French Cabinet Makeover | “Missing The Mark”
40October 26, 2015 by Terry
Frenchtique … is that even a style?
… I have taken this French provincial 70″s cabinet and given it a few unique details…
It has Been sanded down, given a new dress of Marzipan MMS Milk Paint, new “Rose Gold” shoes and hardware, and finished off with brand new doors clad with antique ceiling tiles. The inside of the cabinet has been lined with Antique book pages and gives it that extra something.
This is what it used to look like before
Now…
I have to say though, it really is something in person. I just couldn’t quite seem to capture it’s true personality on these photos. (Guess who will be asking for photography equipment and lessons for her birthday this year?)
It didn’t seem to matter where I placed it in the house for photos it just wasn’t feeling right to me.
I love the metallic legs and hardware. I painted them in Rose Gold Metallic Paint and added antiquing wax for contrast. The handles really blend well with the tin ceiling tiles on the doors. (The tiles have their original painted patina!)
The front legs being metallic gives it some more detail as well and also ties in with the hardware and doors bringing it all together without overdoing it.
… and while I absolutely have fallen in love with each detail, not every one has. Unfortunately the people who asked me to makeover this piece are not in love with the antique book pages. Sadly, I will be removing it all and redoing it with just plain paint.
I guess that is the risk you take when doing custom work for clients. I hate it when people say do whatever you like … it’s a lot of pressure! It’s okay though, this is my first time missing the mark for someone and it has been a valuable learning experience.
Next time I will be sure we are all on the same page (lol) before doing anymore custom orders.
At least they are happy with everything else about it :0)
I will enjoy looking at it for today!
Smiles!
Terry
Sharing at:
The Curators Collection 
This is beautiful! Too bad the clients did not like it after saying ‘do what YOU like’. Apparently they were not giving you free reign. Are they paying you extra for the extra time you now need to invest? Anyway, such a pretty piece and an unusual treatment that I (for one) just love!
LikeLike
Thank you! I like it too …But.. sadly not everyone has the same tastes in every detail… it’s okay though, I do want to make sure my client’s are happy in the end. On the bright side …I learned that communication is KEY and at least they liked MOST of it ;) The rest is just a learning experience, and at least I have the pictures to love!
Thank you for loving it as I do and for taking the time to say so! I hope you have a fantastic week!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
Beautiful, love those chippy ceiling tiles!!
LikeLike
Thank you! I couldn’t resist the patina on them!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
Wow, that is so beautiful! It truly looks like a completely different cabinet. I’m so impressed with the quality and your creativity!
LikeLike
Thank you soooooo much Jessica! You are so sweet! I believe that people should get what they pay for and that quality is EVERYTHING … I’m a bit of a “preacher” when it comes to quality. It is a huge peeve of mine when people just slap paint on something and don’t care if it will hold up or what the finish is just to make quick cash. If I put my name on it it must be well done! Thank you for listening to my rant! lol! I hope you have a great week!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
I am sorry your client had a different vision than you did. I love the book pages. The cabinet is beautiful. I am sure you can try the idea another time for someone else or your self.
LikeLike
Thank you for the encouragement Debra and the nice compliment! I am fine with their opinion on it as I know not everyone sees things the same, I’m just a little winded from putting all that work into it only to have to erase it though. I’m grateful for the experience and growth I will gain from this :0) Thank you for taking the time to comment, I hope you will pop by again!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
Absolutely smitten with those ceiling tiles. What a gorgeous piece!
LikeLike
Thank you Peggy! You are a sweetheart!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
Hey Terry- before you [all] abandon the vintage page-background…
See if what they “don’t like” has to do with the color of the pages! Where I DO like it, it still doesn’t quite flow for me either- I could see white-waxing over it to tone it all down. OR- watering down some aged white paint to “cover over” the pages, letting some still come through as a hint of “what used to be!”
No matter- it’s beautiful and I love your creativity–especially love those doors!
Catherine
LikeLike
Oh Thank you for your take on this! I do appreciate it … REALLY! The pages look more yellow on camera than in real life but that wasn’t the problem. The failed to mention to me (and I failed to ask) that they are using the cabinet to display a glass collection and are worried that the glass collection will be lost in the print of the pages. I can see their point for sure! Hindsight is 20/20 tho on questions to ask first :0) Thank you Catherine for the advice on how to fix this without too much trouble, I think it would have been pretty done your way! Have a great day! I hope your hand is healing well!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
This is just amazing Terry! Great job! And I love the paper back. Just to bad your client didnt like it…. I have my very first BIG client project this weekend! They want me to paint a really BIG glass hutch in a matt black. I suggested that Miss Mustards Typewriter would look great! I havent tried it, but I have seen pictures, and I am sure it will be amazing. But it is still pretty terrifying doing such a big custom job… :s I am actually a bit scared…
LikeLike
Oh Tone! You are going to rock at your project! You do lovely work! Just remember that when you sand Typewriter there will be tiny white flecks in it … don’t know if that matters to the client but thought I’d just mention it :0) I do hope you make a post of it and link it up to Making Broken Beautiful when you are done! Happy painting! I hope it all goes smoothly for you!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
You’re makeover was beautiful and so creative. I loved the metal looking doors. Now you’ll know exactly how to do it on another project for yourself! Good job:)
LikeLike
Thank you Wendi! I most certainly will use this idea on a piece for myself one day! Hope you have a great day!
