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Emily A. Clark

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My Armoire Makeover: Painting It Navy

September 17, 2013

Don’t you love when you can revive a piece of furniture you’re totally tired of, and suddenly fall in love with it again?  That’s the story of me and my armoire.

 

living room armoire

 

We originally bought it for our first nursery in 2004, and when it wouldn’t fit up the stairs in our next house, it landed in the front living room as a big art supply cabinet for the kids.

 

By the time, we moved into our current house a couple of years ago, I was tired of its bulkiness and cherry finish and listed it on Craigslist.  But, it never sold and ended up storing all kinds of “stuff” in our garage.

armoire before

 

 

Then, one day I had a thought.  (Yes, really.)  The dresser in our bedroom had never quite looked right, and I hated seeing the TV sitting on top as you came into the room.  So, I invited the armoire to come back and live inside the house:

 

painted blue armoire

 

 

I went with this rich navy blue:

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

 

 

It took one coat of primer (I used Zinsser) and two coats of paint in a satin finish.

 

Painting furniture

 

 

Our TV fit perfectly by taking the top shelf out, and I’m happy to be able to put that ugly cable box and cords behind closed doors:

 

TV cabinet in bedroom

 

 

Besides buying the paint, my only other investment was hardware. I spent a total of $13 by buying two IKEA pulls for $10 (and sprayed them metallic gold), and I picked up a bag of brass  knobs at my local Habitat ReStore for $3.  (I always check the hardware section when I’m there!)

 

navy armoire with brass knobs

 

 

Pressing on with our bedroom update, I have big plans for this wall in our bedroom.  I’ll show you in the next couple of weeks.

 

painted navy armoire makeover

 

 

Do you have any furniture around your house that you’ve re-fallen in love with lately?

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Filed Under: DIY, master bedroom, our home, painted furniture

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andrea says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    It’s gorgeous. I love this color. Getting ready to paint my powder room Hale Navy. I love how you made this piece usable and chic!

    Reply
  2. Caroline Nolazco says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    You had me at navy. Looks fantastic!

    Reply
  3. Kathy Baugher says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    I’m working on some this week. The bedside tables in our Master bedroom are being painted a high gloss deep navy. Can’t decide if I want silver or gold hardware though.. =) Great Job on the armoire, it turned out lovely.

    Reply
  4. The enchanted home says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    Looks amazing! Hard to believe its the same piece, great color choice!

    Reply
  5. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    looks fabulous! what a difference! i love navy- perfect choice!

    Reply
  6. Mandy DeTurk says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    WOW! That color is perfect!

    Reply
    • Carlos says

      November 23, 2019 at 10:37 pm

      I picked up an armoire at Faith farm and this is the color it will receive. Its a bar with drawers and it should look awesome once we are done.
      Thanks for the tip.

      Reply
  7. Beth of designPOST Interiors says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    Love that navy paint and it did wonders for your armoire! Any chance you can tell me how long the pulls are? I am looking for something similar for a project.

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      September 17, 2013 at 4:34 pm

      Beth–They’re 13 inches.

      Reply
  8. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    What a great transformation! Love the color you chose and I think armoires are fantastic in the bedroom for hiding the tv. And, now I’m kicking myself, because I have a similar armoire to redo, was at Ikea (3 hours away) last weekend with pulls like this in my hand, and ended up putting them back. Ugh! I guess they’ll be on the list for the next trip! :)

    Reply
  9. The 2 Seasons says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    I have never really been a fan of armoire but this makes me want one. Looks amazing!

    Reply
  10. Mrs BC says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    Beautiful! I am in the middle of painting an heirloom dresser in a dark blue, and am already excited by the result. One more coat of paint and it’s going to the bedroom! It took a bit of courage to paint, but I’m sure it will be worth it. Your armoire reinforces my decision, so thanks!
    x

    Reply
  11. Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    That is gorgeous! Beautiful!!!

    Reply
  12. Hannah says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    wow! i wouldn’t even know that is the same piece! love it! i had a “country” looking chest that i wanted to get rid of…painted it wrought iron(martha stewart) and added MS brass rectangular cup pulls. now it’s one of my favorites in the entire house! isn’t paint magic? ;)

    Reply
  13. pam {simple details} says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    Those Ikea pulls are the biggest bang for the buck for transforming a piece, and that navy, so pretty, Emily!

