Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Three Way Credenza Repurpose

Credenza and shelf unit
and the cabinet maker is...
nice center unit with shelf
and the doors are bifold.
 
Shelf unit used for record storage


everything gets a
 white paint job.


the original base was
cut into three sections
 
my husband working
on the base

my daughter is
painting the inside of the
center cabinet
the drawers are also
looking good


placement of each unit...open spaces for chairs.


one of the sections of the two person desk
w/desk top in place
The tall table at the left was made using the
original credenza top - just added legs with
apron between them for stability.

This was a great project and done with love for my daughter and her boyfriend.  The credenza and shelf unit was purchased at a local City Thrift (proceeds to the Disabled Veterans of America) on a Senior Day for a 30% discount and was all less than $50.  The boxy shelf unit was probably never part of the original credenza, but may have been added by the previous owner.  It was a good piece and was put to use immediately for storage of vinyl records. 
The credenza stayed on the new owner's front porch for 10 months until it could be worked on.  The first thing we did was to separate the credenza base from the cabinetry - there were actually three sections which worked out to be perfect for our project.  There is an alcove in the upstairs studio of 12 feet by 28 inches in which the couple wanted a two person desk/work station.  This made placement of the credenza sections very easy.  Then all that was necessary was to paint the pieces and put them back onto the bases.  My husband was the carpenter who actually did the retrofit for each section by adding 2X4 pieces to the cut out sections to form the square base for each unit.  We then purchased two six foot sections of cabinet grade wood for the desk top.  The original credenza top was removed when the sections were separated and was used for another project - a jewelry bench at which my daughter will work while creating her unique jewelry pieces. 
We still have one last work day before the project is completed.  The desk top needs to be stained and sealed and permanently attached to the three sections.  I will post a picture once we get that done.  I may be a few weeks, though.