Kitchen cabinetry & lazy Susans

Question

I love getting the Hometalk emails re: everyone's neat ideas. I need help on 2 projects. a) I rent; the landlord put in blonde wood cabinetry. I hate blonde wood. Is there anything I can do to decorate the door/drawer fronts that will not hurt the finish & can be removed later? b) I love lazy Susans & have 3 single turntables that I would like to use stacked on the counter top. I'm hoping that someone has created a vertical stand that could be applied here. Thanks for any suggestions.

Miriam Illions · Answer

Hi Carolyn, regarding your lazy susan question, @Country Design Style-Jeanette has a really cool lazy susan photo tower that may be just the thing you 're looking for: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/rooms/lazy-susan-photo-tower-431934

Miriam Illions · Answer

Regarding your question about your blonde wood cabinetry, I'm tagging @Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry, he is a very knowledgeable carpenter, who might be able to help, or point you in the right direction.

Carolyn Bostic · Answer

Thanks, Miriam. I went to the link & it is very close to what I need. I left Homa Style a message asking if they had any counter top creations. I am very grateful for your ideas & look forward to hearing from the gentleman you tagged. I've also thought about larger wall decals for the kitchen cabinets that can be purchased cheaply at discount stores like Wal-mart & K-mart. Naming those 2 stores may give others an idea of my budget constraints.

Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry · Answer

A couple of points. If by blonde, you mean 'natural' or a relatively clear finish over unstained wood, the wood will darken and likely develop a more amber character as it ages. Perhaps this is of little consolation, unless you plan to stay for a while. The only thing I can think of is to add something that makes a statement. Consider changing the cabinet knobs or pulls with something that uses the same hole spacing. Save the originals, and swap them back out if you leave. I've used stylized spoon and fork pulls just on silverware drawers, so company knows instantly where the silverware is. That is a conversation starter and something that is rather inexpensive to do.

Carolyn Bostic · Answer

Thanks for the response, Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry. I appreciate your taking the time to leave a message and also for relating the idea of unique drawer pulls.

Z · Answer

@Carolyn, if you can post photos of your kitchen that would help me come up with some ideas. There's always spray starch and fabric, but not sure that would work without knowing the style of the doors or your personal decorating style. 
Also photos of the top and bottom of your lazy Susan's I, or someone else, might be able to come up with a way to help you stack them. Are they wood? If so maybe you can attach them together using wooden dowels.

Carolyn Bostic · Answer

Thanks for your interest in my problem, Becky. I'm unable to post photos as my webcam won't reach to the kitchen. Sorry! The lazy Susans are plastic. Please see the link in the 1st comment by Miriam. The tower is what I'm envisioning for a counter top height stand. The bottom of the tower would have legs only to allow a single turntable to rest directly on the counter. There would be 2 solid shelves above to set the other turntables on. What I may opt for is a modular shelf cube at Wal-mart seen here in this link: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Modular-Shelf-Cube-Black/11030595?findingMethod=rr It's larger than I want by about 3 inches in all directions but it's the closest I've come. I'm also thinking of wall decals for the cabinet fronts if I can find anything more adult-like.

Z · Answer

Okay so you're going for three units. I was thinking you were wanting one unit three high with each section turning. 
What are you wanting to store on the lazy Susan's?

Jeanette S · Answer

I would not touch cabinets in a rental...not even new knobs. Cabinets are too expensive to take a chance you would be asked for damages later. And check your lease to see what it says about 'altering the property'. Most landlords will not allow tenant making changes because not everyone will produce good results...so you can't blame them.

Z · Answer

@Carolyn, I've been wracking my brain and searching the internet trying to find a way to maker your three tiered Lazy Susan's and just as I was getting out of bed this morning the idea came to me. Cake Plates! Not sure you'll like this idea, but it could work and cost at the most five dollars each plus the cost of glue if you make your own. 
 If so then head to your local Dollar Tree and buy three plates (glass, all alike or mix and match) and two glass candle sticks for each Lazy Susan. Glue the first plate to the top of the Lazy Susan, then center the first candle stick on it and glue in place. Repeat until you have your three layers. 
 I'll call out @Bernice, who makes things by gluing glass items together to see what's the best glue to use.
Oh and I have to say I'm really with @Jeanette on the cabinets. Though I suggested using spray starch I would still be scared to death I'd damage the cabinet finish. Your best bet really is to decorate the kitchen in a way that will distract you from that the fact that you don't care that the cabinets are not the right woodtone for you.

Carolyn Bostic · Answer

Becky & Jeanette, thanks so much for your newest contributions to my questions. Becky, I see and appreciate all your internet searching. You've found another good idea. I will look at cake plate ideas today.

Z · Answer

Please be sure to share whatever you wind up doing Carolyn.

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