Alert! Alert! I'm a loser! At the very least I'm losing the battle of how to move forward on my antique hardware cabinet.
You may remember this slick looking antique hardware cabinet from last fall. I dragged it home from a flea market, cut it down to size so it would fit on this wall and then pledged to get the drawers filled up and handles switched out once Christmas was over and I had more time.
Aren't I hilarious? We're all hilarious actually. Future time is WAY more abundant than real time. Ditto for future money! We always think we're going to have more of it than we have right now. That almost never happens. O.K., it never happens, ever, I just didn't want to sound like a downer.
When Christmas rolled around and I had a week off after it, I had WAY better things to do than figure out my hardware cabinet. I have absolutely no recollection of what those things were but they definitely weren't figuring out what to put in my tiny drawers or what kind of handles I should have on it. I have a blurry memory of me alternating between sleeping and napping for a full week but that can't be right.
Every so often I try to shove something in one of these drawers. Very little fits. I bought a box of microwave popcorn thinking I could fill a couple of drawers with bags of microwave popcorn because that's the weird kind of thing I think would be fun to keep in there. That and doll heads.
But the bags of popcorn don't fit ... and this is the important part ... by about a quarter of an inch. EVERYTHING doesn't fit in these drawers by about a quarter of an inch. Each box measures 4 ¾" wide x 5 ¼" long by 5 ¼" high on the inside.
I KNOW there are things I should be keeping in here. I know these are the BEST drawers in the world for ... something. Like they're seriously perfect for holding 4" by 5" boxes. I thought for a time I'd keep my seeds in the drawers but that's dumb. I do all my planting in the basement so having my seeds upstairs doesn't seem very practical. And I like to be practical. I say that with all the confidence of someone who cooks her pizza in an outdoor wood burning oven that requires chopping wood and stoking for 3-4 hours.
AND I STILL NEED TO FIGURE OUT A GOOD SYSTEM FOR INDEXING THESE DRAWERS. We've established I have no ability to remember if I own avocados or not, I'm never going to be able to remember what is where in these drawers without some sort of a list or index.
One of the suggestions you gave the last time I was whining (about this) were to keep one drawer for alphabetized index cards. Someone else said to hang an antique clipboard on the side with everything itemized. I think that would look good actually.
As far as handles go I still don't have a clue, but I think I'll probably get something basically like what I have now only not so ugly. Just a round, worn brass knob that looks authentic. I just realized something and now I feel bad for you. I'm basically just thinking out loud putting zero thought into making this post entertaining for you. In keeping with that poorly executed writing style - I just lifted my head from the computer to the television and thought I saw a young girl with a massive black beard. Turns out she was just holding a doll with black hair in the vicinity of her face.
Back to this cabinet. I need help. Am I missing something? Is there something that I should be putting in those drawers that's painfully obvious that I haven't thought about?? Don't say spices because I don't want to have to open 34 drawers to take a look at all of my spices. I'm a spice browser so I like them all to be in one big drawer for easy eye access.
I realize not knowing what I own is likely to make this difficult for you, but I probably own the same things you do. Scissors, paper, elastic bands, a guinea pig merry-go-round, those sorts of things. I'd want to make the best use of the drawers possible which at this point is making any use of them.
As a last resort I do have one thing I can put away in all of those drawers - all of my hopes and dreams for this hardware cabinet. Just kidding, I still love it, it's beautiful. It's just a bit of an asshead.
Have a good weekend!
Mindy Northrop
Rub n' buff? For the existing knobs I mean.
I own tiny drawers. Twelve of them. I inherited them with the new house.
They're beautiful. And stupid.
They're filled, but not practical.
Think....baking, shredding, zesting, juicing, pot holding, etc.
Paula
First Aid stuff and medicines like Tylenol, Neo Citron, Band Aids, etc. - that should be good for 3 or 4 drawers.
Karen
I keep those in the bathroom. :/ ~ karen!
Paula
Me too, but you could move them. I don't know about you but most of my injuries come from cooking!
Stephanie
Batteries, light bulbs, extension cords
Karen
Yup, yup, yup. ~ karen!
Mary Edmondson
Seed packets.
