Vintage Medicine Cabinet Mirrored Side Tables

 by Little Mom on the Prairie
FeaturedContest Winner
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We found a perfect matched pair of vintage medicine cabinets in our basement while doing our first big spring clean. They have used razor slots in the back, and a delicate etching on the mirror front. I was amazed at the condition they were in (near perfect!) and immediately the vision of matching mirrored side tables popped into my head. I ended up exchanging my paint color 3 times before I was finally happy with this springy sunny yellow. It is a nice vintage type shade, and it looks better than I hoped it would!

Materials Used:
2 matching vintage mirrors from 1949
Wood Glue
1" trim head screws
1 3/4" wood screws
11 cans 'Sun Yellow' Rustolium Spray Paint
Spray Paint Application nozzle (highly recommended)
Fine grit and super fine grit sanding blocks
Paint & rust removal attachment, for power drill
18v power drill
3inch x 1inch x 8ft length of furniture grade cedar
8 table legs, stock from hardware store
6 cans clear water based spray sealant
protective gloves, eye wear and respirator mask, on hand from past projects


These are the cutest side tables I have ever laid eyes on! They are far more stunning than I had imagined in my head, and I can't decide what to do with them! Should they go in my living room as end tables? They would look adorable in my daughter's room as bedside tables. Or on the sun porch, with succulents and such scattered on top? Right now I have one in my daughter's room, and one in the front hall.
I am in love with these tables, they need to be properly displayed!
Help me decide!
 
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Step 1: Paint Removal

By far one of the most tedious parts of the job, because the vibrations from the drill against the metal wore my arms out. :) 
We took turns stripping the paint off the cabinets, revealing the bare metal underneath. A fine grit sanding block was used on the inside of the cabinet (that's right, hand sanding!) and to remove stubborn rust spots. I could have gotten away with only sanding it to rough up the surface so the paint would stick, but I wanted the paint to be a nice even layer, no bumps. I wanted the finished piece to look as if it had always been a table. Sort of.

We attached a Paint & Rust Remover pad to my power drill, effectively turning it into a metal stripper. It is basically a steel wool pad with a protective coating on it. Took the paint right off with a little work. They should be available in almost any hardware store.
cconnor1 says: Jun 2, 2011. 8:40 PM
wow!!!
bendingit says: May 27, 2011. 7:05 AM
Congratulations on 2nd prize!
mhennessey says: May 17, 2011. 5:26 AM
WoW!
Little Mom on the Prairie (author) says: May 16, 2011. 6:10 PM
Thanks! We never have enough places to stash things in our house, so I LOVE having hidden storage tucked away.
flyingpuppy says: May 16, 2011. 7:31 AM
CLE-VER! I love that it has storage!
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