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5 DIY Ideas for Martha Washington Cabinet Makeovers

Updated: Apr 13, 2023

Find an old Martha Washington Sewing Cabinet & want to give it a little update?


They have such an iconic shape that adapts to any style & we have 5 original ways you can refurbish or paint it yourself.

Whether it’s beat up or just too plain, here's some tips to help make your DIY furniture makeover a success with easy-to-follow instructions & videos to help!

Our favorite Martha Washington Cabinet Makeover Ideas we’ve done in the past:

1. Sand & Refinish!

A different color finish can make a whole world of difference. If you sand off the old finish, it’s as simple as applying a gel stain.


When it comes to refinishing wood furniture, I like to use Non-toxic gel stains.


Here's a few options:


Dixie Belle’s Voodoo Gel Stain, which is water-based & easy to apply with an applicator pad & a water mister bottle. These eco-friendly stains come in a variety of colors that you can also mix with chalk paint.

CLICK PHOTO TO SHOP OUR SELECTION OF GEL STAINS


No Pain Gel Stain is an oil-based gel stain that provides deep and rich coverage & is available in 8 colors.

CLICK PHOTO TO SHOP OUR SELECTION OF GEL STAINS

2. Make it a statement piece with raised stencils & vibrant colors.


Do you love flamingos? This is one I painted for a dear friend who does!


No matter what you like, there's a transfer or stencil with your name on it.


On the front I used Dixie Belle Mud to make raised stencils with the flowers. Then added Image Transfers to the sides.



This Martha Washington Cabinet makes a colorful painted plant stand!

Look below for all the products I used to get this look.


Products used: Click on each item to shop in our store.

3. Add image transfers for an artistic flair like this Alice in Wonderland themed project by Simply Made Unique by Jill!

Here’s a quick video showing you how to get this Alice in Wonderland Look using Dixie Belle’s Harlequin Stencil & the Alice Transfers. Click here to watch the Video

Click to shop each Dixie Belle Product used for this project here on our site:




4. How about a beachy painted cabinet with a colorful distressed finish?


I teamed up with Simply Made Unique By Jill to make this a cabinet ready for a new life on the beach.




For a “distressed” look, we lightly brushed the edges with different colors. Watch the video below to see how it all went down!



Click to shop each Dixie Belle Product used for this project here on our site:




5. Colorful ombre painted furniture can transform any corner of the house.


These cool coastal blues can make your Martha Washington Cabinet into the center of attention!


Create a gradient effect by painting a slightly different shade of the same color, fading from light to dark. Once you know how to paint ombre furniture, you can use any colors you want!


This colorful ombre cabinet was painted by Simply Made Unique By Jill using 3 colors.

Click the link below to watch a quick video for how she got this look!


Click to shop each Dixie Belle Product used for this project here on our site:

Have you ever painted or refinished a Martha Washington Cabinet? I’d love to see your photos!


Send them to Vintage Finders Warehouse or come visit our shop in Venice, Florida!

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