Have you ever thought up a DIY project in your head and then after you completed it it turned out just as good if not better than your imagination?! This is how I feel about this campaign dresser inspired makeover I just completed on our icky old filing cabinet. With the help of The FAT Paint Company, I was able to give a piece I was THISCLOSE to throwing out a gorgeous new life. Let me show you how I did it, and make sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to see a video tutorial and to enter to win the new Amanda Forrest FAT Paint collection for your very own PLUS a room makeover from Amanda herself!
One day when I was shopping with my friends at the mall, I came across this stunning campaign dresser in Anthropologie. I was struck by how gorgeous the gold hardware looked against the deep teal of the dresser:
However, at $1200 this piece was out of my price range. I filed away this combo in my brain for a potential DIY project.
When The FAT Paint Company sent me some samples of their newest collection – The Amanda Forrest Collection – and I saw the gorgeous “Navy State of Mind” colour, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
I wanted to transform this ugly old filing cabinet…
… into a beautiful statement piece for my craft room office. I knew that painting it in Navy State of Mind and giving it some pops of brass through inexpensive hardware would give it just the lift it needed.
It looked pretty in my head, but I wasn’t sure how I’d like it in real life.
When I finished it up, I WAS THRILLED. Now I have the most gorgeous looking, most expensive looking piece of statement furniture in my office that’s also very functional.
FAT Paint is a chalk style paint that’s a dream to work with. I didn’t even have to sand this laminated MDF piece of furniture or prep it in any way other than clean it for the paint to adhere. I used a natural bristled paint brush to apply the paint, and the finish is suprisingly smooth! I’m really impressed. I finished this project within a day – even with 2 little ones running around and “helping” me.
I love all of the colours in the Amanda Forrest FAT Paint collection. They’re all really on trend and so vivid. I’m not usually a navy-lover, but after painting with Navy State of Mind, I’m hooked! It’s such a gorgeous and unexpected neutral that looks great with all of my light & bright colours in my office.
Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
I also really liked “Greysful” and “Blushing Bombshell” from the collection. You’ll see little pops of those colours in my final office craft room makeover too.
Here’s how I gave our old filing cabinet a campaign dresser inspired makeover. (Don’t forget to scroll to the end to see a video tutorial and win some Amanda Forrest FAT Paint!)
First, I cleaned all of the grease and debris off the filing cabinet with Windex.
Next, I grabbed my can of FAT Paint in Navy State of Mind and started brushing it on the filing cabinet in long, even strokes.
I painted the sides and top first, and then I painted the drawer fronts. I find the key is to keep all of the strokes going in one direction and don’t paint the same spot over too much to avoid streaks and brush marks.
Here’s how the cabinet looked after one coat of FAT Paint:
I only had to let the paint dry for about an hour before I was ready to paint the next coat.
After two coats of paint, I felt the dresser had enough coverage and it looked great! Another wonderful thing about this paint is that it hardly smells at all which is FAB for painting indoors!
Once the paint was completely dry, I brushed on some FAT Wax Beeswax Polish. This stuff is SO cool and definitely one of the best finishing products I’ve tried for painted pieces.
It provides a nice satin finish and it’s really easy to brush on.
After brushing the wax all over the cabinet with a small brush I had on hand, I buffed it with a dry cloth. I swirled the cloth around the surface of the piece until the finish looked nice and even.
Once the wax was dry, I was ready to add the hardware! I found these brass corner braces and chest handles at my local hardware store in the utility hardware section. They were less than $4 for each package, and I loved how chunky and industrial they looked.
I marked where I wanted the corner braces and handles to go on the drawer fronts of my filing cabinet, and then I made little pilot holes with a drill that were a bit smaller than the screws that came with the hardware.
Then, I placed the braces and handles on the drawer fronts, lined them up with the pilot holes, and screwed them in place with a drill.
Don’t they look chunky and lovely? The brass against the navy is what makes me swoon!
