Cabinet Door Upcycle with Reverse Decoupage, DIY Paint & IOD Transfers
From Thrift Store Find to One-of-a-Kind Wall Décor
One of my favorite things about thrifting is finding pieces that still have plenty of life left in them—they just need someone to see their potential.
This cabinet door was one of those finds.
Interestingly, it had already been upcycled by someone else before I discovered it at a thrift store. It was painted white with light distressing, which gave me a wonderful blank canvas to create something completely different.
My vision was to combine several of my favorite products and techniques into one project: reverse decoupage, DIY Paint, and Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) transfers. The result is a unique piece of wall décor with vintage charm, layered texture, and beautiful floral details.
Materials Used
- DIY Crystal Clear Chandelier Liquid Patina
- DecoPosh "German Schmeer Brick" paper by Elsie Lane
- DIY Cottage Color "Anvil"
- DIY Cottage Color "White Linen"
- DIY Big Top Liquid Top Coat
- IOD "Flowers by the Poets" Transfer
- IOD "Figgy and Flourish" Gilded Transfer
The Starting Point
This cabinet door had already lived one life before it came home with me. Someone had painted and distressed the frame, but I saw an opportunity to give it an entirely new personality.
One of the things I love about upcycling is that every project tells a story—and sometimes that story has multiple chapters!
Step 1: Reverse Decoupage
The first step was creating the background.
I used DIY Crystal Clear Chandelier Liquid Patina to apply the Elsie Lane DecoPosh "German Schmeer Brick" paper to the back side of the glass. Applying decorative paper behind glass creates the beautiful effect known as reverse decoupage, giving the appearance that the brick wall is actually behind the window.
This technique instantly adds depth and realism.
A Helpful Tip
Here's a little trick that makes a big difference.
After the paper had dried, I painted the back of two of the glass panes with DIY Cottage Color in White Linen so I could compare the difference.
The white backing noticeably brightened the colors and made the brick pattern much more vibrant when viewed from the front.
I finished painting all four panes once I saw how much richer the colors became.
If you've never tried this step before, I highly recommend it!
Step 2: Paint the Frame
Next, I painted the cabinet door frame using DIY Cottage Color in Anvil.
Anvil is a rich charcoal color that perfectly complements the soft brick background while allowing the floral transfers to become the focal point. (This photo shows the frame after only one coat of Anvil.)
Step 3: Add the Transfers
This is where the transformation really came to life.
I applied the beautiful floral images from the IOD "Flowers by the Poets" transfer directly onto the glass.
To finish the frame, I added the delicate silver accents from the IOD "Figgy and Flourish" Gilded Transfer, creating elegant corner embellishments and decorative details that frame the entire piece.
The combination of florals, vintage brick, and metallic accents gives the project a layered, collected-over-time look.
Protecting the Finish
Once everything was complete, I sealed the painted portions with DIY Big Top Liquid Top Coat.
This durable water-based sealer protects the finish while maintaining the soft satin look that works so well with vintage-inspired décor.
The Finished Project
I absolutely love how this project turned out.
The reverse decoupaged brick background gives wonderful depth behind the glass, while the floral transfers soften the industrial look of the brick.
It's a perfect blend of vintage, cottage, and farmhouse styles—all created from a cabinet door that might otherwise have been discarded.
Projects like this remind me why I love upcycling. Every thrift store find has the potential to become something completely unique.
Products Featured in This Project
- DIY Paint Cottage Color – Anvil
- DIY Paint Cottage Color – White Linen
- DIY Crystal Clear Chandelier Liquid Patina
- DIY Big Top Liquid Top Coat
- DecoPosh "German Schmeer Brick"
- IOD "Flowers by the Poets" Transfer
- IOD "Figgy and Flourish" Gilded Transfer
I'd Love to Hear From You!
Have you ever tried reverse decoupage on glass?
Or do you have a cabinet door waiting for a makeover?
Leave a comment below and let me know how you would style a project like this. If you create something inspired by this tutorial, I'd love to see it!
Happy creating!
— Amy
Crazy 4 Castors