I worked in a library through high school, so things like microfiche and the Dewey Decimal System hold a special place in my heart. Naturally I loved this DIY project from Jeremy and Adrianne, who turned a Craigslist find — an old public library card catalog — into a distinctive buffet for their dining room. Here’s Jeremy’s account of the process:
My wife Adrianne and I love your site. We bought a vintage Phoenix Public Library card catalog on Craigslist for $150 and transformed it into a dining-room buffet. Here’s a summary of what we did:
- Removed all 72 drawers, labeling each with tape so they could be returned to their original positions.
- Stripped off the original plywood outer casing.
- Separated the four sections of 18 slots (originally arranged 4 x 1) and reassembled them into a 2 x 2 buffet configuration, securing the sections together with screws.
- Bought two 4′ x 8′ sheets of oak plywood and had Lowe’s cut them to size at no charge. These became the new top and base. We retained parts of the original casing on the sides to preserve the piece’s character and existing wear.
- Attached eight legs purchased from Lowe’s (about $8 each) to the base plywood in a diamond layout. The finished base held up well under the roughly 350-lb weight of the unit.
- Added 3/4″ trim bought at Lowe’s and cut at home with a miter saw, then filled nail holes with wood putty for a clean finish.
- Thoroughly sanded the piece until the surfaces were smooth.
- Painted with Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint and primer in one, selecting a blue-gray shade called Rhino.
- Applied Minwax Dark Walnut stain using a small brush and rags to create an aged, antique look. After additional light sanding, sealed the finish with Minwax Wipe-On Poly.
- Reinstalled the original hardware on each drawer, moved the piece into place, and now we have a unique, highly functional buffet.
We use one section to store wine, another for napkins and utensils, and still have many drawers available for miscellaneous items. The unit was heavy and the project was challenging, but investing a little time, effort, and $345 total produced a remarkable conversation piece. – Jeremy and Adrianne, The Lentine Family
This transformation is impressive — meticulous refinishing and thoughtful design turned a discarded card catalog into a showstopping piece. It feels more unique than many mass-produced furniture items, and it’s fun to imagine filling the drawers with everything from toys and spare accessories to household odds and ends. The project proves that with careful planning and a modest budget you can create something beautiful and one-of-a-kind.
Psst—Don’t forget to check out our weekly BabyCenter post about updates to Clara’s art wall.