Faux Antique Shutter Armoire Makeover: A Craigslist Find Turned Charming Storage Piece
It’s been a busy and productive couple of weeks since I last updated you on the guest bedroom makeover at my parents’ house. My garage is stacked with partially painted furniture, I’m quietly working on a major secret project I’ll reveal soon, and—big news—we sold our house. We’re ready to trade our close-knit, slightly cramped neighborhood for more land and trees. Both Robert and I grew up in the country, and we’ve missed that space and quiet.
If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you might know I’ve been a little anxious about house hunting. We put an offer on a house last week that felt perfect, but we didn’t win the bidding. So we’re still looking for “the one” — whether it’ll be a fixer-upper, a new build, or a short stay with my parents while we decide. Either way, we trust there’s a plan for us, and the suspense is definitely keeping us on our toes.
Back to the makeover: the first completed piece for the guest bedroom is an armoire I found on Craigslist. It’s a great example of how a simple furniture update can transform a cheap veneer cabinet into something that looks timeless and a little antique.
My parents’ guest room needed storage to hide Olivia’s toys and books—grandparents’ houses always become toy central when she visits. I scored this green shutter-front armoire for $40. The shutters gave it a farmhouse charm, and it was the right size to hold toys, books, and extra linens. The original green didn’t match the blue tones I planned for the room, so a repaint, fresh hardware, and some aging wax brought it into the new palette.
Supplies used: (Original links shown for reference.)
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Plaster
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Linen
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Casement
- Homestead House Espresso Wax
- Cast iron hardware (I picked mine up during a sale)
- A paintbrush and a rag
Although this piece appeared to be an inexpensive veneer cabinet—maybe even a former motel piece—I wanted it to read like an old, well-loved antique. I painted the body with two coats of Fusion Plaster, then added depth and an aged look using Espresso wax. I focused the darker wax into corners and along the edges of the shutter slats to highlight the detail and create subtle shadowing.
To make the top look like wood, I brushed on a coat of Linen, added a couple of dry-brushed layers of Casement, and finished with a light coat of Espresso wax for warmth and subtle distressing. The cast iron hardware contrasts beautifully against the creamy plaster finish, giving the piece a finished, classic look.
I’m thrilled with the result. The armoire now hides toys and keeps guest linens and books organized, while adding charm to the room. Small updates like this can make a big visual impact without spending a lot of money.
The rest of the guest room is coming together quickly, especially now that the dramatic “Old Hollywood” dark gray and red are gone—my dad primed and painted over it, and the room already feels larger and calmer. College-me misses the dramatic palette, but present-me is glad for the brighter, more open space.
That armoire is one down and several more projects to go. Our furniture makeovers always seem to arrive in waves, and I’m enjoying the momentum. Are you tackling any painting or house hunting this weekend? If you’re in organizing mode instead, now’s a good time—packing and decluttering will be on our to-do list soon as we prepare to move.
If you’d like to save this project for later, feel free to pin the images:
