Do you ever feel the need to just purge and start fresh? That’s my life story. hahaha… I seem to be ever battling the need to destash my stash. People mean well when they give me stuff and I usually have a soft heart and take it. Then what…I store it forever and work like a mule trying to stay afloat. I’m not complaining, but have decided that this entire month is dedicated to tackling my workshop. No more furniture coming in (unless custom requested), no more anything until it is done. First up, I’m taking these louver doors and turning them into a repurposed kitchen island cart. Woot!
Notice the loot surrounding them. See what I mean? An awesome local friend gave these to me along with a chest of drawers (see the makeover HERE) and a dresser (thank you, Becky!). I have a thing for shutters and knew I could find some use for them. But…it’s already been over a year and they need to find a new purpose.
DIY TIME
I have two uses for them in my plans. The first one is a kitchen island by adding reclaimed wood and some other stash goodies. First, they meet my friend, Saw. hee hee hee. I cut them with my miter saw about a third of the way down from the top through that solid point.
Next, I grab some of my scrap lumber and start creating rails. I cut to length and then use Kreg Jig and my drill to make pocket screw holes. This thing is amazing, and you can see it in action on all of my projects.
After that I choose some scrap 1″ x 12″ boards to make a shelf. Since I wanted the shelf to sit snug in between the louvered doors, I used my jig saw to create notches. Then, I used my Kreg Jig again to make pocket holes.
Here’s what those awesome pocket holes look like when being attached.
I purchased those angle clamps, and I’ll be using them just as much so kinda like a gift to self. ha! And ya know, since evolution didn’t work and give me like 6 arms, these babies come in handy to hold my work while I’m putting it together. I love me some tools!
ASSEMBLY
Once I got the basic structure together, I add accessories for towels and such. I jumped online to see what kind of towel bars were available and up came kitchen carts like the one I was making. Mind you, I had never seen these before, but when I saw what they had on theirs, I was like, “tsk. I can make those”. At this point I’m already sinking waaaay more time into this project than need be. Why? Because it’s fun.
Those images of other carts got stuck in my head, so off I went to pull out more scrap and make a few accessories to my repurposed kitchen island cart. I used my jig saw again to cut out some pieces and then forstner bit to make places for dowel to rest (aka. towel bars)
MORE DIY
I had some leftover reclaimed wood (you can read about my source HERE) from making these custom floating kitchen shelves for Sarah at Sadie Olive.
Here is what I have left. I chose to use the two longer boards. Notice the tight grain as this is pine from first growth wood, circa 1800. yummy. See, it pays to have a stash. {{wink, wink}}
When I finished up my assembly, I didn’t quite like how narrow the base was. I didn’t want it to topple with the heavy top. To remedy that, I took it off and created a wider bottom using the shelving we yanked out of our kitchen/laundry/dining room remodel.
PAINT TIME
So… more cutting and assembly, but I wanted it right. Since the weather wasn’t one where I could use my sprayer and spray shelter (faster and easier), I was so very thankful for my triangle brush that is designed for painting louvers and other hard to reach areas. It made my job so much easier.
Are you ready to see it all together? Drumroll please…
Can you believe this entire repurposed kitchen island cart is from items in my stash? Even the casters were ones I had set aside to make myself a project.
CHEERS FOR TOOLS
And how about that top? Typically, you would need to run the boards through a joiner to get them like that. It even has some original square head nails embedded in the edge. So cool.
Even the contents of my kitchen island cart are from the thrift store or free. Can’t beat those deals. Since I’m offering this is my shop, I’m including that upcycled freezer basket too. You can never have enough storage.
And for added fun, I set up my table with a few #trashure goodies too. Just some old paint cans, my bathtub tray (tutorial), and my faux cotton stems (tutorial).
Most of what you see is something I’ve created. Now, that’s not to brag, but to show you that you don’t have to break the bank to get the look you’re after. And…I’m here to help!
SHARE
I hope you had fun seeing some of the junk transformed into a kitchen island cart (aka Trashure). Likewise, pin and share to inspire others to give it DIY a try too.
