BATHROOM FACELIFT: CABINETS

Dear Olive,

After I solved the builder grade mirror problem in our jack and jill bathroom, I had the secondary problem of mismatched cabinets.  I read up on how to DIY re-staining the cabinetry with java gel stain here.

I'm pretty satisfied with how the final product turned out.  The time commitment was only about 3 hours total.  I didn't have to sand or strip the previous wood even though it had a varnish over it.  I just wiped General Finishes Java Gel Stain over the wood with an old sock.

It took three coats of gel stain and one clear coat of satin polyurethane.  I ended up mixing the java gel and candlelight stain to better match the antique mirror.  I just mixed half and half so the final finish wouldn't be too dark.

 I got pretty lazy at the end and put the last coats on after I had already rehung the doors.  If I had known how easy the process was, I likely would have kept the doors on the whole time. 

I splurged on some Anthropologie handles, I'm glad for the final finish.  I'd rather have strong home finishes than jewelry anyway.

And then I found this fabulous birch cloth curtain at an antique store to tie in the mint and red accents.  I didn't even have to hem it!

I've already been eyeballing other wood items in my home to stain.  So satisfying!