DIY Network

Sophisticated Swicks / Built-in Corner Cabinet Makeover From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-212

Like many couples, Tara and Donovan Swick struggle with mismatched styles. Donovan, formerly a social worker, went into interior design and furniture sales and found he had a knack for retro style. Tara prefers traditional with a few contemporary touches.

The two love to entertain, but are embarrassed to entertain friends and family in the dining room. Tara loves showing off her china, but the 100-year-old china cabinet isn't flattering or safe to her fragile pieces. The two, who are busy restoring their old Victorian home, would like to see the china cabinet, old pulley window and outdated ceiling fan give way to a more elegant style.

The DIY to the Rescue crew will arrive on the scene to restore the china cabinet, add new wainscoting and paint and install a glass block window. In the end, the crew will blend the contemporary with classic and create a room the Swicks' guests won't want to leave!

Before: the Swicks' kitchen is in need of a fresh style.

Tara has a vision that doesn't include this old pulley-style window.

Built-In China Cabinet Makeover

After taking a look at the cabinet, host Amy Devers and homeowner Donovan get started on a custom make-over. Because built-in cabinets in older homes may be different and have different needs, it's important to keep in mind that project steps will vary.

Materials:

Pry bar
Hammer
Screwdrivers: Phillips-head and flat-head
Measuring tape
Level
Wooden shims
Drill with drill bits
2" x 4" board
Hole saw
Decorative Molding
Finish Nails
Safety Goggles
New cabinets
1 gallon trim paint
1 gallon wall paint
New cabinet hardware
3/4" golden birch plywood (to create new surface inside cabinet)
Table saw
Pneumatic nailer

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	Figure A
	Figure B

1. Remove all items from the cabinet, then remove braces, shelves and cleats (figure A) inside cabinet. Finally, remove cabinet doors and all hardware. Remove any debris inside the cabinet.

2. Begin re-facing and rebuilding the cabinet. Measure and cut plywood to create new "skin" for inside of cabinet. Nail plywood into place.

3. Add new ledgers to support shelves, then measure and cut boards for new shelves. Nail into place.

4. Next, create a new door. Measure length and transfer measurement to new piece of 3/4" golden birch plywood (or wood of your choice). Cut plywood to size using table saw.

5. Add decorative molding to outside of doors (figure B). Use a pneumatic nailer to secure (figure B). Reuse glass from old doors or purchase new to add to doors, if desired.

6. Attach hinges to the back of the new door, 2 inches from the top and bottom. Use three hinges if the door is taller than 30 inches.

7. Use masking tape to mark a reference line on the top face frame rail. This will help keep the top of the doors all lined up.

8. Position the door over the opening, aligning the top edge with the tape reference line. Mark one hinge location on the face frame with masking tape.

   Open up the hinges and position the door against the edger of the face frame so the hinges are aligned with the tape marking the hinge location. Drill pilot holes in the face frame and anchor the hinges to the face frame with the mounting screws, then remove masking tape.

9. Attach all door handles and knobs, then sand entire piece. Prime and paint as desired.