Posted on by ToadMama

A Prettier Place for My Trash

Who says trash receptacles have to be dull, boring, and/or ugly?

I’ve been using a pine cabinet to house the trash can in my office since October 2011. That’s when we moved into our Virginia home.

This little cabinet used to sit in the kitchen at our Maryland house. The VA home has a trash can cabinet in the kitchen, so we no longer needed this little cabinet, which Meg-proofed our kitchen trash.

The cabinet, with its unfinished pine exterior, has been on my mental list of things to paint for a long time. It was boring. So I finally decided to add some color.

I actually painted it during my lunch hour and then waxed it last night.

While it may not be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever painted, at least it’s now a bit more interesting.

For those of you who might be pressed for time and/or don’t care about the whole reincarnation process, here’s a before and after pic.

Before (left) and After (right)
Before (left) and After (right)

What do you think?

For those who like detail and seeing a painted piece as it evolves…

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) and wax. Of course.

My friend, Carol, asked if I’ve started working for “that company” yet. I guess I talk about the stuff too much?

Sorry, I can’t help myself. It’s so easy to use. And it’s fun transforming old stuff.

I snapped some pics of the piece in its various stages with my phone.

Plain Jane Trash Bin
Plain Jane Trash Bin

 

After one coat of Old White
After one coat of Old White

 

trashcan_3
With Arles added to the drawer and panel.

 

trashcan_4
After Olive was added to the frame.

 

trashcan_5
After Olive was added to the top.

 

trashcan_6
After applying one coat each of Clear Wax and Dark Wax.

 

trashcan_7
Face on shot of the finished product.

There you have it. A quick and easy project. Instead of disposing of that boring cabinet and replacing it with something new, I have given it new life.

Hey, does that make me a furniture God?

What do you think?

I’m not sure it fits perfectly with the yellow walls, but am planning on embellishing the front with some butterflies. After, um, I locate said butterflies. I’ll be sure to share another image once that part is done.

8 Replies to “A Prettier Place for My Trash”

  5. Very nice. That really updated/modernized it.

    I was trying to figure out why you needed a trash cabinet then you mentioned Meg and the light came on. I am spoiled with Basil, he is too lazy to get into anything. Heck, he is too lazy to jump on the counters, which is a good thing.

  6. LOL, Brandy. Meg is the absolute worst when it comes to sneaking food, eating stuff she shouldn’t, etc. Her back legs are too weak for her to counter surf, thank goodness. I trust the other two more, but if there was something particularly smelly in an uncovered garbage bin, close to the counter edge, etc., I’m not sure either of the younguns would be saints.

    1. Bob, it IS easy. That paint I talk about incessantly makes it simple. No prep work at all. I just blew the dust off and had the cabinet painted within my lunch hour. Of course, I knew I was distressing it a bit, so I just slopped the paint on. 🙂

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