An Old Phlebotomy Cabinet Makeover That Will Get Your Heart Pumping
Today’s before and after story begins in the hospital. No need for alarm, it has a happy ending! My brother works at our local hospital and built this cabinet for the lab to hold test tubes for blood and other phlebotomy supplies. I wonder how many people nearly passed out beside this little cabinet????
The hospital staff decided to replace this handmade solid wood cabinet and it was retired to my brother’s workshop where it stood collecting dust. I was in the market for some old cabinets for my studio in the garage and offered this one to me along with a few others. The price was unbeatable at FREE.
I wasn’t sure what I was going to use it for right away and it sat in the garage for a few months. Then lightning struck. I needed something to hold my printer in my master bedroom that was prettier than the painted metal filing cabinet I currently had in there and this little cabinet would fit the bill. The shelves were perfect for holding papers and folders but I didn’t want to look at the mess.
I began by building a simple door for the front of the cabinet out of lightweight quarter inch plywood trimmed in lattice molding. Both were pretty cheap. A little wood glue and I was good to go.
I for added interest I added textured wallpaper to the center of the door and painted the piece the same soft blue on my bedroom walls followed by a whitewash top coat. A little distressing and a painted “shabby” handle and this little cabinet makeover was nearly finished.
At the base of the cabinet I added two decorative “feet” which are actually two sections of old weathered spindles I cut to size. It holds my printer beautifully and there is plenty of room for paper underneath.
This one of a kind upcycled lab cabinet now looks great next to my little Shabby Chic inspired office nook in my master bedroom.
Before and After……
Just about any shelving unit can become a pretty cabinet by simply adding a homemade door. This lightweight door was super simple to make and hides all the clutter. You can buy embossed paintable wallpaper on the internet and it really can add an extra special touch to a piece.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
Happy Decorating!
Lisa
Sharing With:
the cape on the corner
you would never know about its former life!
b
Ann Marie at Iris Abbey
How could I not stop by when you put “phlebotomy” in your title? How funny — and it was free. You really did a nice job transforming this very utilitarian cabinet into something that is useful and attractive. I think it’s perfect for your printer and reams of paper. Great job. I saw your link at Kathryn’s Make it Pretty Monday party.
Lisa Hogan
Thanks so much Ann Marie. I love my cabinet!
Darrielle tennenbaum
Great change up and love a great freebie! I had to read once I saw the name too-to find out what Phlebotomy meant!
Rita C. at Panoply
Hahaha, Lisa, I would be one of those who most likely DID pass out next to a cabinet like that! I always warn anyone coming at me with a needle (even shots!). Cute makeover, and I like the texture with the wallpaper.
Lisa Hogan
Thank you Rita!
Frank
Shared! Shared! This is AWESOME stuff man! Thank you!