Mary Edmondson
I would have to use a bank or row of boxes for all things computer related. The cords for my iPads, iPhones. Other connectors for other devices in their own drawers. Zip drives in one. And what about all the “wall warts” you have for various devices. I have gobs of those all in a big drawer, unfortunately none of them labeled with what they belong to. I don’t think you have the kind of desk that stores things like the above mentioned.
Karen
I have an entire antique SUITCASE dedicated to them, lol!! ~ karen
RMC
These brass knobs from quite small to larger would be perfect. What to store in each drawer? I haven’t a clue.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=48507&cat=70806,46742,44005,50467&ap=1
Lin N
I love the piece, however, you’re right about the use of such wee boxes. I have a number of wee glass items that I'd store in them. Small egg cups, soy and other Chinese condiment dishes, shot glasses, etc. Idea 2 - could two or three drawers be put together and opened inside to make long small drawers with a fused front that keeps the integrity of the cabinet. Might be too finickity to do....You'll think of something cool to do with them!
Kin
What do you want hidden away in drawers but still want? That’s small? That’s kitchen-y? Mouse traps. Tea lights. Ribbon? Mini liquor bottles? 😆 Sponges? Lighters? Vitamins? Recipe Cards?
Maybe it could be like a massive junk drawer where you have everything you would have in a junk drawer but in bulk, on hand, always waiting there. You want a rubber band? Viola! Here you are my friend! A billion rubber bands.
That’s what I would do. Each drawer would contain one small thing but a lot of them. Like staples. So what if I have to walk to my kitchen for staples? I have a BILLION of them. You would be the envy of all your friends. I bet crayons would fit too. Maybe each colour can have its own drawer! 😆
I would seriously go to the dollar store buy in bulk useful things in the right sizes and then brag to all my friends about my lovely little in-home store. But I’m just hella cool that way 💁♀️
Karen
You really are. ;) ~ karen!
Shauna
The only kitchen-related things that spring to mind are grains, beans, flours, sugars etc — malleable dry goods that can be stored in plastic bags. What kind of volume in cups is 4x5x5? Any idea what was the cabinet originally designed to hold?
Karen
It was sold to me as a hardware cabinet. There were individual locks on every drawer. It was likely either a hardware cabinet or an apothecary cabinet. I like to keep all of those types of food items in glass jars with lids, otherwise that's exactly what I'd put in it. ~ karen!
M J
How about some drawers for your extra teacups❗️ That way if you have some displayed and when you want to change the look go to your teacup drawers😊 You could make a game of it and place them randomly then watch yourself going crazy looking for that special one❗️🤣 Regardless, your cabinet is priceless ~ so extraordinary❗️
Jaimee Saliba
https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/metal-label-holder-brass-2-1-4?sc=11&category=94
How about a pull and label combined? Bet something similar was on there originally (old filled holes suggest knobs are recent). As to what to put in them, there are 48, which is a lot of any one type of thing. Me, I'd use them as random functional utility drawers (mason jar lids, popsicle sticks, glues, tapes, buttons, bag clips, string, and yes, rubber bands). Maybe you don't have to have it all figured out. Just see what lands in them. You can always change the labels. Good luck. ☺
Karen
Those old filled holes are actually locks. All of the drawers locked! I've looked into replacing the tiny locks but it would be a pain to get into each drawer because I'd need a key for them all, lol. Mason jar lids is a good idea! Although I have enough to fill the entire cabinet with those alone. :/ ~ karen!
Kmarie
My husband suggested an old fashioned recipe box system if your into hand written recipes... on 1/3, kitchen random things like another commentator mentioned for 1/3 and then do you knit? Perhaps coloured knitting supplies or sewing as others suggested or nails and handy stuff as suggested for the other 1/3? For myself I’d use it for an amateur apothecary with the bottles , tools, carrier oils, labels , recipes and essential oils I mix up which would fit nicely in there - it’s a whole movement right now I’m sure you could enjoy aspects of concocting ? Button collections? My grandma had a cabinet like this solely for buttons and thread 🧵 Anyway, I actually also enjoyed the “ non effort” writing style but maybe that’s because I write thinking out loud 😂 My visiting grandmother gave me a magazine to read on gardening and I opened it up and recognized you which was odd as I know you are featured in magazines ect but being introduced to you somehow in my computer blogger world ... and now I’m sounding old and ridiculous so I’ll stop ( see I tend to write boring trains of thought ;)
Karen
I love apothecary stuff, I'm just all out of time for new hobbies and interests. I'm adding recipe cards to the list for sure! ~ karen!
