Antique China Cabinet Restoration
Just a quick coat of General Finishes Gel Topcoat…
…and it was time to install the custom glass shelves and call it a wrap!
Handan donned her gloves and inserted the shelf pins.
The final moment had come.
The room was silent.
The air was still.
The dogs whimpered in their beds.
I picked up a shelf, and we held our breath as I placed it upon the…
“What the hell! Babes, this stupid shelf is too small!” I said.
Handan took the shelf from me to confirm what she’d already seen. I left the room.
The two interior cabinets were 25 inches wide. The glass in Handan’s hand was 24 inches wide. I was the one who measured the space. I was the one who ordered the glass. I was the one who screwed up.
Again.
It’s all fun and games when it comes to writing the post, but my years of screw ups were starting to get to me. Handan took it very well. She was amazing. No judgement at all. I wasn’t so kind to myself. It’s times like this that I wonder if I’m losing my tenuous grip on sanity. Would I even realize if my mind was slipping? I questioned my very existence. How could one man make so many mistakes, month after month, year after year? How could one woman keep forgiving him? She is a treasure, and I am so lucky to have her. [and I’m lucky to have you, my babes! – Handan] I don’t know how or why she puts up with me!
I pushed those thoughts aside and headed out to order more glass. I was going to order 24 7/8 inch glass, but I changed it to 24 15/16 at the last minute. A one week delay, thanks to Knucklehead McGillicuddy and his Incredible Shrinking Brain!
Well that one week ended this past Friday. I picked up Handan from work, and we headed to Manchester Glass in our neighboring town. The owners were kind enough to give me a 50% discount on this order since I botched up my original order. Handan and I picked up the new order and headed home to install the glass and finish the project before my parents arrived for dinner that night. I unwrapped the glass and tried to install a shelf.
The shelf was too long. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get it to fit.
This was bad. We needed to finish the project done so I could write this post. We needed to finish the project so we could move on with our lives.
But the glass was too long!
It was 4:25 PM on a Friday. Manchester Glass would close at 5:00. It was a 25 minute drive. We had company coming for dinner at 5:00. I hadn’t started cooking dinner yet.
I called Manchester Glass and explained my predicament. They said that if I could get there by 4:45, they’d be able to grind a little off the length by 5:00. I told them I’d be there, though I knew there was no way I’d make it in time. I grabbed the glass and ran out the door.
While driving through Manchester center, I hit every red light, slow poke driver and left-turner, all during Friday evening rush. I pulled up to Manchester Glass at 4:56 and ran inside with the shelves. There were two people ahead of me, and by the time it was my turn, it was already past 5:00. I was sweating bullets. The guy took the glass, and I asked for another 1/8 inch to be taken off. I thanked him profusely. It was Friday night. I knew he had better things to do than fix my mistakes. But he did it with a smile and without judgement. That’s how you run a business. That’s how you get loyal customers. If any our readers live in the Hartford area and need custom glass, please don’t hesitate to call Manchester Glass.
I drove back home in the same infuriating traffic. I arrived at 5:40, but there were no cars in our driveway. Weird. I went inside and installed the glass, finally, into our antique china cabinet. It was a prefect fit.
My parents showed up 45 minutes late (a good thing), and we ordered pizza instead of eating the Afghan pilaf I was planning. Instead, I will make that dish today, for my babes’ birthday 🙂
Okay, enough drama, enough yapping, enough prelude! Let’s get on with the glory shots, eh?
We filled the cabinet with our treasures, many of which we picked up during our travels overseas.
And it really comes alive when the sun goes down!
Dining Room Makeover Checklist
Moodboard and plan.Paint the room.Create a gallery wall and design printables for it.Decide on the rug.Buy Chairs.Build dining table.- Build a small console table.
Makeover/upcycle antique wardrobe.- Makeover/paint the buffet table.
- Decorate dining room.
Click here to see more dining room makeover posts as we continue to cross items off our checklist!
Wow. That looks spectacular!
Thank you, Nicole!
Wow this is a showstopper! Great work and a stunning addition to your home!
Thank you, Sara! We love it! 🙂
Absolutely beautiful! A one of a kind treasure. I just love your posts!?
Thank you so much, Susan!
You’re a great writer. Thanks for the entertainment. And welcome to the “Monkey Do, Monkey See” Club, one I originated. The piece looks great by the way.
Thank you, Teddee! 😀
I absolutely LOVE it! Great job!
