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Yucky and rusty!
So I decided to fix it up! My first idea was to paint it silver so it would resemble one of those fancy stainless steel appliances. There is only one word to describe this idea... FAIL! Wow this couldn't have been more of a nightmare. Ok - now what? Hmmmm.... plan B. Wallpaper. Whaaaaa?
Yup - beadboard wallpaper. Why not - it couldn't get any worse, right? Found it at Lowes. So I removed the handles with a screwdriver - the screws were right there when you open the door on the top. Then I primed over the silver paint and the glossy original finish. I gave it about three coats.
Then, I simply wallpapered it.
Once this was completed, I added some trim in the form of 1/4" birch underlayment! I cut it into strips and used Powergrab adhesive to adhere it to the fridge.
This is PowerGrab by Loctite - its awesome! It doesn't smell, its white, and is an easy clean up with soap and water. It is a bit more expensive than regular tubes of adhesive but SO worth the extra cost!
* * * UPDATE * * *
The answer to why there are SCREWS in the picture above question....
Here is the picture of the screws I used. SO glad I didn't have to use any screws on the bottom piece - it made such a difference:
Once all the wood was adhered, I primed everything with two coats of basic white primer. Then I used this ACE paint. It is cabinet and wood trim and it makes everything look so bright and clean. Since I covered over the paper and wood, it actually created a pretty durable surface so dirt and stains can be wiped away. I am not sponsored by ACE or Loctite - actually I am not sponsored by anybody LOL - but these are the products I have found to work the best for me and so I am simply passing it along.
This ACE metallic spray paint is the BEST one I have found and I have basically tried them all.
When all was said and done, I am thrilled with the result. Granted it isn't as fancy as the new stainless refrigerators with electronic display panels, in the door ice and water dispensers and usb ports, but hey, I like it. Until I am forced to buy a new one, this one will do just fine! Drumroll please......
TA DA!
The bubble you see in the wallpaper on the top, eventually dried and disappeared. Thank you for stopping by! Have a wonderful day today! ;-)
Very cute and very clever!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mel!
DeleteGORGEOUS....YOUR A GENIOUS....COME TO MY HOUSE, I NEED YOU
ReplyDeleteYou are too sweet Carol. Sure - how far are you from Chicago? ;-)
DeleteYou did an awesome job. Love it. The handles really top it off nicely! Kudos!
DeleteGod blesses.
You did an awesome job. Love it. The handles really top it off nicely! Kudos!
DeleteGod blesses.
how did you take off the old handles? cut? open from the back? how?
ReplyDeleteHi Chabela! Actually nothing was cut! I was surprised how easy it was to remove the handles. When I opened the refrigerator door, there were screws on the top. So I unscrewed them and it lifted off. There was still a portion on the bottom and so I got a small screwdriver and removed that. I repeated it on the freezer. So easy. ;-)
DeleteI am so impressed with your bravery! I would have been so intimidated with just the thought of attempting to re-vamp a fridge! It turned out lovely. I am wondering if you would post a few months from now and let us know how this held up over time. Just in case I think I would like to do this
ReplyDeleteHi Dee! Thank you - I don't know if it was bravery or insanity! ;-) I will definitely revisit this post and update in about six months. So far it has done very well so I hope that continues. I painted my counter tops to look like granite (http://generalsplendour.blogspot.com/2011/02/ambush-makeover-my-formica-countertops.html) and people always ask for updates on that too. I won't forget! ;-)
DeleteHi Dee! Here it is over a year later and it has held up beautifully! I would do it again in a heartbeat! ;-)
DeleteIt looks awesome! I'm curious... I used bead board wall paper in my vintage trailer and I found that it is so soft and scratches and dings up so easily. Did you find this problem with yours? Maybe it was just the kind of wallpaper I found? It was paintable bead board wallpaper...
ReplyDeleteTania
HI Tania - a vintage trailer - that sounds adorable! I painted over the wallpaper and wood with primer and then about three coats of cabinet and wood trim paint. This created a very nice surface which I am able to wipe and clean when necessary. I hope it also protects it somewhat from scratches and tears and dings. Time will tell. Thank you!
DeleteI noticed in one of the photos that there are screws on the trim. I don't see them mentioned anywhere else though. Did you also use screws to secure the trim? Or just the adhesive? And is the adhesive strong enough around the handle where you are pulling to open the fridge? Or is that why additional screws were added? I'm looking to do the same thing but with boat cleats as pulls (nautical theme). Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie! Good eye! Yes - based on your question I have updated my post! Since I could not get the wood to adhere, I used drywall screws to attach it to the freezer. Then my sister came in and showed me that if I used the correct amount of adhesive - I only used a few small beads - and held it in place it worked fine. So, I did not use any screws on the bottom refrigerator portion. The cleats will be so cute - I used them as picture hangers in my living room! Great minds think alike!
DeleteThat looks so cool! Impressed!
