We’re excited to welcome Lee Ann from Creative Moments to the blog with a fresh and stylish makeover! In this project, she takes on an Art Deco waterfall china cabinet using Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint and No Pain Gel Stain. With clean lines, bold contrast, and thoughtful product choices, Lee Ann shows how to give vintage furniture a polished, modern update while honoring its original character.

(The following is an excerpt from Creative Moments. Read the full article here.)   

This Art Deco waterfall china cabinet, circa 1940, had seen better days. Tucked away in a shop and used as a storage shelf, it was in rough shape. A family member, inspired by a photo featuring rich navy tones and warm wood, wanted to see it brought back to life. With that vision in mind, I gave the piece the repairs and makeover it deserved — blending classic navy with warm wood to honor both its history and a fresh new style.

Step 1: Clean with White Lightning

First, give the piece a thorough deep clean—especially important for antiques that have seen years of use. I mix White Lightning cleaner with warm water and a little Dawn dish soap, then scrub every surface—inside, outside, and even underneath. Once it’s fully cleaned, I rinse it well, dry it with a cloth, and let it air dry completely.

Step 2: Make repairs

Read the full article for detailed repairs.

Step 3: Apply Paint

The cabinet has come a long way, and after a quick wipe with a damp cloth, it’s ready for paint.

Next, I chose Deep Sea from the Dixie Belle Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint line—a rich navy that adds depth and elegance. In the photo above, you can see the inside shelf and small drawer getting their first coat.

As the paint dried, more gouged areas became noticeable. To fix these, I used Black Dixie Belle Mud and applied it with my go-to tool—a metal offset spatula.

Once everything dried, I sponge-sanded the painted surface and filled spots, then wiped it down again to remove any dust. Meanwhile, I used my orbital sander to smooth out the bare wood door, prepping it for paint.

Step 4: Apply Big Mama’s Butta to inside of drawers

Big Mama’s Butta was applied inside the drawers to rehydrate the wood with a dedicated butta La Petite brush.

Step 5: Apply No Pain Gel Stain

First, I applied Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to the raw wood using a blue shop towel. After wiping off the excess, I let it soak in for 30 minutes. Once the wood was conditioned, I moved on to staining.

Using another blue shop towel, I applied the Walnut No Pain Gel Stain to the two base wood pieces. To keep the stain off the painted areas and the door front, I used a recipe card as a barrier.

Walnut is my favorite stain in this line—it’s so rich and warm. Since this door isn’t in a high-traffic area, I didn’t need to apply a sealer over the gel stain.

Step 6: Apply 2nd coat of paint

This project was labor intensive but so worth the end results allowing the cabinet to have many more years of use.

Next, I brushed on a second coat of the rich Deep Sea Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint. With its built-in primer and top coat, this one-step paint was the perfect choice for such a decorative piece. As everything started coming together, the walnut details paired beautifully with the navy blue finish.

To complete the look, I painted the back side in the same navy to match the interior. I reached for my go-to tools—the 2″ mini and mini angled synthetic brushes — which I use on nearly every project.

Although this makeover took time and effort, the results made it all worthwhile. This cabinet is now ready to be enjoyed for many more years to come.

This makeover is a perfect example of how the right products can highlight a piece’s natural beauty and unique design. We love how Lee Ann combined the sleek finish of Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint with the depth and richness of No Pain Gel Stain to create a stunning, refreshed look. Be sure to follow Creative Moments for more DIY inspiration—and don’t forget to tag us when you share your next furniture project using Dixie Belle Paint! For another beautiful project using Deep Sea Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint, check out our blog, Decoupage Art on Wood Nightstands.
Guest Author, How To, Painting Techniques