I have a client who is currently renovating a family farmhouse into a quilting studio. She had recently seen one of our repurpose chest of drawer projects (you can see it here) and asked if we could do the same thing and turn her chest of drawers into a cabinet. The cabinet will serve as storage for quilting supplies. This repurposing would be a fun project the Hubs and I could complete together.
The project would consist of removing the drawers and rails, constructing three shelves, adding wood to the inside back and sides, and lastly constructing a door.
Prepping the Chest of Drawers
To start the project, the Hubs removed all the drawers. I can use these for future projects! They are so many projects you can do with old drawers. He then removed the drawer rails and the drawer support pieces on the front.
This is what it looked like when he was finished removing the pieces we would not use.
Painting the DIY Repurposed Chest of Drawers
While the Hubs was busy constructing the inside pieces, I painted the chest of drawers. The clientβs paint color choice was Dixie Belleβs Cobalt blue. I applied one coat of the paint to the sides and the top. After about 2 hours of drying time, I applied the final coat. This blue is gorgeous!
Our wood choice was a sheet of plywood from our local hardware store. This wood is for the shelves as well as the inside back and side pieces. Look at that beautiful grain!
Construction
The first order of business was to cut three pieces to place inside the chest of drawers. One of the pieces would be added to the back and two pieces would be added to each side. He also cut three shelving pieces.
The Hubs cut two small shelving blocks from scrap 1×4 and glued and then nailed them inside the chest of drawers. The small blocks would serve as the support pieces for the shelves.
The blocks were attached and the shelves were nailed into place. He also cut trim from a 1×4 to place on the outside of the shelf front.
Here is the chest of drawers with all the construction of the inside complete.
Staining and Door Construction
I stained the inside of the cabinet using Minwax Special Walnut. I allowed it to dry overnight. Once it dried, I applied a coat of Dixie Belleβs Spray Wax.
The next day, the Hubs constructed the door using 1×4βs. He measured the inside of the cabinet where the door would be placed and cut accordingly. He used glue and pocket hole screws to construct the door.
Before attaching the door to the cabinet, I stained it using the Special Walnut. After it completely dried overnight, I sprayed it with a coat of the spray wax.
The Hubs then added the chicken wire by stapling it onto the inside frame of the door after the wax was completely dry (about 2 hours). We love our Surebonder Staple Gun!
He attached the door to the cabinet with two hinges.
To seal the outside of the cabinet, I used Dixie Belleβs Easy Peasy Spray Wax applying one coat.
I had a wood knob in my stash, and I knew it would be perfect for the door!
From an old chest of drawers to a beautiful, colorful cabinet for the quilting studio! I love the Cobalt Blue with the stain accents. It really makes it unique.
Christina π
Save this project for later!
Oh myβ¦Iβm βm sorry but the end result is justβ¦ugly.
I don’t care for the blue, I would prefer fresh cut grass, Dill pickle or June bug. They are beautiful green colors and look great in any room. They are from blackberry house paint.
That is pretty awesome!
Awww thank you! β€οΈ
I love the way you kept some natural pinned
Thank you Maria π
What a beautiful repurposed chest of drawers! I bet your client loves it. It’s perfect for holding quilts!
Thank you! Yes she does! I canβt wait to see it full of quilts!
Stunning!!!!! I can would never have said it was the same piece you started with, but it’s so perfect for showcasing quilt and I love that blue
Thank you Michelle! I was worried about the blue being too bold but I like the end result π
Positively perfect! I have a cabinet this would work beautifully for.
Thank you Barb! ????
Wow, you’d never know it was the same chest of drawers! You guys rocked this makeover. Your client must have been thrilled with her new farmhouse quilt storage cabinet.
Thank you Marie! She did love it. I canβt wait to see it in her new shop π