Cassie Bustamante

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Zinc Look Cabinet with Graphite Chalk Paint and Artisan Enhancements Pearl Plaster

September 24, 2013 by Cassie 46 Comments

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Thank you for all your sweet comments yesterday.  I am so glad so many of us were counting our blessings.  Now, I need to tell you all something.  I am not a perfect mother- shocking, I know.  Last week Sawyer forgot to bring his spelling homework home twice and we did not have time to go to the school and get it.  We had several arguments about it, Chris and I pulling hair in frustration at our 8 year old boy.  Friday there was no school so their spelling test was on Thursday.  We never even knew his spelling words because he kept forgetting to bring it home.  So yesterday he brought home his graded test…. He received an “F”.  The week before we had done his homework as he had remembered to bring it home, and we had studied with him and his grade was an “A”.  Chris was angry yesterday and scolded him.  I thought about how lucky I was that he was healthy, and as he cried to me about his failing grade, I didn’t get mad.  I just hugged him and told him he can try again this week.  He can remember to bring his homework and spelling book home, and he can do better.  Of course I was disappointed and frustrated; of course I was.  But I had a son who was standing before me with tears in his eyes and I just wanted him to know that no matter what he was loved.  And I think today he will be bringing his homework home. 😉

I am not sure what the point of that was other than to let you know that after yesterday’s post I am feeling even more grateful for what I have.  And that through imperfection and mistakes, grace and love are always still there if you look.  I know Sawyer was expecting me to be angry when he came to me with is test in hand.  But what good would that have done?  We are just going to move forward and do better, and that’s all we can do.

Anyhow, I have a fun makeover for you today.  Last Friday I headed to the street of a yard sale I remembered seeing advertised on craigslist.  Around here, several people do yard sales on Fridays.  This one had been listed as having antique furniture and was in my small town.  I headed down the street and spied a man in a garage full of antiques that was clearly set up for a yard sale.  I drove to the cul de sac, turned around, and parked my car.  The garage was still open, but the man was nowhere to be found.  I waited a few minutes and then knocked on the door.  Turns out, he wasn’t starting til Saturday, but we got to chatting and he let me shop early.  I picked up a couple pieces, including this cute little old already gutted radio cabinet:

The pulls on the doors would not come off and there was no screw on the other side, so I left them on.  I also left the lower one on for a cohesive look.  I debated sanding off the rose which were painted on in 1988, as I saw from the signature.  But I thought with the finish I planned on giving it that the flower would look pretty cool showing through, so I left them.

I pained this piece with two coats of Graphite ASCP, and let it dry.  I then opened a can of Artisan Enhancements pearl Plaster, which my partner, Catfish, carries at Sweet Clover.  It’s pretty thick stuff, so I filled a cup with water. to dilute.  I dipped the brush in the pearl plaster, and then in the water, and brushed on, and repeated until I had covered the whole piece.
After it dried, i distressed it lightly all over, and then applied ASCP clear wax and buffed it.  Here is the final result… a zinc-like effect!  I love how it turned out and am anxious to try the pearl plaster again!

The top picture is more accurate- because of the reflective powers of the plaster, photos were a bit of a challenge!

I am so glad I left the flowers and love how this looks….

and ooooh those legs!

Now to find another piece to try this one! 🙂  Hope you all have a great day!  We have dance and soccer tonight, and guess who already did their spelling homework last night?  No more “F”‘s for us!

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Comments

  1. mittie harris says

    September 24, 2013 at 11:15 am

    This is Really pretty! I Love the pearl luster. Don’t know where to get that locally, but I have the perfect piece I’d like to try it on…Maybe in a green.
    Thank you for sharing, love your site!

    Reply
  2. Heather{Our Life In a Click} says

    September 24, 2013 at 11:36 am

    Oooh so pretty! Love all of the details!! You’re doing great as a mom too!

    Reply
  3. Feral Turtle says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    Wow Cassie!!! That is gorgeous. How I wish I was your neighbor. My son was forever forgetting everything; his lunch, his backpack, homework. Now he has graduated, bless, and almost a journeyman plumber. I am so glad school years are done. I think sometimes they are more stressful for the parents. hehe

    Reply
  4. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    What a pretty and unique piece! How fun to try new products! … And I actually love that you supported Sawyer, but allowed him to “fail”. Sometimes I think parents are so quick to solve all of their kids problems that the kids don’t get a chance to learn from the things that go wrong. And those are really valuable lessons – no matter your age!

    Reply
  5. [email protected] says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    We have been through that a lot with our oldest. In fact, this week. I agree though, I am so glad he is healthy and smart. He’s not perfect, but we are trying to help him be more organized and stay on task. Anyways, we have very blessed lives 🙂 That is such a different piece of furniture! I love the transformation! xo Kristin

    Reply
  6. Our Pinteresting Family says

    September 24, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    What a unique and beautiful finish!

