Wally’s Workshop

This should be a fairly easy project. I like the idea of recycling old or used furniture, and “sprucing it down” to create a cool rustic piece. Let’s start with the materials you may need.

Scour around second hand stores and such for an old nightstand or cabinet with a framed door. I’ve seen some (potentially) beautiful pieces at Goodwill stores. Or, you might also find some kind of unfinished pine cabinet you’d rather use. If all else fails, create a simple, simple box with 1×12 pine doors (found anywhere) to work as your starting point. Let your imagination run wild - after all, this will be rustic/primitive!

You’ll need some embossed ceiling tin. This may be a bit trickier to locate. Your local big box store may have it - if not, look in your Yellow pages for millwork shops. If they don’t carry it, they should at least be able to tell you who does. Again, if all else fails and you have an artistic touch, you can paint or punch (time consuming) a design in a sheet of tin.

Other materials to have on hand:

rags
acrylic paint or wood stain
paintbrush
screwdriver
sandpaper
gloves
tin snips
steel wool
(rustic) wood molding
finish nails or finish screws
hammer or brad nailer
wood putty and glue
miter box and saw

Start by removing the door from the nightstand or cabinet. Carefully remove the door insert and any hardware like doorknobs.

Cut the ceiling tin to fit the door opening. Use the insert you removed as a guide (that’s why it’s best to find a cabinet with a framed door). Rough-up the surface with steel wool and/or sandpaper so paint will adhere to it.Place the door flat on a work surface and position tin. Surround the edges with molding and secure with nails or brads and/or glue. Counter-sink the nails and fill with wood putty. Allow the flue and/or putty to dry.

Paint or stain the entire entire cabinet, door and tin. Replace the door(s) once the finish has dried.

Sand the edges of cabinet, door and tin for a distressed look. You can use other distressing techniques like hitting it with the hammer (angle the head), or adding scrapes/gouges with the screwdriver. Again, your imagination is the key.

Clean the piece and remove any dust. You’re done. Enjoy your new primitive/rustic furniture!

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