Neon Dreams: A Vintage Cocktail Cabinet Gets a Bold Makeover

Materials

Chemical stripper
Mineral spirits
Sandpaper
Wood filler
Neon pink paint (powder pigment and French cheek finishing coat)
Wallpaper
New backing for the doors
Fabric
Bee knobs
Gold detailing

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

Steps

Disassemble: 

• Carefully remove all the hardware, including the doors, drawers, and shelves.
• Label each piece and its corresponding location to ensure easy reassembly.
• Keep all screws and hardware organized in a container.

Clean: Make sure to thoroughly clean the piece of furniture. Use dish soap and water to remove any dirt, grime, or grease. Dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step. For a list of my recommended cleaning products CLICK HERE. I also have a blog post breaking down the cleaning process, step by step which you can READ HERE.

Strip the Old Finish:

• Apply the chemical stripper evenly to all surfaces, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Allow the stripper to sit for the recommended time, then carefully scrape away the softened finish with a putty knife.
• Use mineral spirits to remove any remaining residue.
• Repeat the process if necessary.

For a list of my recommended stripping products CLICK HERE. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR PPE!!

Scuff Sand: 

• Start with 120-grit sandpaper to remove any remaining finish and smooth out rough areas.
• Progress to 220-grit sandpaper for a finer finish.
• Finish with 400-grit sandpaper for an ultra-smooth surface.
• Sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratches.

Repair any missing veneer.

• Apply wood filler to any holes or cracks, using a putty knife.
• Overfill slightly to allow for sanding.
• Allow the filler to dry completely.
• Sand the filled areas smooth, blending them with the surrounding wood.

Paint the inside of the cabinet doors.

• If using powder pigment, mix it with the French cheek finishing coat according to the instructions.
• Apply the neon pink paint evenly to the inside of the cabinet doors using a brush or roller.
• Allow each coat to dry completely before applying additional coats.

Decoupage the inside of the cabinet doors.

• Cut the wallpaper to size, leaving a slight overhang.
• Apply wallpaper paste to the back of the wallpaper. I recommend Mod Podge.
• Carefully position the wallpaper on the inside of the doors, smoothing out any bubbles with a smoothing tool (like this one)
• Trim the excess wallpaper with a sharp craft knife.
• Protect the wallpaper with a couple of coats of varnish.My preferred varnish is Polyvine Decorators Varnish in Satin. I apply this using a microfibre roller.

Remove the old backing from the doors.

• Carefully pry off the old backing using a putty knife or flathead screwdriver.
• Clean any remaining adhesive from the doors.

Sand and prep the doors.

• Lightly sand the doors to create a surface for the fabric to adhere to.
• Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.

Cover the doors with neon pink fabric.

• Cut the fabric to size, leaving a generous overhang.
• Apply spray adhesive to the doors and the back of the fabric.
• Carefully position the fabric on the doors, smoothing out any wrinkles.
• Fold the excess fabric over the edges of the doors and secure with staples or glue.

Reassemble the cabinet.

• Attach the new backing to the doors.
• Reattach the doors, drawers, and shelves to the cabinet.
• Install the new bee knobs.

Showcase your finished product!

• Add gold detailing to the cabinet using paint or gold leaf.
• Your vintage cocktail cabinet is now ready to be enjoyed!

Before & After