    Reply
  7. Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says

    September 24, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    I don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect mom. Only moms who love their kids like crazy and do their best. In that regard, you are an awesome mom. I can just tell.

    Thank you for being so “real” and open. You are truly the coolest.

    And that piece is fantastic. The finishes you think of are just awesome.

    Reply
  8. Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell says

    September 24, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    The reflective powers of the plaster. LOL 🙂 Don’t you love things that are beautiful and shiny, but then you have to photograph them and they then become the enemy? I think your little cabinet looks great, and i am glad you left the flowers too….extra character!

    Reply
  9. Dana Frieling says

    September 24, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    Fun find and redo! Glad Sawyer’s “redo” is going better already this week. Boys…!

    Reply
  10. Julia Konya says

    September 24, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    I love the finish on the piece. The depth and variations are gorgeous.
    Noa forgets stuff all the time too. It happens right? 🙁

    Reply
  11. DESIGNITIGIRL says

    September 24, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    Great look! That piece is beautiful.

    Reply
  12. [email protected] says

    September 24, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Beautiful piece of furniture! LOVE that pearl touch! As for the spelling test, things like that just happen…But, what a blessing to have our sweet kiddos 🙂 Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  13. Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies says

    September 24, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    “The Joys of Raising a Family”, the wisest words my Dad every said! We love our children, would die for them, and watch them grow. We start off with small bundles of joy, not realizing that no one and no thing is PERFECT! Sawyer will love you all the more and I bet he never forgets this event his entire life!
    BTW—the piece is amazing!

    Reply
  14. Katja @ Shift Ctrl ART says

    September 24, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    WOW your finish turned out perfectly. Love it!!! What a great makeover!!

    Reply
  15. Lisa @ Turning Tables says

    September 24, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    Aw, Sawyer…..poor guy. Glad it was a lesson learned in love and support as well as bringing homework home as planned. Love that radio cabinet…very pretty!

    Reply
  16. Lindsay says

    September 24, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    Cassie, that cabinet is beautiful!!! Such an amazing finish 🙂

    Reply
  17. Mekenzie @ interiorsbykenz.com says

    September 24, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Oh Cassie, you’re a great mom. I want to be like you. Keep setting such a good example for me 🙂
    And I love that finish! Those legs look especially sexy!

    Reply
  18. Twice Nice says

    September 24, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    I’ve been wondering how some of those Artisan Enhancement products would work…LOVELY! The flowers were cool. As for the whole parenting gig, it’s never easy EXCEPT for the loving part! Hope you, and Sawyer, have a great week!

    Reply
  19. thefaceted.com says

    September 24, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    My son just turned one, but at the rate time moves, I feel like spelling tests are only a week away for us.

    I love the cabinet makeover, I’ve got a few pieces that need a little help so this is great inspiration!

    Reply
  20. Rita says

    September 24, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    that was a BIG TIME SCORE!! what a beautiful piece and as always, you captured it’s beauty with your color choice!

    Reply
  21. sarah m. dorsey says

    September 24, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    So pretty!! The color came out SO good!!

    Reply
  22. Anneke McConnell says

    September 24, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    It looks great! And is that an age thing, because Annabelle does the same thing!

    Reply
  23. pam {simple details} says

    September 24, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    My friend’s daughter was having trouble remembering things after school so they came up with an acronym for her – ALF – agenda, lunchbox, folder. She makes sure to bring her friend ALF home with her everyday. 🙂

    Love that awesome color, too!

    Reply
  24. Allison says

    September 24, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    Poor Sawyer…I think you handled that perfectly! You and Chris are good parents. Beautiful color on the cabinet! Looks great Cassie.

    Reply
  25. [email protected] says

    September 24, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    I’m being serious when I write this… You are ne cool Mom. If your kids ever forget that, make them email me.

    Reply
  26. [email protected] says

    September 24, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    it’s a beautiful and unique piece, love the transformation, the color is beautiful too! 🙂
    you are a great mommy and I’m sure he was happy that you hugged him instead of being angry at him! 🙂

    Reply
  27. Sarah {Lacquer and Linen} says

    September 24, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    Looks great Cassie! As my baby grows and grows I am beginning to think more and more about how we will handle certain parenting situations. I always love hearing how other Moms handle things, it really helps open me up to parenting styles, tips and tricks. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  28. Carrie @ lovely etc. says

    September 24, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    I love it – the piece is fabulous and the finish is perfect! Great job.

    Reply
  29. Good Time Charlie says

    September 24, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    I have been wanting to try that pearl product. It looks ahmazing with the black! I am glad you didn’t sand off the flowers either, the detail is lovely. What a great find too!

