Turn a Cabinet into a Hideaway Home Office

Our hive has three bedrooms.

The master (which you've probably already seen - if you're new here or you missed that makeover you can check it out here), along with two other teeny ones currently awaiting revamps - one of which is more of a glorified cupboard (okay, so I'm exaggerating slightly though you get my drift - they are SMALL).

So anyway, the slightly less small of the two currently holds, amongst many other things, this big free standing TV cabinet (found on eBay for around $100):

Because instead of just a neat little laptop we have a hulking great computer with a massive monitor, printer, sound system, hard-drive back-up, broadband modem, etc, etc, there are a tonne of power cords and lots of poxy black plastic I'd rather hide away than have on show so here's what's actually living in that TV cabinet:

I know, I know, not too pretty at the moment - see what I mean about the cords? - though I do have beautification plans.

We've been using the computer like this for a while now, though to be honest, not very comfortably; the shelf heights are a bit awkward so you need to lean right over to reach the keyboard and mouse.
Well, I'm pleased to say that's finally changed thanks to the installation of this rolling shelf:

Again, still awaiting beautification though currently practical if nothing else!

I've always found purpose-built computer cabinets can be pricey (and usually lacking in character) so here's a quick little tute covering the basics of how you can turn any cupboard/cabinet/robe/closet into your own mini hide-away office.

Step 1
Find a cupboard. Almost anything will do. Just make sure it's big enough to house all your bits and pieces and really deep if you also want to leave a chair hidden in it. Like I already mentioned, my cupboard was originally a TV cabinet I bought off eBay for around $100.

Step 2
Install or remove fittings as required. I was lucky to already have some shelves in place though it's easy enough to add your own if need be. 

Step 3
Install your keyboard shelf. Usually this would be hidden under the monitor shelf though based on the height of the existing shelf in my cupboard it needed to sit on top.

Because my cupboard has recessed sides, I first screwed (counter-sunk) and glued in some timber spacers:

Next I attached the exterior drawer slides:

These are just standard roller drawer brackets you can buy from the hardware store for around $10 a pair.

I then measured the depth, length and height my keyboard shelf needed to be and had a piece of MDF cut to size at the hardware store. I attached my MDF to the interior drawer slides by screwing it in from the bottom. To finish I simply inserted the shelf inside the exterior brackets:

Closed....

....and open.

YAY!!! We can finally comfortably reach the components!

Step 4
Make your new home office beautiful (and user-friendly :-)

Okay, I already admitted I'm still yet to complete this step though I do have some plans. 

Ready Made

Better Homes and Gardens

SUNSET Magazine

Pottery Barn

1000 Decorating Ideas Magazine 2007

Lowes

Jem and Onyx

Unknown

Pottery Barn

Apartment Therapy

And thanks sooooo much to everyone who responded to my menial call for help from my previous post. I'm still getting around to contacting everyone who emailed or left a comment so please know I haven't overlooked your kind willingness to help :-)

You guys truly rock my socks!

Enhanced Natural Timber Furniture

Before I began my master bedroom revamp I knew I wanted some rustic timber to keep the space warm and grounded however finding the right pieces to 'restore' rather than 'refurb' is easier said than done.

We all know how easy and effective slapping a fresh coat of paint on a piece of furniture can be - not only does it completely transform the feel of an item though it can also hide a myriad of sins. So, when you're planning on paring-back rather than packing-on, a little more care (and/or blind faith!) may be required.
With that in mind I set about sourcing some second-hand timber pieces which would eventually become my bedside tables and finally found these on eBay:

Deco Dresser ($60)

Kauri Pine Cupboard ($50)

Because my bed doesn't sit centrally on the wall I wanted two pieces with mis-matched proportions to play off the asymmetry of the room. I also needed plenty of storage.

Remember my inspiration board:

I knew I was dreaming when I included that apothecary style cabinet (lower right) though thought I could somehow transform my crappy old deco dresser into something with a similar feel so I got to work.

First I removed the mirror and handles then stripped back the old varnish using my secret weapon; commercial grade graffiti remover. Seriously, this stuff is awesome! You just pour a layer on, leave it for five minutes then remove it with some soapy water and steel wool. It's soooo much easier and faster than using a conventional paint stripper.

Okay, so admittedly I get mine from a friend in the industry though I'm sure it's available somewhere for domestic use (sorry I can't help more :-).

I next gave the dresser a light all over sand then stained it dark using a combination of walnut and black. I was careful to get the stain into all the imperfections in the timber to create the look of an aged patina. To finish I sealed it with three coats of danish oil then added some library pulls.

Before

After

The pulls were originally shiny polished brass so I coated them with some old gold Rub 'n' Buff to create a tarnished look. I thought it may not stick given how smooth the surface was though it hasn't budged. For something different rather than label each pull with a numerical digit I used french written numbers (un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit) which I simply printed off my computer onto regular copy paper. I then stained the paper with a diluted coffee mixture to give the labels an aged appearance.

