How to Paint Folk Art Cabinets

 “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

- William Morris


After my last newsletter I got a bunch of questions about the cabinets I hand painted in the studio.  


My design was inspired by traditional folk art painted furniture like this cabinet from Scandinavia.  I especially love how symmetrical and balanced their designs are.

First I installed the cabinets and stained the wood.  Then...

I created stencils out of nice stiff paper and...

parts of an old organ I found at an antique store.


I traced the stencils onto the cabinets with pencil then filled in with black paint.  I carefully measured each point so that I would have perfect symmetry.  (My neighborhood has lots of crows and cats that inspired this panel!)


I also created some stencil designs in color on the pantry door.


This is the only cabinet I painted asymmetrically.  I was inspired by British folk designs like this one...



To finish the cabinets I put a layer of polyurethane on to protect them from stains.


Want to explore the studio in person?  

Visit us:
First Fridays from 6-9pm
Saturdays from 10am-4pm

Located at 1116 E. North Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202