How to Make a Primitive Cupboard Reproduction

Simple materials are used to create a faux primitive finish.

A genuine, antique primitive cupboard could cost you an arm and a leg. However, with a little legwork, some elbow grease and a few materials you can create your own fabulous piece. Some rudimentary carpentry skills are needed, but with this simple plan, it's easy to add a faux primitive finish that will create a cupboard you will be proud to display for years.

Things You'll Need

• 12 inch x 8 foot pine boards, 3
• Saw
• Wood glue
• Nails
• Hammer
• 4 foot x 8 foot piece of plywood or medium-mensity fiberboard (MDF)
• 4 sturdy wooden screw-in knobs
• Rasp
• Sandpaper
• Metal chain
• Wood stain
• Brushes
• Acrylic or oil based paint
• Rags
• Crackle medium
• 2 butterfly hinges
• Cupboard door knob
• Magnetic closure kit

Instructions

Building and Distressing

1. Cut two 60-inch lengths of 12-inch wide pine board for the sides of the cupboard, and two 24-inch lengths for the top and bottom of the cupboard with a saw. Glue and nail together at the top and bottom edges to form a frame.

2. Stabilize the cupboard by measuring and cutting two 24-inch lengths of 12-inch wide pine board to create shelves inside the cupboard frame. Slide into place, making sure each shelf is level, then glue and nail into place.

3. Measure and cut a piece of 2-foot x 5-foot plywood or MDF (medium-density fiberboard) to fit onto the back of the cupboard. Cut another piece of plywood or MDF the same size and put aside to use as the cupboard door. Glue and nail the back into place. Turn the cupboard over on its top. Screw a wooden knob into each of the four corners of the bottom of the piece, forming the feet.

4. Distress the outside of the cupboard and door using a variety of implements. Using a hammer or rock, makes deep indents in the wood. A rasp can be used to make furrows; rough sandpaper will make scratches. Lay a piece of metal chain on the wood and hit the chain with a hammer to make interesting indented patterns.

5. Apply wood stain with a brush and wipe off immediately. The stain will pool in the indentations and darken where sandpaper or a rasp has been used. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

Using Paint: One Color Method

1. Wiping Method: Apply paint to a rag and begin wiping paint onto the wood making a color wash finish. Water-based paint such as acrylic works well for this type of finish. Different types of wash effect can be achieved by using a wet or dry rag for application. Wipe quickly over indentations so paint does not pool in them, allowing the stained wood to show through.

2. Sanding Method: Apply acrylic or oil-based paint to the cupboard. Allow to dry thoroughly. Drying time for an oil-based paint may take as long as 48 hours. After drying, begin roughly sanding areas on the cupboard, paying particular attention to the corners and edges, where a piece of furniture would naturally become more worn. Sand area down to the wood, leaving others covered with paint.

3. Crackle Method: Apply paint to the cupboard and allow to dry. Apply crackle medium according to package directions. Allow crackle medium to break the paint, giving it an antiqued look. Let the piece dry thoroughly. You may rub the piece with wood stain after the paint crackles to age the piece further.

Two-Color Method

1. Paint the cupboard using oil-based or acrylic paint with one color and allow to dry.

2. After drying, paint the cupboard again using a contrasting color of paint. Allow to dry 24 to 48 hours.

3. Use any of the methods described in the previous section, or further distress the cupboard, allowing the first layer of paint to show through in some places, bare wood to show in others, and the second layer to show in others.

Completing the Primitive Cupboard

1. Allow selected finish to dry completely.

2. Attach butterfly hinges to the cupboard door. Hold the door flush with the cupboard and mark the cupboard body to line hinges up properly, then attach the door to the cupboard body, using the marks as a guide.

3. Attach the knob and magnetic closure kit to the cupboard door and body following package directions.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment. Use your imagination and combine methods to create the type of primitive finish you prefer.

• Layering colors and distressing adds interest and makes the piece appear antique.

References

• Kat's Painting Plus: Faux Finish Techniques
• The Art of Cabinetry & Furniture Painting: Primitive Cupboard
• India Crafts: Faux Painting
• General Finishes: Distressing, Antique Finishes, Faux Marble and More

Resources

• Ana White: Knock Off Wood Cubby Shelf