Main navigation

By 44 Comments

Jan’s Shutter Cupboard

Share
Pin
+1
Stumble
Shares 41

my-repurposed-life-cabinet-made-from-shutters



I made the shutter bookcase for Jan a couple of months ago. She had 4 more shutters and she asked me to build her a shutter cupboard.

repurposed shutters

These shutters are taller than I am.

repurposed shutter
I had to cut them off because two were shorter than the other two.  Once I got them to match, I used my Kreg Jig Jr. to make pocket holes to join three of them together.

repurposed shutter (cupboard)

I didn’t have any wood to use as shelves, so I purchased a piece of plywood at Home Depot.  I cut the shelves to size.  I attached the bottom shelf and the top of the cupboard first.


Then I got busy installing the other shelves. I cut some scrap wood to use as spacers so that the shelves would be uniform in height.  The middle shelf would be the one that would keep the unit squared and sturdy. Because the shutters have the middle piece I was able to use pocket holes all the way around 3 sides.

This Post Contains Affiliate Links

The other shelves, I could only attach with pocket holes in the front and the back. However with the pocket holes made with the Kreg Jig   make very tight joints.

 


I wanted to raise the cupboard off the floor with a decorative “skirt”.  I folded a piece of paper in half so that the left and right sides would match.  With the paper folded in half I cut out some curves. I traced the curves onto a piece of 1×4 and cut it out with my jigsaw.

.


While I was looking for a board to use as the back, I realized the 1×4  was just too wonky. The boards I decided to use were some drawer parts.


I used my Kreg Jig   to make some more pocket holes and joined the three new pieces together.  (they were a little larger than a 1×4 so I had to rip them on my table saw to get them down to size)


On the left, the new piece.


See how caddywampus the first one was?  yeah, not working!


More great pocket holes and pocket hole screws  to attach it to the cupboard!

 

I primered the cupboard one day while I had my sprayer fired up.  Then I added some more shelves.

 


I cut the crown molding and used some Gorilla Wood Glue and my nailer to attach it.

tall shutter cabinet
This picture dates itself.  See the shingles?

tall shutter cabinet


Jan decided she wanted this cupboard to be two-toned.  The cupboard was an “oops” that Jamie gave me a couple of years ago.  The top and bottom trim are Martha’s Heavy Cream. I taped it off to get a clean crisp line.


Hint: after applying your tape, make a swipe with the color (in this case yellow) that you have already painted. Then IF there should be any bleed, it will be the color that is already painted. I use Scotch Blue Painter’s tape with Edge Lock so there isn’t usually any bleeding.  After that little swipe dries, then paint the other color (heavy cream)  Remove your tape while your paint is still damp.

tall yellow shutter cabinet
I had three hinges in my stash that worked great for the cupboard door.


The cupboard is not 100% square, so the door shifts a little when it is closed. I installed a “catch” that helps align the door when it is closed.  shhhh don’t tell Jan, okay?


Because the shutters were old and weathered, the paint (even though I did use primer) would not cover smoothly.  However, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this look!  I think it is a perfect look.


This is the knob that is currently in place. Jan is probably going to want me to change it out. Hey! It’s a woman’s right to change her mind, right?


I gave a little coat of paint to the hinges.

tall yellow shutter cupboard
Do you like the two toned look?  How about the knob?  Jan is thinking it needs a simple wooden knob instead.  Please let her know what you think in a comment below.

gail

Share
Pin
+1
Stumble
Shares 41

Search for Repurposed Furniture Projects Here

You Might Also Like

ABOUT GAIL WILSON - A teacher at heart, Gail Wilson relishes the chance not to show off her projects, but to help others find their inner handywoman, step-by-step. Her blog, MyRepurposedLife.com, chronicles her scrap-saving adventures and has been featured on countless DIY magazines and websites, including Women’s Day, Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy. She is a longtime influencer for both Homeright and Gorrilla Glue. With a tribe of more than 450,000 followers, Gail is inspiring a new generation of DIYers to pick up some tools and get to work.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I love cabinet. Knob? Not so much. It definitely needs a knob that is not so daunting. Great job on cabinet, hubby. Wish my husband was handy. That would be me.

    Reply

  2. Hi! WOW! Love that cupboard so much…as soon as I saw it I started eyeing my family room for a place to put my “future” shutter cupboard! Hahaha! I mean, there’s probably about 20 projects ahead of this one, but I already have the four shutters that I scored for free thanks to Craigslist, they were supposed to be for a headboard project for my brother, but he and his new bride changed their minds, so now the shutters are MINE to do as I please! Not sure about the two-tone paint, to me, it makes the trim look like it’s separate from the shutters, if you paint it all the same color and distress it, it would look like it belongs on a Pottery Barn catalog…but I would definitely keep that knob, it’s gorgeous, and gives the whole piece an antiquated look. I have to learn how to do those pocket holes of yours, I’m new to wood shop, but thank you so much for sharing this with us!!

    Reply

  3. Great idea with the shutters, it turned out great.
    Not a fan of the two tone at all. I probably would have gone with a distressed white.

    Reply

  5. happen so that a friend of mine has a set of red barn color shutter she not using i might have to stop by and asked for them…..awesome projocet & great idea …

    Reply

  7. Thank you for your inspiring cabinet idea. I recently built one from some old shutters I rescued from an old farm in Northern Michigan. I love the color choices on yours. I went with black to help cover some of the imperfections that were a little too “shabby”, but would have liked to see it in buttery yellow. I built an ottoman today out of an old cast iron base from a wood stove. You can check it out on my blog at http://thenandagainfurnishings.blogspot.com
    Maybe I can return the favor of inspiration.

