Card Catalog Coffee Table

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For those of you who love antiques/old things, there is that one thing you've always wanted.  For me, it was a card catalog and I wanted to make it into a coffee table.  I've been actively looking for a few years now and I've had no luck.  Either I just can't find one, or when I do, it's REALLY expensive.  My theory is:  "If you can't get it for a good price, it's not worth getting".  

 A few weeks ago, we had lunch with some friends.  In the course of the conversation, I mentioned that I was looking for a card catalog. My friend looked at me and said, "I have one in the garage, you can have it."  I nearly fell over!  When I saw it, I couldn't believe the shape it was in - take a look:
Pretty sweet, huh?

I have to admit, the top was dirtier than this picture shows.  My husband had already started cleaning it with some rubbing compound by the time I took these photos.  The little square thing on the top was where a pen had been attached.  It came right off!   I decided to put casters on the botttom and my wonderful husband volunteered to attach them for me.


The only thing left was cleaning the drawers.  They were pretty dirty, so I used Murphy's Oil Soap and some fine steel wool.
Before & After

It now sits in our living room:

If you look carefully, you can see where the pen was attached.  I think it adds character.


I am one happy gal!  I found that one thing I'd been looking for and I couldn't ask for a better price. 
Now what do I want next........??



Linking to:
Make It Pretty Monday
Merry Monday
Amaze Me Monday
Something To Talk About
Table It
That DIY Party
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow Me Wednesday
Oh My Heartsie Girl
Before & After Wednesday
Creative Spark



   

Comments

  1. PamJune 29, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    Oh wow...I love that. http://pam-lifethroughmyeyes.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 29, 2015 at 11:03 PM

      Thank you, Pam. So glad you stopped by - be sure to visit again!

      Delete
  2. Christine @ Rustic-RefinedJune 29, 2015 at 3:07 PM

    Thats perfect! Now you have tons of storage too. Just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 29, 2015 at 11:03 PM

      The storage is a real bonus. Thank you, Christine!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJune 29, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    LOOOOVE! I've been looking for one for years too and haven't come across one yet #MerryMondays

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 29, 2015 at 11:04 PM

      I hope you find one soon, Jessie. Thanks for visiting the Cottage!

      Delete
  4. The Fabulous JourneyJune 30, 2015 at 10:20 PM

    That makes such a cool furniture piece and conversation piece. I have a card catalogue in my kitchen. So nice to do #OMHGWW with you!!

    Shellie

    www.thefabjourney.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 2, 2015 at 7:46 AM

      Thank you, Shellie! I hope you'll visit again soon!

      Delete
  5. UnknownJuly 1, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    It looks great! My favorite antique pieces are utilitarian pieces. I love the way you used it as a coffee table. Visiting from Quite Simply - quitesimply-sgjeffries.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 2, 2015 at 7:47 AM

      Thank you, Susan. I've wanted one for a long time - and i knew I wanted to make it a coffee table!

      Delete
  6. Karren HallerJuly 6, 2015 at 9:20 AM

    Ann you did it again, it turned out great, I love the addition of the castors I see this done on lots of projects.

    Thanks for sharing on WW this past week!!
    Hope to see you again!!
    Have a great week!
    Karren

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kathryn Ferguson GriffinJuly 7, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    Ann, it's amazing! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at The Round-Up from the Before & After Wednesday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/07/the-round-up-from-before-after-wednesday.html Hope to see you again at the B&A bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kathryn Ferguson GriffinJuly 11, 2015 at 11:59 PM

    The Weekly Feature Series is live which you are one of the features. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/07/weekly-feature-series_10.html Have a wonderful Sunday! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnnJuly 13, 2015 at 5:58 PM

    Thank you, Kathryn - always a pleasure!

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownSeptember 7, 2015 at 5:59 AM

    Which makes this kind of trendy piece of furniture in addition to discussion portion. We've a minute card brochure within my Dwring room.thanks for the post. woodworkingbuddy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tom BradlyFebruary 14, 2017 at 4:10 AM

    This definitely brings me back to old school vibe when I had to go to the library to borrow books! Ah, those were the days when people don't mind doing a lot of things manually. And you didn't have to use miter saw to work on it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnFebruary 14, 2017 at 10:45 AM

      Thanks, Tom. This was the easiest up-cycle project ever!

      Delete
  12. AlvinFebruary 5, 2019 at 5:20 AM

    I like your theory ! Your pen, searching for some satisfaction by telling the true story. Love it.

    ReplyDelete

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