Tuesday, July 20, 2010

A Family Cupboard Gets a New Life

As a lover of all things "stuff" I have a lot of it. And more now that I've been doing jewelry again. This spring and summer I've had the time to accomplish a few projects that I've had in my mind for awhile. Repainting the dining room and then my office/studio were two biggies. I have a lot of space and I'm not short on furniture, it's just the dilemma of organizing and utilizing what I DO have. So then, as with all things "stuff", the obvious question will always be..."where to put it?"





My mother-in-law unloaded all her material stash from this great pie cupboard several years ago, and sent it home with me. It had been her great grandmother's, and she is now 85. I've always loved it, and knew it's potential,  but she had restained it about twenty years ago. I don't know what it looked like before then, (I've never asked, but I cringed at the re-do). It just never quite did it for me with the blah brown stain. 

(Original pierced tin insets)




See what I mean?
Uh-oh, here's the paint can all ready to go.





You know how someone gives you something,
 but then there's all these stipulations that go with it?
uh....yea.


See, it even comes with an assistant.

presto-chango.
Love the new Behr paint and primer in one!


It's now in my studio holding supplies and other misc. "stuff".






Then I added back my little chippy shelf.



Now I really love it, and it's serving an important place for organizing supplies.



I won't show you what was inside it before,
or that every bit of it is still waiting to be "dealt with"
all over the downstairs guest room.

That's another project...

My favorite day of the week,








love,
Debra

63 comments:

  1. I love the pie safe and like it better white,too. My 85 year old moma has one she still uses for her pantry...it has the original blue paint on it...My moma never liked to redo anything...and I'm glad.

    Lezlee

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  2. White Paint is such a blessing isn't it? I just so love how it can transform pieces like yours. I want to paint everything white! Love the kitty!
    Tammy :-)

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  3. It looks fabulous in white and is so flattering to your "assistant"!

    Jan

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  4. Absolutely wonderful Debra! It was a bit blah before but now what a great storage piece for you!

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  5. Oh I just love things with a history that can still be useful and beautiful too! Enjoy!

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  6. Hi Debra,
    You have been a busy girl! I love it painted white, looks fresh and very cottagey. And, very you!

    hugs
    Sissie

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  7. Debra, it looks great white!! I adore the Behr paint and primer too! Also love the way you accessorized it. It's pretty on the inside too!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  8. what a transformation (actually...it's hideous! you need to put that curbside first thing in the morning!! Oh ...and...by the way...where do you live???) LOL!

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  9. Holy smoke, gorgeous piece! I love it and you sure put it to good use! Have a blessed day my friend, hugs!

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  10. Great pie safe- wish I had one! It's a big plus when it's a family piece! I love them because they are shorter than most cabinets and they were made for storage!

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  11. What a great piece to store all those little goodies. You have such a knack for creativity! Thanks for your kind words on my blog. Do come by and check out my latest post about my little find in New Hampshire! I think you'll really like it!
    Blessings!
    Karen

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  12. Looks great! That is a treasure for sure and looks great in your studio.~Enjoy Kim

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  13. What a wonderful family hand me down ahem... heirloom! Debra that turned out so pretty, I love dual purpose pretty... looking fabulous on the outside and hiding all your goodies inside! Happy WW! Theresa

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  14. It looks so fresh and clean! I've got an old chippy white pie safe sitting by our cargo in the garden at the store. It's just begging for a make over!!

    Take care, Sue

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  15. A gorgeous piece Debra and I think you really let it shine with the white makeover!
    Happy WW!
    xojanis

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  16. This post couldn't have come at a better time for me Debra! I've got a big old cabinet in the dining room that I've been wanting to paint. Certain people in my family don't want me to, but to me it's a big brown blob in the room. Your pie safe looks fantastic, and it's just the proof I need to show my family!
    Happy WW!
    Carol

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  17. Yes...I like the white better too. Not exactly a gorgeous wood color. The white is clean and bright. Looks awesome!! You sure put it to quick and great use. Thanks for sharing the transformation!

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  18. What a great cupboard! it looks just like Laurie's from Heaven's Walk. You should go to her blog and take a look. I love the assistant...seems to be a permanent resident.
    You did a great job putting the shelf on top and adding all of your other "stuff" to it.
    Debbie@houseatthelake

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  19. Much better in white lovey...well done...happy ww...hugs♥olive

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  20. That's a fabulous cupboard! And if you have it foofed up just wonderfully.

    I envy you having lots of stuff AND lots of space. I've got plenty of the former, not so much of the latter.

    Love your helper!!! :-)

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  21. OOOOOOOOOOOhh! Don't you LOVE it? I could think of a billion things to put in that! YOU'VE probably got them all! HA! Great to see your space! Nice having you pop in! Jacqueline

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  22. How beautiful. I love white paint, but I am not good at painting furniture. I think you cat surely approves of her new and improved spot. I love how you decorated the inside with lovely vignettes.
    Karen

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  23. Lucky you to have "inherited" such a great cupboard! You really gave it the perfect touch painting it white~Love it!! Have fun filling it up with "stuff"!! Julie

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  24. Very neat makeover, looks great white and love how you decorated it!

    Rondell

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  25. This is a great cupboard and the makeover was just the thing to make it wonderful. Looks like a huge amount of storage......heck, you can even store a cat in there.

    Hope you have a wonderful week.

    Kathleen

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  26. Absolutely LoVe the pie tin cupboard!

    I just picked up a wire dress form at a barn sale very similar to the one I see in your studio ~ I love mine! It's great for jewelry display.

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  27. Love it Debra!!!

