My Hole-In-The-Wall Cupboard

I've decided to use Flickr to host my photos for now.  It's a little tedious though.  This particular project has been going on for nearly two years, I think.  When I was painting the living room, I could not resist poking a hole or two into this weird bump out between the front door and the living room to see whether it had a purpose.  It didn't.  It was empty except for a pipe at the very far back.  What a waste of space!  100 years ago, a craftsman would have built a gorgeous built-in cupboard or bookshelf or something there to provide a visual division.  Now they just slap up some drywall and call it done.

So I decided to be the craftsman.  I cut out the drywall as wide as the studs would let me...and there it sat for months.  Nick liked to climb inside to sit, which wasn't very safe due to a nail sticking out of one of the top studs.

Next I tried using the table saw to cut the 1/2-inch plywood panels.  Everything was going fine until--I don't know what I did--one panel kicked back from the saw hitting me hard in the stomach.  Thank heaven for strong sturdy denim!  I managed to convince Kevin to finish building the cupboard.  I can handle a mitre saw, but He can be the table saw operator from now on.  He did a beautiful job on it!  

Many many months later, as in October and November 2012, I finally sanded, patched, and painted.  I was going to do a door, but the idea of trying to figure that out intimidated me.  So I just picked out a narrow trim, to accommodate the space between the cupboard and the ugly baseboards.

I just love my little cupboard.  I wanted to call it a boot cupboard, like the one Jane is so proud of in Jane of Lantern Hill, but people just look at me funny when I do.  I'd like to fill it with pretty baskets or books, etc.  But I had to be practical in this crazy house with minimal storage.  So instead, it's the kids' craft cupboard, filled with plastic bins, paint, playdoh, and crayons.

Furniture Feature Friday with Miss Mustard Seed