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The Shabby Cabinet

June 10, 2009 By Rhoda 117 Comments

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What a crazy couple of days it’s been! I got around to visit most of you from the Monday Thrifty party and then we started having some major computer problems. My hubby has been working on it for the last two days and I think we have it all fixed now, but I have been offline for the most part. Seems to have been a wireless router problem, so now we have a new one. Good thing he knows how to do all this or I’d be out of commission. And I got a new widescreen 20″ monitor too out of the deal, since my old one had developed a strange line down one side. This big one is great! I can really blog now. 🙂

So, on to important things now!

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Ya’ll voted. I listened. The shabby cabinet is now in the downstairs guestbath. I was dreading putting this up, but it ended up being one of the easiest projects I’ve done, so I thought I’d share with you how I did it. I amaze myself sometimes. 🙂 I know from experience how projects can go and I fully expected this one to go downhill fast. My bag of tricks: Hammer, stud finder, large screws, drill, tape measure. First, with a large piece like this, you have to find the studs in the wall, so that’s what I did right off the bat. Found those and put a nail in them. Measured to see how far apart they were and made a note of that as I drilled holes in the back of the cabinet. The cabinet had those big honking silver screws that you see above, but I had some that were a little smaller, so I opted for those. They still stuck through the other side with plenty of grip power once I hit the studs with them. I measured down from the top and from the sides to figure out where I wanted the cabinet to sit once it was up there and placed my drilled holes accordingly. I promise you, math is not my strong suit, but I will persevere with a project until it is done. Even if I have to make one or three holes along the way. My mantra is: so what if there’s an extra hole (or 3). I can fix that with putty. Or it will be hidden anyway. I get away with a lot thinking like that and it works for me. And my hubby never looks over my shoulder, so that’s good too.

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So, I used the black screws which were a little smaller than the ones that were with the cabinet. I figured I could wrangle with the smaller ones just a little better. I pondered and dreaded and then I just went for it. The thing is really heavy, so the first thing I did was take the door off so I could pick it up without worrying about breaking the glass. Plus that made it a bit lighter. Smart move! I got it into the bathroom, did my calculations, drilled the holes for the screws, got the placement figured out, found the studs, etc. So, I was ready to begin. Had no idea how it would go. Dread, sweat, anxiety. OK, I can do this. Now, you ask…why didn’t you ask your hubby to help you. 🙂 Well, I just know how that goes, he is not nearly as patient with these things as I am and will throw in the towel if things don’t go smoothly, so if a project can be done by little ole me, then I just stick to that. I can talk out loud all by myself if it’s not going well, as I’ve been known to do many times. My favorite word is crap in these instances.

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Once I figured out where I wanted the cabinet to be after I held it up to the wall and saw where the screws would hit my pre-drilled holes in the wall, I saw how much space was underneath down to the top of the toilet. Huummm, I said to myself, I believe a paint can would fit under there and be my helper.

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Perfect solution! The paint can stood in as a holder and the cabinet rested on it until I could get the screws secured. I used a little pliers to get them screwed all the way into the wood stud. Ten minutes later, I was done! Yipppeee! I had to go tell my hubby how brilliant I was. He was proud. And he didn’t have to help. Pulled out the paint can and it didn’t fall off the wall. Double yippee!

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So, it’s up and looking good.

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Screwed the door back into place and it was ready to decorate. I put the plates back above, as well as my yardsale bird up top. He was $5 by the way, last year.

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Went around the house and found stuff to put in here, cause you know I have plenty to spare. Of course, with my vast collection of seashells they were perfect to add to the shelves and I stole a few things from the bookcase in the beachy guestroom.

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Plates and bird.

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It’s kinda fun to shop your own house.

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Bath sign from Homegoods last year, all the rest of this was yardsale finds, including the shells.

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Large blue bowl was a Homegoods find too. Dried hydrangeas from my yard.

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Little blue crackled box is also from Homegoods, all the rest, you guessed it, yardsales. Picked up those olive shells on the beach at Gulf Shores last Fall and found the bottle at a yardsale.

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All this was yardsale finds too.

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Driftwood I picked up at the beach.

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I love this shabby piece and it’s big. Really looks good in here, so thanks ya’ll for urging me to put it here. It really is perfect, plus I didn’t want to have to move anything in the kitchen or diningroom. 🙂

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I think this is the most rustic piece in the house now.

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Monogrammed shower curtain from Ballards.

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And you can see how it looks with my shabby towel holder I got at Stray Cats in Irondale. I really love this bathroom. My hubby’s comment when he saw it: I’m glad it’s not my bathroom!

