I came across this little apothecary cabinet through an online market page. I probably didn't need it; but as soon as I spotted it, I saw its potential and couldn't stop dreaming of the transformation. and for only twenty-five bucks? it was totally worth it.
the seller listed it as an apothecary cabinet and described it as very heavy. upon reading the description, I assumed it was an antique and a steal at that. I simply couldn't pass it up. now that it's mine, I'm almost positive it is no antique. while it is a heavy piece as it is solid wood, the wood seems newer. obviously if it was an antique, it would have more character and patina. I certainly don't regret the purchase, though.
If you've been following the blog from the beginning, you may remember the bedside table transformation. as soon as I saw this cabinet, I knew I wanted to do essentially the same thing: give it a fresh coat of black chalkboard paint, season it with chalk, wipe the "seasoning" off with a felt cloth, and update the hardware.
Based on the paint job and the decorative knobs, I imagine that this piece previously belonged in a child's room. my initial vision was inspired by old card catalogs. I would've loved to replace the ceramic knobs with card holder drawer pulls. however, due to the dimensions and the drawer fronts being so small, I ended up going with a simple cabinet knob. I prefer the warmth and tradition of brass fixtures and hardware, so I chose this antique bronze flat knob from Hobby Lobby. I snatched them while the hardware was 50% off, so I got nine knobs for $18 plus tax. not too shabby!
I applied 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint, letting it dry completely between each coat. a couple days later, I seasoned, or lightly scribbled, on the surface with white chalk and wiping it down after with a piece of felt. it took a little while for me to purchase all nine knobs, but I got around to it eventually.
Now it sits near our hearth. it adds contrast to the red brick and to a mostly neutral room. the little drawers are so fun! in the spring, I snipped some roses from our yard, put them in jar of fresh water, and placed it in one of the drawers. the apothecary cabinet also doubles as the perfect hiding place for small objects… trucks, pacifiers—you name it. I even found a few Fruit Loops in a some of the drawers. and even though it may not be an antique now, it certainly will be someday. maybe this piece will stay in my family forever, or long enough to become "antique."
SOURCES:
drawer knobs | Hobby Lobby
Valspar chalkboard paint | Lowe’s