I love old country kitchen cabinets! You know, the chippy white paint ones that stand on their own like a piece of furniture. The most common style has open shelves on the top and more storage shelves below covered by cabinet doors. They are the perfect addition to the Farmhouse Style decor!
Decor idea
They're not easy to find in good condition! When modern kitchen cabinets became popular, these free-standing cabinets became relics and ended up in old abandoned houses, barns, and sheds. I've been lucky to acquire a few over the years. Mostly at sales throughout my 'junkin trips', garage sales, thrift shops or FREE in a trash pile!
Thrift Store find!
I found this one a few years ago at a local Thrift Store. (no 'before' photo!) It was big and HEAVY! It must have been stored in a barn with farm animals - IT SMELLED LIKE A BARNYARD! After a good soapy washing, and a couple days airing out, it was ready to be revived!
The doors had solid wood insets that I cut out and replaced with chicken wire to give it more of an open look. I painted it white on the outside. Then I used sandpaper to give it a slightly distressed look. I took it to the Fall Antler's Lane Sale that same year, and it sold right away! I was hooked big time and on a mission to find more of these treasures!
Another thrift store find!
This narrow cabinet was a home-made cabinet covered with thick enamel paint! It needed a lot of cleaning before I could start working on it! It's a smaller version of the larger vintage kitchen cabinet that offers the same impact to a small space.
After cutting out the wood insets on the door, I added my favorite chicken wire so you could see the inside much better. An antique spoon is used for the door hardware!
Curbside trash pile find!
I took a second drive by this pile of rubble to get a better look at a wicker chair. Then as I looked closer, I couldn't believe what I saw under a pile of wood laying there on the ground! A tall antique wood cabinet! As I began to put it into my truck, the homeowner came out (turns out I knew her!) and told me there were glass inset doors for the cabinet, too! It was my lucky day! (I got the wicker chair, too!)
This is the best cabinet I've done! And the most difficult! It was basically in pieces The original hardware for the doors was missing, so after a lot of research and purchasing replacements, and a couple of unsuccessful attempts, I went to my go-to construction guy (my son-in-law!). He trimmed the doors to accommodate new hinges. Perfect!!
I love doing these projects with the ultimate goal of selling them! Although, with some projects I say "I wish I'd kept it", I REALLY WISH I'D KEPT THIS ONE!!
Yard Sale Purchase!
This primitive cabinet is hand made out of a heavy wood. It has a very country design that can easily be transformed into the Farmhouse Style that I love! A quick fix with white paint, some decorative trim pieces and updated hardware. I added beadboard-look wallcovering behind the shelving to add more style. After a bit of sanding to give it a slightly distressed look, it got a smooth wax sealer finish.
What a difference paint makes! A fresh new look! Ready to be filled with a collection of Ironstone items or other Farmhouse/Cottage/Country accessories!
This piece has been sold and headed home with a nice young family. Now it's time to go on the hunt for a new project!!
Thanks for following my adventures of Rescuing* Re-cycling * Re-furbishing
the Tossed and Found!
Stay healthy and safe!
XOXO