    PS you are so wise to not get stressed about your 8 year old’s lack of organization and school. My twins are in 7th grade, just now, are they finally remembering to turn things on time, study for tests, and actually take pride in learning. (actually I am speaking mostly for Travis…..) but if I got stressed out about it, instead of trying to get him to learn how important it is to keep improving, I think we would be going backward. You would be amazed at what some parents still do for their kids when they are Juniors in High School. I want my daughter to be able to function on her own in college in two years without my being there to hold her hand! I believe kids do so much better in life when the responsibility is placed on them for whatever they are “supposed” to be doing. Wow, this was a much longer comment than I meant to write……

    Reply
  30. [email protected] says

    September 25, 2013 at 12:07 am

    what a cool finish! I don’t know how you find time for all this awesomeness!

    Reply
  31. Shannon Barefoot says

    September 25, 2013 at 12:55 am

    Very very pretty!!

    Reply
  32. Erin and Laura House Envy says

    September 25, 2013 at 12:56 am

    This looks great! Love the finish and color! I have an 8 yr old too. I have to really try hard not to get too down on him, remembering he is still little and learning and figuring it all out!

    Laura
    House envy

    Reply
  33. Bliss says

    September 25, 2013 at 1:37 am

    Zinctastic!

    Reply
  34. Dear Emmeline says

    September 25, 2013 at 1:38 am

    poor guy 🙁 I’d say the F will be a good motivator for him to remember his work but it’s so hard to see your kids upset.

    On a positive not the finish on the cabinet is amazing. Plus the cabinet itself is so cute and unique! You sure know how to find them!

    Reply
  35. Debbie Pearl says

    September 25, 2013 at 1:40 am

    What a find and such a cool finish!! I love how you experimented and sort of pushed the envelope. I love to see finishes with a new twist.

    And thank you for sharing your personal story. I would have been hugging him the same way you did. My boys are 15 and 17 now and I remember those days! They are amazing times and things like that happen…and it is ok! These are the things we all learn from and he will turn out perfectly and you will all laugh about it one day!

    Reply
  36. John Our Home from Scratch says

    September 25, 2013 at 2:20 am

    That finish looks awesome. Really impressive.

    Reply
  37. RPK Interiors says

    September 25, 2013 at 3:25 am

    Ditto what Sharon from Elizabeth & Co said. And you are so right about grace…

    Reply
  38. Down to Earth Style says

    September 25, 2013 at 3:26 am

    I agree with John..that piece looks expensive. Nice job. If it makes you feel better – we are having a way hard time transitioning from summer freedom to getting school work done and in on time. Back to school night was tonight – sometimes I leave those with my eyes glazed over.

    Reply
  39. Shavonda says

    September 25, 2013 at 4:26 am

    It’s so so pretty Cassie. And don’t give yourself a hard time about being an imperfect mom. We alllllll are!!!

    Reply
  40. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    September 25, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    This is awesome! I love the color and the finish!

    Reply
  41. Gretchen says

    September 25, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    very nice! I had a dresser I wanted to refinish that didn’t have any way to get the hardware off….I got frustrated and got rid of it. You seem to have had a much better attitude about this than I did 😉

    Reply
  42. -Lisa says

    September 27, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    Hello,
    Coming your way via Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday. First let me tell you your recollection of the homework/spelling test situation brought tears to my eyes. Bittersweet tears. My boys are grown and out of the house and I so miss them being little and at home. When I was submerged in it I often felt overwhelmed but now it is all just bittersweet. But like you, I recognize the blessings of having healthy very happy confident young men now.
    Now onto your Furniture Feature! I just started using Annie Sloan chalk paint this week and could not be more thrilled with the results. I am already planning my next project which is a graphite bureau for our guest room. I have been scouring pinterest for ideas and I just found my inspiration with your dresser! I just love the pearl plaster look over the graphite! It tempers it a bit which is what I was looking for.
    I am pinning to my DIY board so I can refer back to your post when I find the perfect bureau to paint.
    Thanks so much sharing and helping a painting newbie.
    Fondly-Lisa

    Reply
  43. Brooke Larsen says

    September 28, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    Cassie, this is beautiful! I love the look, and it is so different! Thank you for linking up at my furniture and paint party!

    brooke
    startathome.blogspot.com

    Reply
  44. karin07 says

    November 4, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Hi Cassie,

    I loved how this turned out and might try to refinish something with these materials too. Did you strip and sand your cabinet before painting? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      November 4, 2014 at 5:01 pm

      hi karin! i use chalk paint and did not sand or strip. 🙂

      Reply
      • karin07 says

        November 6, 2014 at 6:36 am

        Thanks Cassie! 🙂

        Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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