    Reply

  9. Thank you everyone for your kind comments and suggestions!

    MCoffeeSnob- I’m sorry, but I don’t understand your question. There were 4 shutters, a shutter on each of the 4 sides.
    Glad you like it.

    gail

    Reply

  10. LUV the design…the colors aren’t for me, but I like the weathered finish!

    Question – is there a reason there were three shutters vs. two shutters and a back? No problem with it at all, just curious.

    I REALLY enjoy your work and your blog. Definitely appreciate the How-to. you make it look easy and I KNOW it’s not-great work!!

    <3
    ~m

    Reply

  11. Love this….what a great way to use shutters. The knob is pretty…just doesn’t look quite right. A smaller knob would better and I agree with Jen. A glass angular shaped knob.

    Reply

  13. I think it is cute… I’d love it more if the white color was used on the “frame” around the louvers and an aged “white wash” was on the knob.. more antiqued.

    You never fail to surprise me with your idea! I’ve been keeping an eye out for wooden shutters since I’ve found you 😉

    Debra
    http://homedefined.com

    Reply

  14. Wow! I bow down to your carpentry skills! That cupboard is so cute. I love shutters and this is such a new way to use them! The 2 toned look is super cute and I love that knob! It makes the cupboard feel fancy. I like that.
    I’d love for you to join my giveaway for 2 canvas pillows going on now! http://www.alittleknickknack.com. Happy 4th!

    Reply

  15. The knob is perfect! Knobs are jewelry and this just makes the cupboard. You sure are a pro at making those shutters into fun projects! Love the two tone colors.

    Reply

  16. I like the knob, but I don’t think it quite goes with the cupboard. I think Jan’s idea of a wood knob would look great.

    Reply

  17. Love the color and the added details on the base. Great job! My vote is for a handle instead of a knob.

    Reply

  18. Great piece, but even greater is the fact that you used the word “caddywampus” – I use it all the time and always get strange looks from anyone outside of the family whem I say it.

    Reply

  19. I love it! It looks great in yellow 🙂 I agree with you, the way the paint took makes it look even better. You might try painting the handle in the MS cream color. Jan might like it better. I like the idea of a handle too.

    Reply

  20. I LOVE it! I LOVE the two tone paint! That crackle finish is perfect, too. I love happy accidents like that! You did a great job, Gail!

    I think a plain wooden knob would look cute, or a handle. I like the one on it, too. I think it just depends on whose house it goes in. 🙂

    Reply

  22. Gail I love it! Turned out great love the detail on the base. Love the crown on top, you did an inspiring job, again!

    Reply

  24. I like the knob that is on the cupboard now… but I also like the handle that Anne above suggested as well! I think a simple wooded knob would not be seen (it would blend in). If having it not seen is Jan’s goal then do that. I would like to know where it is that Jan is going to use this cupboard. (Just curious). As always Gail, you did an awesome job on the tutorial and the cupboard!

    Reply

  26. Once again…pickin’ my jaw up off the floor…your skill and ingenuity know no bounds…what a FABULOUS piece!! Love love LOVE the two toned look!

    Reply

  27. Gail, to say that I LOVE this would be an understatement. I SO wish I lived close to you so I could learn your mad skills.
    ~ Deanna

    Reply

  28. The cupboard is fabulous! Somehow I missed that it was going to have a door…I love that. And I vote for the metal knob! It’s perfect.

    Reply

  30. I think the handle you have now draws your eye to it, rather than the cupboard. It is almost too ornate for the beautiful simplicity of the cupboard. I would switch it out for a simple knob in either of the two colors you used for the paint.(I personally would use the accent color—I just love it!)

    Reply

  31. Very, very nicely done… I am just in awe that you can do stuff like that… You continue to amaze..
    I would go with a handle if I was living with it… but that ofcourse means you would have to fill the hole & drill some new.. : )
    Again… Great Job!!!

    Reply

  33. It turned out wonderful. I love the two toned thing….as you know, I recommended it!! 😉 I would have maybe liked to have seen a less settle difference in color. The knob. I would change it to something else depending on the room the cupboard was being placed. The finishing touch of the bottom and top trims are really super duper.

    Reply

  34. What a lovely peice of furniture, you are so clever! Very inspirational..
    I love the knob, but not so much the 2 tone paint – but then, I’m not the one who gets to live with it so what do I know? 🙂
    Thanks for sharing
    xx

    Reply

  35. it turned out so cute! i love the color…. if it were for myself, i am not a fan of the two toned look, but everyone has their own take on that, so it just depends on jan! i think a wooden knob painted the same color would be cute and cottagey, but hte knob it has is more feminine, so again, depends on what she is going for with it. a glass knob would also be pretty!

    Reply

  36. it turned out so cute! i love the color…. if it were for myself, i am not a fan of the two toned look, but everyone has their own take on that, so it just depends on jan! i think a wooden knob painted the same color would be cute and cottagey, but hte knob it has is more feminine, so again, depends on what she is going for with it. a glass knob would also be pretty!

    Reply

  37. it turned out so cute! i love the color…. if it were for myself, i am not a fan of the two toned look, but everyone has their own take on that, so it just depends on jan! i think a wooden knob painted the same color would be cute and cottagey, but hte knob it has is more feminine, so again, depends on what she is going for with it. a glass knob would also be pretty!

    Reply

  38. it turned out so cute! i love the color…. if it were for myself, i am not a fan of the two toned look, but everyone has their own take on that, so it just depends on jan! i think a wooden knob painted the same color would be cute and cottagey, but hte knob it has is more feminine, so again, depends on what she is going for with it. a glass knob would also be pretty!

    Reply

  42. I like the paint job a lot. and the decorative bottom is a great touch. On the knob subject, I think I would opt for handle rather than a knob.
    Another great piece, Jan sure is a lucky lady!

    Reply
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me! I read and appreciate every word!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *