Asked on May 10, 2015
Vintage hardware nuts & bolts cabinet, what to do with it?#cabinet
by Kathryn F
+16
Estate sale find. A hardware cabinet, early 1900's 80 drawer (10 on each side), octogonal, rotating cabinet. Original hardware. What to do with it? Sell as is? Refurb it? Paint it? Suggestions please!! Thanks #hardware #cabinet #vintage #storage
Top has some staining and some cracks
Original hardware and check out the detail on the drawers.
Triangular shaped drawers with a stop so they can't come all the way out
drawer detail.
original hardware and hand written tags
Dimensions are: 33" tall and 21 1/2" across the cop.
18 answers
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Who cares what you do with it? It's SO WONDERFUL, I could just look at it as is! I would not paint it, refinish and bring it back to it's original glory. I would love it in a sewing or crafts room but would hate to see it "buried" in an upstairs bedroom. I hope others have ideas. Again, it's WONDERFUL!
![Linda Santo]()
Linda Santo
on May 10, 2015
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This is such a beautiful piece, I would love to see it refinished, it would look amazing as a side table, it is such a conversation piece! Great find, enjoy!
![Shira]()
Shira
on May 11, 2015
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That piece is amazing- so unique! I would definitely refinish, polish up the hardware and proudly use as end table or office table.
![Country Design Home]()
Country Design Home
on May 11, 2015
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What a find. I would not paint it. I would refinish the wood for sure, clean up the hardware. I would not throw the labels away. I would try to incorporate them in some how. End table for sure in a room visited by many. The stories that it must hold...
![JoAnn]()
JoAnn
on May 11, 2015
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You could use this as a what not holder. I collect buttons, and I would keep them in it. I have never seen any thing like this, so I think it is beautiful the way it is.
![Janice Ausburn]()
Janice Ausburn
on May 11, 2015
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I am with the others, restore it. Then if your kitchen is big enough use it for a spice and baking storage, and probably other small things like teas.
![Sheryl Gilliland]()
Sheryl Gilliland
on May 11, 2015
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You could give it to me, and I would clean, varnish and polish the hardware. (just kidding)
![Darla]()
Darla
on May 11, 2015
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I've lusted after one of these for years. They are always out of my price range. First it needs a good scrubbing. I could probably live with it in that condition. I'd maybe paint the top. Those stains would be very difficult to remove. Lucky find.
![Lindcurt]()
Lindcurt
on May 11, 2015
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Restore...please don't paint this...
![Deborah R]()
Deborah R
on May 11, 2015
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I wouldn't touch it until some research was done! These are pretty rare and can go for thousands of dollars.
![Diana]()
Diana
on May 11, 2015
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vacuum out the drawers, clean with tung oil and ultra-fine steel wool. Maybe a dark stain on the top to hide the large spot. It would be a sin to paint this great wood.
![Me]()
Me
on May 11, 2015
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cool island for a small kitchen.
![Lagree Wyndham]()
Lagree Wyndham
on May 12, 2015
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@Kathryn F What a Fantastic beautiful find, wish I would come across an amazing cabinet like that! I would refinish it, & use it for a craft cabinet.
![Katrina Warren]()
Katrina Warren
on May 12, 2015
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That is a super cool find clean it up and leave it as is.
![Sheena]()
Sheena
on May 12, 2015
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paint would make the detail pop, but it is a beautiful as is, the wood looks very dry I would try Miss Mustard Seeds Hemp Oil, it would bring the wood back to life and if anything you could probably re-stain the top and use java gel from general finishes as it works where you don't have to sand off the exiting finish(I believe)
![Rustic Owl Treasures]()
Rustic Owl Treasures
on May 12, 2015
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love this cabinet, it would be beautiful used as anything you like. Don't Paint
![M bedwell]()
M bedwell
on May 13, 2015
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I would first try to save the original finish. The top probably needs to be completely refinished, but the drawer fronts look like they may be fixable with conditioning. I'd save the cards on the front of the drawers and try to preserve them a bit. Not sure, but perhaps ironing them back into shape and reinserting them into the frames. They make the cabinet priceless. Before touching it with anything, try to find out the value as it is. I'd hate to ruin a somewhat rare piece if it can be saved. If it has no special value, I'd repair the top, stain or paint it an ebony color, clean the finish and use a restoration product to save the finish. It is really a nice find. Could be used for almost any small storage. If it were mine, I'd be smiling! And, post pics when you are done!!
![Liz]()
Liz
on Jun 18, 2015
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What an awesome find! I would clean it up and use an oil for wood to seal it. Then sell it or keep it for craft storage. Something that beautiful has to be natural.
![Kelly S]()
Kelly S
on Jun 22, 2015
Linda Santo
on May 10, 2015
Shira
on May 11, 2015
Country Design Home
on May 11, 2015
JoAnn
on May 11, 2015
Janice Ausburn
on May 11, 2015
Sheryl Gilliland
on May 11, 2015
Darla
on May 11, 2015
Lindcurt
on May 11, 2015
Deborah R
on May 11, 2015
Diana
on May 11, 2015
Me
on May 11, 2015
Lagree Wyndham
on May 12, 2015
Katrina Warren
on May 12, 2015
Sheena
on May 12, 2015
Rustic Owl Treasures
on May 12, 2015
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