Antique Birdcage Makeover for Home Office
My friend, Jo Pearson had a fabulous garage sale earlier this year and I picked up a very unusual and large vintage birdcage from her.  

Vintage Birdcage

When I bought it, I wasn't sure where I would use it, but I found a perfect spot when I was planning my home office makeover. I needed to update the color from the federal blue to match my color scheme, Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Paint in cantaloupe and terra cotta.

Paint Supplies

I wanted to leave the metal bars, as they have a nice aged patina to them, but needed to paint all of the blue - it was a challenge getting into all of the crevices. Luckily the bottom of the cage was removable. You can't see in the picture, but it isn't solid, just wooden bars. I'm saving it for another project.

Painting over the blue

I painted the birdcage with the terra cotta chalk paint and the roof with cantaloupe. I used the antique wax over the whole piece. The roof was stenciled with cantaloupe in a scallop pattern to add more detail.

Stenciling

I dry-brushed cantaloupe on the piece to give it more dimension. It was finished by rubbing a coat of clear wax to seal and protect. 

Vintage Birdcage Upcycle for Home Office

DIY Office Decor

Succulent Palette

On my schedule this year was a home office makeover. I choose a palette based on a Design Seeds post. I ultimately just used the first three colors as my accent colors and went a bit more on the blog side with the feather palette for the walls.

Feather Palette

Martha Stewart Crafts had the perfect colors in their Vintage Decor Chalk Paint, Cantaloupe and Terra Cotta. Chalk paints are great for painting on multiple surfaces. They are are easy to use and don't require sanding, are quick-drying and have amazing waxes in both antique and clear to finish your pieces.

Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Supplies

 I painted several accent pieces for my home office decor makeover.

Office organizers bought on clearance at Michaels

Office Organizers painted & stenciled

Accent Table Painted & Stenciled

The organizers were bought on clearance at Michaels. They were a fabulous buy and perfect for office desk organization, but they weren't a color or design that I liked. No problem! Simply paint with the Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Chalk Paint, stencil design (using the darker shade of chalk paint), add a coat of clear wax, then wipe with the antique wax.
The table was an unfinished table I bought years ago at a white elephant sale. I didn't take step out photos while I did it, but I just painted with the terra cotta chalk paint, stenciled with cantaloupe. I sanded to distress and then applied clear wax mixed with antique to antique. Once that was dry, I dry-brushed cantaloupe on the piece to give it more dimension. I finished it by rubbing a coat of clear wax to seal and protect.

Updating the China Cabinets

After redoing the ceiling, the room was darker and seemed very mono-toned. We have 3 china cabinets in the room, all given to us when they didn't work in other's homes. I use them to display art. I've seen all types of furniture upcycling on Pinterest and Hometalk using chalkboard paint and I decided to do the china cabinet from my sister-in-law. I felt it would also bring some lightness into the room. Michaels sells the Americana Decor Chalk Finish Paint.

Paint - I used Lace, Antique Creme Wax & Clear Creme Wax

China Cabinet Before - nice, but outdated

Sanded & taped before painting. I learned it is best not to sand first

It took 3 coats of paint to cover as I wanted. Due to sanding, I had to spray water on the piece to get the paint to move right for me.

Left side is antiqued, right side hasn't been yet. Love how it brings out the detail.

Finished china cabinet back in place. After allowing antiquing wax to dry, applied 2 coats of clear wax.