Bombay Watch Chest in Angora White

From Gilded to Grounded: A Standing Jewelry Armoire's Dark Moody Transformation

Sometimes, a "bright and airy" makeover just doesn’t fit the vibe. I found this standing jewelry armoire after it had already been given a white and gold facelift by someone else, but it felt a bit too "glam" for many people. I knew it had the potential to be something much more sophisticated, mysterious, and—of course— moody . In this tutorial, I’m taking you through the process of retaining some of the previous DIY and layering on a deep, velvety dark green finish. We’ll be leaning into those shadows, highlighting the unique curved silhouette. Whether you're looking to tone down a piece that's "too bright" or you're ready to embrace the dark academia aesthetic, here is how I turned a high-contrast piece into a seamless, moody masterpiece.

This adorable mahogany wood watch display chest from Bombay Co was in need of a reloving.

My first step is to clean the surface well with an environmental spray cleaner and damp cloth as well as a good vacuuming on the interior.

Two coats of House & Canvas soft angora white were applied then the edges wet distressed to reveal that original gorgeous dark finish. The paint was then sealed with Annie Sloan clear wax.

I was lucky enough to win this lovely Canadian made paint from House & Canvas on Instagram and am very happy with the coverage and consistency. Click to see the teal paint on a sweet end table.