VINTAGE CUPBOARDS

There is just something about open cupboards.

I love the breezy look of a cupboard or cabinet with it's doors off.

It's shelves and structure exposed...

a pretty paper in the back, a paint treatment or rustic plank board finish.

I don't mind if an old piece has broken doors

or even if they have been lost over the years... it's just character to me.

I almost bought a gorgeous Louis Armoire that had water damaged

doors thinking I would use it as an open bookcase...

Old kitchen cabinets without their doors is another favorite look of mine

as long as I have plenty of storage for all the dishes that aren't so pretty!

:)

Our kitchen came with gorgeous, tall cabinets that are original to the house.

Old white paint, simple style ~

I loved them the instant I walked in the room.

They were built into the kitchen, not enclosed 'units' like todays-

The back is actually the walls, the ceiling is the top, etc.

I don't know how they made them and

attached them- they are like frames so to speak.

They are constructed of thick pine ...

Pine. Pine. Pine.

(Good thing we aren't allergic to pine - our cottage is filled with

knotty pine walls in nearly every room!)

One of the top cupboard doors was damaged and as I was taking it off

to be repaired, I stepped back, paused & stared at them.

The old shelves. The open feeling.

The details.

hmmm...

I looked at the overall design - there were 3 doors on each side of the sink-

and decided to try an open cupboard in each section.

Off the second door went -

ohh...Loved it!

I wanted to add a bit of detail to finish the tops a bit -

I thought of several different options but decided on an arch.

I took a 1x6 smooth pine board and used a large platter (of all things)

to create the shape of the arch and cut them out with a jigsaw.

I had no idea exactly how I was going to get the arch pieces to stay up

and impatient as I am to see how something is going to look, I thought I would just try

use something for the time being until the nail gun was unjammed.

I used my favorite all around fix it friend...

Caulk.

I know.

My old house is quirky and not perfect ...so...

'Caulk' helps smooth lines and fill in holes and gaps...

it covers a multitude of sins in wrong cuts, trim that just doesn't quite go together,etc.

( don't ask me how I know!)

My favorite little construction motto-

' Caulk is your friend.'

:)

I filled the open shelving with my collection of vintage red transferware

and painted the insides a soft shade of cream for a little depth.

I love how they came out.

The open shelves add so much charm to the kitchen

and are perfect spots to display favorite dishes or collections.

~

Back to work on finishing up a project~

Hope to be sharing shortly!

sharing at

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