There's something undeniably captivating about the luxurious appeal of a well-crafted bar cabinet. The Anthropologie Juneau Velvet Bar Cabinet had caught my eye, with its sumptuous velvet finish and elegant design. However, my excitement was quickly tempered by its hefty price tag. So, I embarked on a journey to find a more budget-friendly alternative that would still capture the essence of my dream bar cabinet. Enter the Angelo: Home Scallop Bar Cabinet in wine from Target. With a little DIY magic, this cabinet would soon become a stylish, minty green gem that would rival even the fanciest of furnishings.

Finding the Perfect Canvas

The first step on my DIY adventure was choosing the right canvas for my project. The Target scallop bar cabinet immediately stood out with its affordable price and solid wood construction. Its deep wine color was not a shade I was crazy about. I envisioned this piece more as a minty green masterpiece.

Prepping for Transformation

To ensure a flawless finish, proper preparation was crucial. I began by gathering the necessary supplies: a powered hand sander with 100-200 grit sandpaper for stripping the existing finish, 400-600 grit sandpaper for smoothing, Kilz primer, and a clear cover coat from Rust-Oleum for protection.

1. Sanding the Surface: Using the powered hand sander with 100-200 grit sandpaper, I carefully removed the existing finish from the cabinet. This step required patience and precision to ensure a smooth surface. After removing the old finish, I switched to a 400-600 grit sandpaper to further smooth out imperfections, creating the perfect canvas for my paint.

2. Applying Primer: Next, I applied a coat of Kilz primer to the sanded surface. Primer is essential for achieving a uniform and long-lasting paint job. I allowed the primer to dry and lightly sanded between coats with 400 grit sandpaper to achieve a silky-smooth texture.

3. Painting: I chose a minty green color from Behr at Home Depot and painted two full coats with a Polyurethane Brush, making sure to sand in between layers with 600 grit sandpaper.

4. Adding a Protective Coat: To protect the newly painted cabinet, I applied a clear cover from Rust-Oleum. This topcoat not only provides durability but also gives the cabinet a beautiful sheen, enhancing its overall appearance.

The Interior Transformation

While the exterior was undergoing its makeover, I turned my attention to the cabinet's interior. To add contrast and avoid the need for more painting, I decided to use peel-and-stick wallpaper from Amazon. This easy-to-use solution instantly elevated the interior's aesthetics, providing a striking backdrop for my glassware and spirits collection.

The Finishing Touches

With the major transformations complete, it was time for the finishing touches that would truly make this bar cabinet my own. I swapped out the original handles for art deco-inspired gold pulls. These stylish hardware upgrades not only added a touch of elegance but also tied the entire look together.

The Big Reveal

Finally, the moment of truth arrived as I stepped back to admire my DIY masterpiece. The once wine-colored cabinet had transformed into a minty green beauty that exuded charm and sophistication. The peel-and-stick wallpaper inside added a delightful surprise every time I opened the doors, and the art deco handles were the perfect jewelry for this furniture gem.