Tuesday, July 6, 2010

A Throw-Away Cabinet Re-do

So I'm out hitting the garage sales a few weeks ago and I'm seeing a lot of big items in everyone's garbage.  I quickly figure out that it must be that city's annual big-item collection day. I start looking a little closer at everyone's garbage as I slowly drive past each house (I know, I have no shame!) Suddenly, I spot this beauty:
Okay, so she's got a few blemishes (who doesn't?!), like water damaged sides:
Other than that, she's solid.  Look at the carved drawer fronts and those lovely dove-tail joints:
I even love the cute pulls of the drawers:
I knew she was the cabinet I'd been looking for to work as a TV stand in our basement when it is finished. I started her makeover by ripping off the water-warped side panels and cutting some leftover beadboard that I already had:
I used some liquid nails to stick the new panels on and used some duct tape to hold it in place while it dried.
In the meantime, I removed all the hardware and bought some new lower knobs.  I stuck them all in an old piece of styrofoam and sprayed them all black.
And then luck of lucks, I found the perfect quart of mis-tint paint at Home Depot for $3! I did 3 coats and here she is after her makeover:

I may antique it a bit, but I'm waiting until I get her down into the basement to decide which look will be best. Until she gets down there, she's found a temporary home on the landing upstairs:
I love her! It was a perfect fit for my budget too. All it cost me was $3 in paint, about $6 in knobs and a little lack of self-respect to pull it out of someone's trash! I found another beauty in another home's garbage that I'm saving for my daughter's room in the basement (nothing is too good for my own flesh-and-blood!) haha. That'll be in a future post...

On a Funny Note:

Have you seen this gal's website? It is called Catalog Living and it is hilarious! Maybe the guys won't get it, but all you decorators will love it. She finds pictures from real catalogs and makes humorous and sarcastic captions poking fun at their displays and arrangements. Like these:

Climate control…


Elaine wasn’t about to let some hot flashes get
in the way of balancing the checkbook with the abacus.


and


A twist of something…



Elaine was not amused by Gary’s passive-aggressive
response to her request to “garnish the cocktails.”



40 comments:

  1. I LOVE IT!! It looks amazing. You should submit that to Better After (do you follow that blog?). I'm still on the lookout for a dresser and a mattress...I'm bummed I missed the large pickup day. You are an awesome thrifter!!

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  2. I love that piece! Nice find.

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  3. That is just awesome! You did a wonderful job!!

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  4. The beadboard was an excellent idea! This came out so great, you did a great restoration job. Like the color, too!

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  5. I'm telling you, I SO need to start refinishing some old pieces. Junk whatever - it looks beautiful in the end. I love the shade of blue you picked as well... one of my favorites. I think I found you at Someday Crafts. You did a wonderful job!

    Dawn @ BeatUntilFluffy

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  6. You made this look amazing! Didn't have to think twice when hitting the follow button!

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  7. Now why can't I find pieces like that curbside?! It's gorgeous! AND that website is HILARIOUS! Thanks for sharing all of it!
    Blessings!

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  8. Wow, what a great find and transformation. I love the color with the contrast of the black knobs. The cabinet looks great!

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  9. I am jealous and want it for my house right now! It is gorgeous and I love it! You did an amazing job. The color is spectacular.

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  10. Great job! I love it! Great use of the beadboarding too!

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  11. That's a fantastic redo. I love that you put the beadboard on the sides.

    Irene @ OurUglyHome

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  12. This looks fantastic!! The prettiest "garbage" ever :)

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  13. Your project came out lovely. Great Job!

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  14. Dontcha just love fahree! I love the blue you chose too--it looks great!

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  15. I'm in love with that color! Great job.

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  16. I LOVE your new tv console. It turned out beautiful! Love the color and especially love the price!!

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  17. Simply perfect! I adore the color you chose and the beadboard sides!

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  18. Gotta love free! This is an amazing find, great makeover!
    LOnden

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  19. It looks beautiful. What a mis-tint score...I only ever find peach, tan & 40 shades of hunter green. Found you on funky junk. Thanks for sharing Catalog Living laughs!

    Jami

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  20. Oh, she's so beautiful, you've done a great job and I love the new bead board sides!!

    Tania

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  21. You so need to bring this beauty over to my NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAYS PARTY and show her off! You did an awesome makeover on her:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  22. Wow! You did such an amazing job on the cabinet! I would love to find something like that at a yard sale.

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  23. looks great. wish i could fit drive by pieces in my car! love the drawer pulls, glad u kept them.

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  24. What a lucky find! I've been looking for a similar cabinet for months. Yours looks great!

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  25. Love the new color! It turned out gorgeous! I'm so glad you saved it. :) BTW - LOVE catalog living -- sometimes I laugh so hard I cry when I read those captions!

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  26. LOVE it Erin! I have never thought to just liquid nail a new side on. So easy and so perfect. I'm off to check that funny site. I need a laugh for today!

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  27. That is a beautiful makeover! I really love your picture frames too. Where did you get them?
    I've got to check out that website. That's hilarious!

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  28. Amber- the frames were from Aaron Brothers. I got them when I lived in CO and sadly, they don't have that awesome chain around here. Twice a year they do a buy one,get one for 1cent sale! Their prices are already great and so that deal is fab.

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  29. That is gorgeous! Off to check out the website, too.

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  30. I followed you here from Better After. I love the cabinet and colour. I wish my city still had the city wide Spring cleaning. It's hit and miss now finding stuff.

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  31. That old dresser is absolutely gorgeous now!!! You have done a great job on it and for SO little. Good for you! i am going to check out that blog that you mentioned.

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  33. Okay, that dresser is a beaut! Love it! Thanks for the link to the funny lady- heading there now! Enjoyed your blog :)

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  34. Dropping in from Better After... this is an awesome transformation, I love everything about it - especially the price tag :)

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  35. What a nice, solid piece. Great job for finding it on the curb and scoring a cheap (but cute) paint colour!

    :)

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  36. what a fantastic find! it has so much style, charm, AND storage! you've made it lovely once more!

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  37. Great job! Love that color :) Nothing beats getting something for FREE!

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