Scavenger Chic

Easy Built in Cabinet DIY – Part 1

• By Joan
• April 5, 2018
• 4 Comments

We’ve lived in our current house 25 years and this is still the original builder grade oak cabinet complete with laminate countertop.  We stained the cabinets and we got new countertops in the rest of the kitchen years ago but the plan was always to replace this desk with something else.  

Normally, this space is a catchall, for the mail and papers that don’t have a home (I cleaned it up for the photo). For parties, this is where the drinks are served. It’s where the list for the grocery store is written,  but I have never once sat down and used this space as a desk.

Years ago we set out to find some kind of cabinet that we could use in place of the desk.  We absolutely fell in love with an antique apothecary cabinet , but the cost, $900, and the lack of usable storage had us continuing the search. 

Do you have something in your house that is really ugly, but you’ve had it so long that you just overlook it…that was this desk.

It was only recently that I decided to continue the search.  I was thinking dresser.  Maybe I could find a dresser that would fit or at least come close to fitting inside the nook.

I’ve been carrying the measurements and a tape measure in my purse for over a month.

So I was over the moon ecstatic when this buffet came up on an online auction site.  It was absolutely perfect. I knew I had to have it.

I didn’t want to start bidding too early so to jack up the price but I jumped in the bidding in the last 5 minutes.  When I began to bid, the price was just $20. Five minutes later, I had won the bid but I ended up paying $86.   Stop bidding against me, do you know how perfect this piece is?

I would have preferred the $20, but this buffet was mine. I will not be outbid!  Just look at all that storage!

So now that I’ve dragged this thing home, the built-in dream is about to become a reality.

First up, removing all the quarter round and trim from around the baseboards.

And tearing out the old desk, countertop and ledger board.  

I swear I didn’t make all those holes in the wall.  They were hiding behind the desk.

I thought I would have a little more room on the sides, but this is a tight fit and once I got it in there, it wasn’t going anywhere.

You can see why I had to have that bid.

Home Depot is now selling shiplap and it makes a great backing for my new built in cabinet. Cut around any corners or outlets to fit.

While I did three layers of shiplap in the back, I’m only doing one on the sides until I get my counter top installed. Use finish nails to attach.

I’m leaving the buffet pulled out from the wall about 5 inches.  The current top is really slick and shiny and I want a wider, more substantial counter top. A new countertop will cover the gap in the back.

To the garage where I have a stash of wood I stole from my son’s backyard after his house makeover. Two 2×10’s and one 2×8 make the perfect width for my new countertop.

Cut to desired length and sanded well.

On the bottom I’m using Kreg Pocket Hole Jig System screws and wood glue to attach my new counter top together.

Back to the top.  This is just one coat of vintage wax painted on and the excess wiped off.  This is also the same finish I used on my faux railroad tie mantel which is on the other end of the room. I’m trying to match some finishes in my room.

While the wax is still damp add a little black chalk paint to the edges and blend into the vintage wax.  A little black goes a long way.

Before I installed the new wood counter, I painted the lower edge of the shiplap with black chalk paint so I didn’t have to worry about getting any paint on the new counter top.

Finish the counter top with a final coat of clear wax. Use finish nails to attach to the buffet.

Finish cutting the remaining shiplap for the sides and once again, use finish nails to attach.

Cut two 1×2 pieces to hide the ends of the shiplap.  Don’t attach those just yet.

If you have any gaps or holes, now is the time to fill those with caulk or plastic wood.

Use black chalk paint to finish the shiplap and those 1×2’s you just cut.  It’s easier to paint these before installing.

I wish I had done this sooner and  I can’t wait to show you all the final finishes.  Make sure you check back on Monday for my finished built in. Meanwhile, start shopping for your own dresser or buffet.  (You can find Part 2 here)

See you then.

Shared at Metamorphosis Monday,

Talk of the Town,

Related posts:

Easy Built in Cabinet – Part 2 Upcycled Dresser and Door Kitchen Island Part 2 Buffet Makeover with Chalk Paint Heap of Change Challenge : Workbench Storage