Really, he’s very supportive of my compulsive yardsale shopping habits and is happy that I have a fun outlet. And he loves it when I find good clothes for him, espresso machines for $3, and $5 wheelbarrows. Hope you enjoyed the tour and how it all came about.

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Filed Under: Decorating Ideas, Projects and How-To, Yardsales and Thrifting 117 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Centsational Girl says

    June 10, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    Purrrrrr-ty. I love the size of that cabinet, and all your decor. Lovely !

    Reply
  2. Olive Rue says

    June 10, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    I LOVE IT!!!! Now I'm going to be on the hunt for one of these cabinets. Our bathroom is done in a sand color and calming beachy blue.

    Reply
  3. Crystal says

    June 10, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    Wow, you did a great job. That cabinet really adds a beach cottage feel to your bathroom. I like it, like it alot 🙂
    Thanks for sharing!
    Crystal

    Reply
  4. Deb says

    June 10, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Oh my goodness, if I would have seen that cabinet I would have walked by it. You took something that was not attractive and made it a beautiful showpiece.

    Thanks,
    Debbie

    Reply
  5. TinaTx says

    June 10, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    It looks wonderful! Good for you, doing it all by yourself. I bought one of those stud finder things – couldn't find a single stud with it so I took it back and went back to the 'old method' – tapping on the wall!
    As for the paint can – hey whatever works!

    Great job!

    Reply
  6. Paige says

    June 10, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    Looks great! I love it.

    Reply
  7. Linda says

    June 10, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    I LOVE your bathroom and that cabinet. My hubby would have said the same thing. LOL

    Reply
  8. Celia says

    June 10, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Looks great in there Rhoda! Love how you displayed everything – quite a knack you have indeed!
    Celia

    Reply
  9. Simply Susan says

    June 10, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    It seems we have the same favorite word, lol…anyhoo, I love the cabinet in the bathroom. You did a great job hanging it, too ;o)

    Reply
  10. {My Flip Flopz} says

    June 10, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    I am IMPRESSED! That looks great and I think I learned a thing or two in the process! I love how you turned the Homegoods bowl on its side – so simple but so eyecatching.

    Reply
  11. KMfamily ;-) says

    June 10, 2009 at 11:46 pm

    Hay Rhoda,
    LOVE THIS!!!
    That is a great way to add charm & warmth to a bathroom.
    I might add a small rub on decal of a blue flower on the side of the little white cabinet. Dress it up just a bit.
    But you filled it up awesomely..all those little treasures..love it!!!
    KEEP DOIN WHAT YOUR DOIN GIRLFRIEND!!

    Reply
  12. Kat says

    June 10, 2009 at 11:51 pm

    Another good project! It really looks good.

    Hugs!
    Kat

    Reply
  13. Alaska Girl says

    June 11, 2009 at 2:34 am

    I'm jealous of your find! Looks great! I am also impressed with your paint can helper…genius!

    Reply
  14. Me & My House says

    June 11, 2009 at 3:19 am

    I LOVE this and I voted for the bath…I am glad I did…amazing how it TOTALLY changed the look of the bathroom. Gorgeous!

    Reply
  15. Mary says

    June 11, 2009 at 5:24 am

    Rhoda, The cabinet looks great in the bathroom and I love how you accessorized it from what you had. Thanks for the tutorial on how to put it up, the pictures help alot.
    You are my inspiration to tackle projects myself.

    Reply
  16. Glenda/MidSouth says

    June 11, 2009 at 9:03 am

    Very nice!
    Glenda

    Reply
  17. Anne @ The City Sage says

    June 11, 2009 at 9:25 am

    LOVE your cabinet! It looks just perfect there! And I love how you were able to hang it with just a little help from 'valspar'. Any time I can avoid bringing the huz in on a project, I'm so happy–hanging pictures or shelves with him is like a recipe for an argument!

    Reply
  18. Jennifer says

    June 11, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Hi Rhoda! The shabby cabinet looks absolutely amazing!! I like where you chose to hang it and the treasures that you filled the shelves with. You give such fabulous advice and great tips. I appreciate it so much!

    Jennifer

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    June 11, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    Rhoda Rhoda Rhoda! It looks great! LOVE IT!

    I have to tell you two things. I was over at my Mother in laws today and she said could you have darling son (my hubby) come over and take a look at these tools before I get rid of them. I said… Hec… he doesn't use tools as much as me! Let me take a look at them! So I understand…
    The second thing I want to tell you… I am re doing my bathroom and I framed out the mirror! I am doing mine in Dover White from Sherwin Williams. I will send a picture when it is all done. Nancy from OHIO

    Reply
  20. Kelee Katillac says

    June 11, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    GRRRREEAAAT! Awesome rhoda!

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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