Petite French Cupboard Makeover

Bonjour Mes Amis!

Today I wanted to share with you my latest drab to fab transformation, 

this pretty Frenchy cabinet.

It didn't start out this lovely though!

Au contraire!

 This is what she started out life as!

I found her a few weeks ago while out treasure hunting, and was immediately drawn to the great lines she had.  Made of solid wood, she is sturdy and substantial.  At just under 2 feet tall, she weighs in at 7 1/2 pounds! (yes, I really did weigh her!!)

 While the paint job was very well done, the colors were definitely not the look I was going for!

I could hardly wait to get this puppy home and begin the transformation process!

After removing the doors, and giving the entire piece a good cleaning,  I was ready to roll.

Let me tell you, it took many, many coats of the creamy white chalk paint that I used to cover up that awful rusty/burgundy color!

I immediately knew that I wanted to give the cabinet a French accent.  I had debate on weather to add stenciling to the doors, but decided to decoupage this gorgeous and ornate frame graphic that I found over at the Graphics Fairy.

(love!)

I added the French wording to the frames, giving it the look of a sign from a Parisian flower market.

As luck would have it, the frames fit perfectly in the insets on the doors!

As a fun little surprise, I decoupaged copies of vintage French book pages to the inside back of the cabinet.

I love that there is a little shelf inside to display treasures or mementos.

The cupboard also has two cute little drawers down below.  So I just had to add a bit more French flair by stenciling a sweet fleur de lis and swirl motif.

Love the cute little wooden ball feet that the cupboard stands on!

 I must say that this piece is one of my all time favorite makeovers!

 While I would love to keep her, I created the piece for my Etsy shop.

You can take a peek here if you want.

 My imaginary flower market is on rue Ecoles, the same street that our favorite little hotel in Paris is on!

But, here is a real flower shop in Paris, below!  It is right across the rue from our hotel!

 And a few more shots I snapped of some flower markets in Paris.

I am missing it there!

 She was a labor of love, but oh so much fun to create!

 I am really loving that ornate frame graphic, I can't wait to come up with more ideas using it.

 So there you have it, my petite wooden cupboard with a French accent!

Au revior!
Joining French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday