Hello everyone! Several people had asked me about the antique medicine cabinet after my last post, and I realized I’d started a post last year, but never shared it with you! I shared it on instagram and facebook, but never on the blog, so here goes!
This lovely piece was in my parents’ basement exactly as my grandparents had left it.
I had unpacked everything to bring it over to my house, but left it sitting out in our storage and never got around to restoring it. Luckily, it was not damaged after eight or so years in the storage, so I cleaned it then rubbed on a light coat of oil-based stain. I covered a piece of cardboard with this adorable vintage -looking shelf paper my mother had and placed that in the back. I didn’t want to attach the paper directly to the wood, so this is a nice, non-permanent option.
I then went through everything that had been inside and restyled the cabinet using those things. What a snapshot of the past this is! I love seeing these things as they were when my grandparents used the cabinet, and I treasure the connection to them.
I was not sure where to hang the cabinet, but over this Victorian mahogany dresser, inherited from a late relative, seemed to be the perfect location. My husband hung it up for me to ensure something this heavy is secure.
So much history is in this little cabinet, and I’m so happy to be the caretaker of it. It really is another example of something others would have thrown away or donated, so I’m happy to have rescued it and given it new life.
Look around, you never know when you might stumble on something interesting to restore and bring back to life.
Don’t miss my summer bedroom tour to see how it looks now.
I’ll be joining: Inspire Me Tuesday
Anita, your cabinet is amazing, but all those goodies inside. Oh, my what a collection. When I was a kid, I used to collect little bottles we found on our block. Most of the homes were built in the mid 1800’s so everyone basically tossed things in the privies. When they torn down and were dug up—all kinds of stuff would appear. Wish I still had them, all. Fun post, you always have interesting things! Sandi
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Thank you so much Sandra!! Yes, I was really amazed when I started going through everything and reading the labels;-)
What a treasure! The way that you have styled it is so charming!
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Thank you so much Briana!!
Wow the cabinet and the contents. Your grandparents were certainly wise and not from the disposable generation. True treasure!
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Thank you Susan! Yes they definitely saved things, repurposed and were very careful to “get the good” out of everything☺️☺️
I love the cabinet and hoe you styled it. I said it before and I am saying it again. Your blog is one of my favorite blogs.
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Ilona I’m so humbled – thank you so much for your encouraging comment❤️