Karen
Make it into a giant Advent calendar. Or turn it into a candy shop. Because that won't be dangerous at all. How about a prank case? Each drawer can have a spring snake that jumps out at you. Put all the cables (the ones you don't know what they go to but you don't want to get rid of) in them. How about a cereal bar? Oatmeal toppings? Obviously I'm hungry while I'm typing this.
Sarah McDonnell
I second that motion! A good prank is always worth the work!
Karen
Obviously, lol. I have an entire antique suitcase DEDICATED to storing old chargers and cables! The weird thing is I dig through it all the time looking for stuff I need. It's rarely in there though. :/ ~ karen!
Heidi
I was thinking a nest with a stuffed mouse in it would be cute.
Karen
That IS a good idea!!! ~ karen
Beth in Seattle
Looks like you’ve got 48 drawers, just the top part. You could get rid of your junk drawers! Here’s what pops into my mind.
Kitchen - cookie cutters, string and poultry lacing stuff, bottle openers, matches
Office - small envelopes, cards, pens, scissors, stamps and ink pads, postage stamps
Repair/Replacement - small jars of screws and nails, glue, twine, hooks, picture-hanging stuff
Art and Craft Supplies - paint in small jars, brushes, pens, fancy paper scissors
Sewing - threads, zippers, pins, needles, gadgets
Other...
CD collection - if a CD will fit...?
Soap collection
Dishrags - the pretty ones for company
Does that help?
Annette
Great ideas! I’d add napkin rings and small kitchen gadgets. I have dozens of measuring spoons that could use their own drawer.
Karen
Cookie cutters for sure! I have those scattered all around the house. They'd probably fill 2-3 drawers, even though I rarely make cookies and even more rarely do I make ones that require cutting out. Still. I like a nice cookie cutter, lol. ~ karen!
Mary Pat
My cookie cutters are separated by holiday or seasons, these could fill a few drawers and make them easier to find!
Julie
produce bags that are filled with beans, cereal... naw... You have 48 junk drawers. I'm trying. way harder than I thought. Oh!! One is for cat toys. :D That's my contribution.
Wendi
I don’t know why, but every time I see your hardware cabinet I think of the old card catalog drawers with the one finger pull. I loved those things! But then, I spent a LOT of time in libraries.
Danni McLaughlin
I was going to suggest these labeled pulls too. I have an ugly fisherman supply version of this and I keep in them alphabetical, well okay mostly alphabetical order. **brads, animal beads, animal beads 2, blinkies, buttons, bobbins, cabinet findings, cords, nails, drink toys, double stick tape, dmc floss, earphones, fittings, flowers, flowers 2, felts, fasteners, gold (literally two bags of gold haha) glass, razors, picture hooks, letters, letters, letters (scrabble), Molly bolts, marbles, needles, paper clips, paddle wire, another Molly bolts, push pins, ribbon, grandma’s jewelry, rhinestones, ribbons, rubber gaskets, cup hooks, snaps, sequins, superglue, Ruth brads, staples, colored staples, elastic, google eyes, tags, Tiny parts, tags, tags, usb sticks, Velcro, wire, window hardware and wood picks.** I have had it forever and it keeps the house tidy and I can always find the weird stuff that I do need when I need it. I guess I need to re-alphabetize it ; ) Karen’s is bigger and nicer than mine, if mine was bigger, I’d also do fabric in that. By color of course!! Lucky you!!
Cr
That was my thought as well. Solves two problems - replaces the knobs and gives you labels.
I had a cheap knockoff version of a hardware cabinet and I kept all my small kitchen stuff it - ravioli and biscuit cutters; cake & cookie decorations; extracts and shrubs; bag clips; bottle openers and wine stoppers; mini cheesecake pans; etc. It was great to organize all that miscellaneous stuff without needing weird sectional organizers that eat up drawer space.