My original plan with the kauri pine cupboard was to keep it as is though the blonde timber looked too unbalanced against the walnut of the dresser so I decided to stain it dark too which was fast and easy because it was already so bone-dry no stripping or sanding was needed. I simply mixed up some walnut and black timber stain then gave it three good coats. There were heaps of gouges and grooves in the soft timber from years of love (and neglect!) so, as with the dresser, I was careful to let the dark stain penetrate all the imperfections to create an aged-looking, time-worn patina.

Before

After

Linking this post with some of these parties.

Library Card Cabinet Upcycle

Whatda you do when you come across something you really love?

Something for your home that you know there is no practical place or use for?

Do you buy it just because?

Just because you might never come across one again? Just because it was a really good price? Just because your mother's sister's second cousin Mavis had one just like it? Just because you could remove that, paint this, add some of these and turn it into an umbrella stand?

Well, a while ago I blogged about this old library card cabinet I bought 'just because'.

It sat in my junk room serving absolutely no purpose for about a year until the arrival of Charlotte saw my junk room (which was the temporary home for many of my 'just because' items) become sole real estate for one beautiful bouncing bambino.

(You can see the nursery makeover here if you missed it)

So, with our shortage of storage space made even shorter it was finally time to let some things go, starting with my card drawer cabinet.

Before selling it though I decided a mini makeover was in order.

Rather than paint over the character-filled timber I simply gave it a good all over clean and oil (just with furniture polish) to retain and enhance the original patina.

I also attached some solid metal castor wheels (as I had always originally intended). Along with the advantage of mobility the wheels also add enough height to give the cabinet perfect proportions for a coffee or deep side table.

I could only find silver steel castors which looked too modern paired with the old cabinet so I tinted them black to resemble cast iron.
Here's a little trick; rather than use spray paint (which easily chips off smooth metal) I coloured the wheels with a black permanent marker!

It sounds time-consuming though it was actually really quick and so far has held up great. Whilst I imagine it will likely fade a little over time where the wheels roll it will probably look nicely worn rather than just plain chipped.

So, mini refresh complete, I re-arranged my living room a bit to plonk the cabinet beside my leather couch to take some photos for the eBay listing and....

....I'm kinda loving it!

Luke even made the rare comment that he also liked it!

Did I say we have a shortage of storage space and it was time to let some things go? Well, maybe not this...for now anyway.

Hmmm, perhaps I should stop buying stuff 'just because'.

Linking up here.

Distressed White Cabinet

Remember this little guy from my bedroom reveal?

Before

After

I reckon this early 1900's cabinet was originally some kind of kitchen dry store or food safe though I picked it up for $60 off eBay knowing it would be a perfect new house for all my shoes (oh, and some of Luke's too I spose - if I really have to share. Nah, actually I think he probably has more than me!).

This was the simplest of makeovers. I really wanted to retain the chippy, shabby appeal of the finish and although it might look fine as is in the before pic it was actually kinda dirty and cruddy so all I did to enhance its charm was give it a thorough once-over with the palm sander. Easy! I didn't even bother sealing it.

To finish I simply attached a couple of new el-cheapo tear drop handles from the hardware store.

The adorning vignette features my gift wrap wall art, a giant gal 'K' and rectangular box from Provincial Home Living, terracotta potted rosemary plants, my DIY stick topiary (complete with real moss I pinched from the garden) and thrifted rustic bird cage and silver bust.

Chalky Washed Armoire

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments about my bedroom revamp.

One of the most mentioned and asked about items was the armoire. Well, 'armoire' is perhaps a bit too fancy, it's just a plain standard robe really.

It was funny to read all the different comments eluding to its colour. Most of you thought it was a shade of blue, others blackey-grey and one of my friends who actually saw it in person was convinced it was green! Well, one of those is kinda right so read on to discover the actual colour and how I achieved the finish.

Before

I picked this robe up for $90 off eBay. It was basically brand new and perfectly sized for the little nook in my bedroom. It was just a tad too "piney".

Remember my inspiration board:

Even though the armoire I included was charcoal I ummed and ahhed for ages about what colour to finish my robe in. I eventually decided to stick with black to play off the white bedding and cream walls and add some depth and drama. So, after two coats of acrylic black and one acrylic seal coat I popped the robe in my bedroom...and hated it! It looked far too crisp and contemporary for the soft, relaxed feel I was going for.

Enter plan B. I carted the robe back outside and sanded it down hard all over, paying extra attention to the edges, then popped it inside again...arghh, still not right!

Plan C. Stuff taking it back outside again! I diluted some french grey acrylic paint with water (about 50/50) and working in sections - yes, right there on my bedroom carpet (I did put an old towel down) - used a cloth to wipe it on paying special attention to any nooks and crevices. I then wiped it back off again with a damp rag in the direction of the grain.

And it worked! After three or four coats I achieved the level of lovely soft chalkiness I was after (oh, and a very fashionable french grey palm too - mental note, wear gloves next time).

I had never attempted a faux finish like this before and kinda just made it up as I went along though it was super easy and the result is awesome (if I do say so myself :-) so I highly recommend just giving it a go!
To finish I simply added some new antique brass hardware and hey presto...

Before

After

So, I guess it's technically charcoal in colour though depending on the light it can look blue, grey, black or even green!