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!
judy
A memory cabinet of an author,an artist,a creator,a comedian. Thoughts,writings, copies of your most treasured posts-pictures of the day. Spring flowers,Winter snow. It will be a priceless treasure to whomever you leave it to and in your senior years you can reminisce about how many people loved hearing from you,how many you might have brought from tears to laughter. How many you inspired to action to do...gardening,cooking,Christmas wrappings-etc etc etc. Thanks from me.
Karen
That's a lovely thought. But I'm not sure I'd be comfortable creating a shrine to myself just yet. Not when I still need quick access to things like batteries and cookie cutters. ;) ~ karen!
Jean
“Future time is way more abundant than real time.”
That needs to be embroidered on my pillowcase, tattooed on my head, put in skywriting. Nothing has ever been more true. To prevent procrastination I promise you I will say this to myself 20 times a day for the rest of my life.
Starting tomorrow.
Karen
Ha! ~ karen!
Bonnie Harris
Just a few thoughts. If mine, I'd fill them easily with little stuff I have no other place for, like Mom's jewellery, back-up lipsticks, sewing supplies, some nails, some screws, some elastic bands, some hair clips -- whatever is cluttering up my house now. It's a great opportunity to de-clutter. Then I'd try to sort of section it so it's a little easier to know where to head for when looking for something. That old clipboard with a list is going to work really well. You will love this beauty even more once you really start using it.
Nicole
I was trying to think of what small-ish things I'm always reaching for in the kitchen.
* measuring spoons
* bottle opener
* clips for chip bags
* timers
* thermometers of various ilk (candy thermometer, instant read, digital with an alarm)
* catnip
* sharpies (for writing on plastic bags before freezing)
* anything that came free with a set of steak knives (But wait! There's more!)
* lint roller
actually... these would probably be the perfect size for most of my tupperware-esque lids. And they seem to multiply whenever I look away, so they'd soon take up the entire cabinet.
I had a desk with card catalog type drawers for a while and had this exact problem.
Karen
The Tupperware lids is a great idea, but I have large glass containers and I have a hunch those lids won't fit. :/ ~ karen!
Amy
I have a similar piece although it is not as big. I keep batteries in drawers (sorted by size), ribbon rolls, tea lights, holiday craft supplies, glue gun and sticks, and lightbulbs. I have a chart of what’s where in one drawer so I can check if I forget. I disagree about keeping seeds in yours - if you plant every day, sure that’s inconvenient. But if you plant one a year, put them in a high drawer and pull them out when you need them.
Karen
I'm not sure you've seen the amount of seeds I plant and grow, lol. One drawer? No, no, no. When you plant all your own stuff it isn't one day. It's something that goes on for months from February to May because certain things need to be planted earlier than others. You really need access to all your seeds in the area you're doing all your planting. ~ karen!
Mark Harrison
I file my seeds by month.
So I have a drawer for Jan, a drawer for Feb, and son on... Round till May.
Then when it's planting time out comes the drawer appointed...
Karen
That's a good idea. ~ karen!
Marilyn Meagher
I could fill that whole cabinet with my jewelry..
Karen
HAHAHA! It would make a GREAT jewellery case. ~ karen!
Talula
This is the most perfect jewelry storage chest. You could use as many vertical rows for the types of jewelry, Let’s say two rows for extremely dressy special occasion things. Three or more rows for less dressy, but not state occasions. Several rows for daily favorites. Then you can some room for different types of bracelets and rings. Don’t forget to save all the little packets of dessicants that come with prescriptions, new shoes and purses, etc., etc. I must have hundreds, and mostly throw them in with my sterling table ware, and my sterling jewelry. I live in Florida, and haven’t had to polish my silver in the 15 yrs. we’ve been down here. They soak up all the humidity. Remember, the last thing you put on before you leave the house is your jewelry (and fresh lipstick). Save a drawer for lipstick and a small mirror. More than enough said.
Christina
I would probably store my craft supplies in it, mostly yarn and fabric. Since that is not your jam, I say just keep it empty and let people wonder what you have in there. It’s a beautiful piece.
Sarah
A couple of drawers for meds....Tylenol, vitamins, etc. You’ll need a glass of water, and you’re already in the kitchen.
