DIY Mad Men Bar: Transforming Vintage Furniture with a Chevron Pattern

Elevate your home entertainment with a touch of mid-century modern flair! In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through the process of transforming a simple vintage wooden cabinet into a stunning Mad Men-style bar, complete with a chic black and white chevron pattern. Get ready to impress your guests with your newfound DIY skills and a perfectly curated cocktail corner.

Last time, we discussed the essential elements for building a Mad Men bar. Now, let’s put those ideas into action by transforming a vintage wooden piece into a unique and stylish focal point for your home.

The bold and graphic look of the black and white chevron pattern is incredibly appealing. We’ll combine this iconic pattern with a secondhand dark wood cabinet to create a truly unique, Mad Men-inspired bar that is sure to be a conversation starter.

Materials You’ll Need

Before we get started, let’s gather all the necessary materials. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to create this striking chevron paint finish:

• A quart of high gloss white paint: This will serve as your base color, providing a clean and bright backdrop for the chevron pattern.
• A quart of high gloss black paint: The contrasting black paint will create the bold chevron stripes, adding a touch of drama and sophistication.
• 2 paint brushes: Invest in high-quality brushes for a smooth and even application. Having two brushes allows you to dedicate one to each color, preventing unwanted mixing.
• Painter’s tape: This is crucial for creating crisp and clean lines for your chevron pattern. Choose a high-quality tape that won’t bleed or damage the underlying paint.
• Gloves: Protect your hands from paint splatters and ensure a clean and comfortable crafting experience.
• Drop cloth: Cover your work area with a drop cloth to prevent paint spills and protect your floors or furniture.
• A piece of cardboard: This will be used to create the chevron pattern template, making it easier to transfer the design onto the cabinet.
• Pencil: For tracing the chevron pattern onto the cardboard and the cabinet.
• Ruler or measuring tape: To ensure accurate and evenly spaced chevron stripes.
• Craft knife or scissors: For cutting the cardboard template.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Chevron Bar

Now that you have all your materials ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of transforming your vintage cabinet into a stylish Mad Men bar with a chevron pattern.

Step 1: Preparation

Begin by setting up your workspace. Lay out your drop cloth in a well-lit and ventilated area. Proper ventilation is essential for working with paints and ensuring a safe and comfortable environment. Next, carefully tape up the edges of your painting surface with painter’s tape, ensuring that every area you want to keep clean is protected. This step is crucial for achieving crisp and professional-looking results.

Step 2: Applying the Base Coat

Once your piece is taped, start painting a thin, even first coat of your base color (white in this case). Ensure the paint is applied smoothly and evenly across the entire surface. Allow this first coat to dry completely before adding a second coat. Add a third coat if necessary, but be sure to apply thin layers to maintain a clean and even surface. Patience is key to achieving a flawless base coat.

Step 3: Creating the Chevron Template

While the base coat is drying, prepare your chevron template. Take your piece of cardboard and cut out one piece that is the width of the cabinet doors (or the canvas you are using). Next, cut out a triangle. The size of the triangle will determine the size of your chevron pattern. In this example, the triangle is 6.25″ x 9″ x 6.25″. Adjust the dimensions to suit your preferences and the size of your cabinet.

Step 4: Tracing the Chevron Pattern

Using the triangle as a mini-template, trace over it with a pencil along the width of the cardboard piece. This will create a series of connected triangles, forming the chevron pattern. Once you have traced the entire pattern, carefully cut it out using a craft knife or scissors. This will be your template for tracing your first pattern line onto the cabinet.

Step 5: Applying the First Chevron Line

Hold up the cardboard template and press it tightly against the cabinet. (Tip: Use a ruler to ensure the zig-zags are evenly placed). With a pencil, trace the zig-zags and carefully tape along the pencil line with painter’s tape. It is crucial to ensure that the base coat is completely dry before applying the tape to prevent smudging or damage.

When the first line is all across the cabinet, take your cardboard template and tape along the zig-zag line to secure it in place.

Step 6: Completing the Chevron Pattern

Cut along the taped line to create a new template. Hold the new template up along the taped zig-zag line on the cabinet. With a pencil, trace along the new zig-zag line. Continue this process until you have the entire cabinet filled with a penciled chevron pattern. This step requires patience and precision to ensure a consistent and visually appealing design.

Tape in between each pencil line until the entire cabinet is covered with a taped chevron pattern. This creates the masked areas that will be painted black.

Step 7: Painting the Chevron Stripes

Carefully paint the un-taped surface with glossy black paint. This will likely take a few coats to achieve full coverage and a rich, deep color. Be patient and allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next. Thin, even layers are key to preventing drips and ensuring a smooth finish.

Step 8: Revealing the Chevron Pattern

Once the black paint is fully dried, carefully remove the painter’s tape. Take your time and use a sharp craft knife to score along the edges of the tape before peeling it off. This will help prevent the paint from chipping or peeling. Touch up any areas that need it with a small brush and the appropriate paint color.

Step 9: Adding Finishing Touches

Add a hook onto the interior of your cabinet door to hang a bar rag on. You can even add wine glass hangers if you want to create more storage and display options for your glassware.

Step 10: Stocking Your Bar

Finally, stock your bar to perfection with your favorite spirits, mixers, and glassware. Create a curated collection that reflects your personal style and preferences. Now you’ll have a fabulous destination for you and your guests come 5 o’clock cocktail hour!

The chevron inspiration photo is from Curbly’s very own Sew Your Own Chevron Fabric by Mod Home Ec Teacher.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully transformed a vintage cabinet into a stunning Mad Men-inspired bar with a bold chevron pattern. Enjoy your new stylish addition to your home and impress your guests with your DIY skills!