Hoosier Cabinet Rehab

Manageability – No problem, and kinda fun!

The kitchen in my new apartment was pretty basic and simple. Clean, with stainless steel appliances, but kinda boring and needed a bit of character. That’s when it occurred to me, I’m from Indiana. I’m a Hoosier, dammit! And Hoosiers need cabinets! So I found this half-cabinet on Craigslist (I didn’t want to carry a full cabinet up three flights of steps), and started on the task of making it my own.

First thing I did was cut out the interior of the front door. I attached chicken wire to the frame, and folded some flowery fabric in the backdrop. I love this look so much, it’s a country feel with some cuteness. I also laid down some wallpaper on the inside of the drawers. I love being reminded about how cute this thing is in the tiny interior details. Finally, even though I love natural wood colors, I used chalk paint on the whole thing to make my whole kitchen brighter. The metal top is perfect for my mixer, and I’m just a vintage girl who likes having pieces in my home with a story.

I don’t know what this cabinet did for the first ninety years of its life, but I was happy to bring it back to brightness and hope to give it another thirty. Plus, I’m a damn Hoosier!

Instructions

1. Obtain hoosier cabinet. We got this one from craigslist, but IDK I guess you could also build one?
2. Remove the front door and use a detailed saw (or router) to cut out the interior, leaving just the frame.
3. Use some white chalk paint on the whole thing. Make it all white and shit.
4. Install chicken wire on the inside of the door frame using a staple gun.
5. Find some fabric you like. Spread it across the door frame, and folding every inch (or so) staple to the top and bottom of the frame, creating a curtain behind the wire.
6. Wallpaper is a nice detail to lay down on the inside of the drawers.
7. Now you’re a real Hoosier!