Old World Cabinets

Step-by-step instructions for designing cabinents in an Old World style.

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Filed under: Cabinets, Traditional, How To, Design Style, Decorating

Before: Pistachio green cabinets needed toning down.

Host Joan Kohn joins artist Vera Karelian of Sundial Studios for a demonstration of adding an aged Old World patina to cabinets, a painting technique that allows the reuse of existing cabinetry. Karelian transforms pistachio green cabinets into cream-colored cabinets highlighted with green and gold paint, with a rustic vegetable design on the door panels.

After: A lovely aged patina gives the cabinets a rich Old World look.

Materials:

primer
scraper
oil-based paint
gold leaf paint in an antique gold color
glaze
polyurethane
cheesecloth
paintbrush
mineral spirits

Figure A

Steps:

Paint cabinets first with primer.
Apply a base coat of cream colored, oil-based paint in an egg-shell finish. Mix all paints with some polyurethane for a more durable, cleanable finish. Dry and cure thoroughly.
With scraper, rub away the edges for a worn look. Paint can be removed down to the original green paint, or all the way down to the unfinished wood.
Adding the patina: Mix urethane with an amber-colored oil-based paint. Apply liberally in uneven strokes with a paintbrush (or cheesecloth for a softer, more subtle look). Be sure to get into all the crevices (figure A).

Figure B

Smooth out surface and remove some of the paint with a cloth dipped in mineral spirits.

Add the next layer of paint and urethane, using a dark taupe color (figure B). Apply in corners, crevices and edges that would darken naturally with age, then rub down.

Figure C

Using a soft lime green (or any color) paint mixed with some glaze, highlight trim areas with a small brush (figure C).

Figure D

Paint a subtle gold line around the edges using gold leaf paint in an antique gold color (figure D). Go over with a cloth for a worn, uneven look.

Darken raised panel with another layer of taupe paint painted on then rubbed off.