And I decided to go Martha and just go with a mostly-white color scheme for the dishes. I also decided to pull out a few pieces of my china for the first time ever. When I got married my grandma gave me her mother's collection of Haviland china. It is such a treasure! The pattern is so beautiful, but I've kept all of it in the box that she handed it to me in 12 years ago, still wrapped in newspaper from 1982, mainly because I feared the damage we could do.
But I decided it was more fun to risk a couple of pieces and enjoy looking at it everyday. And it's also nice that I have a place to tuck this cabinet out of the path of my little boys now, so I think (fingers crossed) it's a little safer. The dishes are beautiful, but the family nostalgia makes them even better.
I wish I had more of these little guys. I found a set of 4 of these place-card-holders for $2.97 at the Pottery Barn in February - regularly priced $19.99. Maybe I'll check again this February.
Now that I no longer fear tackling a project like this, I'm on the prowl for more.
LATER EDIT: The color used is Cacao from the Behr Premium Plus Collection.
The knobs came in a bulk pack from Target.
What I should have said is: now I won't fear painting furniture if the time should come in the future.
paulette says
Wow!! It's absolutely gorgeous!! <br />Well done! And love the dishes!! They were made for that China Cabinet!<br /><br />Paulette
The Quilt Buddy says
Hey Amy!<br /><br />You certainly are turning into a crafty one. Great job with the reno and the nickel knobs really do add a modern touch!
Nina says
It looks beautiful and goes so well with the paint color in the room! It looks like a completely different piece of furniture!
Blue Is Bleu says
I love the colour you used! Beautiful job 🙂
Quilt Nut says
looks fabulous!
live a colorful life says
What is the name of the color you used? And the knobs look great!!!
littlecumulus says
Utter gorgeousness. I love the pitcher of berries on top - that really accents the whole thing. You've got an eye, I say, an eye!
Katy says
it looks wonderful - what a difference a lick of paint does!!!!
Terry says
Wow! That looks great with the new paint job! :0)
Jackie says
GORGEOUS! Looks like a pro job to me!<br /><br />We just used that paint in a bedroom. It only took 2 coats to go over a bright red wall with a very light lavender. My DH was thrilled!
Chris says
LOVE it! Nice job! 🙂
Quilt Hollow says
Wow...what a piece now!! I also love the review on the paint. Now let me see (as I look around here) what can I update?!! <br />Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Laurie Anne says
Your braveness paid off! It looks fantastic! Love the colour you used and your dishes are beautiful.xx
Annette says
Okay, now you've got me going. There is a cabinet tucked in a corner of my house that needs a redo. Your hutch is absolutely beautiful!!
Kim Walus says
Courage to paint = a Wonderful updated cabinet. WOW! What a fun place to display your beautiful dishes.
Anita says
I love that color, great job!
Lynnie says
LOVE it. I've been thinking about doing something similar to our piano. All the furniture in our house is different finishes of wood. I'm thinking dark teal. 😉
Emily says
I am opposed to sanding on so many levels, so that paint/primer combo sounds perfect for someone like me. The color you chose and the knobs are FANTASTIC! <br /><br />BTW--I have four little ones (Age 10 to 3) and we actually use our china at least 3 times a yr. The wild and crazies are so calm and polite when we are using our "nice" dishes. They especially go ga-ga over the stemmed
Mauri says
The color is gorgeous and looks so pretty with the white dishes. Awesome job! You want to come help me tackle some of my projects?! 😉
Steph says
Way to go Amy. <br /><br />Isn't it amazing what a little paint and elbow grease can do?
Di~ says
It is wonderful! I too, fear these kinds of projects. How did you decide what color?
Kasi says
it looks great! Painting ugly old furniture is one of my absolutely favorite things to do. Goodwill is my friend 🙂
Anonymous says
Please tell what color that is - it is gorgeous! GREAT JOB. - Kim
Esther says
What a beautiful transformation ! I really should follow your example and do our pine dresser.
Mary on Lake Pulaski says
Nice job Amy - it looks awesome!
angela says
Georgous!!! So did your friend do her kitchen without sanding? And are they standing up to everyday wear? I have a kitchen with a huge number of dated cabinets that would use a nice paint job. If all I had to do was paint - I may actually takle it.
Yuki says
Very Nice!! Love the china. ttfn 🙂 Yuki
Terresa says
Love the hardware, paint color & turkeys. Inspirational! I should do the same thing to my circa 1980's kitchen cabinets...
Patty says
What a difference a little bit of paint makes. Love your dishes too! They needed out the box after twelve years!
Gari says
See, it's not so hard to be Martha. And I love your color choice: not one I would have thought of.
Laura-Lu says
Looks great Am! I'm glad you decided to save it. Bret also gives his vote of approval, which means a lot coming from him. Wish we could be there to see it in person on Thanksgiving....
amylouwho says
It's amazing what a little paint can do! I love the transformation! <br /><br />I'm going to try that primer + paint thing. Sounds awesome!
Aimee says
Beautiful! I just adore the color you chose. I have a hutch just exactly like that & was too lazy to tackle it. You just may have convinced me it's do-able! Thanks!
Aunt Spicy says
The china is amazing! What treasure you have! And the cabinet looks amazing, though I might tuck a fisher price little people somewhere on there just for fun!
reddquilter says
fun to see your china---I have the same pattern.<br />It was my mothers's and I grew up with it for special occasions. Now I use it and love the memories of my mom and our family gatherings.
Meg says
That really is gorgeous! Nice job!
Linda Augsburg says
It's gorgeous! Great job--love the paint color!
lera says
The hutch is absolutely gorgeous! Great job!
stephmodo says
Gorgeous Amy. You've inspired me too!
V and Co. says
oh my gosh GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! 😉
grace says
it is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!
Michele says
I sew need a china hutch like this and have been scouring the Craigslist ads but I never thought about finding the right one size and detail wise and then painting it. Thanks for the idea. My hunt is now renewed.