Bandaids. These should only be in the kitchen, because, let’s face it, if you’re going to cut yourself, it will be there, OR in the yard. This will free up some space in your bathroom.
On that note....nail polish and files. I bet you never do that in the bathroom anyway!
I’m certain you’ve already thought of small clutter....toothpicks, cookie cutters, rubber bands, sharpies, plant markers, etc
Karen
You're right I never thought of keeping my nail polish and LED light in there. I wonder if it would fit! And the kitchen counter is exactly where I do my nails! ~ karen
Lisa Eubanks
I need your setup for all of my smell-good things… Wax melts, votive candles and tealights, incense and little incense burners, etc. Leave a different drawer cracked open every day and your kitchen would smell fantastic and different all of the time! I also like lots of the ideas above… You are definitely going to need labels or an index !! ( The struggle is real ) 😬
Maria
You may need to make customized dividers for the drawers to make them more usable. Find bottles that fit in the drawers and have two bottles to a drawer or something.
Or combine drawers to make them bigger. Cut out the dividing wall and combine two or more drawers to make one larger drawer with a false front on it so that it looks like it is the same as all the rest. If you tore out the floors of your house, you could do this. You wouldn't want to do them all but some would be very good.
Der Karhu
Nice idea...If one cut the drawer sides out, and the vertical dividers, the vertical dividers could be attached to a 'bridge' between the drawer fronts, so that the combined drawers would still look like the originals, but could be 2x or 3x as wide as the individual drawers.
Bruce C.
I agree with you two. I would combine sets of 4 drawers and the cabinet front to make a door by using a piano hinge. Cut out the petition and you have a nice space for larger items.
Karen
It can be done but it's more finicky than it looks to turn 2 drawers invisibly into one and also maintain the integrity of the structure. The bottom drawers are about that size and even those are too small for a lot of things like kitchen utensils. :/ ~ karen!
Lili
Have been a follower for long enough to know I admire your style and remember a post about rug hooking. Could you use your cabinet as a “worm bin” to sort and store your wool colors? Also tea accoutrements for hosting a get together, or a collection of jewelry...earrings, brooches, tiaras! A stash of wrapped chocolates and my fav tea bag obsessions would do it for me. Here are some pretty French knobs that you could easily duplicate using a graphics transfer method. I know you will come me up with something fabulous, whatever you decide though!
Karen
I love the knobs! But they feel more french than my cabinet does. :) I never even thought of tea though! That'll go on the list. I don't really drink tea and it's always shoved at the back of a cupboard so if someone comes over and wants one it's an ordeal to get the tea. ~ karen!
Dane
Junk drawers, with handwritten notes to your future self. Or just random idea drawers.
Lez
Karen, this is quite uncanny, as just yesterday I came across an article about one of South Africa's oldest & most beautiful wine farms.
There was a photo of a shop there called The Factory, where there is a stunning old Apothecary drawer cabinet! An amazing room too!
I thought of you immediately!
I wonder whether you would like to put some growing herbs in some open drawers as they have? They look GORGEOUS! Please have a look! Just scroll down to the photo in the article.
https://franschhoek.org.za/the-factory-at-babylonstoren/
Karen
I don't think the growing herbs would last long but I **LOVE** that!! Cant' wait to try it! ~ karen
Lez
Glad you like it, I thought you would! If they are in pots they should last like any herb in your kitchen. Maybe even just a few high up drawers, so you do't bump into them! You'd have the most unique cabinet in Canada! ;)
Bambi Mayer
Toothpicks, floss, other toothpicky stuff since it is the kitchen where food most likely to get caught in teeth. Cake/cookie frosting tips and related supplies such as food coloring. Liquid spices because they are more likely to go with baking recipies. Matches, tea lights, votives. Keys and related stuff. Playing cards. Packets of sweetners, tea bags. Office supplies. Chip Clips. Post-Its. Glue in various forms. Batteries. Small flashlights. Small lotions/creams for hands (or feet if you do pedi's in your kitchen). Fairy lights and remotes. Hand sanitizers and other little things that you carry in your purse. Glasses cleaners.
Well, I just made a mental inventory of my house so now y'all know some of my treasures. Need to change the gate code! Oh, a Derringers and ammo to shoot the bad guys trying to steal your tiny little treasures.
