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    Home » Furniture Makeover » Navy Blue Sewing Cabinet Makeover

    Navy Blue Sewing Cabinet Makeover

    Published by Gail | Published January 31, 2018 | Updated June 28, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    You will love this mid century modern sewing cabinet makeover. Leaving the wood tones with the navy blue paint makes this project glisten! You can DIY it! #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #sewingcabinet #makeover #mcm #midcenturymodern #furniture via @repurposedlife

    It only took me a year to do this navy blue sewing cabinet makeover!

    Vintage Sewing Machine Cabinet Makeover

    MCM sewing cabinet makeover

    I got this mid century modern sewing cabinet in December 2016. Almost exactly one year later I happened to drag it out and work on it. It was early December and I had just finished working on my DIY laundry cart. I suppose that’s why I was drawn to the navy blue.

    Remove hardware

    remove hardware from vintage sewing cabinet

    The very first step of doing a sewing cabinet makeover is to remove the unnecessary hardware left behind.

     

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

    Prepare to paint

    diy chalky paint primer

    As always, I mixed up some diy chalky paint primer. Of course I used plaster of paris and semi-gloss Behr paint (Naval).

     

     

    paint sewing cabinet navy blue

    I used a cheap chip brush as I do on 99% of my projects, but something went wrong with this paint job.

     

    Sand metal feet

    sand metal legs

    I sanded the metal legs (feet) for the sewing cabinet makeover. Initially I thought about leaving them as is.

    Spray Paint

    tape off spray paint metal legs

    But I decided to paint them. Please excuse the blurry picture.

     

     

    spray paint mcm metal legs

    The jury’s still out on whether I actually like the blue metal legs.

    Too many brush strokes

    two toned navy blue sewing cabinet

    I generally love the two-toned look of wood and paint. I felt like the pretty veneer of the front of the cabinet shouldn’t be painted. While we’re taking a close look at the top of the cabinet, I’m sure you’ll notice all of the brush strokes. I think the weather was too chilly and overcast when I painted. I kept applying more coats of paint thinking it would improve. You would think I’d be better at this by now, but it happens, you know?

     

     

    sewing cabinet makeover with navy blue paint

    I chose to leave the inside of the cabinet it’s natural color as well as the front and the legs.

     

     

     

    Plan b

    less than perfect paint job

    The poor little cabinet was banished to the garage for over a month. It was time to fix this gal up and get her on her way. I brought her in the house in order to allow her to warm up. We had a week of very cold, icy and snowy weather. This was one of the few places that wasn’t snow and ice covered.

     

    This is where I’m going to take a little commercial break and ask you to hop over to my friends at Homeright to see how I saved this piece and gave her the new outfit she deserves. Go now, I’ll wait for you.

     

     

     

     

    Welcome back! Can you believe the difference that Homeright Finish Max Super  makes? You really can use a paint sprayer in the SNOW! (under the right conditions)

     

    Now, let’s take a look at the new and improved sewing cabinet  makeover that was nearly a project fail. Smile

    Navy Blue Sewing Cabinet Makeover

    navy blue and wood sewing cabinet makeover MyRepurposedLife

    The difference in the paint job is amazing! I love how smooth it is now.

     

    pretty navy blue mid century modern sewing cabinet makeover MyRepurosedLife

    So pretty! I really love the original wood tones with the navy blue paint.

     

     

    Pin IT!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    gail

    See More Sewing Cabinet Project Ideas

    sewing cabinet project ideas

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    1. Audra @ Renewed Projects

      February 01, 2018 at 11:40 am

      Navy blue is one of my favorite paints to use for a makeover. It creates such a classy look. Yours is stunning

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 01, 2018 at 12:30 pm

        Thanks so much Audra. As I mentioned to someone else, I have a couple of navy projects currently for sale at the booth with no takers.... go figure!

        gail

    2. chris tucker

      January 31, 2018 at 6:14 pm

      hi gail it's been a while since i commented old age problems lmao, but i had to comment i love this color combo and i think your originality is not commented on often enough, i do appreciate it i get tired of looking at the same old same old all the time and i do still read you every time you post xx

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 01, 2018 at 9:21 am

        Ohhh, how sweet Chris. I thank you so much! Old friends are the best!

        take care my friend!
        gail

    3. Jennie

      January 31, 2018 at 10:24 am

      So glad you did wood and paint. It’s adorable. I think the brass or even silver contrast with the wood and paint would make it richer looking. But, it really depends on the person that buys it and their taste. Your homeright link doesn’t work even signed in.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 31, 2018 at 10:57 am

        Yeah, it's always difficult to know what people are going to like. I may change up the feet and handle in the future.

        About the Homeright link... they haven't published my post on their site yet. It's suppose to go live very soon. I apologize for the inconvenience. 😉

        gail

      • Jennie

        February 21, 2018 at 5:50 pm

        Gail, I was wondering if you did a solid writing surface where the sewing machine was? It works great as an end table, maybe a little tall. Down sizing has made me realize everything has to have multiple purposes.

      • Gail Wilson

        February 21, 2018 at 5:56 pm

        Jennie,
        The top (closed) is a solid writing surface (so to speak). I didn't do anything on the inside. These cabinets make great bedside tables these days because the beds are so high. Vintage nightstands are much too low for today's beds. 😉
        I have done solid writing surfaces on other sewing cabinet redoes. You can see one here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/red-side-table-repurposed-sewing-cabinet/
        gail

    4. Donna Marie

      January 31, 2018 at 9:33 am

      I think the feet should be gold with the "handle". Just one girl's opinion!!!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 31, 2018 at 10:58 am

        I appreciate your honesty AND your opinion!

        It's just paint, right? 😉

        gail

    5. girlfromwva

      January 31, 2018 at 8:50 am

      i love it. the navy with the wood finish is a nice contrast. it could go well with so many color combinations in a room. the feet are so cute on this table.

      Reply
    6. Katie

      January 31, 2018 at 8:49 am

      Nice! I painted my center island navy blue when i switched out the old laminate top for walnut and added some seating. Loved it so much I used the remaining navy for two small dresser redo's, leaving it part natural wood part painted like what you have. I admit I'm partial to the color 🙂

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 31, 2018 at 10:59 am

        Yay! so happy you like the navy color. I have two projects at my booth waiting for a new home, so I guess not everyone likes that color. This isn't my first two toned navy paint job. I love the look as well. I bet your projects look awesome!

        gail

      • Katie

        February 02, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        Well, the one dresser turned out better than the other, but that's b/c I apparently didn't mix the stain well enough so all of the color ended up on the second one (whoops). Ended up more of a cherry instead of "American" I think it was called. Not a bad color but a bit much with the navy blue accents.

        I can understand that, it's definitely a bolder color! I painted my center island when my roommate was away for the weekend. I had told her blue but apparently she was imagining something very different. Took her a while but she likes it now. Personally I love the look of neutral walls, etc, and a statement piece or two.

    7. Eliz~

      January 31, 2018 at 4:11 am

      I love this sewing cabinet! I've never seen one like this! It looks like a 60's Stereo cabinet! I love the makeover. I would not have painted the feet. I have a couple of my Grandma's pieces with those "gold" feet. I love them! :o)

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        January 31, 2018 at 8:33 am

        Yeah... the feet may not stay painted navy. They may go gold or silver. hehehehe

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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