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Broken Cradle Upcycled – Part 1

Spring is in the air and it’s also the last Tuesday of the month which means it’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday. Yippee!! My blogger friends and I put this together each month to inspire you. You’ll see their work in a bit, meanwhile, take a look at this GIANT find. You’re looking at a handmade, albeit, broken cradle that needs to be loved on in another way.

Broken Wooden Cradle Before Upcycle by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

When I first spied this at my friend’s ministry thrift store, I noticed it was not only HUGE, but made of gorgeous wood. I asked it if was available for purchase, but it was not for sale. They received it as a donation an used it to store all their donated pillows.  I mean, can you imagine having to bend over this over and over again with a baby? Or, imagine having it take up space as a toe-knocker? I told Mandy that if they ever decided to part with it, I’d love to have a crack at it.

Broken Cradle Rocker | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Unfortunately, this piece had been broken at some point, and eventually broke again. It looks like the counter-sunk screws were replaced with dowel and didn’t do the repair well. So, a few months later, Mandy asks me if I’d like to have it. Um…yes!! The thrift store received an awesome donation of a display case from a closing store, so they needed this gone. Not only is it for a ginormous baby, but also is solid and heavy. Just for the record, I am not the ginormous baby…ahem.

Larissa of Prodigal Pieces in Broken Cradle | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Funny thing is, I must be a magnet for these handmade oak cradles because I recently rebuilt this other cradle, but kept it as a cradle with a modern update.

DIY TIME

Now, we need to have some DIY creative fun and break out the tools. {{yeah, baby!!}} As you can imagine, the first step is to disassemble this broken cradle. I use my putty knife to pop off the wooden plugs covering the screws.

Disassembling Broken Cradle for Upcycle by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

You can see the dowel pins in the bottom edge that have broke. And, the crazy thing is, I found 6 more broken screws. I’m amazed that it still held together so well. Then, once I have it in pieces, I need to assess what in the world to do with these pieces. Literally, I have no clue what to do with the wood, but I figure that the pieces on their own would inspire me.

Removing Cradle Trim for Upcycle | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

NEXT

My goal is to have as little waste as possible, so I take every bit apart. At the same time, I measure each piece to see what I can do with it. The two side panels taper down, but I did some calculating to make the most of it. Enter in my Rip Cut jig for my circular saw. I simply set it up to cut off the taller side. This leaves me with two tiny pieces of scrap. woot!

Kreg Rip Cut Jig for Circular Saw | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Then, that leaves me with two pieces. In order to make them match, I cut with my jigsaw and sand smooth with my sander.

Sanded Oak sSides of Broken Cradle | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Next, I add counter-sunk holes on the sides I cut so that I can attach the pieces together. After I assemble I fill the holes with plugs and sand smooth.

Counter Sunk Holes in Storage Bin | prodigalpieces.com

Open Bottom White Oak Stand from Broken Cradle Upcycled | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Likewise, in with keeping in the no waste mentality of this upcycle, I use the bottom platform rests and reattach them. After that, I use my jig again and cut the bottom from the cradles to fit my new build. I’m a happy mama!

THE FINAL BUILD

I don’t know about you, but I just love building. Especially when the sun is shining and I can be outside – even though I still long for country living. sigh… Finally, here’s my broken cradle upcycled into a storage bin.

Handmade White Oak Storage Bin Built from Broken Cradle Upcycled by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpiececes.com #prodigalpieces #furniture #handmade #farmhouse #home

Country Farmhouse Entry Bin Built by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #handmade #furniture #diy #upcycled

White Oak Entry Bin for Farmhouse Decor from Broken Cradle Upcycled by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #woodworking #diy #home #storage

My storage bin is not only perfect for the entry, but also anywhere in the home. Fill it with pillows, blanket, towels, toys…you get the idea. Where would you use it?

Handmade Oak Storage Bin from Broken Baby Cradle Upcycled by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #handmade #home #furniture

Solid White Oak Storage Bin Repurposed from a Broken Cradle Upcycled by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #farmhouse #home #furniture

Likewise, the size is nice and narrow so it won’t bust your toe off when you walk around it like that cradle. haha. I’m smitten with it and hope you are too.