    Reply
  14. Denise @ frazzled JOY says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    Love the navy and gold combo. So Pretty!!

    Reply
  15. Lina Williams says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:39 pm

    Emily, you are a genius! The armoire looks fantastic, very high-end. Also, I love your subtle humor – you “invited” it back inside!

    Reply
  16. Fletcher @ High Cotton Style says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    I love it! I so need to do that with an old dresser. Love the pic on the top btw:)

    Reply
  17. KYHokiemom says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    Did you use oil or latex paint? I am wanting to paint a wall of bookshelves, but am worried how the paint will hold up as we *use* the shelves for books! Thanks for any advice…

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      September 17, 2013 at 4:38 pm

      I used latex. Besides the initial coat of primer, my paint was also a paint + primer in one.

      Reply
      • Amy says

        December 26, 2019 at 9:31 pm

        You did not sand it down any? Just primer first and the latex Paint with primer? Just CURIOUS because i am fixing to reDo a big hutch and i love this color. I ALways use chalk paint but was thinking of trying this. Thank you

        Reply
  18. Brittany Liljeqvist says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    love the color! I have been itching to paint some furniture lately so maybe I will paint my armoire too!

    Brittany
    http://www.classicallyb.com

    Reply
  19. Melanie says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    What a gorgeous re-do! And you made it look so modern with the new knobs.

    Reply
  20. LindsB says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    LOVE this! I need to stock up on some ikea hardware because you made it look amazing!

    Reply
  21. Unknown says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    I think it looks great, and I admire your guts to do something this drastic-with wonderful results!

    Does anyone have any bad experiences spray painting metal pulls/knobs? I have had some where the paint rubs off where you touch it repeatedly-like wears off. Any ideas?

    Reply
  22. Chelsea says

    September 17, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    That looks SO SO good Emily! I have such a similar scenario. Bought a cherry wood armoire that was a nursery piece, now it sits in our entry and holds our art supplies. I’ve been debating painting it a chalky gray or navy. This really inspires me to bite the bullet. You picked fabulous hardware too! I love reinventing furniture and the thrill of thinking how much money you just saved;)

    Reply
  23. Emily says

    September 17, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    I love how you can revive a piece of furniture into a new setting and it looks like something brand new. I especially love the gold pulls and knobs! I’m loving anything gold right now!

    Reply
  24. Holly says

    September 17, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    lovely! one question…does your husband ever give you a hard time about painting wood pieces? mine is so stubborn on that.

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      September 17, 2013 at 4:39 pm

      God blessed me with a very un-opinionated husband when it comes to decorating our house :)

      Reply
  25. Tammy The Colored Door says

    September 17, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    I love the armoire, the color makes all the difference. I painted a curio cabinet last year that I never loved and the paint job made me love it. Gotta love paint.

    Tammy @ thecoloreddoor.blogspot.com

    Reply
  26. Katherine @ Grass Stains says

    September 17, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    THAT IS AMAZING. AMAZING. All-caps amazing. I love it.

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      September 17, 2013 at 4:39 pm

      But, do you like it?? :)

      Reply
  27. Annapolady says

    September 17, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Really splendid!

    Reply
  28. Becca says

    September 17, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Gorgeous, Emily!! I love the color you chose … and, the gold metallic pulls are the perfect companion!

    Reply
  29. René says

    September 17, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    Brilliant! Now I want my old armoire back :(

    Reply
  30. LilyBiscuit says

    September 17, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    Really beautiful! Another project to inspire me. Thanks!

    Reply
  31. amykristinteriors.com says

    September 17, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    I love the color Emily! And where did you get the hardware (especially the handles on the doors…LOVE!!!) Great job! Hugs, Amy

    Reply
    • amykristinteriors.com says

      September 17, 2013 at 6:35 pm

      Sorry, I just noticed they are from IKEA. :-)

      Reply
  32. Vel Criste says

    September 17, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    Love it Emily! Of course the hardware made a huge impact on a tired old piece too!

    Reply
  33. Mindy Cooper says

    September 17, 2013 at 7:19 pm

    Emily, you are my kindred spirit as I have just finished painting three bookcases from my childhood. It was a huge project but I love the results. I gave them a new life by painting them white and raising them up with a 15 inch riser with moldings. Now they look like built-ins. They have such awesome lines, I couldn’t part with them and I have fond memories of storing my toys as a kid in the cabinets. More importantly, I love Hale Navy, it’s my wall color in the den. I’m about to use it on a game table I’m redoing. The Hale Navy is actually darker than it appears on the PC, so I am really appreciating your armoire transformation! You inspire me every day. Keep it coming.

