In one of the local listings, I saw an ad that read, “Take it just for firewood.” I immediately called my husband, gave him the address, and handed over the tools, sending him on a mission to save what would become the pride of our kitchen. By that evening, the cabinet was already at our place.

The cabinet’s build amazed us with its durability. The legs and top were crafted from solid oak, while the doors were made of thick oak veneer, which unfortunately had a few cracks.

The first step was to give it a thorough cleaning since there were traces of insect presence. I sanded down the legs and top to strip off the remaining varnish. The sides and doors needed a pass with a sanding machine as the finish was peeling off.

Any loose veneer areas were reinforced with wood glue, held down by clamps until fully dry.

I concealed minor defects with wood filler, as I planned to paint the cabinet next.

For the legs and some parts of the doors, I applied a wax-infused oil finish.

The doors and side panels received a coat of acrylic paint mixed with pigment and primer. I applied two layers, lightly sanding between coats to smooth out any uneven spots.

Finally, I covered the entire piece with a semi-matte acrylic varnish to finish.

This cabinet became a fixture in our kitchen, and even after we bought new kitchen furniture, we couldn’t bring ourselves to get rid of it. Now it stands in our entryway, serving as a handy storage spot for my tools and supplies. Its compact size takes up very little space in the hallway.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!