    If you have a chance come look at my chippy high chair. Trying to decide whether to paint it or not.
    Maybe just a bit too chippy for me. (for the store)
    blessings

    barbara jean

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  28. Your piece looks so much happier with a new coat of paint on it. I hope you did not get too much slack from Motherinlaw. Some people do not understand how important it is that you love the furniture you have in your home and that it is ok to paint them to make them more the way you want them. Glad you were able to save the piece considering its' history. I also have my husband pantry cabinet from his grandparents and it sits in the shed unloved. I guess mr. and I are going to have a chat about painting it too.

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  29. Wonderful makeover I love it. Happy WW

    Rebecca

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  30. your assistant is lovely and I think your cubby looks wonderful with it coat of fresh white paint- a wonderful makeover.

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  31. It went from great to superfabuloso.... LOVE it..

    Warm huggies,
    Spencer

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  32. Debra, what a great transformation, I love it painted white!!! Blessings~~~ Daphne

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  33. Deb, it turned out just beautiful!! A piece pf the past brought back to perfection!! I know you will enjoy it for years to come, Blessings, Janna

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  34. Hi Deb...love the way this one turned out! I am partial to everything white anyway!!

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  35. Debra ~ It's JuSt FaB!*!*! LoVe it AND the chippy shelf above.... Great Job... BeSt!!! Jeanine, ChiPPy!-SHaBBy!

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  36. Debra, what a beautiful white cupboard. I'm so sorry I haven't mailed your package, well actually I just found a box big enough, so maybe this will keep you excited. No seriously, I do apologize for not already having sent it.

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  37. Debra, It turned out beautifully. Too bad Behr doesn't make a paint and primer that could fix me up just as nicely!
    Debbie

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  38. Blah brown was SOOO not it's color. I love the new white wash! Sa-Weet!

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  39. Hi Debra ~ You are absolutely right - that is a great piece and deserves that fabulous re-do. I have been dying to try out that new Behr paint/primer.

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  40. I really like your white pie safe, and I like the clever way that you decorated it! Take care, Mary

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  41. I love it too with it's new color...so fresh and calming. It's so cute how cats are curious friends.

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  42. Oh you restored it to a gorgeous state, it will serve you many years, hugs and good job well done, blessings

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  43. Oh so very pretty! I'd paint everything white... I spare hubby and the dog though! ;)))
    Thanks for leaving a lovely comment!
    Monica.

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  44. beautiful transformation, your vintage jewelries are lovely...verbena cottage

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  45. Debra - wonderful job on the pie safe! I have one that looks sooooo very much like it! I purchased it from an antique shop in northern Michigan years and years ago, used it as a storage for all my gardening/decor books in my previous house between the living room and dining room - and never painted it. Now it is white (I bit the bullet!) and holds all of my pantry supplies in my kitchen. Love it even more!!!

    Oh, and is your assistant for hire? :)

    xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

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  46. I love what you did!! Cute assistant too!
    ;0)
    Beth

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  47. very pretty and fresh now. fab as always.

    hugs,

    shelley

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  48. Hi Debra,
    First of all, just let me say that I am jealous that you have such an awesome piece and I do not...and then let me say how much I love what you have done to transform it and then work it into that lovely studio. I just love useful pieces like this. Especially when they are handed down in the family.
    Okay, I'm thrilled that you have it, I just wish that I had two!hehe (My dad used to always say that)
    I won't use any other paint now that I tried the Behr with the primer. LOVE IT!
    hugs

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  49. Wow, it looks great.It's got history as well..the perfect piece..Love it!!!!!

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  50. A.M.A.M.Z.I.N.G

    some people may be cringing ... oh, you CAN'T paint a pie safe!!

    oh yes you can and you DID

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  51. I have a saying over on the sidebar of my blog that says "a girl's best friend is white paint and a mirror" and I truly believe that. Your pie safe is wonderful and you are a lucky lady to have acquired one. I would have one in a Virginia minute if I had room for one. Wishing you a wonderful Thursday and a happy white Wednesday. ~ Lynn@thevintagenest

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  52. Great job Debra! The fresh coat of paint really renewed this piece! I love using heirlooms and fitting them to my style...love what you've done!

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  53. Hi Debra,

    Isn't Transformation with Paint a Wonderful Feeling..... Thanks for stopping by, I had added another photo a moment ago, hope you were able to see the great vintage coffee can (a Treasure from the Messy House)
    Have a Blessed Week Dear Friend
    Cheryl

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  54. A beautiful piece to keep in the family! Love it white! Great job.
    ~ Julie

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  55. I want a pie tin safe so bad! They are so great. I wish that my grandma had one. You did such a great job. Looks so clean!

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  56. Hi Debra,
    Thanks for coming by....I just realized that I had been to your blog and got interrupted and never commented.....how rude if me:)) George's fault!

    It's a whole new cabinet. Thank goodness us girls aren't afraid to paint stained wood.
    Love it and your little assistant.
    xxx
    Carole

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  57. Guess I am the only person in blogdom who isn't exactly thrilled with the white. A friend of mine has a pie safe exactly like yours and redid it in a soft gold and it's gorgeous. I don't mean in any way to hurt your feelings and of course, it's just a matter of taste.

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  58. Oh nice job. Paint does wonders with such instant gratification too! Ive been amazed at some of the things Ive painted. If only makeup worked the same way, lol! Cute assistant :)

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  59. That is amazing!! And I love how the kitty got in the blog share too. Our furbaby does the same all the time.

    For your convenience, Here Is My Show and Tell Bargain Link. Hope to see you visit with me.

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  60. Very pretty…I am hosting a CSN Giveaway on my blog. I would love for you to stop by.

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  61. Love the white too and am always looking for storage for stuff! Terrific redo!

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