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Monday, April 13, 2015

Library Card Catalog Inspired Furniture Makeover


I have a serious crush on vintage library catalogs and would love to get my hands on one to call my own.   The problem is they are so few and far between and my beer budget just doesn't cut it when it comes to paying for such a unique and vintage item.   That doesn't mean I'm giving up my hunt, but until I get my hands on one I've settled for giving a piece of furniture a library catalog inspired makeover.


painted furniture makeover, painted furniture, chalk paint, card catalog


Before I get into how I updated this piece, here's how the cabinet looked before.  I loved the black, but it was time to brighten things up and create a more custom piece of furniture.
                        Cabinet before
The first step in achieving the card catalog look was to create the look of drawers.  I knew exactly what to use to achieve that very look and headed to Michaels to pick up a few sheets of thin balsa wood.
cutting wood for card catalog
This wood is awesome for using in small DIY and craft projects.  It's just like the thin plywood I used for the plank wall, but comes in small sheets that are easier to manage.

After measuring how large I wanted my "drawers" I cut each piece with a chop saw.
cutting wood for card catalog

cutting wood for card catalog

faux card catalog
After I laid all the pieces out and was happy with the look I sanded the wood, filled the old hardware holes with wood putty then attached the new "drawers" with wood glue.
drawers before

gluing drawers
At first, I painted the cabinet Relic using Americana Decor chalk paint, but wasn't thrilled with how it looked next the black TV cabinet.  I ended up going over the Relic with two coats of Everlasting, which ended up distressing nicely over top the Relic.

After distressing and a coat of clear varnish I was ready to attach the hardware.  I ordered these cup pulls from D. Lawless Hardware and couldn't be happier with the price and quality.

painted furniture makeover, painted furniture, chalk paint, card catalog

painted furniture makeover, painted furniture, chalk paint, card catalog

painted furniture makeover, painted furniture, chalk paint, card catalog

painted furniture makeover, painted furniture, chalk paint, card catalog

I'm still not sure about stark white, so don't be surprised if this cabinet gets painted again in the future.  Either way, I'm loving the new look.


      

Would you like to comment?

  1. This is SO super cool Katie! SUCH a brilliant idea! LOVE how it turned out!

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    1. Thanks so much Krisit! I'm just glad it turned out as I had imagined.

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  2. Seriously genius! I just might have to steal this idea ;) Awesome job Katie, I love it!

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    1. Thanks Bre! Please do, you would kill a faux card catalog inspired furniture makeover!

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  3. Love, love, LOVE!!!

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  4. I love this piece! You did a great job putting it all together. Found you on Your Turn to Shine Link Party. :)

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed the update! Thanks so much for stopping by :)

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  5. Thanks for mentioning us! I love seeing our hardware used so beautifully!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Derrick! Your hardware is AMAZING, you just can't beat the great quality and prices.

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  6. Love it Katie! I want to try that method! Love D Lawless Hardware too! I used the same pulls in our coffee table! Have a great weekend

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    1. Thanks Bre! I agree, their hardware is great. Your coffee table is beautiful, you guys did such a great job.

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  7. This is so gorgeous- and I never would've thought of it! Thanks so much for linking up at the Handmade Hangout!

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  8. Love this transformation, I really want to do something like this I just have to find the right piece of furniture.

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  9. Nice transformation...love what you have done!

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  10. Katie, what a great makeover! I love how you got the look of the card catalog drawers with the overlay pieces of wood, and that awesome hardware!!!!! Thanks for sharing at Best of the Nest!

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  11. Oh I love how this turned out!! Super cute, Katie! It's amazing how just a little wood and some new card catalog type pulls really changes the look!

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  12. Oh I love how this turned out!! Super cute, Katie! It's amazing how just a little wood and some new card catalog type pulls really changes the look!

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  13. Wow! I've always loved the card catalog look too but never would have thought to create it the way that you did. Looks awesome!

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  14. This is absolutely awesome!! I love it. Congrats on your feature.

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  15. That's great and fantastic stuffs for security purpose. It is fascinating for me and it is really a complete candid street photography definition

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