I don't normally spend too much time on the Pottery Barn site. Like their decorating style, just don't like their prices. And when you can make most of the stuff yourself or find similar things at garage sales and flea markets, it just doesn't fit into my frugal little mind to spend a lot on a home decor item.
But my niece had seen an Optician Sign on the Pottery Barn site that she thought was cool and on the way to checking out that, I ran across this Cubby Organizer. I fell in love with it and thought it would be perfect for my office.
After I got done cleaning the Coke off my computer screen from where I had involuntarily spit it, I started to think of ways I could make it myself.
I had these four wooden drawers that I had bought at a garage sale for 25 cents each in May. Yes, May, as in six months ago! They had just been sitting in my garage collecting dust and spiders ever since.
And if you turn them on their end, they sort of look like a shelf. Put all four together and you have my version of the Cubby Organizer.
I removed the staples and labels, cleaned the drawer fronts with Murphy's Oil soap and applied a coat of Minwax Paste Finishing Wax to spiff them up a bit.
Then I just filled in some of the cubbies with random stuff.
This sits on my work table, so I will fill in the rest of the cubbies with scissors, paint brushes and other non-pretty, but useful items at some point.
My favorite part of this is the rusticness of it.
And the slightly rusty drawer pulley thingies are the icing on the cake.
So, my $1.00 worth of wooden drawers vs the $129.00 Pottery Barn one saved me $128.00 (Yes, my accounting skills at use). It's like money in my pocket.
The Polka Dot Closet
Oh Ya! yours is great! I can't believe you got those for 25 cents each, other people just don't appreciate old like we do!
Carol
Confessions of a Plate Addict
Wow! Amazing! And you can't beat that price! Happy week!...hugs..Debbie
Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch)
Love your cubbies! And you know what? I have a bird like you have on top there... mine is a robin's egg blue -- I have two of them actually and one dropped and the tail feather piece broke off! 🙁
BUT NOW...... I LOVE that BLACK bird of yours! Black is my favorite color. I just might paint my "injured" blue bird BLACK. What do you think? 😉
Best,
Gloria
Sherry
These cubbies are so nifty and way better than the PB pricey ones. You lucked out on that find! Looks awesome!
Little Vintage Cottage
I love that PB cubby shelf too and have been on the lookout for something that I can make my own out of. Your solution is great, love the patina on the old drawers!!
Tania
lifespassion
Love your look much better than PB - you did a great job!
Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing
You are unbelievable girl! Those look awesome, you are such a great inspiration. Better than PB!
Pam of Eastlake Victorian
The drawers work perfectly as organizers! And I agree, the rusticness makes them extra special. Very cool! And I like that $128 in your pocket... ChaChing!
-Pam
Susan Homeroad
Love them! Great repurpose! pinned!
Susan
suzieQ
Hi Pam, I was reading some upcycled crafts on The Cottage Market site and YOUR drawers were featured. So nice to see you playing with the big kids, your talents are spreading far and wide! I wasn't shocked to see a picture of these which was fortunate, since I was having my necessary cup of Joe and spitting that out would be a waste of good coffee. I scored some nice drawers "recently" but they don't have dividers. I figured I could use them for something, thanks for the idea.
Pam Kessler
Wild, huh! Glad you didn't have to waste any of your coffee!