Four rebuilt, fluted doors. One custom faux-wood finish. And a “quick” project that took daaaaaaaays.
Some of you want the whole story. Others just want the formula without hearing about my husband, my iced coffee, or all the times I changed my mind. No judgment. Pick your adventure.
Materials, measurements, and steps, without the detours. Everything lives right here on this page.
Apply over Sherwin-Williams ProClassic Satin Extra White.
Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte, Linen White. Apply with a light hand at select edges to retain rustic wear.
Sometimes updating a piece of furniture means painting it. And sometimes you look at four dark glass doors with ornate trim and think, Nope. We’re rebuilding the whole thing.
That was this credenza. The cabinet was solid, functional and the right scale for the enormous TV above it, but those dark glass doors made that side of the room feel much heavier than I wanted.
I am remarkably consistent in saying, “This should be pretty quick.” My husband is equally consistent in saying, “Sure it will be.”
I genuinely thought we could build these doors and the fireplace mantel in less than a day. We could not. Not even close. Daaaaaaays later, here we are — with approximately 47 finish samples. You’re welcome. 😂
We kept the existing white frame and replaced the doors with a solid backing, clean framing, vertical fluting, a lighter faux-white-oak finish and long brass pulls. I briefly considered two wide doors instead of four. Although there wasn’t actually a structural center support between the pairs as I first thought, four separate doors ultimately worked better for the proportions.
We used 1/2-inch Blondewood plywood as a base for each door, wider primed framing at the edges and MDF fluting in the inset. We ripped slim trim strips to fill the side gaps rather than end the fluting in an odd sliver.
We sanded only where necessary. The 1×3-style framing was already primed, and I avoided sanding the MDF fluting.
Testing the finish took longer than I expected, but I’d do it again. I wanted a lighter companion to the warm mantel, not a perfect match. Not yellow, not orange, not gray — and not so dark that we recreated the visual weight we had just removed.
We started with Sherwin-Williams ProClassic Interior Acrylic Latex in Satin Extra White. That sheen is important: a glaze spreads and wipes differently on satin than on flat paint. Your samples should use the same base and application tools as the real project.
I tested tiny batches with pipettes and cups, then scaled up once the color worked. I also save random household containers for paint and glaze — the DIY version of opening a Cool Whip container at your grandparents’ house and finding leftover chili, complete with the permanent orange ring. 😂 Just use clean, compatible containers, label them clearly, and never use them for food again.
I applied the blend with a chip brush, then used a 5-inch brush in long, consistent strokes to create softer wood-like lines. Cheap chip brushes shed — check for stray hairs while the mixture is still workable. For the back sides, I used a 4-inch Whizz flocked foam roller because I wanted a smoother finish, not faux grain.
The fluted MDF absorbed and displayed the finish differently, letting more of the white base show through. Instead of darkening the whole door, I allowed the first pass to dry and added one gentle toning pass only to the fluting.
I considered black handles to echo the TV, speaker and stair rail, but they felt too visually strong. These slim brushed-brass pulls made the warmer faux wood feel softer and more refined. Their long vertical lines also echo the fluting.
The credenza was originally off-white. When I first brought it home, I brightened it with diluted Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Linen White paint. Once the doors were finished, the tired spots on the frame stood out, so I refreshed it with a stronger wash.
I deliberately didn’t paint every imperfection away. The cabinet is rustic, and that character fits the way it was built. A lighter hand at some edges let the old worn details show through while making the whole frame brighter and fresher.
Watered-down paint splatters significantly more than regular paint. Despite my collection of reusable potty-training pads (absorbent on one side, waterproof on the other), I failed to cover enough floor. I actually stopped to fetch more protection after starting. And yes, “clean the floor” made the to-do list. Although redoing the floors is already on another list. In my head. God bless.
The dark glass doors are gone, replaced by light, fluted faux-wood doors and a refreshed rustic white frame. The finish relates to the mantel without copying it; the brushed brass gives the whole thing a quieter, warmer finish.
Was this quick? Absolutely not. Was my husband surprised? Also absolutely not.
My biggest takeaway: Test tiny batches, match your sample base and tools, let the finish dry before deciding, and resist the urge to erase the character that makes a piece worth saving.
These are the supplies and tools used or referenced for this makeover. Links lead to the matching product pages when confirmed. Some links may earn The Ivey House a commission at no additional cost to you.
1/2-inch Blondewood plywood, primed 1×3 framing, fluted MDF molding, small edge trim, and Loctite Power Grab Heavy Duty · QCAA 2-inch non-mortise hinges (brushed gold; finish may be unavailable). The original hinge link may open to a different color; select brushed gold only if it is available.
Sherwin-Williams ProClassic Satin Extra White; Pickled Oak · Aged Glaze · Van Dyke Brown Glaze · Magimate 5-inch smoothing brush · Pro Grade brushes · Project Source 4-inch flocked foam roller covers (2-pack). A chip brush applies the glaze on the fronts; the larger brush pulls the grain. The flocked roller creates a smooth finish on the backs.
Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint, Linen White. Thin 2 parts paint to 1 part water (example: 1/8 cup paint + 1/16 cup water).
Small cups, pipettes, stirrers, and reused containers; measuring and mixing supplies. Test tiny amounts and write down each formula.
Ravinte champagne-gold cabinet pulls · QCAA brushed-gold non-mortise hinges (color may be unavailable). These are the chosen pull and hinge styles; check the selected finish before ordering.
reusable waterproof potty-training pads. Absorbent side up, waterproof side toward the floor. Diluted paint splatters more than you expect.
Link note: The exact fluted MDF molding purchase link still needs matching to the original order. It is deliberately not linked to an unverified substitute. Product pages can change availability or selected variants.