Any suggestions on repurposing and or painting this armoire?

Lynda
by Lynda
I wouldn't mind painting it or removing some drawers. Help please.
6 very deep drawers
Has a cedar lined closet
  13 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 30, 2016
    Take a look at these posts. www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/furniture/armoire-turned-sewing-cabinet-614045 www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/furniture/old-armoire-to-kitchen-pantry-516933 www.hometalk.com/diy/upcycle/q-repurposing-armoire-what-is-your-favorite-use-1649927
    REPURPOSING ARMOIRE...what is your favorite use?
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 30, 2016
    Not a fan of painted, but would paint this. I'd keep the drawers - excellent storage and the drawers are dovetailed. I'd also keep the original hardware. You might think about stenciling some detail around the door handles, and maybe adding a couple of skinny vertical lines on the door. I'd paint it in whatever colour(s) will go with your existing furnishings, palette.
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Apr 30, 2016
    This is a waterfall armoire from the 1920's -1930's. Dovetail is the sign of a nicely made piece. Please don't paint this! It looks like the original hardware is in good shape. I think this would be worth cleaning up and giving it some love.
  • Rebecca Ruge Rebecca Ruge on Apr 30, 2016
    I'd turn it into a pantry for extra dish, bath and laundry soaps, toiletries, etc. and use the drawers for paper products or stock with canned goods. Then when you run low in the house, just go grab whatever you need!
    • Liz Liz on Apr 30, 2016
      @Rebecca Ruge We did this with an armoire to use in our kitchen as a pantry. We added extra shelves and it holds an incredible amount of pantry items! So handy. Now, we're looking for one for our large hall bath.
  • JEANNE BOLLEY JEANNE BOLLEY on Apr 30, 2016
    If it were mine, and I desperately wish it were, I would clean it up with Old English Scratch Cover, keep the original hardware, and put it in my kitchen, dining room, office or bathroom for extra storage. I would likely put a fern in one drawer and a lamp and books on top. I am all about quick and easy. Another option would be to build in wine or rolled towel storage where one or two of the drawers are. This is a very easy project.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 30, 2016
    To add I am not big on painted wood ,just ideas that I posted without the painting.
  • Trudy Trudy on May 01, 2016
    Please don't paint! Tos gety our color "fix" line the shelves with a pretty paper or paint the inside, not the cedar part though. The cedar lined storage would be perfect for off season clothing.
  • Sue Nelson Sue Nelson on May 01, 2016
    Chalk paint and new or painted hardware does wonders!
  • Francesca Francesca on May 01, 2016
    I might well be wrong as I can't tell a lot from the pics, but I think you might have something from the 1920's/30's and it could be worth checking on its value before doing anything. I prefer painted furniture but I actually hesitated over the idea on this one.
    • See 1 previous
    • Francesca Francesca on May 01, 2016
      You're right Jennie and even just cleaning the hardware might be enough. Everyone has different taste and the lady may not like it as is( not my taste actually) but I just thought she might benefit from having it valued and could maybe then sell it.:)
  • Liz Straughn Liz Straughn on May 02, 2016
    Yes, I would just clean it up and maybe use Old English on it. Would be great for linen storage! The drawers would also be great storage for anything stored in clear shoeboxes, then stand up on the ends and label each one. Maybe, you could add shelves in the right side for more organized storage.
  • D roach D roach on May 03, 2016
    can you not turn it into a craft cupboard. Use the drawers for storage and the cupboard with a pull out shelf inside for sewing machine etc. Line the inside and add storage in the cupboard , shelves, baskets etc.
  • Catherine Catherine on May 09, 2016
    I think this piece is a depression era "Waterfall" style armoire, part of a bedroom set. Depression era bedroom sets are quite common as the economic situation made it so that many young couples had to continue living with their parents after getting married. Less common, but you can still find them fairly easily, are dining room sets in this design.
  • Cindy Curtis Cindy Curtis on May 09, 2016
    this is what I did to my fire damaged filing cabinet with wallpaper and glue just an idea for you.