You may remember when I went to San Francisco earlier this year that I went to a tea shoppe called "Crown and Crumpet". I was completely smitten with these little cabinets they had filled with tiny, vintage items. Here is a photo to jog your memory.
It was chock full of fun stuff.
I wanted a similar cabinet at my house in a bad way...
We have a short wall on our upstairs landing and I asked my Dad and my husband if they could do this project, using this wall.
They were going to put each little compartment between the studs in the wall..it would be shallow, but I was pretty sure it would work. Luckily they agreed to it.
My dad is an engineer so he does everything with a plan.
Tom and my Dad have done quite a few projects together and it is really nice to have them work side by side.
We did run into a couple of problems with the project. First off, we didn't realize the wall was lathe and plaster. It made it much more difficult to open up the space. Second, there was an good sized electrical wire that ran through one of the spaces. We did not know it was there. We did not have power to the back of our house until an electrician was called in. This actually was a good thing as the electrical wire would have been in the way, so we had the electrician move it to a better spot.
I didn't really help with demolition. I had the idea in my head and put in my two cents about how to do it. I also did all the painting.
The boxes were finished off.
I painted the whole cabinet with a clean white color and we made shelves to fit. I ordered glass fronted cabinets for each of the 6 little compartments.
Leaving this post as a teaser...wait until you see the finished project tomorrow!!! I had SO much fun adding all my fun vintage items once the doors were on (which are painted pink with mismatched glass pulls). Can't wait to share....
Oh, how cool is this! Love it!
Posted by: Elizabeth Maurice | June 30, 2010 at 09:09 AM
can't wait to see!!
Posted by: April | June 30, 2010 at 09:23 AM
Now that is the neatest idea! Can't wait to see the finished project.
xo
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | June 30, 2010 at 09:27 AM
Wow - you're so fortunate to have two handy guys in your life! And how VERY clever of you to think to use this wall - so perfect. I can't even begin to imagine what you'll fill those shelves with... -amy
PS Cute magazine rack in the bathroom. :-)
Posted by: Into Vintage | June 30, 2010 at 09:53 AM
What a clever way to make that partial wall so usable! Do you think you'll have enough to fill it???????? LOL! Great job!
Joyce
Posted by: Joyce | June 30, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Can't wait to see your wonderful treasures displayed!! Do you plan to rotate it out seasonally? Nothing like making your dreams a reality..kudos to you!!! oxoxo's..Liza
Posted by: Liza | June 30, 2010 at 10:18 AM
I am amazed at the places you find to use for fun things!!!!! What a great idea!!!!!! I can't wait to see the rest! :)
Posted by: Sandy McClay | June 30, 2010 at 10:38 AM
How cool. More space for "stuff".
I noticed the guys made all those plans and then just ripped into without a drop cloth. I guess they have someone to clean up! ha
It's going to be great.
Posted by: Janet | June 30, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Hi Laurie, great cabinets!!!!
Lathe and plaster are tough when
you want to do something to the
walls.... I have the same walls
all over!! I can't wait to see
how you fill those cabinets!!
Hugs,
Janis
Posted by: Janis | June 30, 2010 at 10:50 AM
I'm wondering what Mr. Oodles would think of this. Maybe he'd have to go along with it if somebody, you know, just made a hole in the wall. It could happen, you know. Eager to see how they turned out!
Posted by: barbara | June 30, 2010 at 11:03 AM
What a wonderful way to use an otherwise empty wall. I can't wait to see the rest!!!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | June 30, 2010 at 11:47 AM
oh these are going to neat all filled with your treasures..:)
Posted by: Gina | June 30, 2010 at 12:02 PM
What a terrific project! And I love how you were inspired by those wonderful shelves in a tea shop. You're so fortunate to have such handy family members. The shelves look great so far. I'll be back to see the finished product. How fun they will be to fill up with vintage treasures!
Posted by: Susan | June 30, 2010 at 12:30 PM
How sweet of your hubby and dad to do this project for you!! I cannot wait to see those little cupboards full of your little treasures!
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | June 30, 2010 at 01:09 PM
I want Tom and your Dad to come visit me!!
Posted by: Lynn | June 30, 2010 at 01:13 PM
Wonderful! And this would be another chapter in the book. I think you really do need to get started on writing!
I can't wait to see what all you put on the shelves.
How fun!
Posted by: Melissa | June 30, 2010 at 03:09 PM
I don't think any of the projects that I tricked, I mean asked my husband to do have been without some "problems"! I remember those cabinets you saw, and I think yours are going to be every bit as awesome, if not more. Can't wait to see all the goodies you've filled them with!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | June 30, 2010 at 04:32 PM
OH I can't wait to see it done!!!!!
Posted by: elma | June 30, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Laurie, I have been waiting to see how your shelves would turn out and they are looking sooo Great ! I can't wait to see them all finished up . It really is the cutest little area now .... ever so clever you !
Lisa W.
Posted by: Lisa W. | June 30, 2010 at 09:44 PM
OMGosh, I can't wait to see it!!
Hugs,
Jill
Posted by: Jill | July 01, 2010 at 12:06 AM
Can't wait to see the end result! Great use of space!
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 01, 2010 at 05:18 AM