This winter I started a project that I should have done a long time ago. This item is a walnut Victorian (Windsor era, 1870-1890) wardrobe that I bought some 20 years or so ago and have hauled to several residences/states with me but finally put it to use. I began back in January and worked on it during bad weather days. It was in very bad condition, very rickety but now useable.

Anyway, it is finally done. I have a pantry now in my tiny kitchen. In counting the time it took I reckon there is about three weeks worth of work overall.

Backstory: I bought the cabinet out of a barnyard, it was covered in mud at the time and missing the crown molding. Photos show the restoration all the way to loading it up last weekend. I am pleased as punch. All of my preserves are in one place now instead of scattered around the house.

I opted to paint the interior due to all of the old stains and damage and used a grey paint for that. Cleaned, sanded and clear coated the exterior. Cleaned and restored the original hardware. The hardware (latches) was how I was able to identify the origin and era of the cabinet. The only new additions were the shelves. They were made by a neighbor who crafted them from sassafras logs he cut and then milled at his wood shop. Being sassafras they are lightly aromatic. I used a clear coat on the tops of them but left the undersides unfinished.

Someday I will update the rest of the kitchen cabinetry.
~~~~~~~~~~

I opted to move the fridge for this project.





Cleaning up the wood. Beautiful English walnut.



Interior work. I have no idea what chemicals left the stains inside. I don't normally like painting antiques but I do like the result here.







Hardware restoration.









Exterior finished.



Shelves.





Getting it loaded up.

That is Beautiful . Nice work!

Great job!

Wow! You really did load it up.
Beautiful cabinet. Nice work.

Outstanding, Ann!

Sassafras...what a nice finishing touch. It's a very nice piece of work, and I think I see canned stew beef. Nice.

Lots of good storage there

I'm not usually a painted wood person, but that really brightened up the inside. I think it came out wonderfully.

quote:

Originally posted by TomP:
Sassafras...what a nice finishing touch. It's a very nice piece of work, and I think I see canned stew beef. Nice.

Venison, home grown rabbit and chicken.

Beautiful!

You can find furniture like that toady, but only at premium prices. And without your love, such a thing wouldn't have nearly the meaning.

Not all treasures are Gold.

Thanks guys! I wish the rest of the kitchen looked as nice. I had a lot of fun with the project.

Very nice Ann.

Well done.

I am utterly useless with wood, I prefer to work with metal.

No splinters to harm my very sensitive body!

Nicely done restoration and very functional!
Appears that it "just fit" that space in the kitchen!