Home » DIY Furniture » Wall Unit to Kitchen Hutch Makeover

Wall Unit to Kitchen Hutch Makeover

Today, I have a very special lady with an out-of-this-world furniture transformation to share with you all.  Seriously, my jaw is still agape over it.  She needs very little introduction because by now, you’ve already been acquainted with this creative Canadian with an eye for style.  You see her face here most Fridays.  Have you figured it out yet?  That’s right, it’s the talented and lovely Thalita!

Hi you guys, I’m Thalita from The Learner Observer. You might recognize me from this…

OutroImage-T

Oh my word!!! Can I just tell you how super insanely exciting it is for me to be guest posting at The Thinking Closet? When Lauren emailed me to propose this, I was so giddy with excitement, I could hardly contain myself! I mean, who wouldn’t be excited to be sharing their work on this totally fantastic blog, right? And who wouldn’t be excited to share their work with totally fantastic readers, right? Right!

If I can be honest with you, I was a little nervous about choosing something to share with you all because I know you’re used to such amazing content from Lauren. Here’s hoping I can live up to your expectations. Ready?

Now, this is the story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I’d like to take a minute
Just sit right there
I’ll tell you how I got a hutch using a little flair.

How terrible was that on a scale of 1-10, like a 27? I’m sorry. I’m so not a rapper. But chances are you sang along with the tune in your head, and some of you even kept going with the original lyrics, didn’t you? Come on, didn’t you? Ok time to get serious! (Just kidding, I never really do that).

Hutch Makeover (square button)If you hang around The Learner Observer for just 5 minutes, you will learn one thing rather quickly: I love to frequent thrift shops for just about anything from frames, to decorative items, and furniture. I am also an avid Kijiji shopper (I know Kijiji exists in the U.S. but not many people use it, so for the sake of clarification, it’s Canadian Craigslist). This piece particularly, I searched for high and low. I wanted a hutch/pantry in my kitchen so badly, and I wanted it to cost under $100 before paint and other supplies. When I saw this 80’s wall unit, I instantly knew what I could do with it. Sure, it had a small TV and a painting of the ocean on it, but I had a vision! A vision of white shelves and dishes neatly put away. Dreamy.

Here’s what I did to make that happen.

Hutch Makeover (before)

Hutch Makeover (sanding)First, I removed all of the hardware. There were about 258 tiny screws! Then, I got out my trusty random orbit sander (a Christmas gift from my husband – he knows what I like). I didn’t do any major sanding, this was just to begin to get the sheen off of the surface, and it only took me a couple of hours to do all of this. My main concern was the shelving because they would get the most action with things being moved around.

I used the same primer here as I did on the tiled walls of the scary basement washroom, and I have no complaints! The paint was actually also the same. Don’t you love double-duty materials?

Hutch Makeover (painting doors)Hutch Makeover (painting)My mom and I moved the unit outside (thankfully it’s in 2 pieces) and got to work. We used one coat of primer and two coats of paint, and you can see what a huge difference there is!

Hutch Makeover (painting doors 2)Because it was such a nice warm and dry day, we painted the whole thing and brought it inside. I was ELATED! Pure joy and it wasn’t even finished yet. The bottom portion needed a little tweak – legs! As much as I love the shape of the piece, the height wasn’t doing it for me and it needed a little lift. I got 6 plain wood 6″ legs from Home Depot and the metal pieces to connect them and my dad attached them to the bottom for me nice and tightly, using some 2 x 4s as extra security and height. I would have gone for the 9″ legs, but they might have been too tall, and they were double the price! I’m going for lowest possible cost, here (as usual). Note: I will list all materials with links shortly, ok? Here is the leg I chose and the hardware used to install it:

Hutch Makeover (legs)The final step of the weekend was snazzing up the back of the shelves. I had already decided on going for black-and-white on the chairs in the kitchen (which you can see here), and my cupboards are white with black handles/knobs. I contemplated painting the back. That would have required more time, more paint, and more painting. After completing the washroom and this, I was all painted out! Wallpaper was the next option, but I didn’t find one I liked at a budget-friendly cost. While at Target with my mom that weekend, I thought to look at wrapping paper. Bingo. Rolls were on sale for $2.99 each. I got two and skipped on home to get my gluing on! I just used Rubber Cement for this, so nothing fancy. I even applied it with the hard little brush it comes with.

