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    Home » DIY And Crafts

    Drawers Turned Cubby

    Published by Pam Kessler | 334 words. · About 2 minutes to read this article. - 51 Comments

    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.

    Via Pottery Barn
    Then I saw the $129.00 price tag.

    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.

    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.

    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.

    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.

    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.

    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.

    Then I just filled in some of the cubbies with random stuff.

    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.
    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.
    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.

    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.

    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.

    My favorite part of this is the rusticness of it.

    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.

    And the slightly rusty drawer pulley thingies are the icing on the cake.

    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.

    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.

    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.
    Thrift store drawers turned into Pottery Barn style cubbies - super easy DIY project.




    « Hedge Apples And Other Thrifty Finds
    Don't Box Me In »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. The Polka Dot Closet

      November 15, 2011 at 11:20 pm

      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

      Reply
    2. Confessions of a Plate Addict

      November 16, 2011 at 10:24 am

      Wow! Amazing! And you can't beat that price! Happy week!...hugs..Debbie

      Reply
    3. Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch)

      November 18, 2011 at 6:59 pm

      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

      Reply
    4. Sherry

      November 18, 2011 at 11:55 pm

      These cubbies are so nifty and way better than the PB pricey ones. You lucked out on that find! Looks awesome!

      Reply
    5. Little Vintage Cottage

      November 19, 2011 at 10:49 am

      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

      Reply
    6. lifespassion

      November 19, 2011 at 11:20 am

      Love your look much better than PB - you did a great job!

      Reply
    7. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing

      November 19, 2011 at 12:40 pm

      You are unbelievable girl! Those look awesome, you are such a great inspiration. Better than PB!

      Reply
    8. Pam of Eastlake Victorian

      November 20, 2011 at 10:03 pm

      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

      Reply
    9. Susan Homeroad

      August 08, 2013 at 6:49 am

      Love them! Great repurpose! pinned!
      Susan

      Reply
    10. suzieQ

      August 03, 2014 at 6:20 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Pam Kessler

        August 03, 2014 at 10:03 pm

        Wild, huh! Glad you didn't have to waste any of your coffee!

        Reply
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