ReplyDeleteSmiles, Alice
Thank you for the smiles Alice! And the kind comment.
DeleteProbably the best DIY that I have ever seen!!! You were brave to do this...love the look!
ReplyDelete{{HUGS}}
Joy
theoldefarmhouse.blogspot.com
Joy you have made my day - thank you!!!
Deletei am going to lowes in my jammies to get that wall paper and trim see you soon xx
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a custom fridge! Turned out great!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's true - you are too "Sweet Caroline". ;-)
DeleteRe Leslie's comment about the screws...why did you put them and how did you hide them?
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! I put the screws in because I was using too little adhesive and could not get the boards to stick. Frustrated, I installed drywall screws. I had to countersink them and fill them with spackle and joint compound and sand them. UGH. Then my sister told me to use a LOT more adhesive and sure enough it worked like a dream! Lesson learned.
DeleteTHIS IS AMAZING!! We have been trying to find something to fancy up our refrigerator and this is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi, I found your post on Pinterest. I am curious as to how the handles have held up with the everyday use? When pulling on the handles, it seems you would be pulling on the wood and not the door of the refrigerator. I am redoing my old refrigerator and want to replace the handle also. Yours look great and if they have held up, I am leaning toward your method. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Tabby! The handles are holding up perfectly. You have to understand that I drilled into the metal of the refrigerator so there is no torque on the wood at all. I drilled into the steel and put an anchor into the steel. I then inserted the screws into the anchors. For the top handle, I drilled the head off of a screw and used that. Hope this helps - Good Luck!
DeleteHi Tracy. Beautiful job. I understand everything and would love to follow your directions. Just have a concern with the handles. I understand you drilled a hole in the fridge door. I understand u inserted an anchor in the hole and then a screw. How did u attach the handle. Wouldn't you need the tip of the screw to be inserted in the handle. Iss there anyway you can show some photos of pieces u used for this step. Could u email me at ramona.s.case@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHello Ramona! I don't have any other pics to offer. The top handle was like a cabinet knob so I needed the screw to be sticking out like in the picture. I simply cut the head off of a cabinet screw with a hack saw and screwed it into the anchor and then screwed on the handle. With the bottom handle, the screws went into the handle so they were very easy to install. Hope this helps!
DeleteThank you Tracy, Yes, that is what I thought you had done. Just nervous to make a hole in the fridge door.
DeleteI'm about to do this same thing! Before you wallpapered, did you use wallpaper primer or just paint primer? I want the wallpaper to stick really well. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Diedra! I just used regular white primer paint. The wallpaper was pre pasted so it stuck very well. Good luck!
DeleteI am late to this refrigerator party! And I'm trying for the life of me not to be dense about the refrigerator handle application (not the freezer), but I can't figure it out. You stated that you sawed off the head of a screw and then screwed it into an anchor, then screwed in the handle. Whoaa!
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
1) how do you screw in a screw with no head? With pliers?
2) is the anchor in just the wood portion? or all the way through the metal?
3) what type of anchor? plastic?
4) how is the handle then screwed in, on the screw without a head? Usually there's two screws in a long handle, at the top and again at the bottom, so how do you apply the second screw?
Please, oh, please let me know. I want to do this to my 18 year old fridge, because I cannot afford another right now, and this one is beat up from 2 cross-country moves.
Hi Lori! I sawed the head off the screw on the freezer portion. On the actual door refrigerator door, I simply drilled two holes, pounded in two anchors and used the screws to screw the handle right into the anchors. Because I used a cabinet knob for the freezer, I had to just have the end portion of the screw onto to which to screw the knob. You can see the picture above. Yes you use vice grips to grip the screw and just gently turn the pliers until it is secure in the anchor. The anchor hole was drilled through the wood and metal. Yes just basic plastic anchors - preferably with a lip which will be covered by the handles. Question 4 will just be deleted because the screws without a head is on the freezer only. Just use normal screws for the larger handle. Hope this helps! If you have any further questions, ask away! Good Luck! ;-)
DeleteHello! Awesome, awesome work-- thanks so much for sharing!! I'm looking to do a "lite" version of what you shared-- Basically 1) repainting and 2) replacing door handles with some unique pulls
ReplyDeleteBased on what I can tell, once I remove current handles of my GE side-by-side fridge, there will still be a few holes left (that will not be covered by my new handles). Based on your experience with handles, do you think it's realistic to spackle holes and paint over?
Hello! Yes that should work. You may want to use putty to fill the hole first to prevent any cold from escaping. Then you can sand that down and paint over that. Good Luck!
DeleteThis is too funny... I have your shiny new stainless fridge.. ( not glass doors ) with all the bells and whistles...guess what..I hate it..I am about to paint the whole thing and attach vintage bead board to it! Your fridge looks great....
ReplyDeleteCeCe that is funny! Thank you.
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ReplyDelete