I sometimes get in trouble for painting Mid-Century Modern Furniture but sometimes the furniture needs an update.
I have to say the gray and metallic copper color combination I used on this piece is not one I would have put together…..ever. I happened upon it by accident. It all started with Copper Spray Paint.
The sewing cabinet came from the Nashville Flea Market. It has been sitting in the workshop since March of 2015. About time for the makeover.
The top was rough and the sides also had areas where a bit of the veneer was missing. Not a lot so I didn’t worry about it. I just painted over it. And no distressing. Can you believe that?
The sewing machine had already been removed from the cabinet but a lot of the metal support was still there.
I got a screwdriver and removed all of the excess stuff.
The next order of business was to attach the lift up top to the base….permanently. We don’t need it to open now.
I sanded the rough areas on the cabinet top.
The JTS and I are talking about adding a shelf to the inside of the cabinet. There are drawers that can be used for a variety of things and the shelf would be a nice addition. Maybe a liquor cabinet? Anyway, I want to leave the inside as is, no paint. I taped all the inside edges with FrogTape so no stray paint gets inside.
I decided to start with the legs of the cabinet. It made sense because spray painting after I painted the cabinet would be harder to accomplish without getting the paint everywhere. The spray paint is Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Metallic Finish Copper Color. Isn’t that pretty?
Next, I applied a coat of Glidden Gripper tinted gray to the cabinet. The little bit of copper spray paint over-spray was covered up with the primer. And I didn’t get primer spots on the legs. Yea!
This is the part where I had an aha moment. I looked at the gray primer and the metallic copper color and loved the combination. I would never have put those colors together in a million years. But I liked it! I even asked the JTS about the colors and he agreed with me. Now to find a color in my paint supply that is a similar color to the tinted primer.
I found a color that was almost a match. The little jar of Ceramcoat in Oyster Shell wasn’t even full. But there was enough for one coat of paint and that’s all it took.
I’m doing the happy dance because I love the color combination on the mid-century modern sewing cabinet. They seem right.
I spray painted the original hardware. Love the unusual design.
I didn’t see any need for additional details on the cabinet. Clean and sleek and awesome.
Let me know what you think of the gray and metallic copper color combination. Is it a winner…..or a “not my favorite”….or a “I really hate the colors together”?
See the mirror I updated with the copper paint. It looks so much better......Mirror Makeover With Metallic Copper Paint. And also my plastic mailbox is now metallic copper see it here.
Mid Century Modern Cabinet – Gray & Metallic Copper Color Combination
is the Furniture Fixer Upper Tour and my talented friends have some beautiful makeovers today. Visit them by clicking the pink text links below the “before” photo collage.
1. Girl In The Garage
2. Confessions Of A Serial Diyer
3. Petticoat Junktion
4. Prodigal Pieces
5. Just The Woods
6. The Interior Frugalista
That’s it for me. You guys have a great day!
Favorite DIY Tools and Paints:
Beyond Paint for Furniture
Ryobi Drill (cordless)
Mouse Sander (cordless)
FrogTape Painters Tape
Howard's Restore-a-Finish
Rustoleum Heirloom White Spray Paint
Rustoleum Metallic Copper Spray Paint
(Affiliate links for your convenience, read affiliate disclosure here)
Author: Kathy Owen (Petticoat Junktion)
Kathy is the founder of PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, old hardware, rusty stuff, and thrifty finds into unique home décor. Kathy’s projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Read more about Kathy here.
Isadora Guidoni
This looks amazing!! I really love the color combination. Thank you for sharing the details with us!
valarie sanford
Pinning to all my boards...yes all, I love this soo much!
Carolyn George
Love it!! It's perfect with the design of the piece, very sharp!
Ivory
The find was great, but you turned it from a duck to a fabulous swan. I love the end results.
Gracie Redfield
Absolutely gorgeous! I agree that it would be even more versatile to add a shelf. I think I would call that style Mid-Century Asian. <3
Barbara Bishop
I love it, such a clean look.
ROSE LEFEBVRE
Wonderful improvement! And love the copper colored knobs!!
Mary Beth
Gorgeous makeover! I love the color combo.
Naomi S.
That turned out so well, Kathy! The simple treatment is just right and the colors are great! I'm not really a fan of MCM but I wouldn't mind having that piece in my home! MCM is what I grew up with, so I think that's why it doesn't appeal to me. Also, I'm more of a romantic type, so I like curves and carving and soft lines. But, you won me over with this little piece!