Farmhouse Style Entry with Handmade Storage Bin Built by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #entry

Staw Hats Hangin in Entry | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #interiordesign #home #farmhouse

If you’d like to make this a part of your home story, you can find it and much more available in my online shop.

  • Magic Linen Beige Waffle Blanket available at Prodigal Pieces | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #bedding
    Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130

SHARE

As always, my goal is to inspire you and others too. Additionally, pin and share to spark the imagination in others. You can do it too!

A broken cradle upcycled into a beautiful storage bin | Build by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #diy #home #furniture

Before you think I’m quitting, I’m saving the two end pieces for my next project. eep! Take a gander over HERE.

Upcycled Broken Cradle Ends Before | prodigalpieces.com

Make sure you don’t miss a beat and sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
blog signatureTrash to Treasure Tuesday | prodigalpieces.com

Trash to Treasure March 2022 | prodigalpieces.com

  1. Artsy Chicks Rule
  2. Girl in the Garage
  3. Salvaged Inspirations
  4. Confessions of a Serial Do It Yourselfer

Also, more fun reclaimed builds like my broken cradle project:

From curbside underbed drawers to a rustic farmhouse workbench for kitchen or console. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces loves taking trash and turning it into #trashure . Come see the DIY details at prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #furniture #homedecor #shoppingHow fun! A dilapidated antique empire chest of drawers is repurposed into an upholstered bench by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | See the DIY at prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #furniture #homedecor #handmade #upholstery

Comments

  1. Rebecca - NC says

    So smart!! You’ve taken this from a single purpose to many possibles! You must dream in technicolor!!! ?

    • Larissa says

      Wouldn’t that be fun?! tee hee. Thanks so much, Rebecca. I do so enjoy building…especially when it’s warm! 😀

  2. Kim Banko says

    I didn’t see it coming Larissa! That was a huge cradle, lol!
    So much better! I love it!

    • Larissa says

      haha! I’m delighted you enjoy my crazy finds, Kim. 😀 Thanks so much!

  3. susan says

    So clever! It’s really pretty! It looks so good where you have it. I think you need to keep it there! I about died when I saw the picture of you in that cradle ???. You weren’t kidding!

    • Larissa says

      I would if I didn’t have my barn beam bench I made for there special. Right?? So HUGE!!

  4. Niki says

    This is great Larissa! I like the tone in the wood. I’m not a dark stain type girl. I would probably use it in a similar application you have it here. Because you made it so versatile the possibilities are endless.

    • Larissa says

      Thank you. Me too. Light and bright for me in most instances. I’d love to keep it if I had the room.

  5. Christy James says

    Oh my gosh, I cracked up at you in the cradle! It really was huge ha ha! I LOVE this repurpose and it looks so good in your home, I’m surprised you didn’t keep it! Well done! XOXO

    • Larissa says

      for real…HUGE!! And it didn’t flex a bit so it was super strong even with the broken screws. Someone worked hard. Though it was time for me to have my way with it. I would keep it right there, but I made a barn beam bench for that spot years ago. And, my entry is t i n y.

  6. Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says

    It’s gorgeous and what great storage by your door! And I just have to say, LOVE the pic of you in it. When I saw the before pic I thought it was a cradle for dolls so that freaked me out…lol! Gorgeous work my friend! XOXO

    • Larissa says

      bwahahaha!! Too funny! It was so heavy I couldn’t pick it up myself. Massively strong and great wood. Perfect for an upcycle! 😀 Thanks, Denise.

  7. Becky says

    My goodness, that is beyond HUGE! It almost takes up as much floor space as the one my grandpa built for me, haha! Your remake of is is beautiful! …and way more practical than a monster-sized cradle. ??

    • Larissa says

      bwahaha! I know! I couldn’t believe it when I first set eyes on it. Then, I was like…ooh…look at all that wood. Thanks!

  8. Trudy Eby says

    That wood grain is gorgeous and I love the soft curves! I am so glad you got rid of the too-cutesy hearts!

    • Larissa says

      You’re a gal after my own heart, Trudy. 😀 Thanks!

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