Up next, I’ll have more projects coming out of my workshop because this mama’s on a mission to PURGE. See what I did with the other parts of these louvers HERE. Before you go, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
While you’re at it, here are projects like my repurposed kitchen island cart:
I love, love love your kitchen island/dining room cart, and I am totally in love with your table, did you make it?
Your dining room is wonderful with all those windows, it is so bright. I just bet when your whole family is together at the table it is wonderful.
You are so creative and talented, I really wish I would have learned how to do all the wood working when I had the chance, but you know how that goes, life just gets in the way haha.
Thanks, Patty! Yes, JC helped make it when we were gifted it from Osborne Wood Products – where he worked while we were in college. What a gift, eh?
Oh yeah! Nice job Larissa… your whole kitchen is gorgeous and best yet all DIY. I love the cart!
Thanks so much, Susan! I had fun making something new and best part…getting my stash sorted out.
Oh my goodness! I thought you had taken a picture of my workshop! I even have those shutters. I, like you have been ‘gifted’ with so much stuff which I never turn down. Now I must get busy ‘re-purposing’ before I can accept any more stuff.
ha! So I am not alone. 😀 Yes, I must get rid of some for my sanity’s sake.
Adding the bottom piece balanced the cart both visually and weight wise – and gives me an idea for a project sitting in my lovely 😉 garage. I have an exchange student from Germany for the school year and want him to see the garage neat and organized like it was, “once upon a time”, before he leaves. That’s a lofty goal since it’s now March!
I’ve noticed you use the kreg jig often and checked them out on Amazon. There’s a smaller/junior version but wondered if it would be adequate? Would love to see a list of your top ten must have tools.
Yes, it just needed tweaked for sure. Sounds like you better get at it! As for the jig, the smaller one can do wonders and is perfectly adequate for smaller projects. This one is versatile for so many things and even comes with screws. I’m kinda of the thinking that if I just spend a bit more I will get more longevity. I hope that makes sense. 🙂
Awesome, Larissa! I don’t know how you can sell it! It’s gorgeous ! Hey….it pays to be a softie!
Two words…no room. Ha! I really did try to stick it in a spot or two to make sure I really couldn’t use it, but alas…
You cleaning out your garage = loads of fabulous DIY/Trashure goodness for us to enjoy, like this fabulous kitchen cart. Only you would take it to the next level by building your own towel bars, with cubbies no less. You’re a DIY/Repurpose Rock Star, Larissa! Pinned and sharing.
You made me LOL, Marie! 😀 I can only hope to keep up the pace, but by golly I’m a determined anti-clutter freak. Thank you for all the love!
I, too, have a thing for shutters and have been wondering what to do with a set of bifold doors. I am now officially inspired!
Wahoo!! That’s what it’s all about. Thank you for affirming me, Kimberly.
Larissa, I just love, love, love that cart. I wish I had room in my kitchen or dining room for it, but both rooms are too small. But, I am sure it will go to a good home very soon. You did a fabulous job. You are the most creative woman I know!
You and me both! No room for it here…tsk. Thanks for the love, Carol!
As usual, ingenious! That says it all.
happy dance!!
The kitchen cart is so cute. You and your husband are a great team! I love the picture of you on your website holding one of your enamel cups. Very pretty!
Thanks, Bonnie! We hope he can join me full-time soon. My daughter snapped that picture to help me kick off some hashtag fun on Instagram. Stop by!
Wow, that looks awesome!! Love your kitchen!
Thank so much, Cheryl! We are nearly done with the kitchen and I cannot wait.
Lord, you make feel almost normal about my garage. Great piece!!!
bwahahaha!! You are hilarious. At least that’s all reclaimed stuff in there…right?
Gorgeous. You’re a genius. Love the cart and your kitchen.
I don’t know about that, Debra, but I try to do something good. Thanks! 😀
Very classy little cart. Can never have too many carts, well, it would be hard to get too many. And no one will walk in and say, Oh, I have that exact same cart at home!”
haha…you are so right! 😀