Kathy Owen
I know what you mean Naomi. MCM isn't my style either but I do like how the makeover turned out. Thanks!
Debrashoppeno5
It is a perfect look for the cabinet. It looks fantastic.
Vera
I love it. I have a chest that I'm doing in the same gray color and I'm definitely going to paint the handles copper. Thanks Kathy.
Kathy Owen
Great!
Michelle West Singleton
Before I went to my for pay job early this morning painted a few pieces with Parisian grey chalk paint getting ready for our non-profits big fall event Went back and forth with myself during the day do I do dark red? Maybe burnt orange or just basic charcoal-- then I just saw your post!! Love love love perfect As always spot on and I'm using it but will tell all our customers that once again it was one of your ideasThanks from Iowa and know you had a part in making a child's life better
Kathy Owen
What a nice comment Michelle. You are doing good work. Thank you for the compliment. Let me know how the Fall event goes please.
Kathy
A winner for sure. I wouldn't have thought of using copper and gray together but I love it, your cabinet is awesome and you did a terrific job as usual!
Kathy Owen
Thanks Kathy
Barbara
Love it Kathy! I like the gray paint and I adore copper. One of my favorite metallic colors and I love old copper pieces. I agree with you that the original handles are lovely and should be kept!
Kathy Owen
Thank you Barbara!
Carolyn
I love the color combination, but I think I would have put wood filler in the places where the veneer was missing.
Nette
I agree with Carolyn. Those spots distract from the overall look of a beautiful piece. Possibly a little distressing here and there could even things out.
Kathy Owen
Thanks for the suggestion. I may try that.
Kathy Owen
I thought about it...but didn't. Maybe I will distress them just a bit.
Marie
When I saw the before picture I thought to myself what a fabulous cabinet - that hardware is too perfect. I had no idea it was a sewing cabinet. I never in a million years would have thought to combine grey and copper either and it really does look stunning and perfect for this MCM piece! I totally see a fabulous bar on the inside with martini glasses and crystal decanters. LOVE it, Kathy!
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer
I love the finished look of this little cabinet! The copper is pulls are very chic! XO
kimmylouwho
Great cabinet and love the copper! how did you permanently close the top? screws and wood filler? I see sewing cabinets all the time and that is an easy solution to the top.
Amy Driver
I LOVE it!!! I live copper and it looks perfect wit the gray on that mid mod piece! Great choice!
Marg
Right click on your lovely sewing cabinet makeover, search for images, and see how many more show up just like yours, and how $$$ they are. This is one of your best makeovers, love how "mistakes" are magical.
Marcie Lovett
I wouldn't have chosen that combination, either, but I think it's a total win! The copper is beautiful and the pulls are amazing, but I think the best part is that you can see the grooves in the doors now. Total midcentury magic. Adding a shelf above the legs would make it even more functional.
Stephanie Mudd Carrico
It's lovely, the copper really pops with the grey.
Susan
??
Fonda
Now, THAT'S gorgeous!
Kathy Owen
Thank you Fonda! I thought so too. But I sometimes have tunnel vision.
Sue
I love the color combo! Who would have thought !
Kathy Owen
I know. It was a surprise to me too.
Bonnie
I think the piece looks amazing. I was just gifted a sewing cabinet and small matching chair by a friend and now you've given me the inspiration to secure the hinged top ( wouldn't have thought of that!) and give it a pretty paint job. Any advice on how to reupholster the back of the small sewing chair??
Kathy Owen
Glad you are going to take on the challenge. It's not hard, I promise. Without seeing the chair I can't really tell you how to reupholster it. I would say look for screws to take out the upholstered part. If no screws, I have no idea!!
Sandi
I love the cabinet and the colors are perfect!
Kathy Owen
Thanks Sandi
Vickie
Love this color combination!! Turned out so nice!!!
Kathy Owen
Thank you Vickie!
Tonya
Fabulous! I love this combination.The modern feel fits perfectly with this mid century piece. Great makeover!
Kathy Owen
I thought the paint colors went great with the mid century modern look too. Glad you agree Tonya.
regina
It's a winner!
Kathy Owen
Thanks Regina.
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces
What a fabulous update and new creation! I love the look - so chic.
Kathy Owen
Thanks Larissa!
Kate
Those handles are to die for!!!
And the combo is gorgeous 🙂
Kathy Owen
Thank you Kate!
Lois Stimax
I love it! I think the combo looks awesome together. It would also make a great desk for a small space. Well done!
Kathy Owen
It would make a great desk!
Regena
I like it!!
Who would have thought?