How to take an antique looking jewelry armoire and give it a modern makeover. "Modern" solutions to store jewelry are difficult to find and expensive. This is an inexpensive and easy alternative.
Step 1: Get a classic looking jewelry armoire
Take an antique jewelry armoire, you can normally can find one at a thrift shop or craigslist. Mine was given to us by a friend (ours was missing a mirror on the inside top lid).
Step 2: Remove all hardware/drawers
With a screwdriver, remove all the hardware (drawer pulls) and hinges. Pull out all the drawers.
Step 3: Cover the inside of the drawers
With painters tape and paper (paper rolls found in painting section of your hardware store), cover the inside of the drawers. Most of these armoires are lined with a felt type of material, which I chose to keep in it's original color to keep the same texture/feel. Depending on the material inside of your drawers you can skip this step.
Step 4: Paint
To keep with the modern a feel, I choose a glossy white paint. This was the most difficult step. Depending on the original finish of the armoire, you may choose to sand your piece before painting. I opted not to, and in retrospect probably should have. I had a high gloss lacquer finish on my piece. I assumed with enough primer and paint I didn't need to sand. After my first coat of paint I realized that some sanding was needed, as the paint started "bubbling". As a result I used approximately 3 cans of white primer spray paint and 4 cans of high gloss white spray paint (estimated $40 US). Paint outdoors to ventilate and for faster drying do so in the sun. Spray primer first, evenly. Let dry. Then apply high gloss paint. Use smooth, slow, strokes. Since I did not sand, some bubbling did occur, but nothing too noticeable. Allow to dry.
Choose a decal of your choice. I purchased mine online at Misterdecal.com ($15 US). Before purchasing the decal I took the measurements given online and estimated how the decal would fit on the armoire. I chose black to keep with the modern feel and show a high contrast.
On separate cardboard/paper, lay out all the drawer pulls and spray paint. Allow to dry.
Screw hinges and insert dry drawers.
Choose a decal of your choice. I purchased mine online at Misterdecal.com ($15 US). Before purchasing the decal I took the measurements given online and estimated how the decal would fit on the armoire. I chose black to keep with the modern feel and show a high contrast.
On separate cardboard/paper, lay out all the drawer pulls and spray paint. Allow to dry.
Screw hinges and insert dry drawers.
Step 5: Add Decal and Finish
Align decal over armoire. Slowly remove backing and working from top to bottom, apply decal. Pressing down with dull scraper/spatula, over curves, bends, and corners. Once decal is applied, with an exacto knife, cut slits where drawers separate/open; pressing in edges of cut decal into crevices using the same exacto knife or scaper.
Apply drawer pulls.
Smile.
(*BONUS: I had an old mirror and spray painted those borders white as well, worked well in bedroom and kept with modern feel of room; can see in final photo)
Apply drawer pulls.
Smile.
(*BONUS: I had an old mirror and spray painted those borders white as well, worked well in bedroom and kept with modern feel of room; can see in final photo)
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
On your next project - make sure to take pictures while you're painting and transferring. Or whatever it is you're doing. More pictures! :D
I look forward to seeing them :)
Make me one! haha