I've always felt that traditional kitchen design and decor is far too limiting. I loathe built-ins and bristle at steel sufaces. In my barn conversion project I outfitted my kitchen with a 'moveable feast' of storage and work surfaces — my shelving units are on casters and my island is on casters. And of course, the fridge rolls. I like to be able to reconfigure the layout and the furnishings as my moods and needs change. In that same spirit of breaking with tradition I decoupaged my refrigerator with plywood patterned paper.

 

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Fridge before. I will be putting the skirt seen in this photo back on the sink cabinet. I made one for the island also, both made from actual skirts.

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This particular fridge purchased on Craig's List for $30, although brand new, was missing its handles. I drilled holes and attached leather straps for handles, using a vintage policeman's belt with a handsome tooling pattern on it. I had enough to also make a handle for the drawer on my island.

 

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The island was a work bench in the barn. It had a barrel lock on the drawer that I didn't need so I removed it and cut a piece of wine cork (just happened to be the perfect diameter) with a hacksaw and glued it into the hole.

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The belt handle, attached with vintage brass screws and nuts:

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[Note to self: shape ends of fridge straps the same as these]

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If you like "portable" furniture, you might like to see the record cabinet on wheels that I made HERE.

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One response to “My Plywood Fridge”

  1. Ivan Avatar

    Job well done, the fridge looks brilliant!
    I wish I had the time to complete similar projects at home.

    Like

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