Smiles!
LikeLike
Oh Terry, I think it is absolutely gorgeous exactly as it is! I love every little detail and would love, love, love to have this piece in my own home. You did a fantastic job incorporating so many different things and the piece is just stunning. Enjoy it while you can! Hugs, Lisa
LikeLike
Lisa … you are so sweet! Will you be my personal motivator? You made my day! Thank you for that!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
Fabulous makeover!
LikeLike
You are so kind for saying so, and Thank you for taking the time to comment! I hope you have a great day!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
I know this is going to be somewhat like locking the barn door after the cows have gone, but here’s what I do when I want to put book pages inside a cabinet like this. I use spray adhesive and mount them on thin poster board. Then I cut that to fit the back of the cabinet and tack them in place. Thus they become ‘optional’ for the future owner of the cabinet. And really, I like them to be optional for myself too. After all, even my own tastes change over time and I may not love them forever. So it’s nice if they are easy to remove. You didn’t mention how you adhered them, I hope it wasn’t mod podge or something similar that is a bear to remove! Personally, I find there is nothing worse than having to re-do something I just spent a bunch of time doing! Hopefully you can use my tip the next time you want to use book pages! Oh, and for the record, I loved them inside your cabinet.
LikeLike
Oh WHERE have you been all my DIY life?????? Ha Ha! YOU ARE A GENIOUS!!! I should have consulted with you to begin with! thank you so much for the advice! I will most certainly be doing this in the future!!!!
Sweet you are!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
This is one of my Favorites, will feature it on Dream Create and Inspire. Beautiful paint job!Maria
LikeLike
Thank you so much Maria! I am honored to be chosen as a favorite! Thank you for hosting such a great party!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
Maria you are so sweet! Thank you so much for the feature this week! I love your party!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
Such a gorgeous french cabinet Terry! I can’t believe your client wasn’t a fan of the book pages. I think every detail is just perfect!!! Thanks so much for linking up your beautiful project at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. Have a great week and take care, Tara
LikeLike
Thank you Tara! I loved the pages too … it looks pretty without them as well but rather plain … still liked the pages! Thank you for taking the time to comment and I hope you have a great week!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
[…] feature is… French Cabinet Makeover from Terry @ The Curator’s […]
LikeLike
[…] feature is… French Cabinet Makeover from Terry @ The Curator’s […]
LikeLike
[…] feature is… French Cabinet Makeover from Terry @ The Curator’s […]
LikeLike
SO creative, Terry! I absolutely love it! The ceiling tiles are the best. If it makes you feel better, I lined a cabinet I painted up for my daughter with sheet music — she wasn’t a fan — Fortunately she uses the cabinet for fabric so I didn’t have to redo it. Will have to remember Linda’s genius tip in the future!
LikeLike
Well … it was bound to happen at some point to me. It’s a blessing in disguise tho or I wouldn’t have learned the lesson of humility :0) You’re sweet Cynthia and Linda is a genius … where have you girls been all my blogging life? Ha!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
Well there’s nothing left to say since its been covered by everyone before me – even the temporary backing bit ( I did it in a kitchen cabinet with polka dot wrapping paper)and pshttt to people who don’t like the pages. I happen to adore EVERYthing you did. But you always rock it!
LikeLike
Thank you my sweet friend! You always know what to say! Hugs with the smiles today!!!
Terry
LikeLike
[…] where the lady didn’t quite love the backboard I covered with antique book pages. ( Click here to see that post […]
LikeLike
Terry, this is a beautiful makeover!! You have a gift for rejuvenating furniture!! : )
LikeLike
Terry, this is a beautiful makeover!! You have a gift rejuvenating furniture!! :)
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your kind compliment! You made my day with your sweetness! I hope you have a great day too!
Smiles!
Terry
LikeLike
[…] Ornaments:By Dreams Factory, French Cabinet Makeover:The Curators collection,Thanksgiving Turkey Plates:Blooms Design, Stamped Gift Bags:Simply […]
LikeLike
[…] be honest, do not have any interest in. The box of books had been given to me after I did the French China Cabinet with the book page […]
LikeLike