Karen
I love them too! But I think all those pulls and knobs would detract from the hardware cabinet a bit. Although obviously they're the perfect solution! ~ karen
Kate
You wouldn't need the knob, too, that's at the bottom of each drawer in Wendi's photo. In old card catalogs, that knob was for a long rod that threaded through a hole in all the cards in the card catalog--I suppose to keep the cards from falling out or being removed by users of the card catalog. You'd only need the finger pull.
Jan Francisco
I would fill them with all my colors of fabric. Fabric folds down nicely, and I can never figure out how to organize it all.
Might just be worth taking up sewing since you have the perfect storage system for it ;)
Pam Stanier
I thought fabric as well. Perhaps you should take up patchwork and quilting and you can store fat quarters of fabric in your drawers. (Fat quarters are 1/2 yard of 40" fabric, cut in half, so just over 1/4 square yard). Any Quilter will own hundreds of these! I do, in a chest of drawers, on shelves, in boxes......
Karen
I do sew but I hate it! K, maybe I don't hate it but it's not my favourite thing. Mainly I don't like that I have to store my sewing machine in a cupboard because I don't have a sewing room. I wonder if my Bernina would fit in one of the drawers? ~ karen!
Lesley
Anything I can think of that you could put in the wee drawers is stuff you'd use elsewhere i.e. in an office, or a basement or a workshop. Really, if they're going to contain anything at all, they should contain kitchen things, but I can't imagine what that would be. I can't see keeping dry goods in 'em, or folding all your tea towels and dish cloths into 4 3/4 X 5 1/4 inch stacks.
In my house I could fill maybe four with short candles and tea lights. Knotted plastic bags, green bin liners, garbage bags, zip-lock bags sans box? M&Ms? Do they have to contain anything at all? The piece is gorgeous just as it is.
Tina
I agree! Someone said screws and nuts and whatnot but I thought no, those would be needed in the basement or garage, you probably don’t do a lot of building in the kitchen.
I thought it would be great for rubber bands and paper clips (big, small, and animal shapes) and binder clips and staples and staple-puller-outters and extra tape and so many more things. But then I realized I keep those in my den and if I had to run to the kitchen every time I needed one, I’d tear my hair out and my hair is really the prettiest part of me.
And ditto for putting all my sewing and quilting stuff in...it needs to be in my sewing room (which is really part of my den but because the room is L shaped, I can call it 2 different things. But really the room is T shaped but one bar of the T has been made into a really big closet with shelves that hold boxes of everything that needs to be someplace.
Oh my. I’m tired. I’m sorry.
Lori Hope
The quilting stuff is exactly what *I* thought--I'd use it for those little scraps, and all of the smaller tools and doohickeys we use...but it would have to be in sewing room...
I think it would make a lovely advent calendar at Christmas time. ;)
Tina
What a great idea!
Karen
That wasn't helpful at ALL. LOL!! ~ karen
Tina
I don't even remember writing it, I was tired!
Karen
Plastic bags! That's a great idea! It's going on the list. I like to have plastic bags around for kitty litter or the odd time when someone leaves here with a bag of food or vegetables or whatever. ~ karen!
Patty
What bout rolling tea towls and dish cloths rather then stacking them?
Or what would happen if you made the drawers wider... keep the fronts looking like 3 tiny drawers but when you slide them open its actually the width of 3 drawers.
Lesley
I like THIS idea! The piece would still be gorgeous but way more practical.
Barb
Excellent idea! Maybe on the lower row of drawers so it wouldn't be too obvious.
Amanda Materi
PATTY is a damn genius
Cheverly
I can't get on board with this one. No matter how well it's done you'll still be able to tell and I like the idea of keeping the piece authentic (yes, I know it's been shortened but that was to keep from permanently blocking off a door so it gets a pass).
Susan
Nails and screws, nuts and bolts. You don't have to use them or remember where you put them as you can get more from Pink Toolbelt.
Karen
Ha! ~ karen
RMC
These brass knobs come in very small sizes. Perfect for this piece. What to store in the drawers? No clue.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=48507&cat=70806,46742,44005,50467&ap=1
Karen
Love those Lee Valley knobs, I have a few of them. In fact ... I could probably store them in one of my drawers, lol. ~ karen!