Jewelry Storage and Display from an Old Pine Country Shelf

Vintage Art Deco China Cabinet Restore

This Art Deco waterfall china cabinet, circa 1940, had seen better days. Tucked away in a shop and used as a storage shelf, it was in rough shape. A family member, inspired by a photo featuring rich navy tones and warm wood, wanted to see it brought back to life. With that vision in mind, I gave the piece the repairs and makeover it deserved — blending classic navy with warm wood to honor both its history and a fresh new style.

A customer brought me their old country pine shelf with a vision for it to become a jewelry display unit. She saw hooks and wire and the color teal and left it in my hands to create something.

First step was a good scrub, these shelves usually were left raw as was this one. There was a stubborn sticker that needed a few coats of an orange cleaner I love called Nature's ultimate (formerly known as TKO)

Once dry, it was time for the paint. I choose General Finishes chalk paint in key west blue.

See it on this sweet accent table

When dry I distressed the edges to reveal a bit of the wood. The color did not photograph true here, don't be alarmed.

To deepen the key west blue even more I sealed it with Daddy Van's cafe noir dark wax.

Perfect!

Here it is all painted waiting for new shaker pegs. Once I secured them they were painted and waxed in the same colors and glued into the old existing holes.

Ten cup hooks were added in the long vertical openings. Chicken wire was added to the long horizontal openings. Two D hangers were added on the back to give a secure mount to the wall and this beauty was complete!

Scroll to last picture to see it in its new home loaded up :)