I also love how something as small as these little corner braces adds so much style to what was a very boring piece of furniture.
It’s so satisfying to turn what could have been junk into something so pretty… I can’t stop staring at my old-new filing cabinet!
This technique using FAT Paint and utility hardware could turn any simple piece of furniture into a campaign dresser style piece. Give it a try!
Here’s a video tutorial for this technique:
Now it’s time to enter to win your very own Amanda Forrest FAT Paint Collection! One winner will receive the entire Amanda Forrest Collection line of paint in pints and a 200g jar of Natural FAT Wax PLUS a virtual room makeover from Amanda Forrest herself! With simple photos, some basic measurements and a budget parameter provided by you she’ll design a room concept that you will lover. With an easy to follow designer plan in hand you can move forward confidently and implement the design yourself.
Amanda Forrest will also be presenting at the Calgary Home + Garden Show this weekend, so if you live nearby you’ll want to check that out!
Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win. Good luck! (Contest is open to USA and Canadian residents only and ends on March 7, 2016 at 11:59 PM.)
Roxanne says
February 22, 2016 at 7:59 amAmazing transformation! I was just thinking that I need a piece of furniture that can double as a filing cabinet, thanks for the inspiration!
Roxanne recently posted..DIY Shelves
Meg @ Green With Decor says
February 22, 2016 at 8:03 amWhat a great makeover!! I love it!
Meredith @ Coral + Mint says
February 22, 2016 at 8:14 amThat looks amazing! I am in love with Navy lately so I’m loving that paint! I may need to pick some up for projects for my nautical decor.
Brenda Penton says
February 22, 2016 at 8:38 amMy favourite colour is the Blushing Bombshell
Emily, Our house now a home says
February 22, 2016 at 8:39 amThis is stunning! What you did with that piece is amazing! I have a similar filing cabinet that I was thinking about getting rid of. Not anymore! Thanks for the inspiration.
Emily, Our house now a home recently posted..Hallway transformation, DIY wainscoting
Caroline says
February 22, 2016 at 10:56 amThis really did turn out great!! I can’t wait to share this.
Caroline recently posted..Organizing 101: The Bathroom
Pat B says
February 22, 2016 at 10:57 amNavy State of Mind is my fave.
Brooke says
February 22, 2016 at 11:31 amI love most of the colors, but I am on a hunt for the perfect navy paint right now, so I would have to say I am eager to try the Navy State Of Mind!
Brooke recently posted..My Bathroom Reno Plans
Crystal says
February 22, 2016 at 11:38 amI love the gorgeous coral color!
Lana Hood says
February 22, 2016 at 11:56 amI really like the Blushing Bombshell.
Mary H says
February 22, 2016 at 12:07 pmWhat an amazing transformation! I would have to go with the Navy or Greysful.
Sylvia Goodyear says
February 22, 2016 at 12:08 pmLove the navy. Beautiful transformation.
Julia at Home on 129 Acres says
February 22, 2016 at 12:16 pmThis looks amazing! I have an old metal behemoth filing cabinet, and I’m always looking for inspiration to make it look better. I love the pulls you chose. Very well done.
Julia at Home on 129 Acres recently posted..El Niño
Sarah says
February 22, 2016 at 2:08 pmLove those colours – so awesome!! Great job on the makeover too!
Lindi says
February 22, 2016 at 2:27 pmLOVE!!! Love your colours, and your brass hardware. It’s perfect! Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
Jenn says
February 22, 2016 at 3:56 pmIt looks fantastic and the simple prep is such a bonus! My favourite colour is Can’t See Me Camo!
Laurie @ Vin'yet Etc. says
February 22, 2016 at 5:08 pmThat looks phenomenal, I love how it turned out! What an excellent makeover! So hard to pick just one colour, but I think couture Linen would have to the winner!
