The Corduroy Cabinet

Sometimes a dilapidated object speaks to me - I can see what it used to be and what it can be again. 

A professor I’ve known for about 10 years retired recently and needed to downsize in preparation for a move out of state. Unwanted furniture was “up-for-grabs” on the front porch of a university rental house. Anyone could come, look, and take what they wanted. I suspected there wouldn’t be anything that interested me - but swung by just in case. 

There on the front porch was a worn-out, small wooden cabinet that caught my eye. It was missing a knob on one of its doors and reminded me of Corduroy the bear missing a button on his overalls. Do you know that children’s story? It’s one of my favorites.

Before

Carefully, I pulled on the one and only lonely knob. I discovered with delight that the cabinet had an open upper shelf, and the lower section had dividers. I knew instantly the piece was a record cabinet from the 60’s or 70’s. And… that there was no way that little wooden cabinet wasn’t coming home with me. I knew Sabrina would love it for her albums. 

Before - Inside of Cabinet

I started by cleaning and (lightly) sanding the cabinet to see what was below the surface, then I decided a fresh coat of paint and pop of color was the way to go. I chose a mid-century modern green, about the same color as Corduroy’s overalls, to represent the era. New brass knobs with a textured grip, bumpy like the outside of a basketball, also foster a retro look and feel. And just like that, the record cabinet has been repaired and reborn!    

After