This funky wall cabinet gallery kind of happened by accident. And such a happy one it is!
There was this little space in between the fireplace and my blog office that wasn’t all that productive. The trunk holds firewood, but I’ve required more office storage forever. Only issue is, I didn’t want it to take much room, nor for the mess to show.
And then I went to my junker brother’s garage sale. Remember the one where he figured he’d have nothing I’d like?! The one where I brought nearly his whole sale home with me? Yes, that’s the one.
The lightest bottom cabinet is actually from my parent’s farm, so that one had HUGE deep meaning to me. The other two don’t have any memories attached, but as soon as I saw them, I knew they had to come home.
I admit, all the cabinets are in rather rough condition. My first thought was to paint them up in different colours and heavily distress them. But….
Lake wasn’t sure. He kinda digs my no colour beat up rustic wood ways and told me to hang tough, and get them on the wall first. Good call!
And he’s such a big boy now, I don’t dare cross his (ever so gentle) path!
That is a mantra of mine by the way. While most would probably have painted these before they hit the ground, I love to push the boundaries and see if I can make them work as is first. That kind of trial and error creates unexpected outcomes. You know I like that.
Aren’t they cool? They really are. Les, if you ever want them back, they are yours! Hm.. maybe. I reserve the right to change my mind me thinks. Disclaimers are safe.
How I hung them
– mark your wall studs with a pencil (see the pencil xes (sp?) above)
– screw cabinets into place with one screw
– tilt until they are level
– add more screws, including extras where the studs are
– I made this up. I hope I did it right…
– they haven’t fallen down yet… yay!
Let’s decorate!
I KNOW Les snuck this sweet little radio on my garage sale pile. Or was it me… I don’t remember. Anyway, I’m so glad it came home with me! Isn’t it darling?
Check out that empty room! This cabinet reminds me of something I’d find on my Grandma’s wall in her spooky spider webbed basement. A little spooky it is, but at the same time, you have to look twice because there might be something really cool in it. Know what I mean?
I therefore name it Grandma’s Spooky Basement Cabinet.
And I have no idea about the rat thing but it must have meant something to Les, so it stays. You know… that unexpected quirky story attached. I need to find out that story.
This cabinet is actually a little crate with handles. The shelves were already in place so I moved right in. Sort of… it’s still empty too! I asked my brother what his intentions had been for it and he had wanted to mount it to the wall in his garage.
So I’m naming it, Les’ Old Relic Garage Cabinet.
Please do not ask me why I’m naming the cabinets. It’s past my bedtime… maybe that’s why.
But the NEXT one that came from my farm is the love of my life… wait till you see the inside as it was.
OOOOO EEEEEEE Tell me that isn’t the most awesome crazy green you ever did see! And backed with black. My camera lenses, iPad, Funky Junk business cards and SD camera cards are so very happy in their new digs!
I have to name this The Hopedale Farm Cabinet because that’s what our farm was called. Hopedale.
Tell me that isn’t the prettiest dang thing you ever did see!
Thing is, my cats love to climb all over the wall unit where my computer is and they’ve been knocking a few things down. Now my lenses are nicely tucked away safe and sound. Cat Proof Camera Lens Cabinet… hmmm… maybe.
These old books came from a garage sale I haven’t even blogged about yet. Soon! Promise.
The funky wall cabinet gallery (with names) is perfect for this area. PERFECT. And looks rather cool if I do say so myself.
As for paint… I’m officially undecided. I rather liked the stripped look so I may strip the crate as well so they’re all different wood tones. Maybe… or maybe just paint the crate…
{ click for fireplace mantel post HERE }
Or maybe they are just fine the way they are. Their personalities may change if they were painted and then I’d have to rename them. Identity crisis! So… not sure.
To paint or not to paint? What’s your take?
Please, oh please do not paint these! They are so beautiful just as they are, all the history and lovin’ in these named cabinets. I would just leave as is, they look perfect and are so you. :o) they look great on that wall btw, so much more character and interest, they do make you want to peek inside.
Ok Donna, I wrote on the FB page that I LOVED the Les’ Old Relic Garage Cabinet but after seeing (and hearing it’s story) I’m totally head over heals for The Hopedale Farm Cabinet. You’re right, that green is PERFECTION. They became such a beautiful display. Lake has some good taste 🙂
~ Deanna
this turned out great.
i bet you are a ‘hoot’ to go garage sale-ing with.
and your whole house must be full of ‘stories’ to tell, from a the treasures you have filled it with.
Donna they are perfect just the way they are!
I love, love the look! The cabinets are beautiful and the different hues of the wood look so good. You know if you need just a little color I could see a few dry paint brush swipes on the crate so the wood is still showing with just a hint of color. Very junky chic!
I love it! Love it all! Since you asked, I will respond.. leave them the way they are. At least for now. Each one has it’s own charm. Such a great idea.
they are lovely…my vote is – leave them just as they are!!!