Laurie @ Vin’yet Etc. recently posted..DIY Farmhouse light – with a mason jar
Melissa Morris says
February 22, 2016 at 6:57 pmAbsolutely love this!!!! Navy State of Mind is next on my list for sure!!! 🙂
Sunshine H says
February 22, 2016 at 7:56 pmI really like the Blushing Bombshell
April R - Uncookie Cutter says
February 23, 2016 at 5:26 amWhat cool paint! I love them all, but the gray and pink…together!
April R – Uncookie Cutter recently posted..Kids Book Nook with Dr. Suess theme – Accessories
Dannyelle @ www.lifeisaparty.ca says
February 23, 2016 at 5:35 amWhat a great makeover! These look great.
Dannyelle @ http://www.lifeisaparty.ca recently posted..Tortellini and Italian Sausage Soup
heather meads says
February 23, 2016 at 5:44 amWoah, that turned out GORGEOUS!! What a great job you’ve done – the colour, the hardware and the styling is beautiful!! Pinned, of course.
Cora Lea says
February 23, 2016 at 8:03 amLove the Navy State of Mind or Greysful! Nice job!
Rachel D. says
February 23, 2016 at 10:09 amI really love the color you used! Navy state of mind! I love this project!
Sheila Zeller says
February 23, 2016 at 10:25 amYou’ve done an incredible job! I love what you did here, and am taking away a dose of inspiration for my own office pieces. My dad made my desk and there have been add-ons over the years… but I’m tired of it in its current state. Your ‘before’ and ‘after’ are amazing! Off to pin!!
Sheila Zeller recently posted..Industrial Designer Eva Zeisel… Do You Know the Doorknob Style?
Alicia says
February 23, 2016 at 10:26 amWOW! you did it. It looks gorgeous, even better than the Anthropolgie one. Fabulous. Love the navy and gold. love!
Maritess S says
February 23, 2016 at 7:54 pmI really like the photos in this blog post. It is clear and really shows what FAT paint can do.
My fave color is Can’t See Me Camo – can bridge the gap between light and dark furniture pieces. I have both pieces in my house.
Jenny @ Refresh Living says
February 23, 2016 at 8:00 pmThis is gorgeous! What a huge difference – I love the color with the gold hardware!
Julie bolduc says
February 23, 2016 at 10:23 pmI love how it turned out its so beautiful I love the coral colour
Angela Mitchell says
February 24, 2016 at 12:07 amI love Blushing Bombshell.
Sarah at Journeys of The Zoo says
February 24, 2016 at 7:44 amWhat a transformation. Unfortunately, I never would have seen the potential in that ugly brown box. Congrats on your talents.
Orangeapalooza is “our colour”. I can’t get enough of it. Thank you so much for hosting.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Sarah at Journeys of The Zoo recently posted..Enjoy a Heart Shaped Pizza at @BostonPizza on Valentineâs Day and Support Charity! #HeartShapedPizza
ginette4 says
February 24, 2016 at 7:59 amWow what an amazing transformation! My favourite colour from the line is the Navy State of Mind
Lisa says
February 24, 2016 at 9:35 amLove this project, can’t wait to try this on my filing cabinet!
Jenny Major says
February 24, 2016 at 12:31 pmi love Blushing Bombshell
Amy Heffernan says
February 24, 2016 at 2:06 pmCoral! 🙂 Great transformation!
Bailey Dexter says
February 24, 2016 at 2:21 pmWow, Love the new look! I really like the Blushing Bombshell!
leana says
February 24, 2016 at 4:33 pmI love navy state of mind
Julie Z says
February 24, 2016 at 8:35 pmWow! What an amazing job!! I want to do that because I really need a filing cabinet but they’re so ugly usually lol! Thanks for the great post – my fav colour is the blushing bombshell – I love that pop of brightness. I have teals, grays, and blues in my home with a pop of coral in the living room 🙂 I wish there was a coral colour in her paints!
andrea amy says
February 24, 2016 at 11:50 pmmy favourite colour is Blushing Bombshell. I love love love what you did with your make over! The filing cabinet looks a zillion times better!
angela m says
February 25, 2016 at 8:14 amI love the Couture Linen
Ali says
February 25, 2016 at 9:07 amAll of the colors are great I love the color Peacock.
