32 years ago, my mom bought this us this spice rack as a wedding present. She was worried it wasn't big enough or special enough but I assured her it was exactly what I wanted and needed...And it truly has been! It has traveled with us to each and every house we've ever been in. It has been refilled several times over the years - well most of the bottles. Some were of spices I never used. More on that later.
As you can imagine, after 32 years, the little spice rack was feeling its age. The finish was dingy and crackled, the knobs kept coming off, and the bottles needed a refreshing.
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| Help me!! |
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| Lovely vintage bottle...cap showing it's age |
I liked the wire in the doors...it reminded me of chicken wire. From that, I decided it looked farmhouse-ish. I begin by cleaning everything really well, emptied all the bottles and set them to soak, and scrubbed the cabinet to get the grunge off.
I painted the cabinet in ASCP Old White (two coats) and lightly distressed it, printed out the words "Herbs" & "Spices" and copied them onto the doors. I used a Sharpie for the letters, sanded them lightly, then gave the whole thing a coat of wax.
For the jars, I spray painted the lids red and made new labels. That about drove me crazy but I finally got them to look like I wanted. I refilled each jar with fresh seasonings - with seasonings I use and tossed the old, unused ones - and placed them on the shelves:
I love how it turned out. My mom would be so pleased to know her gift is still being used and appreciated practically every day. It really was a perfect gift. And now it's good for another 32 years. :o)
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| hm, I may have to darken and fill the letters in more |
(In case you're thinking this doesn't look like the farmhouse kitchen, it's not...For now, this is in my city house but it will move with us to be used at the farm.)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cecilia
Linking here:
Revisionary Life Thrifty-life-thursday-13-and-finding
The Dedicated House Before and After Wednesday
I love your redo , Cecilia. It will look great in your farmhouse kitchen. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana! I think it will too.
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Your spice cabinet turned out so cute! I love the red lids and the labels. And I love that you have had it for so many years and it has moved with you from house to house. It is wonderful! It does feel great to check things off the list doesn't it? I'm hoping to get to a couple more projects this weekend. Have a lovely Friday and weekend.....Vicky
ReplyDeleteIt is special for sure! My mom would be so happy to know I'm still using it. I'd love for her to see it in it's new look. Thanks for stopping by.
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I think I had that once upon a time!!!
ReplyDeleteWow - it's absolutely perfect Cecilia - LOVE ( it would go with my knife block set )
Happy wknd!
Hugs
Lol too funny? It was very Mediterranean looking before. I think I like it like this better. :o) hope you've had a good weekend.
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Oh wow...that is fantastic...and love how you made new labels too!...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shirley! Those labels were a bear to make. Took me many tries to get them right but I'm glad I stuck with it!
DeleteLol. Oh Doreen. You are too funny. I think I may have thought about getting rid of it once but it was just a very brief thought. I've always loved my spice rack but it just needed some lovin'
ReplyDeleteLove this revision! You're going to be featured tonight! Thanks for sharing at Revisionary Life Thrifty Life Thursday.
ReplyDeleteOoo! Thank you! I'm honored.
DeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a little spice rack USED at a flea market back in February(maybe?) ..anyway-- I was thinking of doing the same thing painting and RE-labeling. Mine is just a small shelf not a cupboard.
I have clamp lids and the caps are porcelain-- do you think they'll take spray paint?
Seeing yours makes me want to hurry up and do them. I've only gotten as far as dumping the old spices... :)
Pat
I'm not sure how well the porcelain will take the paint...maybe try a primer on them first? Let me know how it turns out!
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