    Reply
  34. Gwen, The Makerista says

    September 17, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    looks really lovely, Emily! I’m excited you are working on your master. You certainly deserve a nice space to relax in a bit once the day has wound down!

    Reply
  35. Melanie says

    September 17, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    LOVE! I am going to re-paint my bedroom suite — the WHOLE thing! Yikes! :) And, I am a complete newbie. Do I need to sand it first? Or just use a primer and go for it?

    thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      September 17, 2013 at 8:04 pm

      It just depends on the surface but I don’t always sand. Usually just if it’s really glossy, so the primer will take better.

      Reply
    • Brenda Rhodes says

      September 17, 2013 at 11:05 pm

      Melanie, I painted my pine bedroom suite about 4 years ago. It was about about 20 years old so it wasn’t very shiny and I dont use a lot of wood cleaners so it didn’t have any build up of oils on it. I didn’t sand it and it still looks great. I had a professional painter tell me to always use 100% acrylic paint when doing things like this and so far it hasn’t failed me. I have found that most outdoor paints are 100% acrylic. I am really wanting to paint it this blue now! Good luck!

      Reply
  36. JourneyChic says

    September 17, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    What a gorgeous and useful transformation! Love that hardware.

    Reply
  37. L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoys says

    September 17, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    In love!!! Girl you are doing the darn thing! Perfect color and hardware choice. Now I want one:-)

    Reply
  38. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    September 17, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    It is absolutely stunning, glad you held onto it!!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  39. Michaela says

    September 17, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    This really is amazing! I love it in navy!

    Reply
  40. Shannon says

    September 17, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    Emily…did you brush the doors or roll? I’m working in a bench and am trying to figure out if I should brush/roll the top.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      September 18, 2013 at 1:17 am

      For the most part, I tried to roll. I did have to use a brush to get in the detailed parts, though. (And, I took the doors off first.)

      Reply
  41. Tricia | 724SouthHouse says

    September 17, 2013 at 10:09 pm

    I remember you instagramming this a few weeks ago. So happy to see the result. I think the navy is perfect, but that hardware is even better! Great idea to look for hardware at Habitat… was just there this past weekend, but didn’t even think to look!

    Reply
  42. Brenda Rhodes says

    September 17, 2013 at 10:57 pm

    I love the blue you chose. Its not so dark that it looks black but yet it doesn’t have the country blue look. Perfect. The armoire looks wonderful. I have a remade armoir in my bedroom as well. We had an old (really old) cabinet that i bought second hand years ago. It had a large opening bottom center where a cosole TV sat. I told it was old. The cabinet was divided with shelves all across it. My husband turned it over and made the top the bottom. He applied crown molding to the top to finish it.Closed in all the cubbyholes and put on doors. He also made a new shelf and doors for the TV opening.. I wish I could explain to you hw awesome it is. It’s about 5 ft tall and 6 ft long I painted it a moss green but I am really loving this blue!! everyone one that sees it loves it and I love having all the extra storage in my bedroom. Keep up the good work. Love your blog!!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      September 18, 2013 at 1:18 am

      Thanks, Brenda! Sounds like a great project.

      Reply
  43. Emily Palmier says

    September 18, 2013 at 12:45 am

    It looks great! Those Ikea pulls look like a million bucks!!

    Reply
  44. Design_Fluff says

    September 18, 2013 at 8:53 am

    I love it when someone makes over an old armoire! I love the hardware you chose!

    We are making over a pine armoire and turning it into something that holds things for our master bathroom.

    Do you think you will do a contrasting treatment on the inside sometime
    in the future?

    Reply
  45. Abby M. Interiors says

    September 18, 2013 at 11:18 am

    Looks fantastic! Hale Navy is such a favorite. I’m really excited to see what you do with your windows! xo

    Reply
  46. Jesse @ Scout & Nimble says

    September 18, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    I love it, Emily! I’m now totally regretting dropping my armoire that we tried to sell in multiple garage sales off to Goodwill. It was very similar and you can never have enough closed storage, right? Oh well…I’m am sure that it now belongs to someone who is loving it! And I love Hale Navy…I used it on our bedroom dresser makeover with gold pulls…there is just something so sophisticated about that color combo! ;)

    Reply
  47. Tiffany @ {Living Savvy} says

    September 18, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Perfect Color! I am feeling the need to find use for that color! I hate seeing TVs in bedrooms also.. but I couldnt live with out mine! Great job on repurposing the amoire!

