I recently asked you over on Instagram what you wanted to see from Deb this new year.  I’ve never seen so many SAME answers on any poll I’ve taken. ????  “DIY Projects” was the number one request by a landslide.  So, we are kicking off the new year with her first DIY project in this new decade.

Backstory of this Project

We bought two stained glass doors, 10-15 years ago, that have traveled with us to every house.  They appear to have been removed from an old hutch and are as small as a window would be.   When we moved to the tiny house, we had no storage.  I asked Deb if she could build me a medicine cabinet out of the one and, of course, she built one.  Because she does what I say.  ???? Kidding.  She just loves projects.  That little cabinet stayed with the tiny house.  So we’ve toted this extra door throughout the years not wanting to get rid of it because I love it.

I kept dreaming of her building me another cabinet but I wanted it to be for a purpose and didn’t want another cabinet to hang on the wall to fill with junk.  I have enough of those. ????  A few weeks back, I tripped over one of the baskets that holds my jewelry since the move.  We literally threw it all in a few baskets, they got all tangled, and I haven’t even been able to stomach the idea of untangling them and find a place for them.  Until now.  I remembered that little door in storage and asked Deb if she could make me a jewelry cabinet so I can get it all organized.  Deb was all for it.  She’s an organizing freak!

How to Make a Jewelry Cabinet or Medicine Cabinet from a Window

Measure the Window

The first step is measuring the window.  If you don’t have a saw to cut the wood, the lumber yard will normally make the cuts for you.  So measure each side precise and have them do it.  That will save you some time.  Better yet… take the window into the lumber yard and have them measure it for you and make the cuts.  ????  We used a 1″ x 6″ because I wanted it deep enough to store my bangle bracelets, etc.  But if you wanted it more shallow, you could use a 1″ x 4″…  If you are cutting it yourself, remember to add extra length to the top and the bottom boards to taking into consideration the side boards.  See pic ????????Cut the side boards first, lay them beside the door, and measure again.  It will be easier that way.

Attaching the Boards Together

Deb used trim screws to attach the boards together…. 2 – 2 1/2″ trim screws work perfect for projects like this.  They have a really small head so we never really worry about having to fill holes with putty.  I love my pieces distressed and I knew the jewelry cabinet was going to be painted so these white ones are perfect for that situation.  They also come in the bronze color.   If you will be staining your cabinet, use those.

Attaching the Back

We used 1/4″ plywood for the back to make it sturdier.  You can either cut it or have lumberyard boy cut the correct size for you.  Deb is an over achiever so she installed the back with a bead of wood glue all around the edge of the cabinet and attached it with the same wood screws every 6″ or so.

Adding Shelves or Creating Your Jewelry Storage

Now it’s time for the fun part.  Since I wanted this to be jewelry cabinet, I had to figure out how I wanted everything stored.  I knew I wanted my necklaces on the top.  We ended up gluing an extra board to the back on the inside of the cabinet for extra depth.  I used gold upholstery tacks because I thought they looked prettier than cup hooks but you could totally use those, too.

I came up with this dowel rod idea for my bracelets.  You can really use any size but we had this size on hand.  Deb cut out a few brackets so I can take the rod off and and on with ease.  Same with the earring storage.  We used a smaller dowel rod to hook over all of the earrings, but kept it easily removable using the same bracket method for hoops.

I found this ring organizer on Amazon and attached it to the back with glue.  You can get as creative as you want with this.  There are so many other ways to display your jewelry.  I can tell I will be modifying this just a bit to hold my stud type earrings.  I will keep you posted on what I come up with.

Tip:  If you are using this as a medicine cabinet and adding shelves only, measure your items you will be storing… hairspray bottles, vitamin bottles, etc.  And add shelves accordingly out of the same width of boards you used for the cabinet.

Paint or Stain Your Creation

I wanted this jewelry cabinet painted.  I normally finish pieces like this, but I didn’t get ANY work done.  So while I was answering emails, etc, Deb was in the basement finishing this piece and not taking photos for you.  ???? I will show you some time in depth how she did it.  But, first she beat the crap out of the new wood with hammers, etc so it looked old.   She stained the piece first with a dark stain we had on hand.  (Stained then wiped with a paper towel.) Then she painted it white with paint that we also had on hand, over the top of the piece.  Once that was dry, she sanded it here and there to give it an aged look.

Attaching the Door

Attaching the door with hinges can be the tricky part….  Therefore, we use these hinges and install them on the OUTSIDE of the cabinet.  Because I knew the cabinet was going to be painted, I wasn’t picky on the color of them.  I would just paint right over them.  ALSO…..  putting the hinge in a completely new place is easier than trying to use the old spot.  We’ve tried this a million times and this is truly the easiest.  I could fill that area with a stainable putty but I really don’t care that much.  ???? It’s rustic, hand made, and shows character and history.  So the old hinge area doesn’t bother me at all.

Hanging the Cabinet

We just hung this cabinet on the wall by using a couple of screws through the back, directly to the wall…. making sure at least one screw was installed into a stud.

I found this old box that fit perfectly for our extra watch bands and Apple watch accessories.  I will switch it out for something clear so I can see through it.

What do you think?

I hope you like Deb’s first DIY of 2020.  Coming from someone who doesn’t actually do this type of thing herself because I have Deb. ????  But, if I didn’t, I would say this is between a beginner and intermediate DIY project.  It’s definitely a beginner piece of you have lumber yard boy make the cuts for you.  It’s simply a matter of putting it together.

A medicine or essential oil cabinet would be really easy, as it would be a matter of just adding shelves. What do you think?  Let me know!  And, also, keep me posted if you make your own cabinet.  Tag me in any of your photos on Instagram and Facebook, too.  I would love to see them.