My 100 Year Old File Cabinet Makeover
Ive been searching for a file cabinet and I just dont like ones at the stores, cheaply made, cheesy looking, etc. Also not cheap for what I think is ‘junk’…
I randomly search Craig’s List for fun finds… Score, I find this vintage file cabinet for $100! Its a 100 years old and was made local in Syracuse by Syracuse Edwards. They just don’t make stuff like this anymore…
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What she looked like when I picked up. Shes pretty rough looking but solid! Some before cell phone pictures. Nice crispy grass we got there…
A little more story behind this cabinet… since it was a CL find a local company in Syracuse was selling it. Syracuse Soap Works.
They make handmade soap and opened a new store not long ago, they took over the old M & Q Camera, a store Ive been to since Im a photographer. M&Q used this cabinet, I found bits of old paper work in the folders.
I used to see Syracuse Soap Works when I was a vendor at our Regional Market years ago. Small world…
So… this cabinet was meant to be mine! 😀 I know of the seller and it was from the old camera shop! I think its so cool they took over that location. It was sad to see the camera shop go though…
Ok back on track…
This baby is solid metal with legs, I love it because it looks more like a furniture piece. I gave it a cleaning and spray painted it white.
I was able to remove the handles and the file rod just below. Back when it was made they didn’t have the folders they do now.
There is a hole at the bottom of ‘file cards’ I guess you could say… the rod went through it and attached in the back of the drawer.
When I buy my house I’ll paint the inside too. I’ll have to empty and move it so it will be the perfect time! This cabinet is heavy! The outside was the goal for this round! Ha ha.
I used Rust-oleums white primer and Krylons Chalky Finish spray paint. I sanded the edges to give it the shabby look. I have some shabby chic style pieces here and there in my place.
Painted the handles and rods silver with Rust-oleums Titanium Silver. The drawer label holder I had to hand paint.
Related: Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint
I used some model paint to do the label holder. Silver to match the handles. I have another project coming using the silver model paint.
I added some cut scrapbook paper as I don’t need to label the drawers. I have a book with a variety and pulled one that matched.
Yes a beast of an aloe plant! LOL I have to re-pot it this winter, its bursting out of that pot! Its second generation from a 25 year old plant. This one is about 10 years old. I split it up already and now look…
Related: 25+ Spray Painting Tips
Dont mind my plugs... I thought about moving them for the pictures… but, thats real life… right?! I live it a tiny apartment… One day I’ll have a ‘blogger’ home. hehe.
Usually my dog bed hangs out there and you cant see it anyways.
With the dog bed back. Yeah… the one didn’t want to pose… stinker.
Some other makeovers in this picture are the lamp, the plant stand and teal stand. I don’t have a before of the lamp or the plant stand but the lamp was brown with a tanish shade.
The plant stand was beat up with brown stain.
The side stand looked like the two pictures below to the right. This is it third paint job! LOL. Bought it at a yard sale for $5 about 10 years ago. I love this thing, its solid and fits in small spaces.
Dont mind that desk… haha. That was painted too but now retired to the neighbor and she uses it for plants! I couldn’t find my original pictures so had to use this one from something else…
Of course an aqua glitter mason jar pen holder and cactus! He he. The painted lamp and new lamp shade.
I used Rust-oleums Antique Nickle.
I added this fun glass drawer pull and used Krylons Tidal Blue chalky finish spray paint.
I feel a bit weird exposing my office corner, cords, dust, dogs and all, but Ima ganna’ share my rockin’ cabinet. I freakin’ love it!!
Are you going to makeover something with spray paint? Have you tried Krylons Chalky Finish spray paint yet?
Thanks for checking out my file cabinet! 🙂
As seen on Buzz feed.
Other Spray Paint Posts
25+ Spray Painting Tips
Best Gold Spray Paint
Rose Gold Spray Paint
Rust-oleum Metallic Colors
Krylon Chalky Finish Spray Paint
Rust-oleum vs Krylon vs Valspar
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[…] beautiful file cabinet below is over 100 years and was made new again, simply and inexpensively by Sprinkled and Painted at KAStyles.co. Click the link to learn how to get this look with your file […]
I love your entire office! What color chalky paint did you use on your file cabinet? The link comes up with a aqua type color and not white and the color is perfect!
Thank you. I use the Krylon White.
Rustoleum makes one too. Either will work.
Can you please tell me the paint used on the PLANT STAND.
Its an old Valspar gray thats discontinued. Rustoleum has a similar color though, dont remember the name but they have a lighter gray shade.
[…] ‘KA Types‘ took a 100 yr outdated file cupboard and turned it into a stunning piece… So love that she has a narrative to go together with this piece of historical past. They don’t make submitting cupboards like they used to! […]
Love your office corner!! The file cabinet turned out awesome! My aloe is just a baby! My grandmother had one for over 20 years in her flower bed!! Gotta ❤️ California weather!
Thank you. I love aloe plants! 🙂
OmG this is so beautiful!
Thank you! 🙂
It looks amazing! Did you use a top coat?
Thank you. No topcoat, I was ‘lazy’! haha
Hi,
nice work!!!!
May i know what pain is used for the cactus jar?
That is Rust-olems Copper. You can check out some coppers here. 🙂 http://kastyles.co/copper-spray-paint-colors/
Wowza! This is gorgeous!! I have a secret love for filing cabinet and this project knocks my socks off 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂 Im obsessed with my cabinet! 😀
I’ve been meaning to revamp my outdated filing cabinet, but I might wait til spring. I don’t want to drag it outside right now lol.
Your cabinet makeover looks amazing!
Thank you. 🙂 I was able to when I bought it, it never made it into the house till painted! haha.
[…] You can see I used it on my file cabinet and stand in this post. […]
[…] Related: My 100 Year Old File Cabinet Makeover […]
[…] Another picture of this jar in my office corner. You can it see in my file cabinet makeover post. […]