I love high end decor, don’t you?
Too bad I’m too cheap frugal to pay the high prices.
I have four kids and with that comes a lot of expenses that usually suck our funds right out of the budget leaving little for home decor. Hence the reason I love anything and everything Knockoff. With a little bit of creativity you can just about imitate anything.
That’s why I love this series and this group of girls really challenge me to really push my DIY and decor boundaries.
Lately I have been obsessing over the card catalogs that I have seen everywhere but have you seen how much they cost? Wow! I don’t think so!
So with this month’s blogger Knockoff Tour in full swing I challenged myself to make my own.
I headed to my favorite thrift store and found this guy for $30.00.
I think it will work!
I studied up on a few other blogger tutorials because this genius idea has been executed before. Only I had to tweak a few things to make my version work.
I have so many pictures of the process that I think I will prepare another tutorial post in the future so stay tuned. But until then – here is a very brief idea of how I did it…
I measured the original cabinet and mocked up a drawing of the card catalog. I cut up 42 equal sized paper sheets and laid them out over the cabinet just to get a visual. It may seem like a waste of time but it was extremely helpful to see how it all fit together without cutting and ruining wood pieces. I then cut and stained the wood pieces and glued them to the front of the cabinet doors.
Here is my visual inspiration found over at Dishfunctional Designs. My heart beats super fast whenever I see this picture!
I love love love it and had to try my hardest to replicate it!
And for about $60 here’s mine…
Annie Sloan Old White
Minwax English Chestnut Stain
Minwax satin Polyurethane
(Please note that Poly over Old White tends to yellow/age the paint but in this case that’s what I intended.)
I wanted it to be a bit worn looking and didn’t even measure to attach the hardware. I’m hoping it looks like we have had it for ages, imperfections and all.
Man it was hard to photograph this piece, the pics just do not do it justice!
It’s beautiful!
It’s located in our front entry so it serves double duty with a little secret.
We store castoff shoes and backpacks in there.
Well there you have it!
I have a feeling I am going to hold on to this piece for quite awhile.
How did I do?
Now let’s see what my other blogger friends have been up to, they always seem to amaze me!
Tami,
That is a great piece and I love how your create the front. Awesome piece.
You are so smart!!! Love everything about it. looks gorgeous on your entrance!
You nailed it! It really looks like the real deal and is even more functional since it is a cabinet and not a million tiny drawers.
Sweet knockoff, loving it. What a great project!
That is amazing Tami!! LOVE It!
FABULOUS! I love it. I need to make one of these – such a great knock-off! Thank you for the inspiration and beautiful project!
Tami, this is fabulous! I've been wanting to do something similar for awhile… I need to find the perfect piece, and I hope it turns out as awesome as yours! Love <3
I'm so in love with this! You did an amazing job!
Wow, you did an amazing job to make it look old…it's awesome, Tami!
I think you may just be a genius! Great job!!!!
BLOWN……….AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMAZING>………………..
SPEECHLESS………….
ohhmmmgeee!!! Wow, you have won the prize!! That is the best knock off I have ever seen….ever.
Ball outta the park for sure!!
Awesome job!!! Love it!
Nancy
This is amazing!! Big time knockoff! Great job.
AWESOME knock-off!! You rocked it!
Crazy Good! That blows me away Tami. From the before to the Awesome After! Wow! You seriously Rocked your KnockOff!
Freaking amazing! That's how you did, my friend!! I totally thought you created a ton of tiny drawers lol. It looks like the real deal!! Pinning and sharing. Big virtual high five! XO XO
I love this! I've wondered what happened to the card catalogs at school. I'll bet they got thrown away. 🙁 Your DIY version looks like the real thing and it offers practical storage instead of small drawers that really wouldn't be very usable. You did a fabulous job on this knockoff!
This is absolutely amazing. WOW!!! I love it.
I LOVE it! Note to self: MUST copy!!
Tami, This looks fantastic. My mom was a librarian for 30+ years and I'm always telling myself I'm gonna find her a card catalog someday. Maybe I can just make one? Great job!!!
Excellent job! I can't believe it's the same cabinet when I look at the before and after pictures!!
Genius! I didn´t realize the card drawers were fake.
Holy cow this is amazing! Tami you outdid yourself on this!! Absolutely in awe!
Holy cow this is amazing! Tami you outdid yourself on this!! Absolutely in awe!
I wish you could see my face….mouth wide open…a little drool. This is freaking stunning!!! I've been wanting a card catalog for years…now you've inspired me to make my own! ~Christy
Wow! You rocked it! Tami this is amazing..stunning and crazy creative! LOVE!
You have GOT to be kidding me. Now I want to put faux card catalog drawers on everything! This is outstanding! My readers are going to love your work!
It really looks as if there are many drawers! I love it!! It's actually more useful this way!
This is incredible! I love what you envisioned. It turned out great.
Well Tami, I am back once again, and this time, your amazing project is getting a feature on Party Junk this weekend! LOVE this!
Thank you for inspiring me, I love what you did, looks great and vintage. I saw one in a thrift store, larger but they wanted $1,200. Yes in a thrift store! You do have great storage, and a great piece.
wow! that looks amazing! i love the look of card catalogs but your diy version has much smarter storage on the inside!
This is stunning, I think you've just given me an idea for my next project!
MacGIRLver
Love this! Here from Better After! I'd love a little more in-depth tutorial if you get around to it. Youre probably already working on something new! Seriously, I'm so inspired by this!
I too love card catalogs, but not the price…yikes! This piece is amazing!! Love it. Pinning! I'd love it if you would share this at "What We Accomplished Wednesday," at Green Willow Pond. It is live right now. Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Deborah
Amazing! I love it! I am definitely going to have to attempt this 🙂
You're really trying to tell me that you bought 42 pieces of hardware, paint, poly, etc. for $30?? The hardware alone would cost more than that!
How did you manage to put the drawer faces on around the hinges? I'm having an issue with the hinges sticking out too far and the drawer faces can't be flush with the rest. Hope this makes sense. Was thinking to maybe get kitchen cabinet hinges that go on the inside. Any suggestions?
GENIUS! Worth. Repeating. GENIUS!!! Your process of cutting the paper pattern squares was an amazing idea, most likely because you are a woman. 🙂 Well, o.k, maybe a man would have thought of it too. Very clever and fun results.Keep up the fab ideas!
I would like to subscribe to you blog post. I love your work!!
yes absolutely, we’ll include you to newsletter. Thanks
Amazing! I love love love this! Pinned to my Working with Wood board. I’ll be on the lookout for a cabinet to flip like this.
thank you for pinning it.