Sunday, March 14, 2010

Free Cupboard Makeover!

It's finished! In an amazingly short amount of time for me. Ordinarily at least two seasons have passed before I complete a big project. ;-) Now, to begin, this cupboard has sat in our basement for the entire 6 years we've lived here....and probably 50 years before that. Here was the little teaser I gave just a short bit ago. At some point someone decided to give the cupboard some love....by painting it silver. I will say that at that time it probably looked nice....now, it just looked like an orphan left behind from the mission to the moon.

This is what the poor old girl looked like to begin with...in the last room of the basement, stuff leaned up against it, on top of it, underneath it. SUCH a mess. And...well....I've had it with messes. It just shouted P.O.T.E.N.T.I.A.L. Isn't it funny how you can look at something OVER, and OVER, and OVER, and never see it for what it is, then one day WHAMO!

If you decide to undertake a project like this I definitely advise hiring this guy. He's funny, a hard worker and those Sponge Bob jammies and dinosaur boots make me grin everytime I look at him. :-) Great for morale!

We discovered (thankfully) that the top of the cupboard and base were in no way connected. This was VERY good news for me because let me just say I may have broken in half trying to lift it otherwise. I broke in half a little just lifting the top...so yeah, definitely I'd have perished by lifting the whole thing. This is the base in it's new home, next to the freezer, prior to a shiny new paint job.


This looks like something out of a horror movie, you can say it, you won't hurt my feelings. These were the old knobs...and scary dirty cupboard doors.

Aren't these pretty? I don't know where I got them from...they were in my stash, but NOW they're the stars of the cupboard rehab! Perfect use for them I think! And they, in no way, should have a starring role with Norman Bates, Freddy Krueger or the like. They are beautiful and make a pretty little juxtaposition to the rough cabinet.



Once the cabinet was on top of the base (that was painful, and hard, and heavy and...well that's when I broke in half a little, I cleaned it thoroughly (it was REALLY dirty) and then painted, painted and painted some more. Silver paint takes A LOT to cover. Ah, it looks so pretty now. I could barely wait for the last coat to dry before I started loading it up. I sorted through all my canned goods....some were from the first garden I planted...yeah, that would be six years ago. Botchulism, um, no thanks. That's okay, it made more space for this year's harvest. :-) I now ALSO have space to stock up on things when they are on sale! My paper towels now have a pretty little home on the bottom shelf with my stock pots.


I've had these little pretties for several years...old canning jars are so charming. They've had several different jobs over the years, but I like this job the best!!! They now hold my cupcake liners....if there's one thing I enjoy it's a pretty cupcake liner....and sprinkles...I L.O.V.E. sprinkles. Stringtown sprinkles to be exact. (If you've never been...and you live in Iowa, you MUST visit the Stringtown Grocery north of Kalona.)
I digress. Back to the project!

If you've read my blog...ever....you probably know that i love to paint signs...signs about pretty much anything. Well I certainly couldn't leave my new little beauty without some decoration! So, into the cupboard door stash I go (thanks again ReStore). Actually this one was a big drawer front. (Broke the bank at 25 cents)
Add a little ReStore paint, drill a few holes for the top, add a cute little rope and we have signage!




Eat Local! Doesn't get much more local than 40 feet from the garden to the cupboard!
Oh I can't wait to get my hands dirty this spring!



Please excuse the dark photos....the sun has decided to forget how to shine in Iowa this week.
And this whole show lives in the basement.



My little beauty! Pretty, organized and functional! AND I didn't use a single thing I didn't already have on hand! Oh how I love the free free cheap cheap projects!!!
Linking up to:

22 comments:

  1. Oh this is so nice! Makes me want to a) fix up some old furniture and b) can some tomatoes from my garden! Only problem is I don't have any old furniture OR a garden! Oh well...I'll just enjoy the pics! Great job!

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  2. I love the idea of storing stuff in the Mason jars. And I agree...Stringtown is THE BEST!

    Hannah

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  3. What a great job! I think I would smile every time I went to get a roll of paper towels or a canned good. Love the knobs - I have some on a white cupboard I redid! You did an awesome job!

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  4. your comment made my day. love YOUR blog and your great ideas

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  5. It's so fun to complete a project - and what a great job! Love your sign, too, wish I could paint that neatly!

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  6. Jen .... You love ReStore?? You can??? You re-do old unloved furniture? Are you my long-lost sister???

    Great job ... looks wonderful! And throwing out the 6 year old tomatoes was a really good idea.

    And I too, heart Stringtown!

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  7. I love the eat local sign. You are so clever.

    And, you did a wonderful job with the free re-do. I love the Ball jars. Can I hire out Sponge Bob Square Pants jammie-boy? Crackin' me up. ;)

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  8. great makeover -- I wish I had a cupboard like that in my basement!

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  9. I have a special love for old cupboards. This one looks fantastic now!!!

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  10. I love how your cabinet turned out! Free projects are the best!

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  11. A wonderful makeover! Love how truly functional it is and darling with the jars so pretty inside.

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  12. That looks wonderful... I need something like that... hopefully, if I learn how to can, I to can't wait to get my hands dirty and I'm looking forward to some successful growing in my tiny garden.

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  13. Looks great and I know it feels great to get a project completed. The glass knobs are so charming! That is one organized cupboard...can you come to my house and organize?

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  14. http://davidandcarolineparker.blogspot.com/2010/03/sytycd-project-3-with-tutorial.html

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  15. That turned out really nice and I love the added touch of the sign. Great job.

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  16. That turned out just beautiful and I love that you didn't have to spend a thing!

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  17. I mentioned you and your blog in my post today! You should stop by and see :)

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  18. Just found your blog and so happy I did - flipped through your pages and your blog is wonderful. Love all your ideas, very creative and on the cheap. Just up my aly.
    Sylvia

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  19. What a transformation! I want to keep this for my very own...love it! Great job!

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  20. Gorgeous! I love that you waited until the "time was right" to start. Some people call it procrastinating, but I say they're pessimists. :) It's beautiful, and you could make a killing selling it!

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  21. I'm dying at how organized your cupboard is! Very "Martha"! Oh, and the paint treatment looks great too! Thanks for linking up to "Shop The House Sunday"!

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  22. B-E-A-U-tiful! Your blog makes me long for "home". (I'm an Iowa native...born and raised in CR but transplanted to Vegas for my job)Great job with the cabinet...absolutely stunning!

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I kinda love comments, who doesn't? Nice comments. Only. I'm picky that way. ;-)

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