I’m excited to show you this sewing machine cabinet repurposed into a DIY hall tree. I’m so happy with how it turned out, and I know you’ll love it too!
How to make A DIY hall tree made from a door and a sewing cabinet
This is my design stage. Fancy, eh? I don’t ever draw out plans or anything like that. Lucky for me that the sewing machine cabinet was the perfect width for this $2 door.
First, dismantle the sewing cabinet
Remove the hinges to separate the lid from the cabinet.
I got busy removing all the hardware, every screw I could find.
I wanted to remove the front portion since it had a cutout in it.
Make any structural changes needed
I used my Kreg Jig 
A storage shelf would be handy
A scrap piece of plywood was used to make a bottom.
How about a bottom shelf?
Don’t you think it needs a bottom shelf? I set the cabinet onto the plywood to mark the notches.
This is where things got a little crazy. The bottom shelf notches fit great, but the legs are tapered.
This is what happened when I tried to tap, tap, tap the shelf into place. Can you see why it wouldn’t work with the tapered legs?
How to trim out a plain door to give it character
I used some 1×4’s to trim out the top of the door to make it look more like a paneled door.
I’m testing everything to make sure it’s going to fit together.
Finish Max Paint Sprayer
Time for the HomeRight Finish Max
The finish max made quick work of the diy chalky paint primer.
Attach the door to the sewing cabinet
I attached the door to the cabinet with screws through the back of the door into the cabinet.
Dry Brush technique ages the door
Then I did a dry wash with ASCP Aubusson Blue
Mixing stain colors to match project
I sanded the top and stained it using a combination of these three stains. The goal was to get the top to match the original front of the sewing cabinet.
Aren’t you impressed with the job I did matching the top to the front?
DIY Hall Tree
What do you think? Isn’t is sweet? Not bad for a $2 door and a $5 sewing cabinet.
This hall tree offers up a lot of storage for those “run out the door” rushes we all get into. It will keep your phone, keys, and purse handy.
Here’s a closer look. That sweet art work was a mother’s day gift from Jamie. I love it!
I was inspired to make this hall tree by my friend Debbie at Refresh Restyle, be sure to check out her beautiful hall tree.
gail
Pam says
January 6, 2017 at 4:21 pmLOVE it….So very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Denise says
June 2, 2015 at 6:13 pmA novice question – why do you make/use chalky paint? Does it work better in the HomeRight Finish Max? Can you use regular paint in the HomeRight Finish Max? I was thinking of purchasing one for the many projects I have around the house.
Thanks!!
Denise
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 2, 2015 at 8:46 pmDenise,
I use the chalky paint as a primer, so I don’t have to do a lot of sanding. It’s a very flat paint. I make it out of the behr semi-gloss paint, then typically use the semi-gloss as a sealer. Any kind of chalky paint needs some type of sealer…. wax, poly, or in my case semi-gloss paint. You can use ANY paint in the Homeright Finish Max. Using oil base is a little more challenging to clean, because you have to use lacquer thinner. I seriously wish everyone could have a Finish Max to make their projects look better and their life easier. 🙂
gail
Beth says
June 1, 2015 at 11:49 amBeautiful! Simply beautiful!!! I have an old sewing cabinet that I’ve had sitting in my basement for about a decade. THIS is what I need to do with it. Thanks for the inspiration. You’re so fliippin creative!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 1, 2015 at 12:31 pmBeth,
I’m so happy you found this project! I love to inspire others with my “out of the box” thinking.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment to let me know you stopped by.
gail
Nickie says
June 1, 2015 at 8:22 amDid you use a solid door or hollow core?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 1, 2015 at 10:34 amThis was a hollow core door.
Sheila says
May 29, 2015 at 11:24 amGail, how did you end up getting the bottom shelf in with the tapered legs and how did you secure it to the legs? Love this piece. thanks Sheila
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
May 29, 2015 at 12:58 pmSheila,
I got it in there by forcing it, causing the cabinet to come apart. While it was apart, I put the shelf in place, then fixed the cabinet up with some wood glue and screws.
The shelf simply rests on the bottom braces that were original to the cabinet.
gail
Brette says
May 29, 2015 at 10:50 amVery clever.
Cynthia - Clockwork Interiors says
May 28, 2015 at 7:27 pmThat does NOT look like a $2 door! Love the dark stain with the blue –Another amazing transformation, Gail!
Debbie says
May 28, 2015 at 3:40 pmAmazing makeover! You inspire me with every one of your projects!!
Debbie
Tracy@www.bluridgevintage.com says
May 28, 2015 at 6:42 amThis was a perfect fit and I love it. I like how you have made the door look more vintage by crating the panels. You have really created an original with this one!!!!!
Susan Homeroad says
May 27, 2015 at 7:18 pmI love the door table project Gail and the way you displayed it with the hat, chalkboard, and chair is gorgeous!!
nice job!
Ruth Anderson says
May 27, 2015 at 6:22 pmGoing to have to try it over black!
Ruth Anderson says
May 26, 2015 at 11:38 pmYou did a great job!!!! Love the AS blue!
Terri Hughes says
May 26, 2015 at 5:03 pmWOW…….I love it!!!!
Stephanie@cre8tive says
May 26, 2015 at 11:41 amI love the blue! You killed it on this one Gail, it looks so pretty! Amazing how you pull these things off, you’re the best!
chris aka monkey says
May 26, 2015 at 10:44 amthis is awesome you knocked it clean out of the park, the color is glorious xx
girlfromwva says
May 26, 2015 at 10:25 amjust beautiful! i really love how it turned out; esp. the way you trimmed out the door, added the shelves.
Mindi says
May 26, 2015 at 10:19 amThis is stunning!! Wow, I love the colors and you matched the top to the front perfectly! The trim on the door really makes it look nice! I am so impressed Gail!
shelley says
May 26, 2015 at 10:09 amwow…very nice and I like the paint and stain colors too…
Margaret says
May 26, 2015 at 9:54 amThis is so pretty and functional. Great job.
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
May 26, 2015 at 9:23 amWOW, just amazing, Gail! Adding the trim to the door made such a difference. And the combination of wood and paint is perfect.
Adina Johnson says
May 26, 2015 at 9:09 amLove this! Clever repurpose Gail.