Tracy D says
February 25, 2016 at 9:49 amI really like the Skyline color. I have an old dresser, you’ve inspired me to consider refinishing it! I like the braces idea on the corners, and seems fairly simple.
kristen sowko says
February 25, 2016 at 10:01 amGreat post! Loving the colours 🙂
angela september says
February 25, 2016 at 10:55 amwhat a stunning makeover!! such high impact for such a small piece. way to go!!
Kim K says
February 25, 2016 at 6:58 pmMy favourite 2 colours are Blushing Bombshell and Navy State of Mind
Jenn Erin says
February 25, 2016 at 7:42 pmIt’s a hard choice but my favourite has to be Greysful.
jan says
February 25, 2016 at 8:38 pmohhh, give me some Orangeapalooza please
Robyn Bellefleur says
February 25, 2016 at 9:23 pmI love the Greysful color.
Heather Reed says
February 26, 2016 at 1:48 amLove how this turned out!!
Florence C says
February 26, 2016 at 7:02 amThe Blushing Bombshell is my favorite.
Jenness M says
February 26, 2016 at 5:05 pmCouture Linen is my fave!
Eva Mitton-Urban says
February 26, 2016 at 11:17 pmPartial to earth tones – dark winter colors blues/greens/burgundy & greys. The Wasabi – a personal standout – would opt for this color in our basement recreation room.
Eva Mitton-Urban
Barb W says
February 27, 2016 at 9:07 amLove the couture linen shade!
Maggie C says
February 28, 2016 at 4:14 amSo in awe with your blog – I’m a new subscriber now! =)
My favourite shade from the collection is the couture linen.
michelle tremblett says
February 28, 2016 at 6:32 amI love the couture linen shade, beautiful 🙂
nicolthepickle (Nicole Graham) says
February 29, 2016 at 7:28 amI really, really like Blushing Bombshell.
KittyPride says
February 29, 2016 at 10:26 amI like Couture linen, will fit in nicely in all room decores.
Allie f says
February 29, 2016 at 12:38 pmI love Greysful! Thanks!
gene d says
February 29, 2016 at 1:16 pmi think the Navy State of Mind paint you used is beautiful
maryd says
February 29, 2016 at 5:24 pmOrangeapalooza is nice for a dining room, do you not think?
Doris H says
February 29, 2016 at 6:54 pmBlushing Bombshell is really nice.
Diana Powell says
March 2, 2016 at 2:20 pmI’ve had a thing for green lately so I would say Can’t See Me Camo is my favourite.
SUMMER PLEWES says
March 5, 2016 at 8:07 amI think my fave there is the blushing bombshell. It is beautiful!
Tammy Dalley says
March 6, 2016 at 7:59 pmLove the couture linen
Chris B says
March 7, 2016 at 8:37 amCan’t See Me Camo
Jonnie says
March 7, 2016 at 4:48 pmI love the Greysful shade!
Creative By Design Landscaping says
November 23, 2016 at 10:50 amWow, what a difference. That looks great….love it!
Lindsay - The DIY Mommy says
November 24, 2016 at 4:25 pmThank you 🙂
Jessica susan says
October 18, 2017 at 3:57 amWhat an amazing idea!! I would have never thought of this. I love it!
Lindsay - The DIY Mommy says
October 19, 2017 at 7:44 amThank you, Jessica
Tammy says
February 4, 2018 at 6:31 pmWould this work with metal?
Lindsay - The DIY Mommy says
February 5, 2018 at 7:08 amHey Tammy,
Yes it would work 😀 chalk style paints stick awesome to metal!