Sadly, we have no pictures of this. Both of us had glue-y hands and it took all of about 10 minutes to get these on. I used exactly one roll of the paper, which felt pretty darn great! Now, let’s see the final outcome!

Hutch Makeover (before and after) - The Learner Observer

And let the shelf-styling begin!!! I even started a Pinterest board to help me think of ideas. This is most definitely not my forte, and I just know I will cringe as I look back at these years from now, but here we go…

Hutch Makeover (shelf styling) - The Learner ObserverHutch Makeover (shelf styling)  The Learner ObserverHutch Makeover (shelf styling) The Learner ObserverA lot of what’s sitting here now has been boxed in our front closet since we got married… 11 months ago! Some pieces (like the small white and blue bowls carefully placed in an ombre pattern, which I love) were a recent Anthro purchase. The last thing on the to-do list for this piece is to potentially change the hardware. I don’t mind the shape and colour (though perhaps they can use a little Rub ‘N Buff like these), but I did consider something a little smaller and a little less “in your face,” so I went to Anthro and got some (ON SALE) hardware.

Hutch Makeover (shelf styling 4)What do you think? Stick with the originals or go for the new? I would have to fill the holes with wood filler, sand and paint the doors, so it’s not a whole lot of work. I just need to actually make a decision. Help me!

Now, let’s talk numbers.

Wall Unit to Hutch Cost Breakdown:

Wall unit: $40 (WHAT THE WHAT? Did I just say $40?? YES! And I knooooowwwwww…. what a great deal!)

Paint: $35 (Not including primer costs since it was also used in the washroom)

Brush and roller: $7

Wrapping paper: $2.99

Glue: $1.99

Legs: 6 at $4.69 each. Total: $28.14

Metal hardware: 6 at $2.43 each. Total: $14.58

Anthropologie hardware: 4 at $2.95 each (originally $14 each). Total: $11.80

GRAND TOTAL: $141.50

So, how did I do? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how I should style my shelves and what hardware I should stick to.

Hutch Makeover (before and after) by The Learner ObserverHutch Makeover (the reveal) by The Learner Observer

If you want more, I’d love for you to check out some of my favourite projects on The Learner Observer so far, like my Sharpie Paint Marker Bowl, or my attempt at putting together my first Gallery Wall, or that time I Dip-Dyed a Pillow! And if you like celebrations and pretty prints, I’m giving two away this week for my 1-year Anniversary. But hurry – tomorrow is the last day to enter!! Oh and if you’re in the mood for five links, go check out this week’s Friday Five!

Thank you, Lauren, for asking me to be on your totally awesome blog today, and thank you all for actually reading my run-on sentences and putting up with my craziness for a day!

xoxo!

-Thalita

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44 Comments

  1. Wow! Thalita, this is incredible…truly, I would never have guessed this was an old 80’s wall unit originally. Some of my favorites things seem to be others’ favorites as well- the wallpaper brings the class, and I’m a fan of those anthro knobs, too! The hard work paid off, it looks great!!

  2. Thalita, great result! So fresh and crisp. You done good girl. I’d leave the old handles I think they add a touch of glamour.

    1. Right? She really knocked this one out of the park. And I know I always appreciate a touch of glamour…especially when it’s glamour with an “ou”!

  3. Woah, what an awesome transormation!
    And it looks really great in the end, love it!

    Oh, and I would stick with the original hardware. I think, they have a really nice shape (actually they remind me of the doorknobs my parents have!) and I would love to have those!

    Love, Midsommarflicka

    1. I so agree! It’s almost recognizable compared to the original piece. And I love that you had a nostalgic moment with those knobs. If Thalita ends up not using them, maybe she can send them to you!

  4. A wonderful project, Thalita! So thankful you two are working together.

    I vote for the Anthropologie knobs; however, how about mixing and matching either four different Anthro handles? or the old with the new?! Adds a bit of whimsy to the room. I used some traditional handles mixed with Anthro knobs in my kitchen!

    1. Oh my goodness I only saw this comment now and I feel giddy with excitement having Lauren’s mom comment on my project! You guys are like celebrities, seriously. I am equally thankful to be working with the amazing Lauren. She is like this shiny beautiful gem and I’m never letting go!

      I love the suggestion to mix it up! Seriously going to have to try that!! Thanks SOOOO much for the suggestion!

