They say every piece of furniture has a story—you just have to listen closely enough.
When I found this Crate & Barrel bar cabinet on Marketplace, it was in great shape but a little boring for my taste. But in its bones, I saw potential. Not just for a quick flip—but for a complete transformation.
I didn’t want to simply restore it.
I wanted to reimagine it.
I wanted it to feel like something pulled straight from a daydream—a mermaid portal, shimmering with mystery and alive with character.
✨ The Process: Breathing New Life into an Old Piece
Step 1: Stripping it back to basics
I would like to say that I used a sander before painting, but I did not have a sander nor the patience. I did, however, use a primer and that definitely became a must-have step later when adding the pearlescent colors. If had not used a primer, the shimmery paints would never have covered that dark wood.
I tried both of these primers, but I would say any primer made for wood would be fine.
Step 2: Choosing the new vision
Instead of a traditional stain or paint, I decided to lean into the texture and fantasy. Although I should have started with the sides of the cabinet, I had no idea what paint I was going to use yet and I also just couldn't resist with the front. Inspired by the ocean, I transformed the scallops into hand-painted mermaid scales—each one individually crafted to shimmer when they caught the light. I chose a palette of soft aquas, pearlescent whites, and hints of gold, capturing the feeling of light dancing on water.
I used a combination of paint from Etsy and the craft store, and honestly the $2 paint from the craft store had as much pigment or more than the more expensive paint. It took me about ten days to paint the scales a little by little each day. Totally worth it!
For the base, I did not use a primer, went straight for this Rustoleum spray paint with a built-in primer. It took 5-6 cans to cover well. I would suggest spraying around 8 inches away to avoid paint drips.
After some trial and error for the outside of the cabinet, I settled on this Modern Masters metallic paint in Oyster. The first coats looked like a project that my 2 year-old had created and I was starting to get scared that my entire vision was going to become a flop, but what finally brought out the elegance was lightly using an electric sander (found on Amazon for $25) between coats. I probably ended up with 4-5 coats (although some reviewers of this paint claimed two coats worked for them!)
Step 3: Finishing with love
The inside was also a bit tricky because of all the nooks and crevices, so I would not be able to brush paint. After trying several colors, I settled on this Rustoleum spray paint in Pearl Mist. It had the most coverage and also blended nicely with the outside of the cabinet. Even though it claims to have a built-in primer, another primer is definitely required. After several coats (3-4 cans of paint), it covered nicely and I got most of the nooks and crannies! Finally, I added the hardware (Hobby Lobby) and interior, as well as some contact paper to the shelves, ensuring the piece wasn’t just beautiful—it was fully functional and ready for its next chapter.
🌊 Why I Transform Instead of Replace
We live in a world that moves fast—where it’s easy to throw things away and start fresh.
But I believe there’s magic in transformation.
Although with the $$$ I spent on paint, I could have easily bought a brand new piece, but what fun would that be?! Saving and reimagining existing pieces isn’t just more sustainable—it’s more soulful.
It honors the materials, the craftsmanship, and the idea that beauty isn’t found in perfection—it's found in creativity, patience, and a little shimmer.
This bar cabinet didn’t just get a second life.
It got a second soul.
🧜♀️ The Final Reveal
Today, this once-forgotten piece stands proudly as a mermaid portal—a playful, elegant statement that holds cocktails, memories, and a little bit of magic.
Furniture has a funny way of becoming part of our stories.
This one reminds me that with imagination (and a little sparkle), transformation is always possible.
Thinking of giving an old piece a second life?
✨ Let your imagination lead the way—you never know what kind of portal you’ll open. ✨
