Repurposed Drawer (shelf)

Toni Hunton
by Toni Hunton
I picked up this GINORMOUS dresser made of old pallets for $15 about 2 months ago,and as usual,it went to the back of the project list.
As you can see,it has some hideous green paint on it,so it naturally has to be stripped to the bones.
I have another use for the dresser,it will be coming along in another post,but ended up with a spare drawer from it,so thought I would make a shelf out of it.
Dave and I did this one together which I really enjoyed,I just love to spend time with him.
First step,get that paint off.


I used 40 grit sandpaper at first,only because whoever built this to begin with didn't sand squat,so there were a ton of rough areas that needed fixing.


It was also great for getting that fugly paint off.


After the 40 grit I switched to 80,then finally 120 to get a nice smooth finish.
I explained to Dave what I was going for,so he went out and dug through his scraps to make me a shelf to go inside of it.


Then he came back and I had finished the sanding and had it up on the table.


He looked at it for a few seconds and said...."it needs feet"......then vanished again into wood oblivion.


A few minutes later he came back with something perfect,measured it at both ends since this thing is no longer square,good call on his part,as the feet were NOT the same size.


He cut them down and attached them on the bottom,then inserted the shelf and screwed it into place,counter sinking all the screws.
There's my helpful hubby !!!
Feet laid out.
Here it is before the stain.


I found a can hidden behind all my other cans,and the label said Kauri.....which is a native wood here......so decided that is the color it would be.


I made it really easy on myself by using a throw away foam brush for the application.


It will sit over night then get a follow up coat in the morning,then be available for sale after that.
The final product,pretty simple actually.


I will display it for sale with wine bottles and glasses in it,as well as some fake grapes laid across the top,and put a cup hook on the outside with a cork screw.


I also will add handles,which there were none,so folks can still see it as a drawer.


Start to finish about 3 hours,and a memory of the afternoon together making something,which is far more important than anything.
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