      1. You and Lauren are the celebrities! Glad you found my suggestion helpful for mixing up the knobs.

        I loved what you did with the hutch and the great wrapping paper to line the back of the shelves!

        All the best to you and YOUR mom as you continue to inspire us!

      2. Oh, and Thalita…comparing me to a “shiny beautiful gem” that you’re “never letting go” is about the sweetest compliment anyone has ever paid me. Are you my secret guardian confidence-boosting angel? Yes, I think so. 🙂

  5. Oh my goodness. This is a fabulous idea, Lauren! I see these all the time in thrift stores, yard sales, and would have never thought to make it something so fab! Genius, you are!

    1. It’s plain to see that we absolutely LOVED having you, Thalita! Your guest post here was such a gift…to me AND my readers. And I’m delighted to know that there may be a few new Learner Observer fans in the world now. You know you have my loyalty as a forever-fan! In fact, can I be the President of your Fan Club? That is a title I would be honored to hold. 🙂

    1. I had never thought of it as being good for the planet before, but you are so right! Better to reuse some ugly 80’s furniture than to buy something brand new now, right? Plus, it’s just good for the planet to have less 80’s-looking furniture! 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Sharon – and for making me feel like I helped the planet!

  6. Wow! What an amazing transformation! You did SUCH a fantastic job. Definitely go with the Anthro knobs. 🙂

    1. Aw, Maaike, thank you!!! Truth? The more I look at these pictures the more I want to just fill in those holes and put the Anthro knobs in! There’s something about the fact that they almost blend in with the rest of the piece that I just love!

    1. Oh Emily, so sweet! That paper sure did the trick, huh? Believe me, it was a MAJOR improvement on the splotchy white paint that was back there! Haha!! Thanks for the vote! I am also leaning towards the Anthro knobs… I like how light they are and they don’t take away from all the other “stuff” on the shelves!

  7. Love this. I am not yet looking at a kitchen piece like this because I still have my daughters kitchen there, but I will be, unless I want to spend the money to completely re-do my kitchen. Sigh! This is a fabulous idea though. I hope that I remember this. Pinning in hopes that I do.

    1. Oh gosh I was (am) nowhere near ready to commit to a full kitchen revamp. I have also painted my cupboards, the first part of which I have posted on my blog with more to follow. It’s work, but it’s a small, small fraction of the cost of replacing cabinetry and it makes a big difference – I had PEACH cabinets, if you can imagine that! Thank you for pinning it, Denise, and let us all know when you get to transforming your kitchen so we can cheer you on!

    1. I’m not typically a very patient person, so waiting for the paint to dry was the hardest work I did that whole weekend! I think it looks worse than it is, to be honest, but you are right – what a huge reward at the end of it all! Thanks for checking it out!

  8. That is absolutely beautiful and something I would have walked by and not given it a second thought. Keep up the good work!

    1. Thank you Lisa!! The more I look at the Anthro knobs, the more I love them. Oh and who knew wrapping paper could fake wallpaper or even a stenciled paint job so well?!?! I was prepared for it to be a craft fail, to be honest. When it wasn’t, my mom and I totally high-fived!

    1. Woo hoo!!! That’s super exciting news!!! Thanks for checking it out and for following!!! I am also following your adorable blog along 🙂

      Oh and I sometimes look at the pictures and can’t believe what a big brown blob this thing used to be!! Haha

  9. This is an amazing transformation! I am still a little scared of tackling whole furniture re-dos (plus I live with my parents, so there’s enough funriture around), but you make it look so easy!
    I think you did well for a first go at the shelves.. I would love to give you some tips, but I have a “magic eye” for such things, as my Mom says, so I would need to physically be there. If you want to fly me out, I’m more than happy to help! 😉 I would keep the original hardware – it gives you another color to style the shelves with! Plus black, white, gold and touches of blue/turquoise is just such a classic combination (I think).
    xx Johanna
    Dear Life, We Need To Talk

    1. Johanna, this was my first full furniture piece makeover and I think I’m addicted! It’s honestly not a difficult thing to do, it just takes a bit of patience.
      Thanks for the vote of confidence on the shelves! I’m tweaking a few things here and there and I want to add more books and more gold touches, so we’ll see how that goes! Haha I will let you know as soon as I can fly you out here!!
      I think you’re right on those 4 colours being pretty classic – 3 neutrals and a pop od colour. Can’t go wrong!!

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