Turn a cube unit into an apothecary-look cabinet

[sandy_d]

 

 

I’m always given free furniture from my family, and this cube unit had seen better days. I decided to transform it into an apothecary cabinet with faux draws. 
I started with the unit and built a frame for the base. This gave me somewhere to attach the legs. I used nails and liquid nails to attach as the laminated surface would not allow wood glue to bond. 

All the timber I used was recycled or off cuts from previous projects so I did cut and paste pieces together. Let’s call it the rustic look! I added a timber frame to the top and bottom and also to the sides. I used ply wood to cover the sides. This not only added a little more thickness to the frame but also allowed me to paint the surface. 

 (Lots of scrap wood used) 

Once the frame was built, I cut some MDF I had and used this for the doors. Some panels I had were just slightly shorter but this added to the ‘Rustic Look’. To achieve the multiple false draws, I cut some ply 120 x120 and glued with liquid nails. I made a template and drilled holes for the placement of the handles. 

 Each double cube has 8 faux draw fronts. 

I made the mistake of purchasing overlay hinges and figure it out after 3 hours and some tantrums later! If you make the doors sit inside like I have, you’ll need to purchase inset hinges.
A mud cake made by my son and a cool drink later, I glued the inside of the cube unit with some old fabric I had. You can choose to contact it or leave it if the unit is in good condition.
 

 

 The cabinet top was made from discarded wood which I laminated together with wood glue and clamps. I added a ply backing to stop the cube unit from too much movement 

To decorate the cabinet I made a decorative bowl using curtain rod wooden rings and macrame rings and hot glued them together. To form the shape, I glued over a bowl I covered with cling film.

 

And there you have it, one very rustic looking apothecary cabinet made from a cube unit. 

 

 

 

 

 

[KatieC]

Hi @sandy_d,

Well done on another incredible project! You will have to do a tutorial on one how to make such a cool bowl sometime. 

Which paint did you use? Did you end up doing a top coat of anything? 

Thanks so much for sharing your inspiration project. 

Katie

[sandy_d]

Thank you so much! The base cabinet is painted with a semi gloss paint in all black and the top is a stain and sealed in sepia. I have also applied a natural bees wax to the top to protect it. 
the bowl is so easy and yes I will add it soon 😊

[MelC1]

Wow, very creative! Love the bowl too 👍

[rubytuesday1953]

Hi @sandy_d ,

Looks great! Well done.

I did a similar one not long ago but on a much smaller scale.

Mine already had the draws though, so I was lucky

[MitchellMc]

Love this so much @sandy_d! Ever since I saw someone use this method, I've wanted to give something similar a go. I became enamoured with apothecary many years ago, and especially the wonder associated with really old wax-sealed bottled items. Weird, I know. Here's one I made a while ago. I have unusual hobbies, to say the least. You should hide a little specimen in the back for someone to find. 😁

Mitchell

[sandy_d]

I’d love to find something with small draws. You’re very lucky indeed 😊

[sandy_d]

Wow I love that! It’s not weird at all. My dad was a biochemist and really into science and his house is filled with little trinkets like these. I think you would love it. 

[GypsiiSOUL]

Your amazing 

[sandy_d]

@GypsiiSOUL @Thank you!