Remember this busted up old girl???
She really was struggling.
My wonderful neighbor gave me this piece that belonged to her grandmother, and I was thrilled that a) she deemed me special enough to receive it and b) I’d have some new storage.
Three kids take up a lot of space, you know.
I realize one of them is 30, but age is just a number, right? 
I showed you a sneak peek of the finished armoire here, but since then, I’ve finally finished and moved it into the writing room.
After a couple of coats of paint and some cosmetic repairs, this piece is good as new…
I knew the armoire was headed to the writing room to serve as paint/design book/all things creative storage. It just needed some color….subtle color, but color no less.
This time I gave Old Fashioned Milk Paint a try….and I’m glad I did. Because I think painting furniture is such an art, it’s pretty cool to work with a paint that I just have to go with.
It kind of does it’s own thing….flaking, crackling, and peeling wherever it wants…and I think that’s kind of brilliant.
Luckily, the awesome folks at Purdy sent me a set of brushes to try out….and you guys know how I feel about Purdy paint brushes.
Can’t leave home without them.
But seriously, I’ve painted with LOTS of brushes, and they are hands-down my favorites…no bristles coming out in your coat, and they leave such a smooth, durable finish.
Love ’em….like, love ’em a lot.
I gave the main areas of the armoire two coats of the milk paint in Slate, and distressed it with a fine sanding block. Again, just know that when you use milk paint, it will do it’s own thing…you can just stand back with your sanding block and see what happens. Just go with it.
I wanted to paint the outside panels a different color, and went back and forth on green, yellow, etc….but my brain just kept landing on this deep peacock….Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint in Aubusson Blue.
I love that the highly pigmented (darker) chalk paint colors can often times be gorgeous and finished after one coat.
I knew I wanted to tone down the contrast between the slate and aubusson blue, so I chose to tint some clear wax with Annie’s new Pure White chalk paint. I didn’t really use a ratio…just kinda winged it.
I kinda wing a lot of projects if you haven’t noticed. I’m the most Type B Type A you’ve ever met.
Tinting the wax worked as a wash, but it saved the added step of whitewashing, then waxing.
I LOVE how the finish turned out….and plan to tint the waxes more often. Good fun.
I’m thinking I’m going to create a wall of fabric-wrapped cork in the writing room for a design board, but until then, I love having the small space to tack up fabric and paint samples.
You guys know I’m obsessed with hardware in general, but especially Vintage Skye hardware.
I love the play of the tiny numbers knob paired with the larger ones….I toyed with the idea of adding colorful anthro knobs, but at the end of the day, I loved the utilitarian look of numbers on this piece.
It makes me totally happy to see the changes that have taken place in the writing room since it was revealed.
Our spaces, especially creative spaces, should evolve with us…change as we change, and need fresh inspiration to keep us creating.
I’ll show you some of the changes that have taken place over the last year tomorrow. As a matter of fact, change is on my mind.
May just have to post about that later today.
*For more info on chalk paint and waxes, see these related posts. And if you want a good laugh, you can watch the videos.
Wax Q & A with Classic Wall Finishes
WOW, it turned out great. Perfect for your room.
I’m so in love with this room. It is perfectly perfect. Maybe you should change the name of the blog?
Very cool! I love the choice of color you picked for this makeover. It looks lovely in the writing room too. Have a great day.
Shaunna, it turned out BEAUTIFUL!
You inspire me in great ways. 
it turned out so beautiful! Great idea for tinting the wax!
Love this project and I love this room! I will have to try out this milk paint.
It turned out amazing! What a super cute piece. I’d love something like that in my daughter’s room. Only with the mirror, so she could primp in front of it. = ) Hope life is getting a bit back to normal for you, after a week in TV land. heehee
~ Catie
What a gorgeous space! I love everything about it. And, how blessed you are to receive such a beautiful piece of furniture from your neighbor.
Fantastic! Spotted your entry on FB but it looks so much better here.
I would LOVE to see Ava’s big girl room. Still primping my little one’s.
Hi, what a great transformation on the beat-up armoire
Heading over to read about the waxes & finishes post! Do any stores sell the annies chalk paint? or do I have to order online?
This is inspiring me to try milk paint. Thank you! This piece has a GREAT new life with you.
