Vintage Window Wall Cabinet
- By Joan
- April 24, 2017
- 2 Comments
I’ve been busy in the workshop this past week, this time transforming a pair of vintage windows into a unique wall cabinet.
My projects are usually based on what junk I’ve picked up in my travels or if I get a special request.
This project started when I picked up these two old windows at a farmhouse a couple of weeks ago. They were kind of filthy and missing 4 window panes but they were a nice size, free, and in need of some loving…OK, a lot of loving.
They already looked a whole lot better just with a little scrubbing.
Because they were such a nice little size, I decided to use them both in a double door cabinet.
Raiding my scrap wood, I used a piece of 1×4 for the top trim and 1×3’s for the side trim. Cut the 1×3’s first, the height of the window, then you’ll know how long to make the top piece.
Leave just a little wiggle room around the window, about 1/8th inch, so that if can move freely.
Measure around the windows including the trim and make a box. Nail and glue together. I used some 1×6 knotty pine paneling we had pulled out of my son’s basement when we were renovating. Use wider wood if you would like deeper shelves.
Yup, some of this knotty pine paneling is now part of my wall cabinet.
Nail and glue the 1×3’s and 1×4 to the front of the pine box.
Cut another piece of 1×3 trim to fit inside the upper edge on the back of the box. Nail and glue into place.
Mark the middle of your box, measure and cut a vertical piece the same width as your box, notched to fit over the back trim. Nail from the bottom top and back.
Use your window as a guide to figure out where a middle shelf will go. You’ll want to line up the shelf with the grid on the windows. Nail into place.
I added another piece of decorative trim from the salvage yard to the top edge and a piece of quarter round to the bottom edge.
For additional support, I nailed in a few more pieces of quarter round molding underneath the shelves.
Paint as desired.
For the back, I cut a piece of thin plywood just a bit smaller than my cabinet so it wouldn’t poke out. Since I have a bunch of these tin roofing shingles laying about and they give a nice texture, I decided to use them as part of my backing.
If you don’t happen to have tin shingles just laying about, think about using beadboard, wall paper, wrapping paper, or just painting your backing.
The tins were attached with construction adhesive.
The rustiest of the tins got sprayed with a primer followed by a coat of teal chalk paint.
Couldn’t resist a little sanding to show off the detail in the tins.
Backing was nailed on and it was only then that I decided that the shelves really needed an edging. That’s just a 1×2 , cut and nailed into place.
The missing window panes were a standard size, 8×10, and they were easily replaced. Instead of replacing the missing glazing, the panes are now held in place with a couple of tacks on each side. That was totally a personal choice, I thought new glazing would be too white and contrast with the rustic old windows.
With a couple of handles and hinges the cabinet is now complete.
I have no idea where the handles came from, I just know that I found them in my pile of junk…perfect for this project.
I envision mine as a wall cabinet, but with wider shelves and legs it could easily be an entry table or sofa table, just use your imagination.
Have a wonderful week. Stay inspired.
Shared at Metamorphosis Monday,
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Thank you so much for sharing this at the Farmhouse Friday link party! Pinned and shared! 🙂
Love all of your project!! I’ve been inspired!??