I cannot believe you work in the garage however – it has been soooo cold in CT lately! Hope you have a heat source! I have to work on the porch so not one project has been done yet this year. Hopefully we won’t go right from winter into summer. 🙂
Thank you, Laura! Oh no, I don’t work in the garage usually. My workshop is in the basement, but this piece was too big and clunky to carry down, so some work had to be done outside or in the garage. 🙂
Magnificent!
Thanks, Derry! 🙂
Well…IF I can stop laughing (tears) from Page three to type this…it turned out FABULOUS!!! Send a photo to that antiques place and address it to the wife…nah. franki
Lol, thanks, Franki! Oh, I don’t think she’d be too happy with that photo! 😀
Wow. Just Wow. That looks absolutely amazing, and all of your souvenirs are fantastic! (Handan, I am a little disappointed in you, after all, you weren’t wearing pajamas in any of the pictures! As a happy, pajama-wearing woman, I thought I’d found a partner! LOL!) Good job, both of you! I can’t wait to hear the story of the garage renovation. (That should prove to have lots to keep us entertained!)
She was wearing pajamas, Terra! I guess none of those pics made the cut, though, lol.
I swear that woman with the boobs has a bigger smile on her face now that she’s been refinished!!!
I think you’re right, Cheryl 😉
Greg, what a story! Well, it turned out fantastic! You are an awesome carpenter. Congrats on a job well done!
Thank you so much, Melva! 🙂
this is freaking awesome and i do not even like antiques very much lol, these are great posts, a story inside a diy,you guys are the best xx
Thank you, Chris! Everything is better with a good story! 🙂
You two always do such great work and this is no exception! She’s a stunner!
Thank you, Barb! She sure is!
It is absolutely gorgeous!! Great job.
Thank you, Shirley! 🙂
Wow! It turned out beautiful. Well done!
Thank you so much, Janice!
Wow!! Great job bringing an old piece back to life. It looks beautiful with all your treasures in it.
Thank you, Sandy! It really does!
Wow! It turned out amazing!
Thank you, Revital!
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the hinges!
Thanks, Giselle! Yes, those hinges are awesome. House of Antique Hardware has really cool stuff.
That is an amazing blog. And a GORGEOUS Piece! Love that you brought it back to it’s beautiful self!
Thank you so much, Dawn! 🙂
WOWZA! Gorgeous. Happy birthday Handan!
Thank you, Karen! 🙂
Thank you so much, Karen! 🙂
Wow! That cabinet looks fabulous!!! When can I hire you two to come to my house? LOL! Love all your posts! 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer! We should be finished in our house in about 2037, so we’ll be right over after that! 😀
Wow. That looks absolutely amazing, and all of your souvenirs are fantastic. Great job bringing an old piece back to life. You two do such great work and this is no exception. Hope so your experience will helpful for all and thanks for the sharing with all of us.
Thank you, Jason! It was worth the effort!
Stunning!! You all did an amazing restoration job. What a unique piece that deserved nothing by the best, and that’s what it received. Haven’t used the GF gel stain, but thanks for the user tips. I’d like to try it sometime.
Thank you, Amy! The General Finishes Gel stain is a wonder – you’ll love it!
That’s the best boob job I’ve ever seen guys. It looks amazing
LoL, thanks, Michelle! 🙂
That china cabinet is a treasure which is housing treasures. Beautifully and lovingly restored. And Greg we all make mistakes. So many measurements and so many numbers to remember. What matters is that it turned out brilliant in the end.
Thank you, Mary! You know, as it turned out – I was correct in my measurements! The glass shop made the error. They made the new glass for no charge. I never bothered to update the post with the new info, lol.
I went through all four pages but never saw the finished Cabinet. Where is it?
That’s odd, Russell. The finished cabinet pictures are all there on page 4. Perhaps try again?
Have to say, that’s one best way to restore old cabinet. Thanks for sharing the tips….
Thank you, Amir!
Wow, what beautiful piece of furniture. I understand why you wanted it so badly. Gorgeous fine! Your work also, gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Ivory – that one was a labor of love! 🙂
Wowza! Wowza!! Wowza!! I love gel stain. I used it to refinish an old dresser and I think that java is so warm and the perfect shade for your project! It’s a gorgeous addition to your home. Keep the fun projects and the amusing blogs coming! You and Handan are inspiring all of us do-it-yourselfers.
Thank you so much, Barb! Have a wonderful holiday weekend! 🙂