Molly McDonald Brooks

Starting point: cedar cabinet with solid doors and shelves.

Ideation process of the transformation. Although small, this piece appeared heavy with it's solid doors, shelves, and partially concealed upper shelf. The final design would have glass panel doors, glass shelves, "T" bars at top to hang glasses, as well as a light to shine through all the new glass components. My plan consisted of re-using the wood from the shelves to create the "T" bars, cutting an opening in the doors for glass panels to recess, and to route a soft clean edge on the front of the doors. I also wanted to give it height, so I designed and built a bottle lattice out of scrap plywood (no cost) for the original cabinet to be mounted upon. I drilled holes up and down the interior walls of the cabinet so the glass shelves could be adjusted as needed. Finally, I primed, painted, added a light and some hardware along with the glass doors and shelves to bring it all together. Final piece looked exactly how I had envisioned.

I completed each step of the fabrication with precise craftsmanship. Here I am routing out the opening for the glass door panels.

"T" bar made out of wood from the shelves removed from original cabinet would later be attached to the top of the cabinet, allowing for glasses to be hung from the base, maximizing cabinet space.

Lattice fabrication.

Lattice fabrication with cross shelves installed.

Final components being finalized before final assembly.

Completed cabinet. All under the $50 limitation.