From Drab to Fab: My Whimsical Upcycled Cabinet Adventure! 🎨

The Vision: A Cabinet of Curiosities 🕰️

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let me paint a picture of my vision. I wanted to create a cabinet that was not only functional but also a conversation starter, a piece of art that tells a story. The whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland blended with the industrial elegance of Steampunk seemed like the perfect combination.

The Transformation: From Drab to Fab ✨

Now, let’s get to the fun part – the transformation! Here’s a breakdown of the key steps and techniques I used:

• Prep & Prime: I started by giving the cabinet a good clean and sanding it down to ensure a smooth surface for the paint and decoupage to adhere to. Then, I applied a coat of primer to help the paint stick better and prevent any bleed-through.

• Colour Palette & Stripes: The client chose a bold combination of teal and black for the sides, creating a striking striped pattern.

• Decoupage Delight: The focal point of the cabinet is the two beautiful decoupage scenes featuring Alice and the Cheshire Cat. I ripped the edges of the papers so they were jagged rather than straight lines and adhered them to the cabinet using decoupage glue. It’s much easier to blend in jagged edges to the finished look, than dead straight lines.

• Mixed Media Magic: To add depth and texture, I incorporated various mixed media elements:

  • Stencils: I used stencils to create intricate designs, including a repurposed Singer sewing machine plate stencil, distressed harlequin patterns, and a Steampunk clock.

  • Moulds: I used Redesign with Prima moulds to create decorative elements such as Elisian clockwork, locks and keys, apothecary bottles, fragrant roses, and an Etruscan rose. These were then painted and adhered to the cabinet.

  • Gold Leafing: To add a touch of luxury, I applied gold leaf to some of the details, creating a beautiful shimmer and shine.

• Interior Surprise: I didn’t stop at the exterior! I painted the inside of the cabinet a vibrant red and added playful fluorescent pink flamingos for an unexpected pop of color.

Materials & Tools 🧰

Here’s a quick list of some of the key materials and tools I used for this project:

• Cabinet
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint (teal, black, red, fluorescent pink, gold)
• Decoupage paper
• Decoupage glue
• Stencils
• Redesign with Prima moulds
• Gold leaf
• Paintbrushes
• Cricut machine (for creating the Singer sewing machine plate stencil)

You can find links to all the products I used RIGHT HERE.

Key Takeaways & Tips💡

• Don’t be afraid to experiment! Mixed media is all about playing with different materials and techniques. Let your creativity run wild!

• Upcycling is a great way to give new life to old furniture. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also allows you to create unique and personalized pieces for your home.

• Have fun with it! DIY projects should be enjoyable. Don’t stress about perfection, just embrace the process and let your creativity shine.

Before & After