It looks wonderful! I love the idea of tinting the clear wax…I will have to try that. Is the milk paint easy to use? It turned out great…another inspiring piece
Rachel
Wow that looks amazing! I love the blue color. I’m hoping to do some experimenting with milk paint soon, it looks like it worked well for you
Shaunna, I love it. I have not tried the milk paint yet, but believe I will give it a try. They sell that locally thank goodness. Did not know you can tint the wax with the chalk paint either. See I learned something new today.
I had no idea you could tint the wax! My local stores only carry the Minwax Natural. I have a project on hold because I wanted a darker finish. Thanks so much for the great news! I’ll give it a try.
“I’m the most Type B Type A you’ve ever met.” ok – that’s hilarious! -probably because I am the same way! Love your blog so much!
oh i love it! how awesome of your neighbor to give you such a lovely piece.
I’m so jealous – wish I had a room like that to write / read in!
OMG! You work miracles! Just saw some photos of you from Layla and Kevin’s pilot show . . . bet that was a blast!
I looks great. Don’t you just love Milk Paint? Slate is such a pretty color. Give me a call when you have the chance. I’m dying to hear how your week went.
This turned out so lovely. I’ve been thinking about trying out some of the milk paint and your project inspires me.
hugs
Sissie
I love your style! I wish I could incorporate your fun colors into my taupe/red color scheme. Your style is beautiful, fresh, and peaceful! I absolutely love it! Thank you for sharing!
I love it!!! And I love how you mixed the chalk paint with the wax to get the white washed look. Awesome!!!! I need to tuck that one away!
Boy, oh boy, is that pretty! I know you can do wonders, but I’m still in awe at the enormous difference. I just love it. Do you have a special room you paint in or ??? That seems to be an issue for me. And what do you mean, “a good laugh” from your videos? You mean the way you can make a 3 syllable word out of “try?” I love it! I could listen to that all day-such a nice departure from our “Fargo” accent here in the Midwest. Your blog is such a day brightener.
Love the new look for this armoire!
OK — I’m getting myself a Purdy brush. I just picked black bristles off my last project. Also, I’ve been useing milkpaint that comes in a can and I like it but it doesn’t have the texture that your mix does. Good job on the cabinet.
I love this piece! I actually found this same antique armoire on my local Craig’s list and unfortunately it was already sold
Do you happen to know any information about this piece? I would love to find one for my, soon to be, daughter’s room. You did an amazing job on the makeover! Thanks for any help you can provide.
I just read that you live in Suwanee, Ga. I live in Cumming, GA. Not far from you I bet. Have a good week.
LOL! I have this EXACT SAME chifferobe in my basement I’m repainting for a client. She’s had it since she was a little girl. thanks for sharing–you’re always so full of inspiration.
Jessica
Love, Love, Love it. Maybe some day I will get the courage to paint my antique armoire, but for now I can enjoy seeing others do it. Of course I may wait long enough to have all wood come back into vogue!!
Totally Love IT!! You always inspire me to get creative! Thanks for sharing!
Love this. Its amazing what you can do!! Lots of talk about changes…..hhhhmmmmm. I posted on your Facebook status earlier. Love your blog girl!! Oh, and I am in Cullman. If you come up to go to Southern Accents again, you should make a trip out to Water Valley Flea Market….it is definitely a hidden treasure in this area!
Your armoire turned out gorgeous! I love the colors and the cork board in the door. I have used milk paint one time before on bare wood. Did you have to sand all the finish off before painting or can you just paint over it with the milk paint?
Thanks!
Amanda
Looks beautiful! I have a similar one that was my grandmothers and just started working on it – had to repair every drawer, etc. I have the first coat of ASCP on it (ochre) – I’ve never done this before! Thinking about painting the inside a bright color – did you paint the inside of yours? And… is it ok to mix some latex paint with ASCP ?
Love this piece! I have one very similar in style as far as the legs, drawer hardware, etc. Mine however has two Hanging sections, one on each side. Do you happen to know about how old this piece was, and what style or period it would fall into? Mine has been in my possession for around 48 years, it was in a home we bought when I was a small child. Trying to figure out the best way to restore it as close to original as possible. Thanks in advance.