Karen
I do have a TON of those copper wire mini lights ... ~ karen!
TucsonPatty
I wanted, and still want, actually, a card catalog. I also have no idea what I would keep in this magical piece of furniture. I just love the way they look. I grew up with them and I just think they look cool. Somewhere in Pinterest land they suggested storing bottles of wine in the card catalog drawers. I don’t drink so that won’t work. I was about to suggest that for you and then I remembered that you do not have a card catalog. I think storing dry goods in the drawers - flour, sugar, oats etc. etc. is just inviting ants to come invade your kitchen. My family is sharing ant killing recipes in a email chain right now. (Vinegar inside the house, powdered sugar and Borax, or baby powder and cornstarch outside. FYI)
I have little diddley stuff in my junk drawer that you could sort into your many drawers, also. Batteries - a drawer for D, a drawer for C, a drawer for AA, a drawer for AAA. (Are there size B?) Okay - 4/5 drawers down, 30 drawers to go. Twist ties, tiny flashlights, extra night light bulbs, extra regular light bulbs, one or two drawers for recipe cards? Bad sizing, but I always use a papercutter to cut stuff down to size. Keep a few open for Halloween candy emergencies. Extras of those do-hickys to turn a three-prong plug unto a two-prong one. (You have an old house - you must need those for every single outlet.) Small extension cords. Emergency Chapstick supply. Post-it notes and pens and pencils. A mending kit for a torn apron string. Another flashlight drawer because you cannot have too many! Small tool kit with nails and hammer and pliers for kitchen emergencies. (I must not like to walk very far to get anything at my house, and have emergencies quite often!) I believe there are some things you need need in every single room of the house! Scissors are just one case in point. Why keep traipsing back to one room for the stapler or the scissors when they could be right on hand? Thumb tacks/push pins. Extras of your sponge/green scrubbies from the Costco pack. Two small cans of mandarin oranges or tomato paste. Extra Tic Tacs. Bags of marshmallows - one regular, one miniature, and even one bag of giant ones.
WOW! If you spread these out, you can fill all the drawers!!! I think I forgot a drawer for chocolate. I still love the cabinet, even if it is an asshat!
Good luck, Karen.
Karen
Those mini flashlights is a good idea! I was hoping my stapler would fit in it butttttttt nope. It does not. ~ karen!
Luanne
And speaking of the young girl with the massive black beard, please enjoy the following:
3 drawers for receipts. Business, home, and warranty.
And one for musical items. Tuning fork, kazoo, castonettes, electronic tuner.
Those are some drawers I need.
Eileen
o ...m .....g. That transformation is hysterical! I about spit my coffee....
Thanks for that link.
Karen
LOL. Well ... I do have a harmonica and a guitar. If I cut the guitar into little pieces it could work. ~ karen!
Grammy
But you could easily store the harmonica and guitar PICKS in a drawer.
Also lens cleaner and the little cloth squares used with it.
And all the things everyone else has suggested.
Danni McLaughlin
I do have some kitchen ones too. They contain cocktail picks, cupcake stuff, cutters, food coloring, tips and decorating and sprinkles. I’m a fun person to know!
Karen
LOL. Apparently you're very fun. I feel like I could fill 10 or so drawers easily. But increasing it to the amount I have has me frozen. ~ karen!
Tina
WOW! <3
Marjorie Kramer
I just threw out a whole box of 3" floppy discs. But if you still have any kicking around, they'd fit in the drawers. Back up files?
Mary Edmondson
My post did not appear so I’m trying again.
Seed packets
Device cords
Flash drives
Wall warts labeled with what device they belong to - mine are not, unfortunately
Bulbs that have to be dug up in winter
Spare light bulbs if you have a supply
Extension cords
Desiccant packets if you save them from medicine bottles and such. I have gobs of them.
Balls of jute and other strings
Photographs
Maybe some small special Christmas ornaments
Different columns devoted to different related items in lieu of labels
Old CDs or tape cassettes you can’t throw away
Etc etc - I could probably think up some more
Bev out west
4 x 5 inch Christmas decorations? easter eggs? Not "those" Easter eggs, the surprises like are/were hidden in movie dvd-s
It could be an art piece. Have one drawer open a bit with an object, useful or decorative, poking out. Change which drawer to leave open. Or two.