Metal Cabinet Revamp

My sister claims that Macklemore's song "Thrift Shop" is the soundtrack of my life, due to my propensity to take home things that other people might consider garbage. Because they put it out next to their trash cans. Whatever. I found this cabinet, *not* on the side of the road, but in my own attic when I purchased the house.  So ha! 

There was a little problem... It was disgusting. Really, really gross. Like squirrels all up in this bitch gross. So I left it in the attic and avoided it at all costs, hoping it would magically go away and take a shower on its own. Alas, the cabinet showed quite alot of chutzpah and just sat there. So it was up to me.  Sure it was covered in narst, but when have I ever backed down from a challenge? Also, it was free, which made up for many other defects. 

Musical Interlude: Thrift Shop Video

Before cleaning on the left, After cleaning on the right

Interior before cleaning and removing lovely contact paper.

I believe I used every cleaner I own, but mostly Bar Keeper's Friend. I even wore rubber gloves! It was at least 2 solid hours of crud murder. This is my idea of fun. I think. Anywho, after cleaning, the bottom edges were a little holey and rusty, but nothing that couldn't be covered up fixed with spray paint. Rustoleum to the rescue! The chrome after a scrub was perfect, so I removed the handles and taped the edging and sprayed away. In the stairway, in winter, with no ventilation. I would not recommend this at all, but sometimes things just have to get done. Right. Now.

Yey! No more squirrel pee!

So this was supposed to be a project for the kitchen. But then it didn't work at allllll in the space I was going to put it in it. So much for planning! Its new home is now is the side staircase. It holds cleaning supplies, which were forever falling off the wire shelves I have out there, as well as leftover beverages from parties that I host pretty regularly.  It's also a handy spot to throw tools and project bits with which I'm not quite done.  

The Big Ta-Da