    Reply
  48. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    September 18, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Looks amazing Emily! Hale is one of my very favorite colors – great choice! Can’t wait to see what else you have planned.

    Reply
  49. sarah m. dorsey says

    September 18, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    Pretty! Love the color and the hardware really makes the piece!

    Reply
  50. Patti Borrelli @BeSoStyle says

    September 18, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    Love the navy. Quite a transformation. You’ve inspired me.

    Reply
  51. Miss Charming says

    September 18, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    Love the hardware! Great transformation, Emily.

    Reply
  52. SHERRY HART says

    September 19, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    I still have an armoire in my bedroom with a TV in it. Love being able to close it when my bedroom is clean :) Can’t wait to see this navy and black bedroom!

    Reply
  53. Barbara says

    September 20, 2013 at 2:52 am

    You really did a wonderful job. I think it is perfect in every way.

    Reply
  54. jamie barron says

    September 20, 2013 at 7:33 am

    Really like these one! and i appreciate for you you have done work thanks for sharing! BestKreative

    Reply
  55. Steph Piontkowski says

    September 30, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    Love the transformation! It really looks like a whole new piece. I keep forgetting to check out my local Habitat ReStore so thanks for the reminder! :)

    Reply
  56. Kim @ Plumberry Pie says

    October 1, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Oh boy, you may have just opened a can of worms on me. Shoot! ;) Adding to my mile long to do list! Love how this turned out. Gorgeous!

    Reply
  57. Jenn says

    May 31, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    I just love this! How has it held up over the years? May I ask if you sanded it prior to priming or in between coats?

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      June 1, 2015 at 11:30 am

      It’s holding up great. I don’t think I did any sanding. Pretty sure we just primed and painted. I usually don’t sand unless it’s an ultra-glossy finish to begin with…

      Reply
  58. ATLKellyG says

    January 23, 2016 at 6:24 pm

    Love this! We just re-did our master bath & I used a similar navy on the cabinets (BM Van Duesen which is on the same swatch as Hale Navy) with antique brass hardware and it looks AMAZING! Was thinking I may tackle our bedroom bookshelves & your post has given me inspiration! Thanks for posting!!

    Reply
  59. Amanda says

    September 8, 2016 at 11:35 pm

    What brand of spray paint did you use?

    Reply
    • Kennard says

      September 12, 2016 at 12:43 am

      I came here to ask the same thing!

      Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      September 12, 2016 at 7:44 am

      I don’t remember but probably Valspar…

      Reply
  60. Jenny says

    October 2, 2017 at 2:35 am

    Hello, I am trying to find those Ikea pulls – do you know the name of them? I can’t find them on Ikea’s website. I need wide ones like the ones you used!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      October 2, 2017 at 10:31 am

      I’m sorry, I don’t remember. I’m not sure they even carry them anymore…

      Reply
  61. Lucia says

    February 22, 2018 at 12:40 am

    Hi Emily! Lovely piece and I am thinking on painting two pieces in my bedroom that are just boring!
    Did you sanded before priming? Hi w did you prepared the piece?

    Thanks

    Reply
  62. Megan says

    April 16, 2018 at 7:18 am

    I have pieces quite similar to these, and I can’t stand them. They are black and dull! I’m glad this worked for someone. I will report back and hopefully share pictures of the makeover!
    I’m going for a distressed look I think.

    Reply
  63. John says

    April 16, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    Looks great! Did you sand before priming? Did you paint with a bruah or a roller?

    Reply
  64. Tara says

    October 23, 2018 at 10:00 pm

    Hello!
    This looks lovely :)
    Other than the primer & paint, did you use anything else – like a top coat?
    I assume you didn’t sand either?
    Thanks so much!

    Reply
  65. Lyn says

    January 26, 2020 at 7:55 am

    Have a Fontana Hutch by Broyhill that I’ve been advertising on Facebook for free because I have no use for it anymore, but now after seeing this result I might have to try this. So Beautiful!

    Reply
  66. Marisa says

    March 13, 2021 at 10:06 pm

    I love it!!! Can you please share what paint you used? Thank you!!!

    Reply

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