TRASH-TO-TREASURE GLASS CABINET TRANSFORMATION-

I have to show you this trash-to- treasure project that I did recently. I purchased this 1970's era brown corner cabinet at my favorite thrift store, Savers for just $8.00!

Now, hold on! I realize that it doesn't look like much now! And, I'll admit it doesn't help that I took the glass door off, turned the cabinet upside down and removed the open shelf that you see on the right hand side of the photo.

But let's just pause and bask in the fact that it was still only...$8.00!

Luckily, I have an eye for what something "can" look like after it's given a little TLC. So you just wait a minute and keep reading!

You can see from the photo above that I chose to paint the cabinet blue.

But before we talk paint, I have to show-and-tell you what I did to the glass door!

I turned a clear pane of glass(wish there was a drumroll here)

into...a mirrored glass door!

I purchased a can of KRYLON Looking Glass Mirror-Like Paint.
I then cleaned the glass making sure that it was free of dirt, dust, fingerprints, and smudges! Easy peasey so far!

After the pane of glass was spic n' span, I applied several thin coats of the KRYLON Looking Glass Mirror-Like Paint to the glass, making sure to give the paint time to dry in between coats. 

You can see from the streaks that it evaporates almost immediately!

Oh and let me just add here, that after just a few quick and even coats of paint to the clear pane of glass- the mirror finish that you see in the photo below, is actually the "back" of the mirror.

HA- No kidding! Wait until you see!

I could call this portion of the project complete. But instead...I decided to go a step further and distress my new mirror.

I filled an empty spray bottle with equal amounts of white vinegar and water and sprayed the solution on the same side of glass that I had just covered with the KRYLON paint.

Again, this is considered the back of the mirror.

You will see the white vinegar and water solution bead up and begin to dissolve the paint. Take a clean paper towel and dab at the areas where the solution has puddled. The solution dissolves the paint, but not entirely.

Here's a quick glimpse of what it looks like when you turn over the pane of glass and see what is actually the "FRONT" of the mirror.

Pretty darn cool isn't it?

See how much clearer and more reflective it is? 

Imagine that- what was once an ordinary pane of clear glass is now transformed in minutes to an actual reflective mirror.

I flipped the mirror back over and kept at the distressing process until I was satisfied.

And that brings us to the finished cabinet.

Oh I could go on and on about how I painted the cabinet. But why? 

I will say that I used a chalk paint for the cabinet and sealed it with a clear wax specifically designed to be used with chalk paint.

When all was said and done, I put the cabinet back together and well...
...Take a look.

Here's the mirror distressed and inserted back in to the cabinet door frame.

I changed out the rather unassuming and definitely '70's looking doorknob. I like that this doorknob is also distressed looking and has a back plate to it. I love the way the door turned out.

Here is the corner cabinet finished and hanging in our bathroom!

I am the first to admit it- I am absolutely in love with how this project turned out!

Oh I almost forgot to mention that this amazing $8.00 cabinet from Savers 

also came with 2-triangular, completely in tact clear glass shelves. The triangular glass shelves ALONE are worth the $8.00 I paid for the entire cabinet!

I transformed the shelves as well with the KYRLON Looking Glass Mirror-Like Paint and also distressed them.  

It gives the entire cabinet a cohesive look.

Well there you have it!

Now- I have to ask you- does this cabinet look as if it only cost $8.00?

I don't think so...

I walk in to my bathroom every day and say to myself..."WOW- you did good Pam!"

I'd love to know what you think.

Would you try the KRYLON Looking Glass Mirror-Like Paint?

I'd love it if you would send me a photo or leave me a comment telling me about what Trash-to-Treasure transformations you have done!

VINTAGE GUMBALL MACHINE BUTTON DISPLAY-

Have you ever had "one of those days?" Let me clarify. Have you ever been out thrift shopping, not looking for anything in particular, but discover that when you're through you've accumulated a cart full of treasures? You feel as if  everything on your thrift shop wish list was on the shelf just waiting for you!

And if that weren't a dream come true when you least expected it, you remember that you have a 30% coupon off your total purchase burning a hole in your wallet!  That is what I mean when I ask you if you have ever had "one of those days." Well I had "one of those days" as you can see. 

Now as amazing as everything is in the cart, I was particularly excited to find a vintage 1986 (OK- calling something "vintage" that was manufactured the year I graduated high school is a bit unsettling, I won't lie) Carousel gumball machine with a glass globe. Yup, glass not plastic. That's a big deal I'll have you know!

I was thrilled to find this gumball machine for $2.99! Hello!!! And may I remind you that I also had a 30% off coupon, which makes this gumball machine virtually FREE!  I have been looking for a gumball machine for a long time. No, not for gumballs, but to re-IMAGINE and use as a display piece for my vintage button collection!

So I took the gumball machine apart, chose a spray paint color that I happen to think looks amazing and went to town giving my "vintage" find a "new" look!

I have to say this is probably one of the easiest transformations I have taken on in quite some time. I gave the gumball machine a few coats of spray paint and let it cure for several days before finishing with a couple of coats of clear sealer. I won't lie, I had a little difficulty putting it all back together. I actually had to Google the instructions. Sorry- take my advice and learn from me, take pictures as you disassemble your gumball machine. You'll be glad you did when it's time to put it all back together. I felt ridiculous! (Shhh.... don't tell anyone).

And...here is the result! I love the color and the buttons look fabulous!

I have an extensive vintage button collection of various colors, material, and shapes as you can plainly see (This particular collection of buttons was one of my favorite purchases at Brimfield last May). I thought all different varieties of white buttons looked best with the gumball machine. Who knows though. It's not unlike me to change my mind the minute I make up my mind...

The silver turning mechanism on the gumball machine was looking a bit run down. So I grabbed one of my favorite products Rub-n-Buff. It's the tiniest of tubes but full of a fabulous wax that comes in a plethora of colors. All it takes is a dab of wax applied with just your finger! I used the silver Rub-n-Buff on the gumball machine mechanism. I think its enhanced the silver finish and gives it a great looking antiqued patina. Love it!!!

Which gumball machine looks as if you only paid $2.99?

I think overall, the project turned out great!

There's pretty much nothing you can't do when you use your IMAGINATION!