried, I hand painted a light coat of Linen White over the Rusty Nail to give the hand painted ‘doily’ more character.

Cabinet and Drawer Knobs

I hand painted the original round wooden knobs using the same paints I used on the island so they would match.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Even though Bev would be adding a larger top to the finished piece, we agreed at the beginning I would touch up the existing top for her in case she wasn’t able to find a piece right away. I lightly sanded the existing top before applying two light coats of a custom walnut glaze gel stain.

The next morning, I applied two coats of Rust-Oleum Chalked Protection Top Coat Wax Matte Clear to protect the painted areas of the kitchen island.

The last request Bev made was that I sign her new kitchen island — which I was extremely happy to do.

DONE! 

PREPARING THE ISLAND FOR SHIPMENT

Upon completion, I was able to find and book a carrier to make the long journey from Colorado to New Hampshire. The carrier lived on the east coast and would be passing through Colorado in a couple of days on his way back to the east coast and would be able to pick up the island then ~ which generally never happens that fast!! I messaged Bev to let her know.

ON THE HUNT FOR A NEW RUSTIC TOP FOR THE ISLAND

A short time after I messaged Bev about the carrier, she messaged me right back to let me know she was on her way to an old textile mill about an hour away from where she was living. Originally built in 1869, there were four mills which had been converted into condos and office space. The one she was headed to was a 60,000 sq. ft. antique store filled to the brim with a massive architectural salvage section. 

Later that day, Bev messaged me to let me know she found the perfect top!

“Such a successful day at the architectural salvage mill. This 100+ year old unpainted and naturally weathered barn door will be my island top after I clean it up a lot, light sanding and sealing. I’m thrilled.“

SHIPPING DAY!

Other than the thrill of refurbishing and painting furniture, shipping day is one of my very favorite days.

The carrier arrived on a Friday as planned and picked up Bev’s kitchen island to make the long journey to New Hampshire for delivery.

Throughout the entire project, Bev and I stayed in touch. I messaged her every step of the way sending her pictures showing the progress.

“I love what you’re doing posting all the steps of the journey of transformation . To me it’s a very personal journey, for me as the customer and you as the artist. Even the piece itself has a new life. Thank you for sharing.” — Bev

SHIPMENT COMPLETED

The kitchen island was delivered without incident only two days after the carrier picked it up!

“Today I got to see my island in person. It’s perfect and even prettier than the pictures portray. …
Also I did spend some time this evening on your website and blog. I can’t get over detail and beauty of your murals and the feelings they evoke. Oh and the gorgeous tablescapes!!
I’m thrilled to have a piece of your creations. Thank you again.” — Bev

The entire project — from the moment Bev contacted me to the time she received her island — only took 25 days which is extremely fast in this business. Positive energy must have been surrounding both of us from beginning to end. Everything went so smoothly.

I love it when I can play an important part in making my customer’s wishes come true.  Bev was an absolute delight to work with.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once again, I feel so blessed I am able to use my combined thirty years’ experience as a commissioned artist, muralist, and faux painter and apply that experience and creativity to transform long-forgotten pieces of furniture into unique one-of-a-kind showstoppers.

Thank you for visiting our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, or leave a comment below. Your feedback is always appreciated. I hope I have inspired you for your next DIY project!

Be sure to visit our Etsy shop to see what other pieces of art I have created.

ARTIST: This French Country Kitchen Island was hand painted by artist and muralist Kim Hansen.

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