Perfect just the way they are–you had great vision (as always) to see that they could work together on one wall! And Lake is adorable–and getting big. Love cats!!! My Paxy boy, who was an adorable orange kitten just a year ago, is now a lazy 15-pounder…
It turned out great! I love your camera lens storage cabinet. 😉
I love them the way they are in their natural state!
I must say…when I saw this, I was like…Oh she is back at it again…doing something I love with true awesome-ness!
my favorite part?
That you are utilizing them. they aren’t just decor…they function as really cool storage.
I’m learning to incorporate some of the funky-junk in my home as NOT just pretty (in my eyes, cause nobody else really cares) but also, storage!
Love it Donna!
Pat
Donna those look great. I have one, an old medicine cabinet with the red cross on it and a glass front. It lives at my cabin and holds little treasures my children collected over the years. Love these practical and whimsical cabinets. 🙂
Donna, such great finds and such a great wall display you did with them all. Love the Hopedale. I would definitely NOT paint. Have a great weekend.
Oh!! Leave them! With their texture and history, they are lovely just the way they are…..and they “go” together so much nicer being different. 🙂
I would paint the basement one. Don’t like the plywood look.
I think the one with handles is an old ammo crate!
Love them just as they are!
Especially love the one with the history of your home. Les is probably pleased you have it. What a treasure.
Thanks for sharing! Brenda
no! do not paint them…they are perfect the way they are. love the gallery! i think we can officially say you have a box fetish 🙂 also, love the ball of string, adds just the right touch of texture.
Yes the cabinets are great, no paint. I would paint the wall behind them tho….Thats just me can’t take a white wall…
It’s actually a soft mocha tone that runs through the entire house. I was actually thinking of planking the wall and painting it white! haha
Don’t paint! Love them just the way they are!
I like them “as is”…much more subtle and fit right in with all the muted shades of the fireplace/mantel decor, your hardwood floors etc….I think they look great and the fact they are extra storage too……is always a good thing!!
You’ve done it again,, Donna! A ‘gift’ you have of just Touching Junk, and it is a Beautiful Arrangement(as is).
Wow, what a great use for those cabinets. They add even more personality to your already amazing home. What inspiration!
Leave them be! You can never top the natural finish that has accumulated over time, touch, and real life! Just how many walls do you have in that place anyway?? Love everything you do – so funny and an inspiration to boot 🙂
Andi C.
I like ’em raw too. Can you teach Lake to use the tools?
Love them in their natural state just as they are.
Leave them as they are. Hubs and I periodically discuss my wish to keep the antique medicine cabinet in our “master bath”–a puny half bath–and his wish to paint it white. It shows so much character. Like yours does.
Janet
We are on the same wave length girl. I just hosted a vintage yard sale for my older sis to help her down size. I nabbed a chippy white radio also. I too grabbed a rustic pink cabinet. Not sure where it’s going yet, but looks like I need a couple more to go with it. lol! I love what you did with yours, and NO I would not have painted them. Also, I agree; don’t cross that cat!
hugs,
Jann
Love this! I wouldn’t do a darn thing to it, I think its unique! Wish I could get my hands on some cool old cabinets!
I love the three cabinets just as they are. I vote to leave the finishes as is. The arrangement is wonderful!
Absolutely love the cabinets! Great and pretty storage space 🙂
LOVE your arrangement!! I think it’s great the way it is, but if you “must” do something, I’d go for stripping the crate and leaving everything else as is, especially The Hopedale Farm Cabinet.
I really enjoy your style!
Please DON’T paint that crate! Leave everything as is. This was love at first sight for me! You did a wonderful job on that little wall.
What a great idea!
D.
Love this look! Everything flows perfectly. The old trunk and fireplace balance/compliment your gallery wall of cabinets. Great idea!
Why mess with perfection? I wouldn’t do a single thing to them. Love the look as is.
Totally perfect just as they are! They make a lovely gallery!!
They look perfect! That wall is gorgeous!!!
Don’t PAINT!!! they look adorable!
Leave them this way – the look is awesome!!!!!
Awesome just the way they are!!!
Love love love them! You know, I could be wrong, but I think the crate is actually an ammo box. Some of them are still around from WWII.
OMG!! I absolutely love how you put the camera lenses in there! My lenses are always all over the place (not safe I know) I will def. be doing this in my Studio so my lenses Camera are up and out of the way and in a safe spot! LOVE IT!!! Thanks for sharing as always
-T
I really love this and especially the one with all the camera equipment. That’s too cool.
I have that trunk! My MIL, born in 1911, remembered playing in her grandmother’s closet with doll clothes in that trunk! LOVE it!
Love the wall cabinet with the handles, I love things that add character to a room. The retro look from the cabinets are amazing i must admit thought i wouldn’t of painted them, Original colours look really nice.
I love them just the way they are – and the pop of green is an unexpected surprise. I’m a huge fan of the eclectic look and this is perfection! That Lake is one smart kitty!
Love the raw wood look as is. They are perfectly imperfect!