Need makeover ideas

Question

I inherited this from my grandmother.  It always was next to her spot on the couch and she used it as her as an end table and also to store all of her sewing supplies.  I don’t even know what its original purpose was and there are no markings I could find. Does anyone know how old it is or what its original purpose was? And any good makeover ideas?

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I would use it as an accent piece outside with proper preparation for that use.Beautiful flowers in the front with decorative accents on the shelving.

Fire1powr · Answer

So many ideas!! Makes me want to either make or find some more of these! I could use it as: Entry way country style table. That front part looks like it could be a great place for a trash section, then places on the shelves for  shopping supplies, winter wear (gloves and scarf?), hats or other pretty entry way items, the end part is for hidden items that you can use command hooks to store (keys if your keys walk, umbrella, purse?) Then finish the top with a mirror tray for cell charging, keys, and in/out mail sorter. Hang a door framed picture gallery over the top with chalk board sections to pull it together. Make sure to do similar paint styles such as distressed antique to harmonize it.  I could also be a great all season warping center. The ends could be a place to put Christmas and gift paper without bending.  I would use cute baskets, wine rack arrangement or  bins for the shelves to organize scissors, tape, tags, boxes, ribbon, bows, etc. Top it off with a pretty surface to use as you bill center when not wrapping. Third idea would be using curtians to hide the shelves on both sides & then use it as a serving cart to  bring in tea, coffee and other drinks on top, food items below, and if you line the ends you could have chilled drinks, with or without ice to use outside or in. Fourth idea: outside as my gardening supply center. Long tools in the end away from the handles, smaller tools in racks under the tray, potting soil or  other outside supplies need in both the end close to the handles and the second shelf. Line the top for potting, transplanting and other dirty work and place a cooling rack, bread slicing rack or other custom fit grid to hold the pots away from the falling debris.  Fifth guest service tray with extra bedding or blankets on shelves,  guest welcome items on top of a mirror or stained wood top, bath robe draped over the handle bar, and guest laundry areas on either end. I wonder if it would work as a breakfast in bed service area like hotels have with a Hollywood finish? You can use MDF to give a faux new Art Deco style to the rounded bins. Doors to the shelves with sparkly knobs. Any style of your choice really, but I love Art Deco and Cottage styles...French country maybe with pained window doors and blue printed prints for the curtain behind the glass? I would love to see what you decide, especially if not my idea!

Poelstrad · Answer

To me it looks likeTo me

Poelstrad · Answer

To me  it looks like a bar cart with a ice bucket on the side, or you could use it for that.

Katy · Answer

Possibly a tv/game center. It has perfect storage compartments on the sides for controls and all those wires we like to keep hidden. You may have to re-position the handle somehow so that it doesn't interfere with the width of the tv screen. 😊

Mary Mosher · Answer

This is a tea cart - top would hold the tea service and snacks; shelving would hold china (plates for serving your cucumber sandwiches and tea cakes) etc.  What a lovely piece.

Diane Jones · Answer

It would be a great flower cart, you could have some potted flowers but also use it for cutting and arranging fresh flowers and storing the supplies.

Lorrie · Answer

That had to have been handmade for a particular purpose.  It's not a tea cart.  It looks as though an 'upcycle.'  Looks as though there is a barrel on each side that was connected to a table somehow.  Its one of a kind.   Its really neat.

Liz Leblanc · Answer

This is a really nifty peice of yesteryear!  I would clean it really well, then most likely stain and polyurethane to maintain its integrity.  It can be repurposed into a side table,  plant stand, kraft cart, whatever you want it to be!  Have fun!

Donna · Answer

This is a Martha Washington seeing cabinet. Your grandmother was using it for original purpose. The finished project is very cute however, as a retired 32 yr antique dealer it breaks my heart when a true antique is remodeled and looses its antique status. As for age there certainly were copies made but the originals are over 100 yrs old. I have one of those!

RDC5007833 · Answer

I would make it into a bar for drinks on deck porch cut a hole in top for a bucket of some kind the sides could hold cups opener ect. I would put water sealer on it and paint it  a wild color

Lee · Answer

At onetime I had a piece called Martha Washington Sewing Cabinet.  This may start your information search.  It was sorta similar in style and on Google you might get the information you are needing.

Candace Poucher · Answer

I would love to know if this is an original antique.  I think for now I will repair the one broken wheel and clean and polish the original wood finish.  Thanks for all of your replies!

Connie · Answer

I agree with Janice.  It looks like a reproduction from the 50's.  I think it would make a great drink station.  Go with your favorite colors and try to match your interior.  I wouldn't be afraid to paint it to bring to 2016.  You could keep the barrel ends as wood and finish the rest off with paint.  Put a mirror on the top for a cool effect.  Watch Flea Market Flip show for great ideas.

Candace Poucher · Answer

Well, since I found out it was not an antique I decided to give her a makeover.  It my craft/sewing storage and table.  What do you think?

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Look good to me and useful too.

Libbie B · Answer

This would make a great bar cart!

Mogie · Answer

This painted a light floral color and hand paint flowers on the unit. This would be so cute in a green house as a potting cart (you could add wheels to make it more mobile).

Redcatcec · Answer

My vision is a tea cart.

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Does it push along - It could make a Drinks Trolley or a Hostess trolley. You coud remove the handle and use as a sideboard /bookcase/display cabinet.

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

It looks like a bar cart or tea cart. You could refinish it or paint it.

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