Here is a Hoosier cabinet that I have spent many, many hours on (probably over 100 hrs) This was in my grandparents wet basement for several decades. I estimate it was built in the 1920's. The lower cabinet section was almost comletely rotted. I made new sides, bottom, back, and panels for the top frame and new legs. After hours of stripping paint and rebuilding, it was painted with antique white furniture paint. The porcelain top had to be patched and was painted with acrylic / epoxy bathtub paint. The coffee, tea, salt, and spice jars are in excellent condition. These cabinets were very prevalent from about 1900 - 1930's. They were marketed as the step savers for the kitchen since all you needed for food prep was in this one cabinet. Flour and suger bins, spice carousel, coffee, tea, and salt containers, bread drawer, cutting board, lots of storage. The porcelain top also slides out an extra foot for more workspace.
Viewer Comments:
Nice work man. You're a patient man. Very nice.
Well done! I also recently restored a Hoosier Cabinet similar to one you featured. The scraping of the old paint layers really tested my patience.
I bought the same cabinet recently at an auction. On the side where the top two drawers are there is a strip of wood that sits on two small springs. Can you tell me what they are for?
noma, the wood strips on springs support the underside of the table top and also spring down when you want to remove the top from the cabinet.
I have salvaged a bottom cabinet from my in-laws shed....in VERY bad condition. I would like to have a top cabinet too. Any tips to find a top?
Christine, I have seen some cabinets in antique shops but you may have to look on craigslist or classifieds or ask around about whats in your neighbors attic or basement to find one. Or watch estate auctions.
I love the piece. I am purchasing one tomorrow that I found at an antique shop and it looks exactly the same as yours. It's in decent shape, but didn't know the best way to strip and paint the sliding doors without them sticking or getting messed up. Any help would be great. Thank you!
Chris,
Thanks for the comments. My sliding door slates needed to be take off the material they were glued to and stripped, painted, then re-glued to some new material. I used white duck cloth strips to replace the old stuff since it's very durable and strong. I laid out the duck cloth strips and spread contact cement on them and the areas to be glued on the slats, and then positioned them on the cloth. It's tedious but works.
Thanks. I picked it up today. I have a lot of work ahead of me. All the hardware seems to be original, but on the top part of the cabinet they painted the hinges. Argh! Mine is a little different than yours? Yours seems to have two drawers under the table. Mine does not, there is just a slot on the left for the cutting board, which I have. Of course I don't have any of the glass spice holders yet, or flour/sugar tins? Did yours have them, or do you know of any good spots/websites/dealers, where I might be able to track them down. Thanks again. I appreciate it!
I recently bought a table at a secondhand store it has the Hoosier tag on it. I don't know a lot about the Hoosier name but from what I have researched I have yet to find any tables. I have asked antique stores in my area and nobody seems to know. I'm hoping to find an answer. Thanks.
I have one exactly like it, except my upper doors have glass in them. Where did you get the pair of brackets that connect the bottom to the top, so that the enamel countertop slides out? I need a new pair. Thanks a bunch.
Neil
Neil,
I re-used the brackets. Just stripped and repainted. You can order replacements from several sites on the web.
I have this cabinet and am trying to sell it. It's heavily painted, the bottom door won't close, and the handle on the tin drawer is stripped. The wood is in excellent shape. Anyone interested can email me.
I came across this image when trying to decide to redo my husband's hoosier cabinet white. It started out white, then sometime in the 60's repainted to look like wood. I'm going to take back to original white. So love when folks restore old furniture - - that also has sentimental value. Thanks for posting!
very nice work. I need to replace at least one leg on a sellers cabinet. Should I cut all off and use hoosier legs? If so, where can I get the brackets for the legs
I didnt re-use leg brackets. I cut some new legs using the old ones as a pattern and then screwed directly into the bottom frame. Not sure where you could get new brackets.
I was given this same cabinet (except 3 doors on at top) by my mom in law. It was her grandmother's. All the original jars are with it, all the spice jars, and larger ones that sit inside on lower door. It's in excellent condition. Can anyone tell me what the value might be?
I have one just like this one that is in good shape. All original parts and paint. It's a jewel in my kitchen!
Our son and daughter-in-law are going to restore his great-grandmother's Hoosier cabinet. How do they safely removing peeling paint from interior? We're assuming the paint contains lead.
Donna, I just used paint stripper. Maybe I should have been more cautious but of course I wore heavy rubber gloves for stripping. I would Google safe ways to remove leaded paint if it has lead.
Good morning, my question is what was bottom enamel drawer used for? Awesome job on your restore.
Beautiful restoration work!
Hi Terry, the bottom enamel drawer was used for storing bread and other baked goods.
Dave and all, I’m restoring a Hoosier. The top left drawer has a loose track. The track is present but gets pushed to the side into a recess. I’m trying to figure out how to secure the track, when there isn’t anything to secure it to. Any suggestions p please? Thanks!
Dave, your Hoosier looks fantastic. How did you restore the flour bin? I am just starting the process on a similar Hoosier with the same two-door style on the upper section. It seems like the bin was not meant to be removed. Unfortunately, someone did a number on mine and painted it with a sloppily applied red latex paint :(. It looks like the entire front of the cabinet may be removed but I’m not experienced and am nervous about attempting this without being sure.
For those asking about parts, Kennedy Hardware carries an entire line of reproduction parts and accessories. Check it out at https://www.kennedyhardware.com/
Elizabeth, thanks for the comments. I did not have to do anything to the flour bin. It was in good shape.
Hi Dave, I just bought this exact cabinet and am having a difficult time finding it in the Hoosier Catalogue. It's missing some parts and I want to make sure I get the correct things for this piece. Do you happen to know the year, model name or anything else that would help me. The top and bottom are both marked No. 3146, Green Oak 2S31 and have the same tag nailed underneath as your but with a different place it was being sent to. Any info you may have would be so appreciated. Thank you. Your cabinet looks amazing by the way!
I just purchased and old home (built in 1880) that came completely furnished. I have a Hoosier cabinet exactly like this, and also a Hoosier table. I had no idea what these pieces were and can you believe I was going to throw them out! Now I am very excited to restore the cabinet and just love it's history. Thanks for sharing the photos of the fantastic restoration you did on yours!
Beautiful! I inherited my grandmother’s Hoosier cabinet. Over 25 years ago I had is stripped and stained. I’d like to update again with paint. Can I just use chalk paint after cleaning it good or do you recommend something else? It’s in great shape except I need to tighten the screw holes with wood filler.
